Freedom Arms 454
by Dave B 
, Alamogordo New Mexico, Wednesday, January 02, 2013, 17:21 (4345 days ago)
How much harm will I cause if I shoot 45 Colt shells in my 454? I remember reading Paco's old articles, and if memory serves, he did this quite frequently. I clean religiously after shooting, and the only reason I ask, is I have a lot more large pistol primers than I do small rifle, and right now they are a little tough to get locally.
Dave
I've done it with mine. Just remember....
...with those tight FA chambers, it doesn't take much to build-up.
So it's just the residue
by Dave B , Alamogordo New Mexico, Wednesday, January 02, 2013, 17:54 (4345 days ago) @ Boge Quinn
Building up at the end of the chamber that I have to worry about? That is due to the pressure spikes it can cause if I remember correctly.
So it's just the residue
Dave, I'd try to keep using Casull length brass in the gun. I have one that the previous owner shot a lot of 45 Colt in and had a heck of a time trying to get the carbon and probably lead build up out. I think the smooth polish inside the chamber gets affected too by firing too, and is rougher past the end of the 45 Colt case.
Thank you one and all.
by Dave B , Alamogordo New Mexico, Thursday, January 03, 2013, 13:30 (4344 days ago) @ AkRay
I will continue to shoot 454 brass until my primer supply gets to an uncomfortable level, and I am unable to purchase more. I would say 90% of the bullets that will go downrange, will be my 270-SAA over Unique, a nice comfortable load that is accurate, and has a lot of utility here in New Mexico, or the lower 48 for that matter.
Dave B
posted here years ago
by bj , Thursday, January 03, 2013, 21:20 (4344 days ago) @ Dave B
There was a story that Freedom Arms insisted on replacing a cylinder at great cost due to chamber pitting caused by firing the shorter cartridges. It didn't make sense to me and I wondered if there was more to the story but in any event it would make sense to clean your chambers carefully after use.