454 casull shotshells

J

Jeff2131

New member
Anyone have a link to data for loading shot in 454 casull? Or 45 colt? Something talked about and im interested to give it a try.
 
You'll find that the warmer you load them, the more they spread out. Speer used to have shot data for their shot capsules in the Speer manuals, and they were basically low power, fast powder, loads that you would use for lead bullet target loads (in 45LC). Speers 38/357 or 44Spec/44mag loads were on the low end of the special scale.

Are you using the Speer shot capsules or making your own wads?
 
Sorry for the late reply. Yes, im cutting my out wads using dense cardboard. Planning on using unique powder and #9 shot. I read somewhere that a 460s&w case will fill the length of the cylinder in my redhawk and i have 454 casull dies to size them down. My buddy is doing 500s&w shotshells so i wanted to experiment with my 454. Do you see any issues with starting at 4.0grns of unique and then filling the rest of the 460 case with #9 shot. And laddering up .5 grns at a time up to 7.0grns? Pretty much just need a low safe starting point so that i can work from there with different charges, wads, and shot.
 
9s are "ok" to use, but 11s would be better for density at close ranges on snakes and such. Distances are measured in feet, not yards - about 6-8 will do.
 
I've played around with shot loads in the 38/357 and 45 Colt over the years. In general, the patterns suck in any rifled barrel. Most of my loads used #9 shot; the #12 is what the factory loads offer in .22LR "rat shot" and those patterns are pretty poor also. General observations:

Don't expect great patterns with a rifled barrel.

Do expect leading without a shot capsule.

Elmer's glue works okay as an over shot wad instead of a cardboard wad.

Gas checks make better wads than cardboard.

Bullseye & Red Dot burn cleaner than Unique in these low pressure loads.

If you shoot at a rattle snake, be sure you are out of striking distance -- it really pisses them off!

Best wishes and good luck.
 
If you shoot at a rattle snake, be sure you are out of striking distance -- it really pisses them off!
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YES it does!!!

I haven't loaded anything for my 454, but like some of the others have used the Speer capsules in my other revolvers up to the 45 Colt. Out of them all my GP-100's shoot them the best with a variety of shot sizes. I don't know why but they do great and with the larger shot I have taken a few rabbits, quail and other small critters.

Good luck with your project and please post up the results, good bad, or whatever. Inquiring minds might ant to try it too. ;)
 
I don't know about loading shot shells for a 454, but I have loaded shot shells for 45ACP and have the loading and forming dies. I used a 410 shot cup cut down to fit the case, and a 357 gas check as an over shot wad, crimped in place. I had a blast testing them out years ago. I still have a couple dozen shot shells I show to folks who are interested in loading them. In order to get them to cycle a 1911, I had to load almost 9 grains of Unique.
 
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Sorry for the late reply. Yes, im cutting my out wads using dense cardboard. Planning on using unique powder and #9 shot. I read somewhere that a 460s&w case will fill the length of the cylinder in my redhawk and i have 454 casull dies to size them down. My buddy is doing 500s&w shotshells so i wanted to experiment with my 454. Do you see any issues with starting at 4.0grns of unique and then filling the rest of the 460 case with #9 shot. And laddering up .5 grns at a time up to 7.0grns? Pretty much just need a low safe starting point so that i can work from there with different charges, wads, and shot.
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Sounds like safe plan, but really, I think it would be a lot less hassle to just use the shot capsules. I loaded them for 44 mag with #9 shot and the capsules hold 1/4oz. The capsule extends beyond the case just like a bullet so no need for extra long brass. I don't remember how much shot the 38/357 ones held, but from a 6" Security Six they were deadly for short range snake shooting. I loaded a hundred for a friend every time he went to Texas.
 
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