454 casull reduced loads

[cosmoline one]

Anyone have good light loads with boolits for 454?(preferably 250-260grs)

[Love Life]

45 Colt.

[dh2]

45 LC works good

[Tatume]

I use 260 and 320 grain cast bullets with Unique for 1100 fps. Start in the Ruger and T/C section of 45 Colt data in your loading manuals and adjust as needed.

[paralaska]

I use 250 gr cast bullets over 9 gr of unique for mild loads . . .

[cosmoline one]

Thanks. I've only been shooting 45 colt loads(in 454 brass)Anyone get good acuracy with 700x?

[RobS]

If you are looking at shooting mouse fart loads then 700x would work about as good as any. Using a 250-260 grain boolit, 6-7 grains would work well and shoot accurately enough for general plinking.

[High Desert Hunter]

I shoot the RCBS 45-270SAA bullet over 14 grains of HS6, my 340 grain WFNPB LBT bullets over the same charge of HS6, or 21 grains of 2400. Brian Pearce did an article for Handloader Magazine on the 454 and he included some nice midrange loads.

[Groo]

Groo here
Trail Boss full to the boolet.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

see if this helps http://www.reloadammo.com/454casull.htm myself i like 27.5gr of H110 under a 300gr boolit out of my Encore 147493
thats at 100 yards

[cosmoline one]

Update: I,ve finally gotten a chronograph!
6.6 x dupont 700x with a MBC 255gr swc, cci#400 sm. rifle (454 casull brass) gets me 780fps & an 8sd
This is a nice target load.Stepping up to 7.1 grns got me to 800fps & a 12sd. This is slower than I expected in the 7.5 inch barrel! I suspect its because my powder is old, or does it have to do with the larger case?
When I chrono'ed mouse fart loads in my 30-30 with this powder velocities were right where I expected(5.0 grns w/a 155grn LRN at 1020)
I'm already a bit above max in the 45 colt (but figured I'm ok w/the 454 superredhawk). Guess I'll need to try another powder to get that bullet closer to 1000fps for hunting.( maybe 2400?)

[DougGuy]

2400 and also LilGun work good for 75% ~ 90% power in .45 Colt Ruger Only loads so it should work for 454.

Just keep in mind to *never* download W296/H110.

[RobS]

I would see if you can find some Unique or even Bluedot, something in that burn rate area if you are wanting 1,000 fps. 2400 powder underneith a 250 grainer running at 1000 fps with 454 Casull brass (small rifle primer) is going to leave you quite a bit of unburnt powder; it needs more pressure to burn well. However you will likely still have pretty decent accuracy. If using 2400 powder I would look toward 1,100 fps and things will come together nicely.

[cosmoline one]

I was thinking of starting at 15 x 2400 and working my way up.
(255gr lswc- which actually weigh closer to 260)

[ole 5 hole group]

2400 and also LilGun work good for 75% ~ 90% power in .45 Colt Ruger Only loads so it should work for 454.

Just keep in mind to *never* download W296/H110.

That's good advice on the WW296/H110. Something to think about on Lil'Gun is that powder is harder to ignite than H110, so I would think it would be even worse to download than H110 relative to ignition.

Bob Baker doesn't want Lil'Gun shot in the FA 454 as he says it damages the revolver. Might be for the FA but I've never heard of Lil'Gun causing any problems with other revolvers. It does generate a lot more barrel heat than other powders but I'm not sure that will cause a problem to most revolvers.

[RobS]

I was thinking of starting at 15 x 2400 and working my way up.
(255gr lswc- which actually weigh closer to 260)

15 grains of 2400 powder is too light of a load and will burn poorly. Considering 454 Casull brass, I would start at 18 grains then work up and figure you to be in the 950 fps-possibly 1000 fps area with a 260 grain boolit.

[DougGuy]

Bob Baker doesn't want Lil'Gun shot in the FA 454 as he says it damages the revolver. Might be for the FA but I've never heard of Lil'Gun causing any problems with other revolvers. It does generate a lot more barrel heat than other powders but I'm not sure that will cause a problem to most revolvers.

