Ross Seyfried's article on the .450 Express in the July 2000 issue of Rifle got me all fired up to try this number. Ross was even kind enough to reply to a letter of mine inquiring about the practicality of rechambering a Ruger No.1 .458 to the .450 3 1/4 BP/NE. Then I found an affordable set of used circa-1957 RCBS dies for the cartridge in a local gun shop. I ordered a box of Bertram brass and loaded a couple of rounds just to admire them. And yesterday, I took my .458 Tropical to a fine local gunsmith, Kevin Wyatt, for rechambering. Should have the gun back after Christmas. I will report on range results with both smokeless and black. By the way, I had no trouble at all drop-tubing 120 grains of FFg into a case, with room left over for two wads and a grease cookie under a Lee 340-grain bullet with slight compression for a traditional BPE load. I will also use load recommendations in Graeme Wright's double rifle book. May have to fly the Union Jack when I shoot it, eh? :-)

Bill,

That should be a very nice gun! I'm still wanting/debating some sort of flanged round for a ruger #1. I can't decide between a hot 6.5mm or a thumper, maybe one of each?

Yes!!! After reading that article I have contemplated doing the same thing. Give an update of the finished product so I might be pushed over the edge too!

Fellas, I will report when I get the rifle back. Meantime, I find myself constructing all sorts of loads: duplicating the original 365-grain/BP express load, the nitro-for-blacks, the Rigby 480 at 2150. It occurs to me that for a real memory lane experience I could break down some surplus .303 rounds I have on hand and use the cordite to duplicate the performance (and smell) of the old Kynoch nitro loads. Anyone else try reusing cordite from surplus rounds? Any tricks to be aware of?