Does anyone have any reloading data for 550 grain Woodleighs in the 450 Dakota? (Old or new brass?) What velocity do you load them to? Field experience?

Thanks.

No, but I would be willing to run some QuickLoad simulations for you if you give me your rifle's specifics and the powders you would like to use.

Thanks Scott. Rifle has 22" barrel. Interested in H-4350, H-4831 powders. Much appreciated.

JohnDL,

Here is what QuickLoad says:

550gr Woodleigh SN
COL- 3.720"
22" barrel
Starting load: 97gr H4350 for 2110fps @ 49,000psi
Max load: 103gr of H4350 for 2235 fps @ 59,000psi

Starting load: 103gr H4831 for 2150fps @ 49,000psi
Max load: 112gr of H4831 for 2285 fps @ 59,000 psi

There it is for whatever it is worth. Remember it is a simulation, so use at your own risk (I do).

The 450 Dakota is listed as having a maximum average pressure of ~ 59,400 psi in QuickLoad.

John,

You may already know this but the 450 Dakota is essentially a 460 weatherby without the belt.Since data may be a bit easier to come by with the weatherby round,you may be able to find "starting" loads useful for the Dakota.The 450 Dakota is normally loaded to lower pressures than the weatherby.

Scott and Ray. Thanks for the help; much appreciated. As for the case capacity of the 450, this depends upon the brass used. A couple years ago, Dakota came out with new brass, much thinner, lighter than the old. The newer brass seems to have about 5 grains more capacity than the old. This is enough of a difference to screw up reloading.

I'm using old brass until it runs out. Another reason I'm using the old brass is that I'm about to go back on safari with a PH who also uses a 450. All of his reloads (which I made) are in old brass. I try to bring over more than I need and leave the rest with him. He likes the 500gr X loaded to about 2400fps. He thinks that the X bullet is too "hard" for me to use for lion. While I don't think it's too hard, I'm going to bring a few 550 gr. Woodleighs. Thanks again.

John,

If you are currently using loads for 500 grainers then use 95% of the powder charge for 550s.

Remember that the 460 Wby has huge freebore.

115 grains IMR 4350 does right on 2500 with 460s and that load is about 100 f/s under what can be done with 4350. With 550s the load would be about 110 grains and velocity would be around 2350 f/s. The 115 grain load I have tested in a few Wby Mark Vs have had the old Pendleton Dekicker which means the effective barrel length would be about 23 inches.

I think the loads that ScottS has put up would be close to the mark. The reason I say that is because the 378 Wby also has the huge freebore of the 460 but the 416 Wby does not have the huge freebore. The 416 Wby uses loads that are about 5 to 7 grains less than one would calculate based on what is used in the 378 and 460.

Mike

Thanks, Mike. I ran several loads with the Woodleighs. Got up to 108 grains H-4350 with no signs of pressure--2360fps. I'll run some with 4831, as this exceeds the velocity Woodleigh recommends these bullets.

You are obviously not "recoil averse!" I have several Wby's (300,378,416,460). Although I have reloaded for all of these, I haven't shot the 378 in the last 15 years. Sort of like being kicked by a battery mule! The older I get, the better I was! Cheers!

John,

The later 378s, from around the return to Made in USA are much tamer. They have the heavier 416 contour barrel and the muzzle brake. With brake on they "just sit there" when fired.

Mike

Mike. "Just sit there." I'll take your word for that!