Afaik max loads of LilGun in the 454 can erode the throat pretty easily and although I have not owned a FA and had this happen, I do read that this is a serious problem in these guns. I use LilGun in .45 Colt loads when I want a slightly less than full house load and it works very well. I am sure there is not enough heat generated by this load that I could shoot it as long as I wanted to with no issues in the Ruger Vaquero.

20.5gr LilGun under the 300gr RF boolit seated in the bottom crimp groove will get 1,000fps from a short barreled Vaquero. You could use this same load in the FA cylinder, I'd probably want to up the charge weight of LilGun to achieve the same velocity in Casull brass. Others have suggested just using .45 Colt brass and loads and although this certainly does work, personally I would rather use the longer Casull brass so the boolits are fully engaged in the cylinder throats. Whole lot better when you do it right.

The other thing that comes to mind, how slow can you fling this boolit and still have it stable? The load I listed above is very accurate in the Vaquero. I should add that this gun has had the cylinder throats reamed to .4525" and the bore has also been Taylor throated so there is only about 3 7/8" of actual rifled bore left. It's a very good trail gun with these loads.

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/DougGuy/Reloading/0d3c189d-b085-4d95-a658-1f0f88b78255_zps3f37d14d.jpg (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/DougGuy/media/Reloading/0d3c189d-b085-4d95-a658-1f0f88b78255_zps3f37d14d.jpg.html)

[ejcrist]

You might want to take a look at 4227 as well. It's a slow powder but I like it a lot. I've been using 22 grains in a 45 Colt case in a FA 83 (7.5" barrel) w/45 Colt cylinder and get 1,175 fps - it's very accurate. Unlike 296/H110 you can load 4227 down. The other nice thing about it is it fills the case pretty well. I haven't noticed it being position or temperature sensitive either.

[dubber123]

I found accuracy with the LEE 320 to get noticeably better once velocity got to around 1,100 fps. Your guns may be different. I wouldn't bet on it though :)

[9.3X62AL]

I caution that I have ZERO experience with the 454 Casull, and don't expect to gain any. That said, I make A LOT of 38 Special and 44 Special +P-type loads for my 357 and 44 Magnums in magnum casings--950-1000 FPS--using the following formula......

Herco powder.......use 38 Special max recipe +10% to equal Special ballistics, then slowly run the weight up until desired velocity is achieved. +12% to +15% is the usual route to 950-1000 FPS with standard weight SWCs in either caliber.

[cosmoline one]

RobS,
I should have listened to you. I tried 16 grains & 17 grains & got squib loads & bullets stuck in the barrel! 16 grains actually sent it further down the barrel than 17! Now I'm thinking 18gr. won't even be enough.On a side note, 7.6 grs. of 700x got good accuracy at 50 yds but only around 820fps(but still with low ES)
I'm puzzled by the squibs. Could using PC'd bullets make them "hard" and be the cause?-Though I'm using them in the 700x loads too & they're not having squibs(although they're slower than I expected)

[44man]

RobS,
I should have listened to you. I tried 16 grains & 17 grains & got squib loads & bullets stuck in the barrel! 16 grains actually sent it further down the barrel than 17! Now I'm thinking 18gr. won't even be enough.On a side note, 7.6 grs. of 700x got good accuracy at 50 yds but only around 820fps(but still with low ES)
I'm puzzled by the squibs. Could using PC'd bullets make them "hard" and be the cause?-Though I'm using them in the 700x loads too & they're not having squibs(although they're slower than I expected)
It is the SR primer. It has a lot of pressure, forces the boolits out, giving too much air space that acts like a reduced load, then it runs out of fire.
To solve all problems, cut down .460 brass and use LP mag primers. That will allow all book listed loads with any powder.
If you stay with SR primers, you need hotter loads, more powder.

[44MAG#1]

Load the 454 Casull to slightly below the 44 Mag with similar bullets sectional density wise and use 2400 because that IS A REDUCED LOAD in a 454 Casull. If you want cream puff loads in the 45 Colt range use 45 Colt cream puff loads and use 45 Colt brass and keep the chambers clean.
Very Simple.
Dont make something hard out of something simple.

