Is there an advantage to this? Specifically, in a custom Contender barrel in 45C. I know I can't run them up to 60k psi obviously because of the limits of the Contender action, but will ths tougher brass let me crank up the loads a bit more? Just curious. I have 25 years experience reloading and just got some free 454 brass....

Yes, I've done it. You may have some problems seating really long bullets as the case starts to thicken. With 300gr, you shoul dbe ok.

1) With 405 gr .458" bullet and 40 gr H110 in Win45Colt brass with CCI200 large rifle primer, in a .410, the brass does ok.

This is about double the 454 Casull powder charge.

What does it all mean?
You don't need to use 454 brass to go to 454 pressures in 45 Colt brass.


2) Similarly, the thicker web of 357 mag brass is not needed to go to 357 mag pressures in 38 special brass.

3) Differently, the large primer brass of 10mm means that the 10mm can not be used at the high pressures that one can achive with 40 S&W, despite the folklore. 10mm is the weakest brass I have tested. Maybe someday AC will analyze it.

Thanks for the answer, Fred. Do you use top end 45 colt loads because I know the 454 uses sm rifle mag primers. Do you use slower powders? So many questions...
Clark....458 bullets in a .410?? Sounds wrong. Whats the trick?

A .410 GA Contender barrel also fires the .45 Colt round.

quote:

A .410 GA Contender barrel also fires the .45 Colt round.

Using a .452 dia bullet, not a .458. The T/C Contender must be a strong action indeed...

I shot 230 gr FMJ .452" with say 45.5 gr H110, 2.9" OAL, the .385" full choke and it split back to the front sight hole and make for a .395" choke remaining.

The .458" 405 gr hard cast, 40 gr H110, are much easier on the choke.


At any rate, cross section 270 and 45C brass and compare. The 270 is rated for 65 kpsi, and is a wimpy design next to a 45C.

Clark, have you ever slugged your 410 to see what the groove dia is? This 458 in a 45LC intrigues me. NEF offers a 410/45LC barrel for their Handi Rifle.

Ian