454 - Dissapointment

pinne65 · Mar 3, 2015

For the 1st time I chronographed my handloads in .454 Cassull and was struck by a huge dissapointment: the loads were about 200 fps below listed in the reloading manual.

I loaded 26grs of Alliant 2400 under 250grs Nosler JHP in a Staarline case using CCI 400 primer. I chronoed 4 loads at 1350 fps out of a Ruger Super Redhawk with a 7.5" barrell. This same load is listed in Speer #14 at 1531 fps out of a 7.5" Freedom arms.
WTFAX is up with this???

I haven't been able to pull any bullets yet due to the heave crimp - afraid I'm going to break the whacker.

Two other loads, 10mm and 308, were chronoed and were in line with the same reloading manual.

Btw, did I mentione we chronoed my buddie's Xvr @ 2230 fps at the same occasion - GRRRR

Any 2 welcome...

Trailboss · Mar 3, 2015

Wonder if the cylinder/barrel gap is leaking pressure.

pinne65 · Mar 3, 2015

Maybe I should get it to a gunsmith. I have about 1500 rds of 454 through it and maybe 4000 rds of 45LC through it. 454 has always been a flame thrower (Attached). And that's what I've heard about 2400. But I forgot to mention that my 45 LC loads were also in line with the manual.

deadeye · Mar 3, 2015

Are you seating it to the recommended length for that bullet or the stated OAL at the beginning of the section, there may be a slight difference as my book lists 260gr being seated slightly shorter ( I don't have 250gr listed in #12 speer) Were you shooting in the colder weather during the 454 testing? I am not to sure just one of those would be the cause of such a lower velocity but it may be a combo. Also are you using 454 dies vs 45lc there is a difference in the sizing and crimp dies. (read here).....Freedom Arms – Unparalleled Firearms

pinne65 · Mar 4, 2015

OAL was 1.695 as opposed to the 1.67 listed for that load. I use .454 dies. I think the temp was in the 50s. And elevation around 1500'. Interesting reading on the Freedom site - thanks!

solv3nt · Mar 4, 2015

The aliant recipe says that the 26 grains is the max load. At 7.5" are you getting unburnt powder?

pinne65 · Mar 4, 2015

I didn't check for that but I don't think so. I'll take a closer look at the next session. I guess temp plays a pretty big role do I'll try keeping some car t ridges in my pocket before shooting them the next time.

solv3nt · Mar 4, 2015

I've never chronographed my rounds, but another thing to consider is the powder. Has the powder been dry and cool while stored? What about the loaded rounds?

pinne65 · Mar 4, 2015

Yea - I s store all my rounds and perishable reloading material in air tight ammo canswith silica pack s and keep them at a cool even temp.

rick benjamin · Mar 4, 2015

Flame out the muzzle means powder is still burning.
Powder gasses power the bullet within the barrel.
Flames look dramatic, but it's a waste of powder power.

Alliant doesn't say what length of barrel was used in their manual.

pinne65 · Mar 4, 2015

I was using the Speer reloading manual. They were using Freedom arms 7.5". My Ruger is also 7.5".

Btw, when I use the .454 for bear defence I'm hoping the flames will burn his eyebrows if I miss the shot and still act as a deterant ;-)
Yep - I'm still looking for another powder with less flame. But handgun powders are hard to get by these days and I'm stocked up on 2400.

solv3nt · Mar 4, 2015

pinne65 said:
Btw, when I use the .454 for bear defence I'm hoping the flames will burn his eyebrows if I miss the shot and still act as a deterant ;-)
Yep - I'm still looking for another powder with less flame. But handgun powders are hard to get by these days and I'm stocked up on 2400.

Make sure to file off the front sight for your bear defense gun, so it'll hurt less when he shoves it up your @$$.

Sgt Nambu · Mar 4, 2015

^^^^ Well....that's just mean!!! ^^^^

ROFLMAO!!!

solv3nt · Mar 5, 2015

Sgt Nambu said:
^^^^ Well....that's just mean!!! ^^^^ ROFLMAO!!!

It reminds me of that old lady that walked away from a bear attack after using her 22lr derringer. She said that all it took was a single shot behind her husband's knee, and she just slowly walked away.