[lar45]

Your reported velocities are way lower than what might be expected. Have you tried a fresh battery in your chronograph?
Maybe double check the powder weights on another scale. Are you useing a digital scale or a balance beam scale? If you are useing a digital scale make sure that it has time to warm up and also be sure that it is on a firm flat surface. Make sure that you have a good battery in the scale also.
For your squibs, have you tried switching to a mag primer?
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/ may have some loads to try for low velocity 454

[44man]

Lar, we got the squib loads using starting loads from Hodgdon with 296 and H110, tried all SR primers, mags, etc. Only at or near max did they go away.
2400 should be the best way to go.
Strange the OP had trouble with a faster powder.
Once we went to LP primers, even the Fed 150 ignited starting loads but the 155 was more accurate. We exceeded accuracy we ever got from a SR primer.
I then took the Fed 155 to 55,000 pressure with no problems. Primers looked normal.

[44man]

I made a cutter to open pockets on .454 brass but won't do that again, too hard. Still a chore to cut .460 brass but better then trying to get pockets even.

[cosmoline one]

Lar45, I don't think theres anything wrong w/the chrono. 22lr fired at the same outing showed expected velocities.
I'm trying to decide now if I should try mag primers or up the powder charges(leaning towards more 2400)

[44MAG#1]

Cosmoline One:

Let me say this. You may ignore what I post in post #23 but it is good advice. Even some of Hodgdons loads with the slow burning powder is too light.
Even with the fast powders in that case will be position sensitive to a greater degree than they are in a 45 Colt case.
In the 45 Colt, even with Bullseye, I have gotten wide velocity swings depending where I Positioned the powder when chronoing. And no it wasn't because of poor loading practicies either.
People just won't try the little experiment I sometimes bring up because they just don't want to really know the truth.
The 454 case is even worse because it is longer. Henceforth powder that can be a longer way from the primer than a 45 Colt case.
Even with a heavy (340 gr) bullet and Red Dot that some jewel, on here, mentioned one time in the 45 Colt the velocity swing was excessive if loaded to safe Blackhawk levels. With 2400 it wasn't at safe Blackhawk levels.
Oh yes, I have two 454's and did have 4 at one time and love them. So I am not a hater of the 454 Casull.

[44man]

44mag, so true. It can't be because the book says otherwise. In my opinion all starting loads for the .454 should be removed. They were developed in test barrels.
I do not hate the caliber, I hate the brass.
A lot of my friends come over with them and until I found the problems, I had to watch every shot they took so I could tell them "STOP." I still keep a brass rod and little hammer in my shooting bag.
An interesting situation came up when a friend brought over factory cast loads, I won't tell the make here but they had full profile crimps that dug near 1/8" long into the boolits. I asked why so much crimp? I was right again because we never got more then 2 shots before locking up a SRH, Freedom would lock with 1 shot. Dowel and little hammer to get boolits back in the cylinder so the gun could be opened. Not a safe feeling doing that!
Now imagine a bear hunt!
I have always said more then anyone wants to hear that brass is your enemy.
Remember the .500 S&W was punched for a LP primer? Then they went to LR primers so guys loaded LR primers in LP brass and got slam fires. Not good for the gun or fingers!
When anyone thinks they know too much, they get in trouble.
Gun writers today know so little it is scary.

[cosmoline one]

44Mag,
I'm not ignoring you. As I said I am leaning toward increasing the 2400 load (using 44 mag as a guide)I was thinking of starting at 20.0 grains w/the 255gr swc.

[cosmoline one]

Update: I tried 21.0grns x A2400 and still got a squib! However, 20.0 grns xA2400 w/a CCI Magnum small rifle primer set off fine. I'm going to use these from now on.

[44MAG#1]

I would be shooting for 22 to 23 gr 2400 with a light bullet like the 250 to 250 gr.
One would use around 21 of 2400 in a 44 Mag with the same bullet weight. In a smaller diameter case and shorter too than the 454.

