54 caliber projectiles

[Sparkitoff]

I have a traditional .54 that has a 1:24" twist. Previously I used 535 grain conicals but that seemed like a bit much for some of the game I would hunt. I used them with 80 grain powder and got a reasonable trajectory to 100-yards. Most of the .54 conicals that I see are in the mid-upper 300 grain range, but I shoot 300 grain conicals in my .50 and the .54 PRB's are 230 grain. So, I found some old stock .54 conicals that are 430 grain. I think they will work well with the ROT and have enough weight to offer a bit more than my .50 conicals or the PRB if I feel the need. I am hoping they will run a bit faster than 535's with the same charge and offer a little flatter trajectory. There are a few critters that I may lean towards the heavier .54 conicals and those are Nilgai and maybe Eland. Otherwise, I will use them when I just feel like using that rifle and I know the 430's are plenty for deer/hogs/bear and even elk. Does anyone have experience with .54 conicals or some information for me to consider before I sight in and get serious with these 430's?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

My opinion is that you should try REAL bullets from a mold, and 300 grain. They are only slightly heavier than your .530 patched round ball. Plenty of umph with 80 grains of powder.
https://leeprecision.com/mold-d-c-54cal-300.html

LD

 

[bubba.50]

T/C maxi-balls, maxi-hunters, Lyman plains bullets, and Hornady plains bullets are all in the 1 ounce range (420 to 440 grain) and the heavier of the two Lee R.E.A.L. Bullets is 380 grains I believe. All of these should do well in your gun with that fast twist.

 

[Howie1968]

I have some experience its pretty much all i muse in 50 and .54s in 54 i do use the 430 gr tc maxi the hornady great plains 425 cva deerslayer 375, lee 300 and 380 gr real, no excuse 485, 525 and 535. i have quite a few boxes or casts made up of the lees. of the 425 and 430 grain the 425 is made by hornady the 430 is from tc of those 2 in all 10 of my .54stwist rates 1-32 to 1-48 the hornady great plains 425 has proven itself 8in accuracy. ive posted alot of big hogs shot with the hornady 425 my go to load recipe is a simple 80 grains pyrosex rs or 80 grainas goex 2f 90 grains wano 2 f is close. on game animals there is not m7uch harder to penetrate completly than a large wild boar. the tc 430 maxi penetrates great thus the name maxi tc used to make them in 430 ands 530 weights both are obsolite now but various manufactures make a maxi mold in .54
no the heavy weights, im a stocky guy or shal i say fat im not recoil senative but thig big heavy bullets do have more recoil. for what i hunt and how i hunt and given the terain is nothing less than a jungle of thorns briars under brush i prefer the no excuse 485 the 525 or 535 i want a complete pass through. i have no doubt a 425 great plains or the tc 430 will take a nilgai and anything in north america

 

[Bad Karma]

If you’re looking for a mold, accurate molds can cut most anything you’ll dream up. Maybe starting from something like this one?

 

[Rock Home Isle]

My main reason for the .54 was to hunt elk…very effective calibre for elk.

I’ve used the Maxi-Ball to great effect, 1/8th inch drill bit to hollow point the tip, 1/4” deep…works wonders on top of 95 grains of ffg. Wonderful expansion, great on elk, bit much for deer.

I found that with 100 grains of ffg, the .54 RB did just as well; usually picked up the ball just under the skin on the opposite side; take it home, melt it down and recast it for next year.

Sometimes there’s a shoot-through, then I have to use another ball…wasteful.

 

[lone hunter]

Have hunted exclusively with .54 for 40 years. Used TC maxi-balls-430 until last year when I ran out. Picked up some Hornaday plains- 425 and they were devastating on big bucks. Have since found some TC maxi-balls at Dixie and also have some No Excuse-485 I just received. Can't find Hornaday now so now it will see how my primary rifle will shoot the other two but have history and confidence in the TC maxi's over 90gr ffg.

 

[morehops52]

I've shot .54 Maxis for years and in my 1:32 and 1:48 twist barrels they shoot accurately and are devastating on white tail sized game. I've used up to 110gr 3f but have settled on 90 lately. Note that my rifles shoot the genuine T/C's better than the other maxi's I've tried and while the difference is small it is measurable. Best of luck and shoulder recovery from finding the right load.