I'm looking for a reduced load for a 450/400 3 inch. The gun is a Ruger #1 and I would like to use 300 gr bullets or a light pistol bullet. I want to use this for deer hunting where my shots are inside 100 yards the majority of the time.
Would a large rifle primer suffice or should I use a magnum primes?
I've heard data for either the 400 Jeffery or 405 Winchester can be used as well.
I can find data only for the 400 gr bullets and if I substitute 300gr what adjustment to the data is required for the lighter bullet?
Any help/advise is appreciated.

You could load down with H4198 or IMR4198 and use a piece of foam backer rod to fill the empty space in the cartridge.
You will probably end up somewhere around 42grs. or a bit more and a regular primer will work.

quote:

450/400

Found this on the Africa Hunting Forum:

300gr Hornady SP (.411")

IMR 4064 with 4gr Dacron filler. OAL 3.57"
60gr Velocity 2,020

I have no experience using fillers of any kind. How much would the powder charge for a 400 grain bullet be reduced when using a 300 grain bullet?s

quote:

Originally posted by rl anderson:

I have no experience using fillers of any kind. How much would the powder charge for a 400 grain bullet be reduced when using a 300 grain bullet?s

Just look up other calibres and similar percentage bullet weight difference. For example a 100 grain 270 is 77% of the weight of a 130 grain.

If can seat the bullet out so hits the rifling you won't need fillers and could use powders like 3031, 4895, 4064 etc.

I have used 85 grains of 4064 in 460 Wby with 500 grains and top accuracy and right on 2000 f/s and no filler and a 460 has 3/4" freebore/ A top load with 4064 is 104-105 grains so you can see a very mild load.

Have also used used 85 grains of 4064 in 378 Wbys and 225, 270 and 300 grains. All do a bit a over 2600 f/s. Like the 460 the 378 has 3/4" freebore.

What sort of velocities are you looking for.

I have found Accurate 5744 to be excellent for reduced loads in large cases without the use of any fillers. Here are some loads for the 416 Rigby, which is very close to the 450/400 in case volume.

I've used 5744 in my 500 Jeffery for 525g cast bullet loads at about 1800 fps Works well, no fillers.

I've used Trailboss in my 450/400 with a 400 gr. hard cast lead bullet. About 1700 fps as I recall.

Dear Sir:
You may find the following link helpful.
It uses 5744 powder in reduced loads.
Sincerely
https://www.chuckhawks.com/reduced_400_loads.htm

We have been using reduced loads in practically every caliber.

You can use any pistol powder, even with tissue paper if you do not have fillets.

Calibers up to the 577 T.Rex we have tried.

Never had a problem.

UNIQUE works great in all reduced charges.