Folks,
I am new to reloading. I built a few hundred 45 ACP, LSWC loads for bulls eye competition and found a good load for my particular pistol so I understand reloading as far as that goes. I am now attempting to build loads for my Freedom Arms 454 Casull. I need somebody to check my math so to speak.
I have a set of Redding dies that came with the pistol. They are in like new condition. I resized new brass with these dies and they came out of the die at 0.470" outside diameter. The factory loads I have to compare it with has an outside diameter of 0.474"
Question #1: Is the difference between what my dies resized my brass to and that of the factory loads going to make a difference or more precisely make these loads dangerous.
Question #1a: is the 0.004" gap big enough to let gasses slip past the brass or will the brass expand to fit the chamber?
Question 2: I'm using Freedom Arms 260gr J-fp bullets. When I pressed them into the resized brass they create a very slight bulge in the brass where the bullet resides. The bullet actually expanded the brass to an outside diameter of 0.475". The end result is a cartridge with the top 0.35" of the bullet @ 0.475" and the remaining inch or so @ 0.470. Again is this a problem or dangerous? Or will the brass expand to the chamber?
Question #3: I have looked at the resizing die and can see no way of adjusting it or changing the overall diameter of the round; just the depth of the pin that pushes out the spent primer. Am I missing something?
Question #3: I'm using Hodgdon H110 powder. The reloading data from Freedom Arms, my Hornaday handbook and from Hodgdon all recommend a starting load of 34 - 36 grains of H110. I started with 34 grains which about fills the brass leaving just enough room for the bullet. I measured and re-measured and read the data and read it again and I'm pretty sure I have it right, but after making bulls eye loads of 3.8 grains of Bullseye, the loads for the 454 seem huge by comparison. So...before I take these out to the range and blow up my gun or me, would those of you in the know who load the 454 Casull check my work.
I think I got it right but I like my medical opinions, history lessons and now reloading with a second opinion.
I haven't crimped these bullets yet in case I need to tear them down and start over.
Thank much in advance
I am new to reloading. I built a few hundred 45 ACP, LSWC loads for bulls eye competition and found a good load for my particular pistol so I understand reloading as far as that goes. I am now attempting to build loads for my Freedom Arms 454 Casull. I need somebody to check my math so to speak.
I have a set of Redding dies that came with the pistol. They are in like new condition. I resized new brass with these dies and they came out of the die at 0.470" outside diameter. The factory loads I have to compare it with has an outside diameter of 0.474"
Question #1: Is the difference between what my dies resized my brass to and that of the factory loads going to make a difference or more precisely make these loads dangerous.
Question #1a: is the 0.004" gap big enough to let gasses slip past the brass or will the brass expand to fit the chamber?
Question 2: I'm using Freedom Arms 260gr J-fp bullets. When I pressed them into the resized brass they create a very slight bulge in the brass where the bullet resides. The bullet actually expanded the brass to an outside diameter of 0.475". The end result is a cartridge with the top 0.35" of the bullet @ 0.475" and the remaining inch or so @ 0.470. Again is this a problem or dangerous? Or will the brass expand to the chamber?
Question #3: I have looked at the resizing die and can see no way of adjusting it or changing the overall diameter of the round; just the depth of the pin that pushes out the spent primer. Am I missing something?
Question #3: I'm using Hodgdon H110 powder. The reloading data from Freedom Arms, my Hornaday handbook and from Hodgdon all recommend a starting load of 34 - 36 grains of H110. I started with 34 grains which about fills the brass leaving just enough room for the bullet. I measured and re-measured and read the data and read it again and I'm pretty sure I have it right, but after making bulls eye loads of 3.8 grains of Bullseye, the loads for the 454 seem huge by comparison. So...before I take these out to the range and blow up my gun or me, would those of you in the know who load the 454 Casull check my work.
I think I got it right but I like my medical opinions, history lessons and now reloading with a second opinion.
I haven't crimped these bullets yet in case I need to tear them down and start over.
Thank much in advance
Last edited: