The Accurate Reloading Forums
Powders and primers for 450/400 3"?
24 July 2009, 22:46
Mad DogPowders and primers for 450/400 3"?
Well the order is in, and the gun should be shipped next week, so here I go with a ton of questions. For those of you who reload it, give me a couple of good powders to go to. 1 caveat, I don't want to use any loads that require a filler. I've done some reading about H4831 and 4350, any comments?
Also, I have on hand CCI LR primers and Fed. 210. Do I need to go to magnum primers? If so what brand? I'm getting ready to order some brass, and after the gun comes in 2 boxes of Hornady factory ammo. Probably going to put a decelerator pad on it pretty quick, after I shoot it a few times.
Mad Dog
24 July 2009, 22:56
eurocentricCALIBER BULLET BRASS PRIMER POWDER LOAD SOURCE COL
450-400 NE Hornady 210 gr HP/XTP Hornady Fed 215 AA 5744 48 gr AccurateReloading.com
450-400 NE Hornady 400 gr RN Hornady Fed 215 RL-15 53.7 @ 1,800 Hornady Reloading 2009 3.685"
450-400 NE Hornady 400 gr RN Hornady Fed 215 RL-15 57.8 @ 1,900 Hornady Reloading 2009 3.685"
450-400 NE Hornady 400 gr RN Hornady Fed 215 RL-15 61.9 @ 2,000 Hornady Reloading 2009 3.685"
450-400 NE Hornady 400 gr RN Hornady Fed 215 RL-15 64.0 @ 2,050 Hornady Reloading 2009 3.685"
450-400 NE Hornady 400 gr RN Hornady Fed 215 H 4350 62.6 @ 1,800 Hornady Reloading 2009 3.685"
450-400 NE Hornady 400 gr RN Hornady Fed 215 H 4350 65.9 @ 1,900 Hornady Reloading 2009 3.685"
450-400 NE Hornady 400 gr RN Hornady Fed 215 H 4350 69.2 @ 2,000 Hornady Reloading 2009 3.685"
450-400 NE Hornady 400 gr RN Hornady Fed 215 H 4350 70.9 @ 2,050 Hornady Reloading 2009 3.685"
24 July 2009, 22:58
eurocentricI got the Ruger No. 1 Rifles. Contacted Hornady and they sent me the load data. Look at the A-square manual too
24 July 2009, 22:59
eurocentricBARNES MANUAL
Notes: case: Rigby; parent case: .450 Nitro Express; primer: Federal GM 215M; trim to: 2.990"; barrel: 28"; XLC Coated X-Bullet data cannot be used with other bullets, including non-coated X-Bullets; maximum loads should be used with caution - Always Start With Minimum Loads
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
400 Barnes XLC FB or RN Coated Solid Alliant RL-15 68.0 2,050
400 Barnes XLC FB or RN Coated Solid Alliant RL-15 73.0 2,150
Remarks: maximum load
400 Barnes XLC FB or RN Coated Solid Hodgdon H-1000 85.0 2,050
400 Barnes XLC FB or RN Coated Solid Hodgdon H-1000 88.5 2,150
Remarks: maximum load
24 July 2009, 23:00
eurocentricA-SQUARE
Notes: cartridge case: A-Square; primers: CCI-250; trim to length: 2.990"; bullet diameter: .409"; expected velocity level (26" barrel): 2150 fps; pressure measured by: Piezo Transducer; NOTE: The two versions of the .450/.400, the 3-inch and the 3 1/4-inch, are not interchangeable, although in power they are indistinguishable. The .450/.400 N.E. (3"), also called the .400 Jeffery, was developed by Jeffery around 1896.
Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
400 A-Square Dead Tough Hodgdon H-4831 84.0 2080
Remarks: 29,900 psi
400 A-Square Dead Tough Hodgdon H-4831 87.0 2187
Remarks: 35,300 psi
400 A-Square Dead Tough IMR IMR-4831 81.0 2057
Remarks: 29,300 psi
400 A-Square Dead Tough IMR IMR-4831 85.0 2190
Remarks: 34,400 psi
400 A-Square Dead Tough Alliant RL-22 83.0 2047
Remarks: 30,100 psi
400 A-Square Dead Tough Alliant RL-22 87.0 2172
Remarks: 34,200 psi
24 July 2009, 23:18
Mad Dogec, thanks for all the info, that quick!