[44man]

Update: I tried 21.0grns x A2400 and still got a squib! However, 20.0 grns xA2400 w/a CCI Magnum small rifle primer set off fine. I'm going to use these from now on.
Not enough, remember a lot will go off but there is always the one in there. My book shows 25 gr to start with a 250 to 260 gr. Going to 30 and 29 gr resp., depending on bullet construction of jacketed.
Can you imagine needing to work the hammer like mad when you smell bear breath? One failure and you need a box of pepper in your pocket. Same with a crimp failure.
Nothing has worked better then case tension.

[ole 5 hole group]

I don't know the powder characteristics of A2400 but with A1680 you need to run that powder close to maximum, as it needs pressure to burn efficiently. In the 500 S&W if you go below the recommended starting loads with A1680 you will get a few squibs with a magnum large pistol primer - less with a large rifle primer. Once you go with the minimum start load everything functions just fine with either primer. Might have something to do with your problem using the A2400.

[cosmoline one]

Ok, 23.0 grains of 2400 w/cci mag srprimers is getting me close to 1100 fps.
Also, using 700x w/mag primers I'm getting close to 1000fps. I'm already over published data for 45 colt in rugers/t.centers, But since this is a SRH 454 casull, and I'm getting low SD(20-30), I think I'm gonna go a little higher until I get over 1000fps or Sd gets too high.(got a lot of 700x). Thanks for all the helpful responces.The depth of knowledge on here is great.

[44man]

Buy .460 brass and cut it down to see how great the .454 can be. It was a mistake to go with a SR primer but remember Dick used duplex and triplex loads to test with Bullseye next to the primer. He made a lot of scrap metal until the Freedom was made.
I still say the SR primer is wrong.

[dmize]

Could have saved a lot of time,frustration and money just buying 45 Colt brass.

[freebullet]

300gr pb hp in casull brass over 9gr tightgroup =joy for me srh

[historicfirearms]

Buy .460 brass and cut it down to see how great the .454 can be. It was a mistake to go with a SR primer but remember Dick used duplex and triplex loads to test with Bullseye next to the primer. He made a lot of scrap metal until the Freedom was made.
I still say the SR primer is wrong.
I am having a hard time understanding how this would help. All of the 460 brass I see for sale is made for Large Rifle primers. You can substitute a small pistol primer in place of a small rifle primer, but you cannot substitute a large pistol primer in place of a large rifle primer. What type of primers are you running in the cut down 460 brass? Can you explain the advantage over using a small pistol (magnum) primer in 454 brass? Not trying to be contrarian, just trying to understand.

[44man]

I am having a hard time understanding how this would help. All of the 460 brass I see for sale is made for Large Rifle primers. You can substitute a small pistol primer in place of a small rifle primer, but you cannot substitute a large pistol primer in place of a large rifle primer. What type of primers are you running in the cut down 460 brass? Can you explain the advantage over using a small pistol (magnum) primer in 454 brass? Not trying to be contrarian, just trying to understand.
Oh yes, you can use LP in LR brass.
The .475 is made from 45-70 brass with a LR pocket but you dare not use LR primers in it, info from powder makers, dangerous pressure spikes. The 45-70 is also good with LP primers.
My .500 JRH brass is cut down .500 S&W brass with LR pockets and I only use LP mags in it.
The .454 will work best with .460 brass and a LP mag, I like the Fed 155.
There is only .010" difference in the height of the primers. Just seat to bottom.
The problem with a SR primer in the .454 is it has enough pressure to push out boolits into the bore but runs out of fire if air space is increased. Needs max loads so powder does not get away from fire. The SR primer is so bad you can get SEE events but the gap saves your gun. But stick a boolit without notice and shoot another behind it and your .454 will explode.
I don't do this for fun.
It works the other way too and you can have more primer then needed. friend brought a S&W in .45 ACP and it shot terrible. I studied the little case and told him "too much primer." I cut bushings for a SP primer and cut groups by 3X. He bought 1000 Speer cases for SP primers. Even works better in his 1911.
Yes a LP mag is right at home in .460 brass. You will thank me in the end. I go to other sites to see my stuff repeated all the time. My goal is to help all and it is good, I feel good.

