Hey ASS_CLOWN,

Now that's a lot of data. I appreciate your gesture! I am depending on the extra barrel length (28") to get a few more feet per second. I hope it works!

A friend suggested Accurate 2230. With a drop tube, I may be able to stuff enough powder into the case to get a few more fps without creating too much pressure. Until I am able to find out how much free bore I have, I will have to wait on powder selection.

Thanks again for the data - I know it will be useful.

Good Shooting,

Smoker

Smoker,

I have no experience with Accurate powders. In my experience with the powders listed.

Reloder 7 - can over pressure behind any bullet weight 300 grains and up.

IMR3031 - can most also over pressure behind the 350 grain and up bullets.

IMR4895 - I don't think you can get enough powder into the case to over-pressure the load. This may change IF you can significantly increase the COL and stuff 10% more powder in the case than I have been able to.

Good luck and enjoy your new rifle.

ASS_CLOWN

Hey Guys,

My gunsmith has all but finshed my .405. He has yet to receive the blade of the front sight and the hood. The .405 is built on a P-14 action and has a 28" #5 contour Shilen barrel.

I really want to try the 360 gr. North Fork bullet. As a matter of fact, I have had the chamber long throated for just that purpose.

Having said that, I need to get an idea of where to start with powder charges. I am aware of the loads for the standard .405, however, I had the rifle built using the P-14 action in hopes of being able to shoot a little stronger loads than the standard .405.

Also, because of the way the North Fork bullets are made, I was hoping to get an increase in velocity. (The many crimp groves may decease resistance over the lands of the barrel.)

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a bunch,

Smoker

Smoker it's about damned time! I remember you talking about that project over on Shooters.com almost 2 years ago when I picked up my 1895. I hope someone can give you the info you're looking for. I started out with the 300 gr. FP and never switch to anything else as it seemed to work well enough.

Smoker,

Since you are using a Pattern 14 and you want to shoot the 360 grain bullet weight.

I would recommend using:
Hornady brass
CCI200

Start with 47 gr of IMR3031 and work up from there. My M1895 with a cut down 400 gr Woodleigh SP (weighing ~ 365 gr) has a max load about 10% greater than 47 gr of IMR3031. I have found IMR3031 to provide the best velocity.

Of course if you can seat them out there, you may want to start off with 53 gr of IMR4895 and work up.

The above loads are reduced from max in my M1895 so I would think they should be fine in your Pattern 14.

Good luck,
ASS_CLOWN

Hey Kingfisher,

It's been closer to 3 years...and your right, it's taken awhile but man you should see the rifle! Claro walnut stock that has been cut in the Oberndorf style, barrel band front sling swivel...felt like about 9 lbs. Bill Moyer and Chad McClausen do a fantastic job - so I don't mind waiting. When I do finally get it I will have some pictures taken and post them. I asked them to make it similar to my Whelen, 8mm-06, 30-06, and 25-06. It will have all the lines of the turn of the century, English/German rifles used in Africa. I guess more German than English, but the general English/German effect is what I've been after.

I have a couple boxes of 300 gr. bullets somewhere and will contact North Fork today and get some 360 gr. I want to use this strictly for very large game - like big bears - if I ever get the chance.

Ass_Clown,

Thanks for the response. What kind of ballistics are you getting with the modified 400 gr.? I was hoping for 2,400 fps with the North Fork. I don't know if it's realistic considering the case capacity and my remaining ability to take recoil. (A year ago last May I found out that I have severe degenerative arthritis through out my spine and one of the vertebrae at the base of my spine has moved out of place...heavy recoil could prove a little more exciting than I expected when I ordered the rifle.

How was the accuracy with the 3031 and the 4895? I was thinking of using RL-15. I had good results using this powder with the 280 gr. Swift in my Whelen and thought that it may be a good powder for the .405.

Kingfisher and Ass_Clown - Thanks for your responses.

Good Shooting,

Smoker

My stainless #1 will do around 2" @ 100 yards with 54.0 grains of 3031 (300 gr Hornady RN; 4X Bushnell glass).

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

Lee and asdf,

Thanks for the response guys. - asdf, I'll be careful.

Thanks again,

Smoker

Smoker,

My M1895 is limited to ~ 63,000 psi before the primer begins to crater, but that is well in excess of the SAAMI spec for this cartridge. I am limited to a COL with the Woodleigh bullet of 3.2" with an UNCUT 400gr and 3.17" with a CUT 400 gr. You should be able to move them thar bullets out a bit more with your Pattern 14.

Anyway the following are the ballistics I have gotten from my 24" barrel.

400 gr Woodleigh (uncut) COL 3.2" (CCI 200 primer)

46 gr Rel 7 - 2015 fps (avg)
47 gr Rel 7 - 2039 fps (avg)
50 gr Rel 7 - 2188 fps BLOWN PRIMER < !--color-->

54 gr IMR4895 - 1997 fps (avg)
55 gr IMR4895 - 2048 fps (avg)
56 gr IMR4895 - 2069 fps (avg)

47 gr IMR3031 - 1897 fps (avg)
48 gr IMR3031 - 1936 fps (avg)
49 gr IMR3031 - 1978 fps (avg)
51 gr IMR3031 - 2067 fps (avg)

365 gr Woodleigh SP (cut down 400 grain) COL 3.17"

49 gr IMR3031 - 1970 fps (avg)
51 gr IMR3031 - 2058 fps (avg)
53 gr IMR3031 - 2133 fps (avg)

300 gr Hornady FP, COL is not listed but seated to cannelure.

54 gr Rel 7 - 2421 fps (avg) Seems to be an accurate load
56 gr Rel 7 - 2487 fps (avg)
57 gr Rel 7 - 2528 fps (avg)

60 gr IMR4895 - 2218 fps (avg)
62 gr IMR4895 - 2307 fps (avg) (seems accurate)

The 300gr Hornady bullets explode in cedar at velocities over 2250 fps.

I am having a difficult time NOT vertical stringing the groups with this rifle. It is definitely an OPERATOR issue, ME! I cannot seem to maintain a consistent sight picture with those darned semi-buckhorn sights.

The IMR4895 loads all grouped well horizontally with the 400 gr Woodleigh, which tells me they are probably accurate. I also got good horizontal grouping with IMR3031 across the board with the 365 gr and 400 grain Woodleigh bullets.

The Rel 7 is a fickle powder in this cartridge. I will give the highest velocity though with the 300 grain bullet, with descent accuracy at 2420 fps (again 300 grain bullet). Rel 7 is a downright dangerous powder though with the heavier bullets.

I would expect that with 350gr to 370gr bullets you would see an additional ~ 25 fps per inch with your longer barrel, this will probably drop to ~ 20 fps per inch with the 400 grain pills. I am not too sure you will get to 2400 fps though, unless you load them up to 70,000+ psi. This is most likely a possibility with your Pattern 14, but I DON'T RECOMMEND IT! < !--color-->

Good luck,
ASS_CLOWN