454 Casull OR 45-70?

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Revwildman

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Hi all ...

I am looking for information regarding the 454 Casull (chambered in a rifle). A friend of mine suggested the calibre in our discussion regarding the 45-70. I was thinking about the 1895GBL etc in a 45-70, but then the 454 Casull was suggested. I hadn't really heard of it ... from most of my reading (online) it seems like the 454 is a pistol cartridge that crossed over into the rifle world.

Anyone with rifle hunting experience with the 454? I am looking to add to my Marlin 336C 30-30. Would the 454 do much more than the 30-30? Should I continue to lean towards the Marlin guide gun series in 45-70?

This rife would serve as a 'big brother' to the 30-30, and allow me to take 2 brush guns into deer camp and perhaps Moose. I also own a Savage 110 .270
(I have a love affair with the lever actions. Have 2 pre-64 .32 Specials too)

Some early thoughts suggest that the short guide gun in 45-70 decreases the velocity (compared to a 22 inch barrel), and I've been told that the muzzle blast and recoil is stiff in the guide guns? Thoughts?

Does anyone know who chambers the 454? I see it listed on the Rossi site - anybody else making rifles in this cartridge.

Price point matters too. Seems like the Marline guide guns jumped in price thanks to all the T-Rex hunters!

All thoughts appreciated!

Thanks Nutz!
 
If buying a new marlin check it out in person if you can. If buying an older jm stamped gun its hard to go wrong.
Henry makes a nice 4570 as well if youre into tube fed guns

Id take the 4570 over the 454. Many more bullet options. It isba handloaders dream. Mice to moose caliber
 
I had a 45-70 once, it was cool and all but I had better calibers for hunting (the big bores are cool, but even the old 30-06 is a better all round caliber for western Canada)

If I bought another lever out of the two, it would be the Casull, as the 45 ACP would be more fun for plinking and probably get used more often. Actually it would be a 44RM so I could play with 44 special in it probably.

I believe taurus makes Casull calibers as well but mostly in hand guns.
 
cody c said:
I had a 45-70 once, it was cool and all but I had better calibers for hunting (the big bores are cool, but even the old 30-06 is a better all round caliber for western Canada)

If I bought another lever out of the two, it would be the Casull, as the 45 ACP would be more fun for plinking and probably get used more often. Actually it would be a 44RM so I could play with 44 special in it probably.

I believe taurus makes Casull calibers as well but mostly in hand guns.
Click to expand...

I think you mean .45Colt, .45 ACP has no rim.
 
454 is a step down in power and range from the 30/30 . If your in the prairies that may be a concern. The 30/30 is quite underrated .
 
I had a Marlin in 45-70 and I still have a Rossi Puma in 454.

454 is definitely "weaker" than my reloaded 45-70 and I got way better accuracy out of the 454. My Marlin was awful.

My 454 reloaded ammo with the Puma's 20 inch barrel is giving me 1880fps with a 300gr bullet and 29gr of H110 with no signs of overpressure.

I kept the 454 Puma instead of the 45-70 because my range allows me to shoot 454 indoors and I can also shoot 45 colt with it, not too mention I can fit 10 rounds in the tube for more fun.

If you get a lever in 454 I suggest a good peep sight with small aperture way back in the receiver. It is really worth it, the accuracy gain is great over the regular sights.
I got mine drilled and tapped for a Williams receiver sight and front sight was also replaced for a small one.

Keep an eye on EE, sometimes you see one there.
 
The main advantages of the 454 is it comes in a lighter, handier rifle. Large mag capacities make for fun shooting. The 45/70 however can be loaded to high velocities, enough to kill anything. For deer you already have a 30-30, that will also do for moose to 200 yards easy. You don’t really “need” anything else. Both will be fun,both will kill moose to 200, 45/70 will drop moose to 400 if you have the skill. Rossi is the only option for the 454 that I’m aware of.
 
I cut -1/2" groups with a 4x scoped Marlin 45-70 with both 300 +350gr handloads. JM no crossbolt safety.
 
broadhead67 said:
454 is a step down in power and range from the 30/30 . If your in the prairies that may be a concern. The 30/30 is quite underrated .
Click to expand...


Yer math be off on that one.:rolleyes:

IE: A .454 Rossi with 20" barrel has no issue tossing a 400 gr. hardcast boolit at 1675 fps which gives 2492 fpe.

The good old 30-30 170 gr projectile @ 2000 fps only makes 1510 fpe.

