RE: Who has shot a .454 Casull?...your opinions of it.
Not too bad of a gun.
(but then again, I do shoot a Contender w/ 10" barrel in 30-30)
I personally like it. I've shot my father's and am now looking at the Ruger and Taurus for myself. Porting can make a big difference though.
If you are going to reload (IMO, the way to go with most of the big ones), what I would suggest doing is making up some reduced loads for practice and save the heavy ones for hunting, etc. I do the same with my 44mag, would/will do the sam ewith the 454. (basically a 45 Colt on steroids)
In fact, you may want to check on it because I think that the (newer) Rugers can shoot either454 or 45LC, which can save you some wear-n-tear on the gun and yourself.
Scope may behosed though. If playing with a new one I would think aboutusing "removable" lock-tite on the threads of the scope mounts.
Good luck.