[historicfirearms]

Thanks for clarifying 44man. I was always told not to interchange the pistol and rifle large primers. One more question though, what's wrong with using a magnum small pistol primer in the 454 case? Maybe it won't hold up to the pressure?

[44man]

Thanks for clarifying 44man. I was always told not to interchange the pistol and rifle large primers. One more question though, what's wrong with using a magnum small pistol primer in the 454 case? Maybe it won't hold up to the pressure?
I don't know if it has enough fire either. Something I did not try. I don't own a .454 so all was done with friends guns.
I always heard the SR primer was chosen because of pressures but after taking a 155 to over 55,000 with no issues, Supposedly the softest primer, I still wonder about it. I also had no problems with a Fed 150 but they were not as accurate. Once a case gets so large, a mag works better.
Even the .45 Colt works with the 150 and 296 but a WWLP shows promise while a 155 will open groups.
The 150 has ignited every load in the .475 but again the 155 is more accurate. Case size is the factor.
Since the early 80's I have used nothing but a 150 in the .44 mag. and 296. Hunting to -20° in Ohio. Cold weather testing showed an increase in groups but the 155 was still larger.
In the .454 I tested every SR mag primer, Rem, Fed, CCI and WW and starting loads would not all fire, the hammer got a workout. Things only got better as I increased the load. Very close to or at max, they worked.
The worst in two guns were factory cast loads with a heavy full profile crimp. Boolits pulled and locked even the SRH with 2 shots. Took 1 shot for a Freedom, lighter gun and shorter cylinder. I use just a mild roll crimp and none of mine pulled with 2 rotations on the last round. Hard lesson with a lack of tension and too much crimp. I would not take those loads into the woods.

[44MAG#1]

I am with 44man on the LP taking the pressure. B-U-T if one wants a low powered load in a 454 Casull get on the phone, call Starline and get some 45 Colt brass and use it.
This horse is getting too old to ride. It's the same ole same ole on reduced loads in the 454 Casull.
Just keep the chambers clean. Get some Kroil, put it in the cylinder and brush it out after it soaks some and you are good to go again.
Guess what, the 45 Colt takes LP primers and all this back and forth on primers will be a moot point. Plus one can load the 45 Colt cases with loads that will take any game in NA.
Worried about your cylinder?? Guess what if you can afford to shoot enough to etch or accumulate a ring in your cylinder with reasonable care you can more than afford a new cylinder. Even in a FA revolver..
Does anyone on here get it?

[Groo]

Groo here
+++1 44man
I have an original early Freedom arms [ One of the first adj sight] And some original brass [even got the lp to sp brass inserts somewhere]
The brass was 45 colt but longer. [Never had a problem] modern brass is thicker, so much so that the old original loads
will not fit. [That is 80000psi loads with 296 and 2400 ,no triplex stuff]
I "think " one of the reasons for the thick brass is to limit the pressure [65000psi] by limiting the powder space.
Ruger and Taurus guns ar strong "BUT" I would not put the original loads in them.
The 454 was designed as a HUNTING pistol for BIG game , and as such the design and loads are made as such.
To load it down takes some different thinking from our "normal" magnums.
If you use Trailboss with pistol primers , you will get 45colt level loads.
If you want 45colt Ruger only load levels, that is about where the 454 starts.
Remember, the 454 [ and in an FA most of all] is like a Cobra Mustang .
You "can" use to make a beer run at the corner store, BUT, It is most happy
when you let the horses run.
After all , even under the leather ac and other goodies, it is still a race car.

[TMenezes]

To the OP, I have loaded thousands of light 45 colt loads using 700x. It's very clean and very accurate. Plus a pound goes a long way. Seems to not mind being a big mostly empty case too, similar to Tightgroup in that respect. The one thing it doesn't like to do is give high velocity unless pressure is pretty high.

For 1,000 fps loads Blue Dot has worked pretty well for me. In my 45 colt 12.5 grains works great with cast 250 gr Lee slug. If I were to load mid range 454 I would try about 14gr.

