I have worked up a load using W760 and the 450gr TSX for my .450 Dakota that I think will work for next year's buff hunt. The load is 105.0gr W760 with the 450gr TSX using the original (thick) Dakota brass and a Fed 215 primer. It shoots into about an 1" at 100 yds (best I can do from bags with this rifle) and chronos right at ~2,450fps on a very warm (90+ degress F day). My question is W760 is a ball powder. Has anyone had any problems or have any concerns with using ball powders in tropical conditions?

Cheers,
Andy

try 74 grs H4895/450 gr TSX

i've never had a problem with ball powders, but i also usually don't load to maximum. i think as long as you are doing well in 90 plus weather you'll be fine., but if in doubt just drop off a grain or 2, you'll still have more than enough gun

That is what gave the problems in the heat of Africa...Ball powder... I would keep it at 2300 and you will crush any buf and you can take out with a head shot and pass clean thru...

Mike

I think a 450X at 2400 plus is a hella stout load. I think it would be much more fun to shoot and no less effective at 2200-2250. My lott shoots the 450's at 2300fps and I've recovered only a couple bullets from Elephant hippo and rhino. They have zipped through all other game I've shot.

Oh....... hang on here I did get one from a Croc's head, and one from a Blue wildebeasts neck where it meets the head. These were 450 Aframes which entered an inch from the tail as it was departing wounded from my hunter.

In any case that is a wonderful level of power if you can handle it. I have found that 2100-2300 is plenty for anything alive with that TSX bullet. It has simply crumpled very big game like it was hit with a lightening bolt.

There was an enormous difference in the felt recoil between 2350 and 2150fps. Very few people would shoot the gun a second time at 2350, but most guys would shoot way to many times with my expensive handloads at 2150-2200fps.

I never saw enough difference in function to use loads over 2200 fps. This recoil level made the second shots very do-able as well. The 2350fps loads made my second shots a bit more difficult.

Andy,

butchloc is a good client but I don't like him very much. He has an unhealthy attachment to his rifles that need 2 barrels to function. DUH! Problem! So you can see he is an odd sort. The BUT comes as I think he has given you some sage advise about the 450TSX loads. It pains me to admit it but a PM to Butch in the "land of hotdish" might be beneficial.

Good luck,

Mark

I simply crushed a nice bull with my 458WM @ 72.5 gr H4895/450TSX right around 2250fps. One of the very few animals I've ever shot that actually dropped where he was standing.