Winchester provided me with samples of all three of their
.454 Casull loads. All are suitable for hunting with this
caliber. The three loads are: 260 gr. Supreme® Partition
Gold®, 250 gr. Super-X® Jacketed Hollow Point and 300 gr.
Super-X® Jacketed Flat Point.
The first of these uses the new Nosler/Combined Technology
260 grain Partition Handgun bullet. This is one super bullet
from my observation and tests both with Winchester factory
ammo and my own reloads using this bullet. I've yet to take
game with it but every one I've dug out of the clay bank I've
shot them into behind my target stands have been absolutely
perfect text book examples of the way a bullet should look
after mushrooming. Of course they lose some weight as they
are designed to do but the majority of the weight is behind
the partition and even if the entire front portion of lead
core is lost during expansion the rear core behind the
partition is still there intact and continues to penetrate.
As a result, this bullet performs much like a heavier bullet
making it suitable for game you would normally use a 300
grain bullet for. Creatures such as elk and black bear should
be within the effective capability of this bullet. I think if
I were going after moose or the big bears I'd choose the 300
grain however, just a personal preference. Winchester says of
this load: "Description: Massive Energy Deposit, Accurate,
Optimum Penetration, Consistent Expansion. Application: Thin
skinned game such as Whitetail Deer and Boar." I would have
to agree with them on all counts but feel it might be OK for
use on elk and black bear that they don't mention. Winchester
claims a muzzle velocity of 1800 fps for this one and my
chronograph results indicate it will indeed do that.
Next in line is the midrange load using the 250 grain
Winchester Super X bullet. This one has a stated muzzle
velocity of 1300 fps and is a good approximation of a .44
magnum and should be suitable for all uses to which one would
put a .44 magnum using a good 240 grain JHP. That is to say
it is best reserved for soft skinned critters like deer and
small to medium size hogs. This round is quite accurate in
both the Freedom Arms FA83 and Taurus Raging Bull revolvers
in which I tested it. The mild recoil makes this one a real
pleasure to shoot especially in the RB and yet it is still as
powerful as a full velocity .44 magnum load. Winchester says
of it: "Description: Massive Energy Deposit, Accurate,
Optimum Penetration, Consistent Expansion Application: Thin
skinned game such as Whitetail Deer and Boar." I would
personally limit its use to that also. My chronograph results
showed 1340 fps for this one so the factory specs are right
on.
The last and most powerful of the loads is the 300 gr.
Super-X® Jacketed Flat Point. I believe the 300 grain JFP
bullet used in this load is the Freedom Arms 300 JFP and it
is loaded to duplicate the old Freedom Arms loads that Bob
Baker used to sell. This is one tough bullet. Those I have
recovered from the clay bank behind my target stands have
shown little to no expansion and only some smearing of the
exposed lead at the nose. This one is up to the task of
taking on the heaviest of game one would want to tackle with
a jacketed bullet. If this one isn't up to the chore then you
need a heavy hard cast bullet. Winchester says of this load:
"Description: Massive Energy Deposit, Accurate, Optimum
Penetration, Consistent Expansion. Application: Thin skinned
game such as Whitetail Deer and Boar." I think they are being
a bit conservative. I would certainly not hesitate to use
this one on elk, black bear, moose and maybe even the large
bears but I would feel better with a 325-360 grain hard cast
bullet on the latter. Factory spec on velocity is 1625 fps
and my chronograph results showed 1659 fps so it will do what
they claim.
All three of these gave excellent accuracy in both the FA83
and the Taurus RB. Fifty yard groups of under 2" were common
with both guns. I've not yet fired them at 100 yards in the
RB but in the FA83 the single action grip and heavy recoil of
the 260 PT and 300 JFP kept me from shooting as well as the
gun/load combination was capable of. Sometimes I'd do really
well and others I didn't. I attribute that more to my lack of
familarity with the single action grip's delivery of recoil
than the gun or load either. I'm confident that when I shoot
them in the RB scoped I will get better groups as these are
some really good factory loads for the non hand loader who
shoots a .454 Casull.
If you prefer a lighter recoiling load for practice the mid
range 250 JHP is the only one I know of in a factory load
that you can choose. It is fully the equal of the vaulted .44
magnum of Dirty Harry fame and is a fine choice for hunting
deer also. Winchester offers a fine selection of loads for
the .454 Casull to suit all uses to which one would normally
put the caliber except for lack of a heavy hard cast for the
largest of dangerous critters. All three of these loads get
the Graybeard Seal of Approval.
Don't think you can go wrong
in selecting one or more or them for your use in your .454
Casull handgun.
Visit the Winchester website by clicking the name.
Winchester Ammunition
Att: Product Services
427 N. Shamrock St.
East Alton, IL 62024.