Revolver · SAAMI
.454 Casull
Dick Casull and Jack Fullmer's 1957 wildcat, standardized by SAAMI in 1997.
- Caliber
- 0.452″ · 11.481 mm
- Introduced
- 1958
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .45 Colt
- Primary use
- Hunting, Big Game
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1958
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Dick Casull / Jack Fullmer
- Manufacturer
- Dick Casull / Freedom Arms
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 42.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:24
- Primer
- Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 65,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 100 yd
- Max range
- 500 yd
- Recoil
- 35–55 ft·lb
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .454 Casull. Parent case: .45 Colt.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.48 | 0.452 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 12.19 | 0.480 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 12.19 | 0.480 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 13.01 | 0.512 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.45 | 0.057 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 35.13 | 1.383 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 44.83 | 1.765 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .454 Casull is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
12 reloading powders listed for .454 Casull, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .454 Casull
12 models in the database chamber .454 Casull. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed by Dick Casull and Jack Fullmer starting in 1957. Operated at extreme pressures requiring special 5-shot cylinders. Freedom Arms commercialized it in 1983. SAAMI standardized it in 1990.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .454 Casull use?
- .454 Casull typically uses a 1:24 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .454 Casull?
- .454 Casull uses a 0.452″ (11.481 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .454 Casull still in production?
- .454 Casull is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .454 Casull used for?
- .454 Casull is primarily used for hunting, big game.
- What is .454 Casull based on?
- .454 Casull is derived from the .45 Colt case.
- What are the best powders for .454 Casull?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .454 Casull include N350, CSP3, Vihtavuori 3N37, H4227, among 12 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .454 Casull archived
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Manufacturer Hornady — 454 Casull 240 gr XTP Mag (Item #9148) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Magtech — 454 Casull 260GR SJSP Flat (454A) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Federal Premium — Fusion Handgun 454 Casull 260 Grain (F454FS1) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Hornady — 454 Casull 300 gr XTP Mag (Item #9150) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Buffalo Bore — 454 Casull Pistol & Handgun Ammunition (Item 7B) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Federal Premium — Swift A-Frame 454 Casull 300 Grain (P454SA) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 67 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →