454 Casull vs. 44 Mag: Is More Power Always Better?

The 454 Casull and 44 Magnum are powerful magnum revolver cartridges. The 454 Casull packs considerably more punch than the 44 Mag, but that doesn’t mean Dirty Harry’s S&W Model 29 is weak or obsolete.

Let’s discuss just how much more powerful one round is during our 454 Casull vs. 44 Mag discussion, as well how that extra oomph affects performance for the worse.

What Are the Differences Between the 454 Casull and 44 Mag?

At first glance, the differences between the 454 Casull and 44 Mag seem minuscule. As we dive deeper, we’ll discover how those apparently tiny differences significantly affect performance.

We’ll begin by comparing the cartridges’ specifications, and continue by discussing recoil, stopping power, and several other important aspects of performance. Finally, we’ll tally the winner of each section to determine if more power really is better.

Cartridge Specs

The 454 Casull’s parent case is the 45 Colt. Its bullet diameter is 0.452”, and its neck and base diameters are 0.480”. Its case length is 1.383”, making the round’s overall length 1.770”. Its case capacity is 45.5 grains H₂O.

The 44 Magnum is based on the 44 Smith & Wesson Special. It features a bullet with a 0.429” diameter, 0.457” neck and base diameters, and a 1.285” long case. The cartridge has an overall length of 1.610”, and 37.9 grains H₂O case capacity.

These differences contribute to the rounds’ drastic difference in max pressure. The 454 Casull max pressure is 65,000 psi, while the 44 Mag is “only” 36,000 psi. The 44 Mag is no slouch on the handgun max pressure spectrum – the 454 Casull’s maximum pressure is just extremely high.

Let’s see how these differences affect real-world performance.

Recoil: 454 Casull vs. 44 Mag

When comparing two cartridges, I often begin with their recoil. The round that kicks harder causes sharper muzzle flip, which can lead to less accurate follow-up shots. Strong kick can also worsen accuracy by causing the shooter to flinch (i.e. reflexively jerking their trigger and firearm off target in anticipation of recoil).

Neither of these rounds is known for its lack of recoil. Felt recoil is subjective and varies from shooter to shooter. Rather than felt recoil, let us focus on free recoil, which is the measurable product of four variables: projectile weight, propellant weight, muzzle velocity, and firearm weight.

When firing a 260 grain bullet at 1,798 fps muzzle velocity from a 3.5-pound Ruger Super Redhawk revolver, the 454 Casull generates 27.58 ft-lbs of recoil energy.

When a 240 grain 44 Rem Mag bullet achieves 1,200 fps muzzle velocity from a 3.5-pound revolver, recoil equals 18.5 ft-lbs. That’s significantly less, and no one would honestly consider the 44 Mag a weak round.

The 44 Mag wins this section because it has considerably less recoil than the 454 Casull.

Trajectory

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A bullet’s trajectory quantifies its flight path as it travels downrange. It is often measured in inches of bullet drop or minutes of angle (MOA). A trajectory resembles a flat line from the muzzle to a close-range target. A trajectory resembles an arch at long range, as the bullet must rise and fall to compensate for gravity.

A flatter trajectory requires the shooter to make fewer adjustments to their aim – primarily by making less compensation for bullet drop. This allows the shooter to be more accurate (especially as distance to target increases).

Both cartridges were designed for revolvers but have also been adapted to lever-action rifles. A rifle's longer barrel would flatten either cartridge's trajectory considerably, but for simplicity's sake, we’ll focus on trajectories out of handguns.

When sighted in at 25 yards, a 180 grain 44 Remington Magnum bullet leaving the muzzle at 1,500 fps will drop -5.3” at 100 yards. Under the same circumstances, a 250 grain 454 Casull bullet will drop only -4.4” at 100 yards.

Even when firing a heavier projectile, the 454 Casull has a flatter trajectory and wins this section.

Accuracy: 44 Mag vs. 454 Casull

Several factors affect a cartridge’s accuracy, including the firearm, shooter, and atmospheric conditions. This is to say that it would be frivolous to declare one cartridge “more accurate” than any other.

However, recoil-sensitive shooters will be more accurate with the 44 Mag at distances up to 125 yards. On the other hand, the 454 Casull will be more accurate at distances up to 200 yards.

This section is a tie. Accuracy ultimately depends on the shooter and the distance they’re shooting across.

Stopping Power

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“Stopping power” is challenging to define because it means various things to different shooters. To complicate the issue further, shot placement matters more than stopping power. A poor shot (e.g. to the foot) from a cartridge with more stopping power will likely prove less effective than a good shot (e.g. to the vitals) from a cartridge with less stopping power.

For the sake of time, let’s agree that penetration depth, wound column diameter, and kinetic energy transfer are the primary determinants of stopping power (when the shot is to the vitals).

It’s no secret the 454 Casull is the more powerful round, but just how much more powerful? At 100 yards, the 454 Casull conserves 1,474 ft-lbs of energy, whereas the 44 Mag has only 634 ft-lbs of energy at the same distance.

The 454 Casull has significantly more stopping power than the 44 Mag because it fires larger, heavier projectiles at higher velocities.

Hunting: 454 Casull vs. 44 Magnum

Both rounds are excellent handgun hunting cartridges, capable of ethically taking deer, hogs, elk, and bear. However, the 454 Casull is better for dangerous game because it has more stopping power. The 44 Mag is better for medium game because it will damage less meat and grants access to a wider variety of hunting ammo.

Both cartridges benefit hunters in various scenarios, so this section is a tie. It ultimately depends on the hunter's target species.

Defense

I would not recommend either of these cartridges for home- or self-defense. They are far too powerful, and poised to endanger innocent bystanders by over-penetrating their target. Worse yet, firearms chambered for them are cumbersome, and they have deafening reports – especially when fired indoors.

However, the 454 Casull is the better option for bear defense because it can stop a bear faster than the 44 Mag (which isn’t to say the 44 Mag wouldn’t also stop a bear). The 454 Casull accordingly wins this section.

Cost and Availability: 44 Magnum vs. 454 Casull

Although either round’s firearms typically cost about the same, 44 Mag ammo is often considerably less costly and more abundant. Cheap 454 Casull ammo tends to cost per round more than double-cheap 44 Mag ammo, but the high-end hunting ammo costs about the same.

The 44 Magnum wins this section because it offers shooting enthusiasts less costly and more abundant ammo.

Reloadability

Reloading spent cases is a great way to save money on factory ammo. It also gives you more control over the quality of your ammo because you can craft the perfect round for your firearm.

However, reloading is a time-consuming and expensive hobby to start due to all the required equipment and supplies. These hurdles often deter people from handloading.

Both cartridges can be handloaded, so this section is a tie.

Ballistics

The team at Ammo.com has gathered ballistics data for each cartridge so you can quickly compare them.

454 Casull Ballistics

Note: This information comes from the manufacturer. The actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from advertised ballistics. Ballistics can also differ from lot to lot within the same brand and load type.

44 Mag Ballistics

Take a deep dive into 44 Magnum ballistics for factory ammo.

454 Casull Brief History

The .454 Casull was originally developed as a wildcat cartridge in 1958 by Dick Casull, Duane Marsh, and Jack Fullmer. It went mainstream when Freedom Arms created a 454 Casull single-action revolver in 1983.

Several other firearm manufacturers followed suit, including Ruger and Taurus. The 454 Casull never took off among the broader shooting community, though. It has a small but dedicated fan base, which keeps it just relevant enough for ammo and firearm manufacturers to continue producing it.

The 454 Casull is still a top choice for hunters and guides venturing into bear country, though few people enjoy regularly firing it due to its tremendous recoil. Less powerful 45 Schofield and 45 Colt cartridges can both chamber in a 454 Casull firearm (but not vice versa). That makes taking a 454 Casull revolver to the range slightly less expensive and easier on the wrists.

44 Mag Brief History

The legendary Elmer Keith worked with Smith & Wesson and Remington to introduce the Model 29 and the .44 Magnum cartridge. He created high-pressure loads that pushed a heavy bullet faster than other ammunition of the same bullet size.

Since commercial production began in 1956, the 44 Mag has proven itself a viable handgun hunting round and remains the go-to choice for many hunters entering bear country. I enjoy occasionally taking my Desert Eagle chambered in 44 Mag to the range, so I see why it’s remained popular for many decades and believe the shooting community will continue to appreciate it.

Parting Shots

Now that you’ve finished reading our 454 Casull vs. 44 Mag comparison, you know that the 454 Casull won three sections (trajectory, stopping power, and bear defense), three sections were tied (accuracy, hunting, and reloadability), and the 44 Mag won two sections (recoil and cost/availability).

In many instances, more power is better, which is why the 454 Casull is the better option for many recoil-loving shooters. However, I love the 44 Mag, and will continue using it regularly at the range and in the woods.

Regardless of your choice of cartridge, check out all the ammunition options at Ammo.com!