Help with .454 SRH

[44man]

I have to fall back on all of you. I am not getting the accuracy I want with the big Lyman boolit.
What is a list of the best boolits for this gun and the kind of accuracy you are getting?
I am hoping to get something working before Marko brings the red dot next weekend. Then I have to remove the scope.
I have gone to 26 gr of 296 with the Lyman that casts at 347 gr. Groups jump around a great deal with each 1/2 gr change. Lots of fliers.
I don't own a .454 so it is the first time I have tried.
This gun has a muzzle break and feels like a .357! It blows the sandbag off the rest almost every shot! :roll::roll:

[Scrounger]

If it were mine, and I wish it were, I'd try different powders, AA1680 or the WW version of that, Reloader 7, and AA 2200.

[Whitworth]

Jim, maybe it just wants a different bullet. What else can we try? Hell, I'll call you later.......

[leadhead 500]

Try the Lee 300 grain RF with 30 grains of Win.296 and a CCI small rifle mag primer.I have also had very good luck with that same bullet and 31.5 grains of
H-110 and the CCI mag. primer.

[Scrounger]

According to what Leadhead posted, sounds to me like maybe your 26 grain loads of 296 are too light. Ball powders will not work well unless they are loaded to almost maximum. You want a lighter load, use a faster powder.

[Heavy lead]

44man, I have good groups with mine at 29.5 296 and a WSR with either a Hornady 300 grain XTP the heavier constructed one made for the 454, then after 200 rounds switched to the 300 grain Lee with gas check sized at .452. I don't shoot much with this load anymore, only hunt. Most of my practice is done with the 270SAA and is very accurate too. I cannot group a revolver like you can, but I always got good results with both the j-bullet and the Lee both on game and at the range.

[leadhead 500]

I don't think that 26 grains is enough for that boolit.I have loaded probably around 5000 rounds for the 454 SRH that I had.I found that loads with 296 or
H-110 need to be near max to get the best from the 454.Don't be afraid to go up a grain at a time on it,when you hit the max case extraction will get sticky.When you get to that point back it off 1 grain and you will do fine.That gun is built like a
Sherman tank and you will not hurt it with heavy loads.

[44man]

OK, thanks. I have the Lee boolit and will try 30 gr's.
The problem is the Hornady loading info that says I am already over max with the boolit weight of the Lyman. The brass was starting to get sticky at 26 gr's.
Remember this boolit is 347 gr's.

[leadhead 500]

I don't know if I would try 30 grains.I would think that around 28 will be more than enough.Have you tried H-110?The one that I had would print 3 shots into a
1 1/4" CtoC at 50 yards with 110.It just seemed to like it better than 296.

[44man]

Of course I will work up. I never go right to a suggested load. Each gun is different.
No, I don't have any H110 left because it doesn't shoot good in my guns. I never buy it.
This is a problem working loads for another gun because I can't afford to stock all powders.

[leadhead 500]

What size groups are you getting at 26 grains?

[44man]

I had 4 in 1-5/8" with a flier to 3". There has been no steady decrease in groups like I get with my guns. Just a vast difference with 1/2 gr of powder change. It will tighten a little then go wacko with an increase.
I don't think the 1 in 24" twist is friendly to a heavy boolit. Maybe the 300 gr will do better. I might have to go lighter yet.

[leadhead 500]

I would try the Lee 300 RF with 30 grains of 296,CCI mag primer and seat it to
1.735".and a heavy crimp.I cast mine from staight WW and Lyman #2 and the gun that I had would shoot them great.I was running California Saeco green lube
and the SRH realy loved them

[bigdog454]

My SRH likes 4227 and the 310 gr Lee as cast with a GC, Near max loading, cast at 13.5 hardness ( on a lee hardness tester) and WW sr primers. It will shoot 1-1.5 inch groups at 50 yards with that load (if I do my part).

[44man]

OK, 28.5 gr gave me 5 shots touching at 50 yd's. From 29 to 30 it spreads again.
More checking to do but I think the Lee is what the gun likes best. I just hate the tiny crimp grooves.
I have one more boolit to test.