I finally got to the range with a ladder I loaded for my 400. Although this is a proprietary cartridge, with no pressure specs, load data, etc., the case capacity very closely mirrors the 416 Remington, so that is what I extrapolated from. I have had the rifle for right at a year, but cancer has up until this point precluded any serious work with it.

I used TAC from Western Powder. Again, although there are no recommendations for this specific powder, it seemed to be about the proper burn rate. Projectiles were the now discontinued 400-grain Barnes X flat base, and primers were Federal 215s. I set COL at 3.550".

Velocity stringing was apparent at the starting load of 68 grains, and gradually tightened up. I had one very minor extractor swipe at 72 grains. Two shots were ~1/4" apart at 100, and I dropped the third one about an inch. I figure with the scope set at 3-1/2 power and shooting at a 3" dot, that was probably me. Close enough!

(I should note here that the max recommended TAC charge for the 416 was 76 grains, but that was for the traditional cup and core jacketed bullet, NOT the Barnes ,which we all know build pressure like mad. Thus the conservative choice in powder charge.)

I haven't broken out the Oehler yet, as I am not so much worried about velocity as I am accuracy. I plan to use the rifle on an elk hunt the weekend before Thanksgiving, and hope to have it dead on at 200, just in case we cannot get any closer than that. And I am also looking at a Nilgai hunt early next spring, if health will allow.

I shot these off a rest, using the Past "sissy pad". Shoulder is sore, but surprisingly enough, I was able to shoot the ladder without flinching. Rather soft recoil for the caliber, in my estimation. I am not recoil sensitive, but even off the Caldwell Sled with 45# of lead to weight it, the rifle moves the sled, so there is at least SOME recoil to be reckoned with.

Going to work with some Barnes 300s and 350s as well, or at least I plan to. Anyone have any recommendations?

I recommend you have a bang-up good time and death to elk!!

Barry, I am still wondering if I will be able to do the deed if the elk presents itself. I appreciate the thought, but as I more closely approach what may be my own mortality, it appears the more soft-hearted I get. I know that sounds strange, but darn it, something is dying. I guess it boils down to the fact I will always be able to find something else to eat.

They are just such a majestic creature. I think I will be able to do this, but I guess I will wonder up until the exact moment it happens, if it does.

Well, if while hunting elk you happen on a wolf or grizzly. And you legally can . Save an elk, kill a wolf . A 400 gr X bullet at 2200 fps is a potent hammer . And it's pretty easy shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:
Barry, I am still wondering if I will be able to do the deed if the elk presents itself. I appreciate the thought, but as I more closely approach what may be my own mortality, it appears the more soft-hearted I get. I know that sounds strange, but darn it, something is dying. I guess it boils down to the fact I will always be able to find something else to eat.

They are just such a majestic creature. I think I will be able to do this, but I guess I will wonder up until the exact moment it happens, if it does.

I took my father inlaw hunting and he felt the same way (he saw a 6x6 elk at 10 yards too and didn't shoot!). I bought him a light camera (it was years ago), so for the years he went elk hunting with us, he shot a few elk with the camera. He was good company, still is but he's 86 and doesn't hunt with us anymore.

Id be very careful with that Lead sled, they tend to break stocks, I have damaged two stocks with them..and with less than your 45 lbs. of lead..One was a Army/Navy 450-400 and the other was a 375/9.3x62 wildcat..I know of several others who have busted stocks..I still have mine but I use about 20 lbs of lead max., much of the time no weight is added..

You might try RL-15 in the 400 seems to me that would be "the powder" for that case..Its the berries in a 416 Rem. My rifle likes 78 grs. ( 83 is max).... I get 2390 FPS with a 400 gr. bullet, and its a very mild load pressure wise.

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:
Barry, I am still wondering if I will be able to do the deed if the elk presents itself. I appreciate the thought, but as I more closely approach what may be my own mortality, it appears the more soft-hearted I get. I know that sounds strange, but darn it, something is dying. I guess it boils down to the fact I will always be able to find something else to eat.

They are just such a majestic creature. I think I will be able to do this, but I guess I will wonder up until the exact moment it happens, if it does.

Just knowing you could have (pulled the trigger) is ownership enough, buddy. Bet in heaven you and I will be caring for kudu, elk, etc. Enjoy!

Doubless,

When I was working up 400 grain loads for my Winchester 1895 .405 WCF, I came across a TAC load that promised 2076 fps from a 24 inch barrel, so I added that to my try-it-and-see list. After the dust settled, I had the exact same load (50 something grains) as the reference load, 2076 fps, and a standard deviation of one (1) fps- absolutely the least SD ever for a 5 shot test! Naturally, it was very accurate too!
So I used it to take my first cape buffalo at 20 yards!
Later, I used my Pressure Trace II system for that and some other loads in my 1895WCF and found that TAC had a typical pressure spike up to 48,000 psi for my 400 grain load.
I am now working up 400 grain loads for my .405 WCF double rifle and will use VV N133 which came in second to TAC in the 1895 because N133 typically generates 10-12 K less pressure for equivalent velocity than TAC and most other powders. During this project, I switched from CCI primers to Federal GM215M primers and added 25 fps. These are now my GO TO primers for all large rifle magnum loads.
PS, I was using 400 grain Woodleigh bullets and they too were very accurate.

Ray said

quote:

Id be very careful with that Lead sled, they tend to break stocks,

Good point on the Lead Sled, though they do not break stocks, shooters break their rifle stocks

For all of our little reloading team's HEAVY load testing with big bores, we insert an additional pad or small sand bag between the rifle butt and the lead sled butt stop. I have had to use 50 pounds of lead with some rifle/load combination and we have never broken a stock.
As you know, the slender straight grip stocks of the Winchester 1895 and 1886 can break if abused, but we have taken steps to avoid that.

Naturally, when shooting these big boomers standing up, the body flexes and lets the rifle rise to absorb the recoil so no additional recoil protection is needed.

The calibers I had problems with were a fwt. slim stocked 375x9.3x62 and a 450-400 Jefferys double rifle...The rest split them out in the tang and recoil lug on the .375 and the doubles are tender at best, fortunately I was able to glass things back together...

I did use the strap to hold the front end down and that's obviously counter productive to keeping your stock from splitting, it adds to the problem Im pretty sure...

I know of many stocks that have been broken with Lead sleds, I got a number of emails and telephone calls when this subject came up some time ago..

I still use the sled and I like it, but it was a learning experience.. I have regulated its use up to a .338 Win these days and so far so good, plus I limit extra weight to 30 lbs. so for so good. With Larger calibers I don't use any weight at all and I strap it down and that seems to work..The sled is still a work in progress with me, but Im getting it figured out.

thanks for the heads up on adding additional cushioning to the butt section, My immediate response was "Damn, why didn't I thing of that!"