I'm still playing with the .405 Winchester +P loading in my 24" Ruger #1 having gotten to 2,000 fps with the Barnes 400gr X and the Hawk 400gr soft point. I've run out of case capacity with Varget with no pressure signs to speak of at 53+ grains. These are compressed loads and adequately accurate but I'm wondering if I can get a bit more.

Would one of the ball powders work well in a straight case or is there a reason you don't see much load data for them?

Any suggestions on which powder to try that might yield good results while taking up a bit less space? Guess I'm looking for the "Lite Beer" of powders. Something that's less filling and shoots great!

I don't know anything, but I put it to Quickload, and for that cartridge, bullet, and velocity, it thinks that you can get more volocity and less filling from these in order of velocity at your pressure:
1) W748
2) BLC2
3) H335
4) Ramshot TAC
5) RE-12

Clark,

Thanks, W748 was my first guess I'll just have to get brave enough to pour some in a case, plug in a bullet and touch one off. Did Quickload give any hint as to a starting load?

Jeez, not bad work for a cartridge that otherwise maxes out at 2250 FPS with a 300 grain bullet.

Judging from the recoil impulse that my #1 x 45-70 imparts when I send out 400 grain Speers at 1900 FPS, I'm guessing that your loads leave no doubt that the primers functioned.....

Deputy Al,
The 300gr at 2,250fps load seems to be a bit light for what the guns and brass are capable of. I've been playing with a bit stouter loads in the #1 and so far so good. You can surely tell when the 400gr @2,000fps loads go off , it feels GOOD!

FWIW most folks for some reason seem to like shooting the 265gr WNFP/GC bullets loaded with enough Unique to take them to 1,400fps From the 9# rifle they're like shooting a .223.