I am drawing a big zero when searching the net for loads for the 450 NE 3 1/4".
Mainly the 450 & 500 TSX
Anyone have any info they will share?

Double rifle or Ruger No. 1? I have tried a handful of bullet/powder combinations in mine. Thought I haven't tried the 500gr TSX, I would start with 85gr of 4831 and go from there. For the 450's I would switch to H4350 and increase the starting load by a few grains.

It's a double.

I'm loading 96 grains of H-4831 in Hornady cases behind the Hornady 480gr. soft or solid sparked by a Federal 215 primer. Haven't shot the Barnes

I have loads for Swift aframes and CEB solids.

What was the double regulated with?

I was regulated for Hornandy factory roads. I'm just not a fan of the DGX.

I thought that they 'fixed' the DGX. I believe that they are now a bonded bullet.

I've shot lion and buffalo with the DGX and elephant with the solids, along with a water buffalo and hippo with the DGS in a 416 Rigby. All died posthaste.

Good ol' Hornady, bless their heart, have they finally learned how to make a good soft?
Surely the new, bonded DGX is OK.

Excerpt for book review, SHOOTING the BRITISH DOUBLE RIFLE 3rd. Edition, by Graeme Wright:



Good book.

What I like about the old classic, originally known as the 450 Special Rigby, later known as the 450 NE 3-1/4",
is that in old classic load, it is almost as powerful as the modern, factory-loaded .458 WIN by Hornady.

Jeffery was already advertising their "400 S. Jeffery" ("S" for "smokeless," later known as the 450/400 NE 3") when Rigby brought his to market. Hence, the similarity in early nomenclature.
Those two cartridges were the first "Nitro Express" cartridges before there was the "Nitro Express" class of cartridges.

If the British long ton is equal to 2240 pounds
then 17.0 tpsi = 38,080 PSI.

Rip ...

Thanks for the table, RIP.I agree that the load with IMR 4831 can be difficult to seat/crimp and load right so that rounds fit easily in the chambers.I rejected many rounds because of this.I wonder what exactly is meant by "slow trickle pour"?

Using a drop tube to let the powder settle better as it fills the case. I know a guy who uses a small vibrating motor to do the same thing.

Not a fan of dgx either. I’ll be making some custom bullets later this winter.

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
Using a drop tube to let the powder settle better as it fills the case. I know a guy who uses a small vibrating motor to do the same thing.

I have used a long tube/funnel-the kind used to fill rear rest leather bags and did not notice any difference.It could be that I am not doing it right or don't understand the drop tube, trickle etc... method.

shootaway,

Get a hollow, aluminum arrow shaft that is about 2 feet in length, or more, not less.
Glue or tape a fitting/funnel/nozzle (plastic or aluminum, whatever works) to each end of it.
Trickle the powder through that at almost vertical.
Works for me.
I can even see compaction of ball powder charges dropped through that.

Rip ...

Thanks for the info!
I know the Hornandy DGX are better but still not my cup of tea.

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:
shootaway,

Get a hollow, aluminum arrow shaft that is about 2 feet in length, or more, not less.
Glue or tape a fitting/funnel/nozzle (plastic or aluminum, whatever works) to each end of it.
Trickle the powder through that at almost vertical.
Works for me.
I can even see compaction of ball powder charges dropped through that.

Rip ...

I loaded 20 rounds of 450NE and used my long, blue, Bonanza powder funnel and a hollow pen to drop the powder.You are right it does compact.All my rounds chambered without issue.I needed to load one with the long drop tube and one with a regular funnel, side be side, to see the difference.I will look for an arrow shaft for next time.