I have a NEF 45 Colt BC rifle. Love it. But I also reload for my 454 SRH. Talked with several gunsmiths about re-chambering the 45 colt to 454. No problem. Here's the question...

Beginning 45/70 pressures are about 21,000 CUP. Beginning pressures for 454 Casull run about 35,000 to 38,000 (both 300 gr bullets). Does that mean the 454 will have almost twice the recoil? Or does brass size, powder charge, etc mean something?

It may be better to just buy a 45/70 barrel for when I want to kill mastadons.

Yup, that's the main reason I haven't rechambered mine to Casull, I have three 45-70 H&Rs that are capable of shooting 525gr cast bullets at 1800fps+. You can use BTB's recoil calculator to see where you're at recoil wise. I'd suggest you get a Galco or Kickkiller leather recoil pad for it tho!!

Tim

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/rescources/calculators/php/recoil.htm

http://beartoothbullets.com/open_sight/archive_open_sight.htm/21

A 454 at the same bullet weight and velocity as the .45-70 would kick less, because the weight of the powder charge has to be figured in, and a 454 uses less powder than a .45-70 due to case capacities. You could send your rifle in and have a .45-70 barrel fitted, then you would have the best of both worlds.
Andy

I have a Handi rifle in .45/70. and a Puma in .454 Casull, and the Handi rifle kicks more. I think the weight of the rifles are different, and the Puma loaded with ten .454 rounds does add weight. I think a lot has to due with rifle design, but I believe the .45-70 will kick more, as for the .45LC compared to the .454 Casull there is a difference in recoil. I have shot both out of the Puma, and big difference. Much of the numbers look the same between the .45-70, and the .454 loaded with .300 grain bullets. At least that is the results I get from my tests. The .45-70 has the advantage of the larger diameter, but everything else reads about the same.

Much of the numbers look the same between the .45-70, and the .454 loaded with .300 grain bullets. At least that is the results I get from my tests. The .45-70 has the advantage of the larger diameter, but everything else reads about the same.

What velocity are you getting with 300gr bullets in the Casull in the rifle?

thx,

Tim