Could you do me a favor? If you try Blue Dot can you let me know how it works out in a pm :-)

[ole 5 hole group]

I was out yesterday hammering away and tried a couple "new" loads for the 454 with light bullets. I ran 250 grain XTP's fairly fast using 34.0 grains of AA1680 (1,600 fps), which is just over the minimum of 33.3 grains recommended by Western Powders. Recoil was very light and accuracy was acceptable. Next I tried 260 grain cast using 9 grains of WW 231 found on the FA website (about 850 fps) - POI was in the same ball park at 25 yards as the aforementioned AA1680 load and the recoil felt like I was shooting 38 wadcutters in a Python and the accuracy was acceptable.

My 454 is a BFR with a 6" barrel and I've always used cut-down 460 brass with either WLP or Federal 155 primers.

[cosmoline one]

I seem to be doing well with the cci250 sr magnum primers.
9.0 x 700x w/the 255grlswc is getting me 1026fps with a 9.2 SD and a max spread of 24.
This is performance I was originally seeking & its mild to shoot.I've got lots of 700x and its good enough for whitetails at woods ranges(usually 50 yds or under).
25.0 x Alliant2400 is getting 1322 fps w/a Sd of 28.6 and a max spread of 64.its a noticeable step up in recoil, but not overwhelming.When the brass I have now needs replacing I'll try some 460 brass cut down.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

going to start to use some reduced loads in my Encore 454 just wondering what boolit molds you are using

[ole 5 hole group]

One comment on Federal primers - they are not soft and their primer cup is as thick as any of the others. There's a chart floating around somewhere with that information. The Federal primer mix is more SENSITIVE than most other primers and that is the reason people use Federal primers when they absolutely need that round to go bang.

Federal primers have always been very sensitive to a firing pin strike but they use to come packaged like every other primer make but some years back they switched to that big box - IMHO, just to please the attorneys.

I've known lots of shooters who had problems with primer ignition and instead of fixing the handgun problem, they just switched to Federal primers.

As far as pressure goes - the large rifle primer is just a tad thicker in the cup - I think 0.002" thicker, which gives it the ability to use higher pressures without piercing but one can still pierce the rifle primer, as well as blow out a primer pocket if one fools around with over the top loads very much.;)

[ole 5 hole group]

When the brass I have now needs replacing I'll try some 460 brass cut down.

If you do cut down 460 brass - cut it 0.010 over max length for the 454, as after the 1st firing the brass will shorten to the correct 454 brass OAL and it'll stay there. It's a PITA to do it unless you have a lathe - I initially used a pipe cutter to get close than a case trimmer to bring it down to 0.010" over.

[44man]

One comment on Federal primers - they are not soft and their primer cup is as thick as any of the others. There's a chart floating around somewhere with that information. The Federal primer mix is more SENSITIVE than most other primers and that is the reason people use Federal primers when they absolutely need that round to go bang.

Federal primers have always been very sensitive to a firing pin strike but they use to come packaged like every other primer make but some years back they switched to that big box - IMHO, just to please the attorneys.

I've known lots of shooters who had problems with primer ignition and instead of fixing the handgun problem, they just switched to Federal primers.

As far as pressure goes - the large rifle primer is just a tad thicker in the cup - I think 0.002" thicker, which gives it the ability to use higher pressures without piercing but one can still pierce the rifle primer, as well as blow out a primer pocket if one fools around with over the top loads very much.;)
True, UPS had a box of primers go off when tossed into a truck. The reason for the new box. Not to say any other primer would have not gone off. Brutis Affarences was the problem.

[44man]

If you do cut down 460 brass - cut it 0.010 over max length for the 454, as after the 1st firing the brass will shorten to the correct 454 brass OAL and it'll stay there. It's a PITA to do it unless you have a lathe - I initially used a pipe cutter to get close than a case trimmer to bring it down to 0.010" over.
Royal pain for sure.

