I did some testing during the weekend working up from 95 grs VV N165 to 110 grs with the Hornady 500grs soft point. At 110 grs I got 2250 fps, this with Bertram cases. At this point there were some pressure signs, not anything dramatically, just some primer signs (punch mark being smaller).

I then had some loads of 112,5 grs and 115 grs in Horneber cases and got about 2200 with the 112,5grs and 2250fps with the 115grs load.

Is it normal to get lower welocities with an other case make? Should't this indicate that Horneber brass has a bigger inside than Bertram? I have allso fireformed some Norma 416 brass that I will be testing next time, perhaps I can expect different results with them allso?

I must ad that the temperature was just above freesing (+ 3 degrees Centigrade)

My goal is 2350fps, is this realistic with Vihtavuori N165?

It sure was fun shooting this one

[ 05-06-2003, 14:58: Message edited by: Thomas M ]

Not that I have any experience what soever with a 450 Rigby, but here are my thoughts which are worth exactly zero.
Is the 450 Rigby similar in size and case capacity to a 460 Weatherby?
From Hodgdons for 460 WB
500 GR. HDY JRN
COL: 3.710"

H4831 126.0 2469
H4350 115.0 2508
H414 116.0 2530
H380 108.0 2483
H4895 105.0 2478

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My burn rate chart shows N165 to be slower than any of the above powders. H414 sits right below N150. If I was loading it I would probably try some N150 or N160. Or I'd try a compressed case full of IMR5010 because I have an 8# jub that only cost $3 a lb. You could probaly exceed the H4831 powder charge with the slower N165 powder to reach your velocity at lower pressures which would be a good thing.
Again I have no experience here, just sitting down to a cup of coffee to wake up.

I agree, N165 is very slow for that case. Use .460 Weatherby loading data and very carefully work up. You should easily be able to acheive 2350fps.

When starting to think about it, it is a really big possibilitie that I remember it wrongly.

I think it was Vihtavuori N560 that I used. Must check my notes. I was supposed to use N160 but I was out of it so I took what I had and that would be either N165 or N560...