Ollld and crazy duplex load for the .454 Casull

Bishopus

Bishopus

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I've got a FA Casull on the way, and have been doing my due dilligence on load development. Some of the most interesting loads are from P.O. Ackley, and go back far enough that the cartridge was still called the '.454 Magnum'.

He instructs the loader to start with the heaviest .45 Colt brass you can find, and then deepen the primer pocket to take magnum large rifle primers (!)

Several duplex and triplex loads are given. One representative load calls for a Remington 91/2M magnum rifle primer, 2 grains Unique on the bottom, and 25 grains of 2400 on top. Velocity is given as 1700 fps.

This seems like a recipe for DOOM to me, but maybe that's only because I'm a cautious nancy, with a chronograph and all of my fingers. Anybody have any experience with loads like these for the Casull?
 
Ackley's loads were very heavy and in some cases data was presented without the use of pressure test equip. and/or chronographs and velocity was a guess. In those days(and today as well) velocities were pumped up to help increase sales, some loads duplicated today will show signs of high pressure and still not the optimistic velocities. I would not play around with duplex or triplex loads as you have no control over the actual and consistant placement of the powders, it has all been tried before and the results were either dangerous or inconsistant at best. The only place I would use a duplex load is where the main charge is black powder and 10% of smokeless is used to make the load burn more thoroughly and cleaner.
 
Try it out and post the viddy on youtube, I'm a sucker for other peoples' misery and pain. Just kiddin', nuthin ventured nuthin gained.
 
Thank gawd we have all sorts of great powders and no longer have to #### around with silly and possibly dangerous stuff like duplex loads...

With todays powders and primers, the only reason to use a duplex load is if you wanted to.

300gr bullets at 1700fps is no issue according to the Hodgon manual:)
 
The only reasonable use of a duplex load I can think of is in situations where you are using a powder that's far slower than intended for the cartridge. Say you had a canister of H4831 and wanted to shoot it in a 45/70. Place a couple of grains of Unique near the primer and pack a full case of H4831 on top of it to help it ignite and burn better. Some blackpowder shooters do the same sprt of thing - blackpowder over a bit of smokeless. Triplex - you must be kidding.

Just use the correct powder.
 
I've used Akley's load data before, with no issues, but, I always kept in mind that his data was safe IN THE FIREARM HE USED .
As noted above, he used no pressure equipment, only his own experience in developing his loads. His books also contain loads developed by others, so be sure to read the text with each cartridge, and be doubly sure to work up the load from a safe minimum. Treat his loads as Maximum.
 
Hey I'm not using this data in MY gun--I want to know if anyone's old or crazy enough to've touched one of these off himself. Maybe if I had a Raging Bull instead of an 83 I'd think about it :dancingbanana:

Still interesting that he's using such a hot powder AND unique to touch off a load of 2400 that's no big deal according to Lyman, Hodgdon, Lee, etc. Velocities are very high, likely because of terrifying pressure, but I wonder _how_ terrifying.
 
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