[High Desert Hunter]

I have found HS6 to be about the best powder I have tried for midrange 454 loads, Starline brass and CCI small rifle primers, I out about 12-1500 of these through my FA every year, mostly with a 340gr WFN from an LBT mold, makes softball sized rocks easy at 50-75 yards, and volleyball rocks at 175-200.

[44man]

I have found HS6 to be about the best powder I have tried for midrange 454 loads, Starline brass and CCI small rifle primers, I out about 12-1500 of these through my FA every year, mostly with a 340gr WFN from an LBT mold, makes softball sized rocks easy at 50-75 yards, and volleyball rocks at 175-200.
Good powder and I tried it in my .475, accuracy was not just enough, it was exceptional which was a surprise. My problem with it is my can has only a tinkle left and I can't find more.
I think it is the best for reduced loads in large cases. But still enough for a lot of thump.
It might solve all problems in the .454 with ignition. Remember it was only starting loads of 296 that caused problems. Just keep that powder to max.
I found no use for the .454 for deer as it is faster then I want and that makes it harder to get the right boolit, too hard and it will poke a hole, slower with hard is better. I also found a hard boolit too heavy is a hole poker. While the .44, .45 Colt and .475 will drop deer fast with hard, the .500 JRH with the 440 gr will fail so I softened the nose but sure do not want to hit bone either.
The faster or heavier the boolit the more you need to initiate some expansion but don't go over board. The .454 would benefit greatly from just a softer nose with a hard base. Don't go to a HP.
HP's are taken all out of concept for killing and recovery. But I am crazy with the JRH and just half the nose softer. I never seen so much damage with a bone hit from any gun, rifle, shotgun, whatever. Here is a shoulder hit.155173 All the white is bone chips. Then the bad hit I gut shot where the boolit exited the belly and went into the back knee to destroy from the knee down before exit. There was an 8" pile of intestines sticking out the entrance hole and the exit. The leg from the knee down was 3X normal size. Huge bone pieces fell out when skinning. Yeah, I screw up too.
This is a 440 gr at 1350 fps. It is harder to hit perfect at my age. Just a few years is all it takes.

[High Desert Hunter]

For deer in the 454, I think I would use either a JHP through the lungs, or my 345gr HPGC bullet in the same spot, would push the JHP a little harder than the cast HP. I have recovered the cast HP bullets after passing through 3 gallon jugs of water and 14" of sandy mud, front was sheared off, but it was still pointed nose first, and weighed 257 grains, these were loaded to 1350 with 2400. With the pins reversed, this bullet weighs 355 grains, and I have yet to dig deep enough to recover one when loaded to 1250 fps or above. The damage from your JRH is beyond impressive! I doubt I have enough time to ever be as good of a shot as you are.

[44man]

It is going away as I get older, need a rest more then ever. Even arms on knees is better now.
The .475 with a 420 boolit at 1329 fps blew up 4 gallon jugs, split 2 more and exited jug 17 in a straight line. It is hard but drops deer right now. It does less meat damage then the JRH.
That is why I think a .480 would be perfect.
I never thought just half the nose softer would turn the JRH into a grenade and it is not that soft, made from 3# of pure with 1# of WW.

[747 captain]

What velocities are you getting?

[747 captain]

Would this be safe load for a ruger?

[black mamba]

Custom smiths make 5-shot 45 Colts that are good to 40k psi, and will move a 340 gr bullet at 1400 fps out of a 7½" barrel with no problems. I have two 454s and shoot nothing but 45 Colt brass in them, from mild to wild. The Casull will take MUCH more pressure than any 5-shot Colt. Unless hunting really large game (buff, pachy, etc.) then isn't a 340 at 1400 enough? Even a 320 at 1250 hits harder than any 44 mag load, and would be perfect for deer or even elk. Then, the lighter loads for target and plinking aren't a problem at all: 8 gr of HP38 or W231 under a 255 Keith gives around 1,000 fps depending on barrel length and is superbly accurate. 6-7 gr of Red Dot, American Select or 700X fills the case nicely and with a 200-225 grainer makes a great beginner's load.

Why fool around with trying to make a small primer pocket Casull case work, when the old Colt needs no fiddling and works so well?