The 454 Casull was developed by Dick Casull and Jack Fulmer in 1957. The original intent was a revolver cartridge more powerful than the 44 Magnum and thus more reliable for metallic silhouette, but it has evolved into a popular choice for serious handgun hunters. The 454 Casull uses a .452-inch bullet with a rimmed case of 1.3976 inches, longer than the 45 Colt case so that it cannot be used in 45 Colt revolvers...but 45 Colt ammunition can be safely fired in a Casull chamber for low-recoil practice. Although now surpassed by the 460 and 500 S&W cartridges, the 454 Casull is a very powerful cartridge. It has become popular enough that most major sources load for it with choices of loads up to a 300-grain bullet at 1650 feet per second, developing over 1800 foot-pounds of energy. The 454 Casull is powerful enough--and proven--on the largest North American game, and with proper bullets has taken the largest African game as well.
