Thread: Load issues (blowback) 454 Casull

Originally Posted by thatguy

Hey, looking for advise.

Current load:
454 casull in Rossi 14” barrel
Hornady brass (not annealed)
250gr RNFP
Win 296 - 28.5gr (max load)
Small Rifle Primers

I’ve run some light loads in this rifle using AP70N, which works fine. These loads with the Win296 is giving me issues. Getting a lot of blowback, which is visible on the cases (soot marks). It’s almost like the powder is not burning quick enough and therefor not expanding the cases fast enough, and therefore causing the blowback. Results are the same with older Winchester Brass.
Don’t have a chrono to check velocity, but shoots an okay group at 100m with red dot sight.

I’ve read on other forums that W296 and H110 needs a magnum primer for better ignition. Others claim switching to Lil’ Gun yielded better results.

Anyone know what I should try?

Greetings Again,
Had a quick scratch around. I see that Hodgdon specifies Winchester small rifle primers. Ball powders like 296 are a bit hard to ignite and the Winchester primers are formulated for this. If you are using a non Winchester primer this could be your problem.
Regards Grandpamac.