I pick up my new Taurus Raging Bull w/8- 3/8" bbl 454 Casull tomorrow (yay!), and I'm trying to find more data on hand loads.



I've read some say the Taurus 454 can handle the same loads as the Rugers, but I have yet to confirm this, and if anyone knows where I can please let me know.



Last night I cast



200... 206gr no gas check



200... 315gr w/gas checks



of wheel weight lead, and I'm looking for loads in 45 Colt and the 454.



Pistol Powders on the shelf...



Universal clays

HS-7

Unique

Green, Red, Blue dots

Reloader 7



Direction to sources of, and favorite (reliable) data would be appreciated.



Thanks,



ML

You can check here and look under "powders and load data" for links.

http://benchrest.com/sst/

You are going to have to invest in some WW296, H110, or some AA #9 to really bring this cartridge to it's full potential. Loading data exists in a variety or places. If you are reloading, you should have at least two loading manuals. There is some load data for cast bullets on the Cast Performance website. Beartooth Bullets may also have some data.

Thanks for the replies.



I have several reloading manuals. Most are older and do not list the 454 Casull. The ones that do, list very little.



I need to buy some newer ones, and I was looking for more data on the net.



Anyone no about the Taurus and high pressure loads, such as the ones they say for Ruger, FA, etc...?

Although some claim to load the Taurus up to the same levels as the Freedom Arms, I would not recommend it. You can look at 32.0 grains of WW296 with the 260 grain cast bullet as being a stout load. A friend of mine shoots this load with the 260 Speer. Their 13th edition now lists a 34.0 grain starting load, but the 12th had 32.0. I believe they have toughened up that bullet some.

Freedom Arms has a good bit of loading data on their website. You can begin with the starting loads and work your way up.

One other thing, if you have a .44 mag expanding die, use it to bell the case mouths on the .454. This will increase the neck tension on the bullet and increse consistency of the powder burning.

I ran some numbers through quickload. This is not load data. You should compare with published info.
206gn bullet
Unique
13-1500
17-1777

Blue Dot
20-1583
23-1792

RE7
29.4-1366

296
34-1840

315gn bullet
Unique
11-1171
14- 1352

Bluedot
17-1296

RE7
26-1260

296
29-1615

I compared this against a couple of my load manuals and it looks safe.

Surplus WC820 is my favorite pistol powder. I shoot it exclusively in my 454. It seems to take about 2gns less than 296 for similar velocities and is only $8 a pound.

Lar,

Thanks my man.........!

Lar,

I did some testing with WC820 and it burns very much like Hercules 2400. Tested it in my .32 Mag, .44 Mag, .454, and .475. All loads clocked within just a few fps of the same charge of 2400.

Don't forget to add Hodgdons lil'gun to your supply of powders. My SRH 454 shoots great with 23 grains of lil'gun behind a 360 lead gc. Not a maximum load and shoots great!

Well Hell, I don't mean to steel anyone's thunder, but Steve R. has one of the best reloading data sites around. Usually he will pipe in and suggest that you visit his site whenever someone asks a "how much powder" question.

Steves reloading data

I'm sure he won't mind the plug.

I have had a FA 454 for several years, and have tried all the powders 296, H110 and 2400. I have the best accuarcy with 2400 both in my 44 and 454 with the 300 grain Gold Dot for the 454 and the 250 Sierra FPJ at 22.0 of 2400 for the 44 Mag. with CCI Large Pistol Primers not magnum.