I have a custom single shot rifle in 45/120 3 1/4 inch.The only load data I can find for this using smokeless powder either uses the very expensive XMP-5744 (the only place I can find it will only sell it by the keg and for $240 to boot),or very light charges of IMR-4064 with a very large filler.

I am looking for loading data for the 450 NE 3 1/4 inch,which is the same cartridge as the 45/120.I'd like to find a load that would not have to use a filler.Also,would it be possible for me to use 470 NE loading data and just tone it down?BTW,this would be with 405 to 500 grain bullets.

Any help would be greatly apprechiated.

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I'm out to wrong rights,depress the opressed,and generaly make an ass of myself!

Just found XMP-5744 for $15.59 per pound from Creasys.SO,if I can't find any good "conventional" loads,I'll go with the 5744.

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I'm out to wrong rights,depress the opressed,and generaly make an ass of myself!

The conversion for those old cordite rounds to R15 is 1gr cordite to 1.19grs R15.

Brian,

One note of caution, the 450x3 1/4 is not the same case as the 45/120 3 1-4. The Nitro Express is larger at the base than the 45/120 case, hence larger case capacity. In nitro for black loads for the Express case I have gone as high as 80 grains of IMR 4831 and a foam filler with a 400 or 405 grain bullet at just over 1900 FPS, but this is a little stiff for an original black powder double. It can be exceeded by a bit in a modern action, and the Nitro version can be loaded a good bit hotter. With the same bullets 65.0 grains of Varget and a foam filler gives 1800 FPS-this is with a 27" barrel. Both are very accurate loads,and much more uniform with the styrofoam filler than without (use the hard, crumbly craft type styrofoam sheets in an appropriate thickness-not the type used for foam cups, etc.).

By the way, the 350 Hornady RN with 85.0 grains of IMR 4831 plus foam does right at 2000FPS, and 65 grains of Varget with filler does 2075 with the 350RN in the 450 3 1/4 Nitro for Black Powder Express.

Hope this helps a little,
Jim

Jim,

Thanks for the info,but I don't want to use any fillers.I will probibly end up just using XMP-5744.It will push a Hornady 350 grain RN 1750 FPS and a 500 grain RN 1450-1500 FPS or so.Good enough for woods ranges on deer and black bear for me.

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I'm out to wrong rights,depress the opressed,and generaly make an ass of myself!

As some of You know I have toyed with the idea of the "perfect" double for some time.

Versatilitywise it might be the 450/400 3". But from bullet availability or Big game the .450 NE ( 3 1/4" ? ) is a real consideration. For load development can a Ruger #1 be rechambered?

For the double I would prefer Heym in that chambering. With a second barrel set in 20/76 - sigh!

If the double would be adjusted for 480 grainers, and these are difficult to get, where would a 500 grs bullet for .458 regulate?

Also for European hunts where would a 350 or 400 grs ( Rem, Speer ) bullet at the original 2150 fps regulate?

Good shooting! Hermann

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