using 454 casull brass for hot 45lc handloads in public defender?

Without getting into a long explanation the type of brass does not change the pressure rating of the gun. Taurus rate of pressure for the regular Judge is 45 Colt standard loads. The chamber in the Judge cylinder should be cut so the 454 brass does not fit deep enough to let cylinder close. The chamber pressure of the 454 can exceed 65,000 psi, and is why the Judge chambers are cut to 45 colt length. The 410 shells are not stopped by it. As for pressure the 45 colt brass built by Starline is used in 5 shot custom revolver loads at pressure beyond Ruger only loads. People get away with running loads in Judges the guns are not designed to shoot but it will shorten the life of the gun. I have looked a few Judge revolvers that have had the chamber mouth cut/polished/removed and 460 brass would fit. That doesn't add to pressure rating of cylinder and opens door for a really deadly explosion should cylinder come apart. For example a person to the side can be hit with flying metal. In hand loading seating a bullet shallow can reduce pressure. It can also cause powder to not burn if bullet leaves case mouth to quickly. Reason some loads require seating depth of specs and heavy crimp is to give proper powder burn. Loads are given in detail because when things are changed results change. Years ago we destroyed some guns in testing. Some could take multiple above proof loads without coming apart. Some came apart on first shot. You are getting into something that wisdom would avoid when going over factory rating.

I reload .45 Colt from mild to wild. However, my practice and plinking loads are either 200 grain SWC or FRN in lead. Any jacketed round I reload are SD or hunting loads. I have several .45 Colt handguns, but the two modern ones I have is a Taurus RB in .45 Colt and a Ruger SRH in .454.

That's how I keep things separate for mild vs wild. It also helps that the hot ones are only loaded on my single stage, and plinking loads on the progressive. I did check my Bond Arms a little bit ago, it will chamber .454 as well fired or empty since the chambers can use .410 like the Public Defender. However, that means I have to be extra careful not to mix up the ammo. A .454 will not chamber in my .45 RB which is a comfort.

So as long as your loadings are .45 colt equivalent then the .454 brass would give better life. However, if you don't a have .454 or have brass for one, I'd stick with .45 Colt. The brass is cheaper in bulk and a lot of custom ammo companies use Starline for their +P and hunting loads.

Maloy

Aggie said:

I'm looking at the Hodgdon Reloading Data.

.45 LC top PSI = 14,000 CUP (Most Weapons)
.45 LC top PSI = 30,400 (Ruger, Freedom Arms & TC Only)
454 Casull PSI = 53,700 CUP

With any reloading commonsense and and attention to detail are critical. My engineering training and experience is basic. Loading should be done at the lower level for a standard .45 LC. Few of us have the engineering data in front of us for the weapons we own. Better to be safe than have a destroyed weapon and put photos of a destroyed weapon on a site.

* PSI= -17,902 + 1.516 x CUP
https://www.shootingsoftware.com/ftp/psicuparticle2.pdf

Click to expand...

Hmm, that's 5,000 PSI above what I've seen in SAAMI data for the "Ruger Only" loads. Maybe they've raised that a bit?

I have a Ruger .45 Blackhawk and a TC Contender with a .45/.410 barrel. These are my only .45 colts so I have little risk of getting one of my hot loads in the wrong gun. I really don't like shooting those hot loads, anyway, rough on the hand. But, I have a box loaded up just in case I decide to go walk with the bears or something. :laugh: I changed my recipe and it has significant more recoil. I'm wondering if that data was using a new PSI limit, 30,400 psi? My old load used 2400, new load uses Li'l Gun. The old load chronographs rather light compared to Buffalo Bore and such, around 850 ft lbs for a 300 grain XTP from the 4 5/8" barrel. The Li'l Gun load pushes just over 1000 ft lbs from the same gun. AND, this is NOT the heaviest load in the book for that powder, actually the STARTING load. I didn't figure I needed to go hotter, was already testing my recoil tolerance. :laugh: I'd thought it was just the powder which significantly performs better in .357, also, especially in rifles. It has a slower burn. But, I'm now thinkin' that load data may have been at the higher pressure. I got the data from Hodgon, too, being as they make Li'l Gun. Hmmm.....