454 casull in rifle

Folks I have a Rossi M92 chambered in 454 casull. I’ve asked this question on several FB pages and have gotten so many varying answers. Figure I’ll ask here. I want to load Hornady 240 XTP mags for hunting. It will be fired from a lever action rifle. Should I just use Hornadys load data for pistol? Their load data for this projectile and H110 powder starts at 34.1g and max at 36.9. Their load data is for a freedom arms revolver. I’m a little worried about a fast burning pistol powder in a rifle. I don’t wanna create a bomb. I’ve got a friend that’s a smith and long range shooter. He ran everything through quick load and that program recommended 30 grains to start and 35 max. I’m worried about where to start... maybe I’m just overthinking it.... it was afterall designed with factory 454 in mind... and I have shot factory ammo through it with no issues.... so... what says you? Thanks for any input folks.

Factory rifles in a pistol caliber, are designed to shoot factory PISTOL loads.
Load with book recommendations, start low and work up, and you will be fine.
In almost every pistol caliber chambered rifle, this is the design. You can use the slower powders or slowest powder for a pistol, and squeeze a little more velocity out of the rifle, and do it with an easier pressure curve.

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Originally Posted by Grim300Win

Folks I have a Rossi M92 chambered in 454 casull. I’ve asked this question on several FB pages and have gotten so many varying answers. Figure I’ll ask here. I want to load Hornady 240 XTP mags for hunting. It will be fired from a lever action rifle. Should I just use Hornadys load data for pistol? Their load data for this projectile and H110 powder starts at 34.1g and max at 36.9. Their load data is for a freedom arms revolver. I’m a little worried about a fast burning pistol powder in a rifle. I don’t wanna create a bomb. I’ve got a friend that’s a smith and long range shooter. He ran everything through quick load and that program recommended 30 grains to start and 35 max. I’m worried about where to start... maybe I’m just overthinking it.... it was afterall designed with factory 454 in mind... and I have shot factory ammo through it with no issues.... so... what says you? Thanks for any input folks.

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Here's Hodgdons load data. I'd back off on the charge to start with. Otherwise you should be fine.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...dc7b652937.jpg

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If you stick with published load data the round will be safe in both a pistol and a rifle. You may find a slower burning power will produce a little more velocity out of a rifle and a bigger muzzle flash out of a pistol. Just the nature of the beast.


If you wanted to dig into it more....

When the load data is developed the Test barrels are tighter (cut at SAAMI min) then typical, and is not vented. This generates pressures that are a tad higher then what a typical production rifle produces. If a max load is safe for a rifle it will be just find for a pistol.






Reloading...it’s like knitting for men.

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Originally Posted by Grim300Win

Folks I have a Rossi M92 chambered in 454 casull. I’ve asked this question on several FB pages and have gotten so many varying answers. Figure I’ll ask here. I want to load Hornady 240 XTP mags for hunting. It will be fired from a lever action rifle. Should I just use Hornadys load data for pistol? Their load data for this projectile and H110 powder starts at 34.1g and max at 36.9. Their load data is for a freedom arms revolver. I’m a little worried about a fast burning pistol powder in a rifle. I don’t wanna create a bomb. I’ve got a friend that’s a smith and long range shooter. He ran everything through quick load and that program recommended 30 grains to start and 35 max. I’m worried about where to start... maybe I’m just overthinking it.... it was afterall designed with factory 454 in mind... and I have shot factory ammo through it with no issues.... so... what says you? Thanks for any input folks.

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I’ve got a puma 92 in 454. I love it. I shoot 260gr partitions (discontinued unfortunately) and 300gr hornady xtp out of it. For both I have used the pistol data out of the manuals, with no troubles at all. You are good to go buddy.


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I had a LSI/Rossi chambered in 454Casull. It was all stainless with a 16" bbl.
Couple things - - -> The 454Casull is a high pressure cartridge. Especially in it's small primer configuration. IIRC . . . 65K psi. The 92 action is much stronger than a 94 action. An EXTREMELY low charge of H110 is dangerous. ( Obviously a large charge is also.) Those 240gr Mags are a good bullet and will hold together at "highway" speeds.
Outta my gun I shot CBP 265gr WFNGC's at close to 2000fps. They were devastating on both hogs and the bambi sized deer down here. I also shot the CBP 335's and 360's. I believe both were WFNGC also. Possibly WLNGC. Anyway all shot extremely good. All were hardcast also. I would not hesitate to use the 360's on Alaskan moose,black bear,and under the right circumstances possibly brown and grizz.
My "theory" was. If you want to load a 454Casull down,buy a 45LC. I shot only max doses of H110 outta my gun.
But . . . when you start approaching 60K psi the little Rossi's stomp the proverbial shit outta ya. --- SAWMAN