I've had the Rossi 454 and found it to be a beauty handling bugger fer tramping 'round the bush & plinkin' with. It was a straight shooter to boot & I should've
hung on to that one. I'm happy with my 45-70 Pedersoli 86/71 as a big bore keeper as it shoots so well and is well made. Most accurate 45-70 I've ever
owned.
View attachment 192518
 
SHELL SHUCKER said:
Yer math be off on that one.:rolleyes:

IE: A .454 Rossi with 20" barrel has no issue tossing a 400 gr. hardcast boolit at 1675 fps which gives 2492 fpe.

The good old 30-30 170 gr projectile @ 2000 fps only makes 1510 fpe.

I've had the Rossi 454 and found it to be a beauty handling bugger fer tramping 'round the bush & plinkin' with. It was a straight shooter to boot & I should've
hung on to that one. I'm happy with my 45-70 Pedersoli 86/71 as a big bore keeper as it shoots so well and is well made. Most accurate 45-70 I've ever
owned.
View attachment 192518
Click to expand...

I thought factory 30-30 170 grain fodder was usually bracketed around 2,200 fps, not 2,000 fps.
 
Owned a pre safety Rossi 92 in 454 Casull and sold it ... no issues.
I shot a load pushing a 335 grain cast bullet.
Trouble with the Rossi’s is that you can’t get parts for them.
Br#####h won’t sell you any and Rossi customer service is a joke.
The gun was fast, light and powerful with plenty of follow up rounds in the tube.

I currently own a Remlin 1895GS in 45-70 and have replaced the trigger, ejector, mag follower with WWG stuff and installed the Brownells cowboy action spring kit.
The 45-70 appropriately loaded is good for any North American Big game.
I prefer the 45-70 because of its versatility and power and availability of reloading components, guns and accessories.
Currently shooting a 45-70 load with a 405 grain Woodleigh Weldcore bullet.

Remlin is turning out some decent lever actions and have pretty well got over their quality control issues but you still have to check your gun for issues before you walk out of the LGS with it.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
I thought factory 30-30 170 grain fodder was usually bracketed around 2,200 fps, not 2,000 fps.
Click to expand...

The stuff I grew up on was typically listed at around 1980 fps. Same for the 32 Special as well. A couple of hundred fps ain't gonna help much on a 30-30 with 170's.

Oops, brain fart moment.:redface: Yer correct on the 30-30 standard speeds with the 170's. Had me numbers mixed up with the 30 Carbine which I used a lot back in the days.

Oy, makes one have to do a Trump.:runaway:
 
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Potato boy said:
The main advantages of the 454 is it comes in a lighter, handier rifle. Large mag capacities make for fun shooting. The 45/70 however can be loaded to high velocities, enough to kill anything. For deer you already have a 30-30, that will also do for moose to 200 yards easy. You don’t really “need” anything else. Both will be fun,both will kill moose to 200, 45/70 will drop moose to 400 if you have the skill. Rossi is the only option for the 454 that I’m aware of.
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Thanks Potato boy
Ha! I know ... I don't "need it" 😀
Your right about the 30-30. Plus I have a scoped .270.
What would you add to your arsenal if you were me in a lever action.
Thanks for
 
Hey Shell Shucker
Nice pic! I agree that the 454 would be a handy little rifle for the bush. In deer camp I do a lot of the 'dogging' and usually carry my 30-30. I suppose I don't really need another!

I like the idea and appeal of the 45-70. What are your thoughts about a Reddot on the 45-70?
 
Hi Gunoholic! Nice tag!
Thanks for the Rossi info ... Good to know!
Yes, my 30-30 is a Remlin. I am happy with it. I haven't had to replace anything as of yet. It seems like they've got their act together ... Finally.
I am leaning still towards the 45-70 .. because it truly is a step up from what I currently have.

Thanks!
 
broadhead67 said:
454 is a step down in power and range from the 30/30 . If your in the prairies that may be a concern. The 30/30 is quite underrated .
Click to expand...

Range perhaps but not power. .454 will drive a 300 grain bullet over 2000fps vs. the .30-30 pushing a 170 at 2200ish.

If I had to choose between a .45-70 and a .454 in similar guns I would take the .45-70 for sure. It will do anything the Casull can and more at lower pressure.
 
Revwildman said:
Hey Shell Shucker
Nice pic! I agree that the 454 would be a handy little rifle for the bush. In deer camp I do a lot of the 'dogging' and usually carry my 30-30. I suppose I don't really need another!

I like the idea and appeal of the 45-70. What are your thoughts about a Reddot on the 45-70?
Click to expand...

For folks that like 'em they work well. Of course there's lots of folks that reckon that a red dot on a levergun is too weird lookin' for their tastes, but it's no biggie fer me.
My Pedersoli is drilled & tapped for a scope mount, but I'll stick with the peep sight meself as it's ideal for me.

I use a Bushnell holo-sight on my 870 for trap shooting though and love it.
View attachment 192615
 
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