1 other question, since this will be a single shot, and I'm used to loading for a leveraction, what about crimping the bullet? yes, no?
Wondered about contacting Lee on a factory crimp die, if neccessary.
Mad Dog
24 July 2009, 23:22
eurocentricI crimp them out of habit, but not necessary. I use the 210 gr bullets for coyotes and coons btw.
24 July 2009, 23:28
eurocentricI put this Mueller scope on my No.1 Rifle.
http://muelleroptics.com/products/MU3940EER.html25 July 2009, 07:28
Oregon45I don't crimp my 450/400 loads, and I'm using CCI LRM primers out of necessity, having exhausted my supply of Fed 215M's. I have seen no difference in velocity between the two using H4831, H4831Sc and Trail Boss.
I use Woodleigh .410 softs, Hornady DGS solids (haven't been able to find any DGX's) interchangeably, and there is no POA change between the two with my load of 79gr of 4831 (either standard or SC).
I'm also shooting several boxes of closeout Cabelas cast bullets, .410 sized 400gr Lyman Snover design lubed with SPG. I shoot these over 28gr of Trail Boss, uncrimped brass.
I've scoped my #1 with a Leupold 3x and a Trijicon 1.5-4x but have found that I greatly prefer open sights for this gun, in this caliber. The whole point of this gun is to have a high powered rifle that fits and moves like a shotgun. I might put an Aimpoint H1 on it, as they are so light as to not alter the balance, but for now the factory irons are doing fine.
I did change the pad to a Decelerator, a medium sized red pad. I did not have the stock cut and the extra .5" of LOP really makes the gun point better for me.
25 July 2009, 16:49
Mad DogOregon45, have you chrono'd the 79 gr. H4831 load? If so, what was the vel.?
Mad Dog
25 July 2009, 17:45
Mad DogWell, got another dumb question. Any issues with reloading the 450/400 3", using a RCBS rockchucker press?
Mad Dog
25 July 2009, 20:40
Oregon45From my barrel, on a 75 degree day that load averaged 2075fps. Not the cartridges full potential, but good enough for me; it is one grain under the maximum listed in Wright's book and hits to POA at 50 yards using the factory iron sights and holding the bead dead on the target.
The Rock Chucker is a tight fit with this cartridge when seating bullets, it can be done but is inconvenient. I load on a Redding T7 turret press and it is much easier. When I first starting loading for this rifle I loaded on a Rockchucker, so it can be done you'll just pinch your fingers a few times seating bullets
Also, if you use a decapping die you'll have to get one that will accomodate the 3" cartridge, I use the largest one Redding makes and it works fine. My Trail Boss loads barely expand the brass at all so I end up decapping and lightly neck sizing the brass I've segregated out for reduced loads.
25 July 2009, 21:20
lee44080.0 gr. IMR4831, Fed 215, 400 gr Woodleigh soft. Just at 2000 fps. in 24" BBls.
DRSS(We Band of Bubba's Div.)
N.R.A (Life)
T.S.R.A (Life)
D.S.C.
26 July 2009, 01:17
eurocentricI only scoped it cause I use it for predator hunting, but I agree, the open sights is a natural feel. The rifle handles like a dream
quote:
Originally posted by Oregon45:
I don't crimp my 450/400 loads, and I'm using CCI LRM primers out of necessity, having exhausted my supply of Fed 215M's. I have seen no difference in velocity between the two using H4831, H4831Sc and Trail Boss.
I use Woodleigh .410 softs, Hornady DGS solids (haven't been able to find any DGX's) interchangeably, and there is no POA change between the two with my load of 79gr of 4831 (either standard or SC).
I'm also shooting several boxes of closeout Cabelas cast bullets, .410 sized 400gr Lyman Snover design lubed with SPG. I shoot these over 28gr of Trail Boss, uncrimped brass.
I've scoped my #1 with a Leupold 3x and a Trijicon 1.5-4x but have found that I greatly prefer open sights for this gun, in this caliber. The whole point of this gun is to have a high powered rifle that fits and moves like a shotgun. I might put an Aimpoint H1 on it, as they are so light as to not alter the balance, but for now the factory irons are doing fine.
I did change the pad to a Decelerator, a medium sized red pad. I did not have the stock cut and the extra .5" of LOP really makes the gun point better for me.