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Originally Posted by SAWMAN

I had a LSI/Rossi chambered in 454Casull. It was all stainless with a 16" bbl.
Couple things - - -> The 454Casull is a high pressure cartridge. Especially in it's small primer configuration. IIRC . . . 65K psi. The 92 action is much stronger than a 94 action. An EXTREMELY low charge of H110 is dangerous. ( Obviously a large charge is also.) Those 240gr Mags are a good bullet and will hold together at "highway" speeds.
Outta my gun I shot CBP 265gr WFNGC's at close to 2000fps. They were devastating on both hogs and the bambi sized deer down here. I also shot the CBP 335's and 360's. I believe both were WFNGC also. Possibly WLNGC. Anyway all shot extremely good. All were hardcast also. I would not hesitate to use the 360's on Alaskan moose,black bear,and under the right circumstances possibly brown and grizz.
My "theory" was. If you want to load a 454Casull down,buy a 45LC. I shot only max doses of H110 outta my gun.
But . . . when you start approaching 60K psi the little Rossi's stomp the proverbial shit outta ya. --- SAWMAN

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That’s the same one I’ve got. 16” stainless. Great little rifle. I’ve never shot a deer with it but have put the hurt on a bunch of hogs.


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As previously stated: Those pistol caliber rifles are designed for average Joe to walk into a gun store and secure what ammo is on hand. You’ll be fine with pistol load data.

I dont have a 454, but I do sometimes shoot it in my 15inch 460 S&W T/C Encore pistol barrel. That’s as close as I can get to rifle barrel length 454. I have no problem with factory ammo. I haven’t reloaded 454 yet as I am still unloading the 454 factory ammo for the brass.

I appreciate the input folks! Kinda figured I was just over thinking it. Just wanted to be safe.

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Originally Posted by SAWMAN

I had a LSI/Rossi chambered in 454Casull. It was all stainless with a 16" bbl.
Couple things - - -> The 454Casull is a high pressure cartridge. Especially in it's small primer configuration. IIRC . . . 65K psi. The 92 action is much stronger than a 94 action. An EXTREMELY low charge of H110 is dangerous. ( Obviously a large charge is also.) Those 240gr Mags are a good bullet and will hold together at "highway" speeds.
Outta my gun I shot CBP 265gr WFNGC's at close to 2000fps. They were devastating on both hogs and the bambi sized deer down here. I also shot the CBP 335's and 360's. I believe both were WFNGC also. Possibly WLNGC. Anyway all shot extremely good. All were hardcast also. I would not hesitate to use the 360's on Alaskan moose,black bear,and under the right circumstances possibly brown and grizz.
My "theory" was. If you want to load a 454Casull down,buy a 45LC. I shot only max doses of H110 outta my gun.
But . . . when you start approaching 60K psi the little Rossi's stomp the proverbial shit outta ya. --- SAWMAN

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I’m all about getting as much as I can as long as I can keep accuracy lol

For me the little gun was a 50yd max,short,light,highly maneuverable,thick brush gun. I shot a nice sized boar hog with it in the river swamp at <10yds on several occasions .
The fiber optic sights were easy to see,although if I still had the gun they would be replaced with a rear peep and trijicon style front.
I did replace that silly hammer drop safety on top of the bolt,with a made for the gun,plug.
I absolutely loved how you could load the gun thru the end of the tube or thru the slot midway down it if you did not want to remove the tube with mag spring . . . kinda like a 22LR gun. In the years that I had it I never used the loading gate. I also liked how you could open the action and drop a round on top of the shell lifter,to single load.
Wish I still had my gun. Make sure to hold onto yours. --- SAWMAN

One respectful recommendation that I would offer is to ONLY use 454 brass . . . never 45LC.
You really do not want to screw up an load a 45LC brass to 60K psi.
I did,and came awful close to shooting it as a light,practice load. I quickly gave away my 45LC brass and simply loaded down (with TRAIL BOSS ) 454Casull brass. ---- SAWMAN

I use a 265gr wfngc with unique for a medium load with my 454 brass. It is pleasant to shoot and is also good enough to hunt with. I haven’t loaded or shot that load in years, but was very accurate and fun.


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Originally Posted by SAWMAN

For me the little gun was a 50yd max,short,light,highly maneuverable,thick brush gun. I shot a nice sized boar hog with it in the river swamp at <10yds on several occasions .
The fiber optic sights were easy to see,although if I still had the gun they would be replaced with a rear peep and trijicon style front.
I did replace that silly hammer drop safety on top of the bolt,with a made for the gun,plug.
I absolutely loved how you could load the gun thru the end of the tube or thru the slot midway down it if you did not want to remove the tube with mag spring . . . kinda like a 22LR gun. In the years that I had it I never used the loading gate. I also liked how you could open the action and drop a round on top of the shell lifter,to single load.
Wish I still had my gun. Make sure to hold onto yours. --- SAWMAN

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I traded for this one several years ago. Sold it to a friend and finally bought it back. I don’t plan on letting go of it this time.

