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#98511 - 12/22/11 04:21 PM

Even more .454 questions

WyoJoe
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Registered: 02/07/11
Posts: 235
Loc: Cheyenne, WY

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Who here uses the Barnes XPB, Hornady XTP, Or Nosler bullets for the .454? What was your performance like on hogs & tough game?

Looks like H110 is the powder to start with. What say ye?

Last one. For this post at least. I don't cast bullets - yet. Who makes a good cast bullet with a gas check for the .454? Chey-Cast is right down the road from my house but I don't think they do anything with gas checks.

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#98512 - 12/22/11 04:51 PM

Re: Even more .454 questions [Re: WyoJoe]

mikefrompa
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Registered: 03/21/08
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All 3 bullets shoot very well in my MR 454. I have experience with the Partitions and took a nice hog with it this yr. They performed good on the boar. H110, W296 and Alliant 2400 shoot great in my gun. My 454 is finicky with primers though. It likes CCI primers best, then Remington and then Federal. I'm sorry I can't help you with the cast bullets. I don't use them.

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#98514 - 12/22/11 04:56 PM

Re: Even more .454 questions [Re: mikefrompa]

WyoJoe
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Registered: 02/07/11
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Loc: Cheyenne, WY

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Magnum or regular primers?

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#98515 - 12/22/11 04:59 PM

Re: Even more .454 questions [Re: WyoJoe]

Whitworth
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Registered: 01/15/09
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Loc: Virginia

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Originally Posted By: WyoJoe

Who makes a good cast bullet with a gas check for the .454?

Cast Performance makes very good bullets.

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#98518 - 12/22/11 05:27 PM

Re: Even more .454 questions [Re: Whitworth]

BBwheelgunner
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Registered: 11/21/09
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Loc: Bemidji, Minnesota

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+1 for cast performance. Have used the 360 gr. in heavy 45 colt loads and shot great. I know they would shoot well with the 454 casull also.

I have been shooting the 265gr Swift A- Frames out of my FA 454. took two hogs last year with them. worked great. Used max load of H110 and that load is superbly accurate out of my gun.

I like the A-Frame because it is a very tough bullet that expands nicely at all speeds and holds together great. It will not shed all of the lead in the nose of the bullet like the partitions do because they are bonded.

I shoot XTPs for my practice and plinking loads. I know they will work MOST of the time, but I feel a lot better using a super premium bullet on game like the A-Frame or Partition.

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#98519 - 12/22/11 05:29 PM

Re: Even more .454 questions [Re: BBwheelgunner]

BBwheelgunner
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I have just shot Remington 7 1/2 primers and has good luck thus far. Starline brass also. worked well for me.

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#98522 - 12/22/11 05:45 PM

Re: Even more .454 questions [Re: BBwheelgunner]

tradmark
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Registered: 06/08/10
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barnes are the best imho handsdown, partitions are limited b/c of supply but i still vastly prefer the barnes. xtps are a good affordable alternative. the best cast bullet imho, is beartooth bullets. their 340 gr is a hammer and very accurate. i like a lil h110 or win 296 behind it. for reduced loads try hs-6 or titegroup. i only use cast on reduced loads.

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#98526 - 12/22/11 06:27 PM

Re: Even more .454 questions [Re: WyoJoe]

wapitirod
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Registered: 01/19/05
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Loc: Tillamook, Oregon

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I shoot the xtp, they've accounted for alot game up to water buffalo that I'm aware of. There are two different grades of xtp in the 300gr 45 cal though, the standard and the Mag. I use the mag in my 454 and 475 Linebaughs if I need anything tougher I'd go with the punch but they are costly. I like the Partitions but they've been discontinued but even when they were available like the a frames they are over priced. The FA hardcores are good if your wanting alot of penetration although I haven't used them on game. I tested them on 1/4 inch steel and between them the xtp mag and hardcast all 300gr it was the only one to go through it, the xtp made a massive crater and the hardcast expoloded. I've also used the cast performance and oregon trail trueshots and both are good bullets. I normally have to work at getting accurate loads with the cast but the XTP's have always been the most accurate bullets with and it's always with a max load of H110. Gregg Richter was having some problems getting dialed in with cast in his 475 and thought there might be something wrong with the gun so he sent it to me. I put it in the mechanical rest with my own 475 loads using the xtp and at 25yds it printed one hole. He went on to take a bull elk and mule deer with that load this year. This was my first year hunting with the 454 I built myself and I took a blacktail doe at 55yds using irons and it blew straight through her leaving a nice hole on the opposite side, it hit ribs going in and coming out.

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#98534 - 12/22/11 07:17 PM

Re: Even more .454 questions [Re: wapitirod]

BBwheelgunner
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Registered: 11/21/09
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That's a good hole rod!

I know the A-Frames and the like are more expensive, and thats why I don't shoot them all of the time, but when it comes down to hunting something, I don't flinch at the price when it gives me complete confidence in performance.

I have not used the XPB. would like to play with it someday,but for now I think I found my load

Edited by BBwheelgunner (12/22/11 07:25 PM)

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