I want to use some 300 grain .405 bullets in my 450-400 #1, but I have not seen any load data for that. Has anyone done any work with this combo? I would like to get 2400 fps or so; nothing too outlandish. Those bullets are rather fragile I have found in the .405 at 2100 fps. Why do I want to vary from the 400 grainers? Because they exist.

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Those bullets are rather fragile

If those are the Hornady I've found them to be VERY fragile. They turn into a lead haze when I shoot hogs with them. But I'm about 500fps faster than you.

Exactly; don't rely on them for penetration but on a side lung shot on a hog or black bear from the .405, they work very well. Last year in Manitoba a friend of mine put one through a 6 foot bear and it blew a 4 inch hole out the far side.

I've taken between 8-12 hogs in the 125-200# range with my 400PDK using the 300Flat point. I don't recall a single exit. However all hogs dropped on the spot. On the one I opened to look for the bullet all I had was SMALL lead fragments. I've had excellent penetration and performance with the 400DGX.

Sorry I have no first hand info for the 450/400.

Baised on results with my 450/400 3 1/4" double, I would start with the same loads that give your 400 gr bullets @2150fps.

Velocities will be @2325 to 2350fps.

That is as fast as I would want to drive that bullet.

If you want higher velocities than that, then use a Barnes 300gr X bullet.

I have killed deer and a bunch of pigs with a 300gr Hawk bullet in my 450/400. It is a .408 diameter barrel, so I cannot use the Hornady 300gr bullet.

Try about 63 grains of rl 15 with filler, to reach about 2100. Mild and should keep bullet intact. Bob

Thanks to all; I will keep them about the same vel as a .405; 2100; that will be best; and for anything serious I will use 400 DGXs anyway. tj