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Originally Posted by SAWMAN

One respectful recommendation that I would offer is to ONLY use 454 brass . . . never 45LC.
You really do not want to screw up an load a 45LC brass to 60K psi.
I did,and came awful close to shooting it as a light,practice load. I quickly gave away my 45LC brass and simply loaded down (with TRAIL BOSS ) 454Casull brass. ---- SAWMAN

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I do have a ton of LC brass but as of now it’s all stored away. I don’t currently own a LC. I’m pretty meticulous about my reloading habits. But you do bring up a very valid point. That would be fairly easy to do...

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Originally Posted by Grim300Win

I do have a ton of LC brass but as of now it’s all stored away. I don’t currently own a LC. I’m pretty meticulous about my reloading habits. But you do bring up a very valid point. That would be fairly easy to do...

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My cousin had a freedom arms 454 pistol. I want a rifle. His pistol loved a 325gr cast bullet. That thing would knock a deer down like it got hit by a truck.

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Originally Posted by EUDE75

My cousin had a freedom arms 454 pistol. I want a rifle. His pistol loved a 325gr cast bullet. That thing would knock a deer down like it got hit by a truck.

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That’s my plan for this one. Gonna be a good brush gun. Should keep my hunger for a 45-70 at bay.... for a little while anyways lol

Oh that'd never slow my hunger for the 45.70 I want. I want a Sharpes

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You really do need both. Don’t just settle.


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Exactly.

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Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff

You really do need both. Don’t just settle.


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Oh believe me... it’s in the works lol. I had a marlin 1895 in 45/70 a few years back. Picked it up fairly cheap. I loved it. But someone wanted to love it more. A lot more. So I let it go. Still regret it.

Me too . . . my 1895 was an older model with straight stock. Cut the bbl down to 18 then eventually 16 inches. Started out with 1-4X24 heavy duplex Leupold then switched to rear peep and white front.
Started out with Hornady 265's then went to 405gr WFNGC from Cast Performance. Never recovered one of those. Even from moose and black bear.
Covered quite a few miles with me trapping, hunting,and guiding in Maine. Brought it to Fla. with me then found someone that fell in love with it. An older sport that bought it for his son.
Old and beat up,with the scars from spruce and fir branches,but well cared for and NO rust,it sold for $600. in 2007 or 8. --- SAWMAN

Im gonna buy a 45/70 Sharpe's reproduction by David Pedersolli. If you like old style weapons check his out. He's in Italy but you can get his stuff here. I think Taylors firearms sells them. Plus my buddy that owns a gun shop can get them. Any dealer that deals with Ellett Bros can.

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Originally Posted by EUDE75

Im gonna buy a 45/70 Sharpe's reproduction by David Pedersolli. If you like old style weapons check his out. He's in Italy but you can get his stuff here. I think Taylors firearms sells them. Plus my buddy that owns a gun shop can get them. Any dealer that deals with Ellett Bros can.

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I've had 45/70 fever for a while now. This is the rifle I've been eyeballing.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e936c23c73.jpg

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I've had a marlin. Unless they've changed the way the stock is angled its gonna kick like a mule. It comes back like a rifle and up like a shotgun. So if you scope it be careful. Its hard to find a scope with enough eye relief. There were alot of guys that joined the half moon club when they shot mine. I've heard the Winchester lever doesn't do it. I've looked at those to. I just want another Sharpes bad. But its about $1800.

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Originally Posted by EUDE75

I've had a marlin. Unless they've changed the way the stock is angled its gonna kick like a mule. It comes back like a rifle and up like a shotgun. So if you scope it be careful. Its hard to find a scope with enough eye relief. There were alot of guys that joined the half moon club when they shot mine. I've heard the Winchester lever doesn't do it. I've looked at those to. I just want another Sharpes bad. But its about $1800.

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I looked at those as well, can't justify the price tag.
I'm cool with guns that kick like mules. Part of the fun! [emoji16]

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Lol. In that case. Mine liked a 405gr bullet best. It would shoot 300gr but the 405 was alot better. I think i still have about 200 rounds of brass for it.

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Originally Posted by EUDE75

Lol. In that case. Mine liked a 405gr bullet best. It would shoot 300gr but the 405 was alot better. I think i still have about 200 rounds of brass for it.

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That's one bigass bullet!

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Yeah. Now for my old Sharpes i shot a 500gr cast. They got up to 700gr. I've never seen one of those. 500 is plenty big.

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Originally Posted by EUDE75

Yeah. Now for my old Sharpes i shot a 500gr cast. They got up to 700gr. I've never seen one of those. 500 is plenty big.

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No doubt! that's slingin a big chunk of lead!

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Yep. But in a Sharpes it doesn't kick much.

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I love my 45/70’s, but what keeps me going back to that puma 92, in 454, is just how light and handy it is. It’s a ton of firepower in a little package.


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Oh yes. I bet it is. I've wanted a lever 454 before anyone made one. I had even went as far as to get a price for one custom made. It's a Hellova good round.

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Originally Posted by JeffreyDeGraff

I love my 45/70’s, but what keeps me going back to that puma 92, in 454, is just how light and handy it is. It’s a ton of firepower in a little package.


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