Had to get rid of some old Barnes Original 500 grain RNSP with 0.049" jacket. I got plenty more. Hotter loads to come.
Lapua brass(of course)
F-215 primer
RL-15 powder
COL 3.625"
Bullet seated without crimp

This is just a starting point: three shots chronographed and express sight grouped at 50 yards ...

94.0 grains RL-15
2337 fps average

95.0 grains RL-15
2366 fps

96.0 grains RL-15
2383 fps: with this load 3 shots went into 1/2" (on centers) at 50 yards with iron sights. No sissy bag required, yet.

There is still air space, and the final loads will be crimped. There is room for shorter COL down to 3.500" and room for more powder.

These were low pressure loads surely.

BTW, I will post some 470 Mbogo loads on the Big Bores forum. Velocities approached 2700 fps with 500 grain bullets.

(edit: correction of error on COL, got it confused with the 470 Mbogo)

[ 06-23-2003, 10:39: Message edited by: DagaRon ]

DagaRon
Have you ever shot any game with those Barnes bullets?

NE 450 No2,

Thanks for asking, but nope, and I won't unless I am just shooting deer and hogs. I did recover some of the bullets from the berm. They were completely turned inside out and the core shed completely. Hey, they expanded to almost two inches diameter. They are for load development only. I got a bunch of them from an estate sale.

I have killed moose with the Hornady 500 grain RNSP, and I consider the Barnes Original to be similar. A "Lion Load" ...

I plan to go up to 100 grains of RL-15 next, and get a premium bullet load. The above loads showed less than 0.001" expansion of the case head and very mild primer denting by the firing pin. Low pressure.

The case shape is perfect for feeding and extraction with zero fuss,
and it will get 2400 fps with 500 grainers at low pressure, I am now sure.

The ultimate .458, and it can even fit in a Mauser 98 with custom box. It is intermediate between the "short magnum" and .375 H&H length, regarding the case length.

Cheers!

And it surely has more class as a 338 Lapua/45 Lapua pairing than a does a 338 Ultra and 338/458.

I don't have the dimensions but I imagine the shoulder diameter of the 338 Lapua is slightly larger than the 338 Ultra but not by very much.

Mike

It sure looks like a good ctg. Those pictures you posted were very clear.
Speaking of Lion which bullet would you choose in the 450 No2, The 500gr Hornady RN, 480 Woodleigh Soft or the 500gr. Swift A- Frame?

Mike,
Thanks for the appreciation of a great pair there, the .338 Lapua and the 45 Lapua. I'd take one of each on safari, or if limited to one rifle, go with either the 45 Lapua or a .416 Rigby.

The .338 RUM after firing in my factory rifle measures 0.529" at the shoulder max.

The 45 Lapua measures 0.544" at the shoulder max.

I wouldn't mess with a 45/.338 RUM.

The 45 Lapua makes all the sense in the world!

NE 450 No2,
Not that I am any kind of expert on lion shooting, but the 480 grain Woodleigh Weldcore RNSP sounds like the best "Lion Load" in a double .458 caliber rifle. That is clear as mud to me.

Cheers!

How does the Lapua brass hold up? It is rather expensive...

Very nice round, by the way.

Saybo,
I have not worn any out yet.
They say the .338 Lapua brass is the stoutest of stuff. Should hold up better than the stuff people pay $300/100 for, and the .338 Lapua brass can be had for around $140/100, even less from some suppliers. Can't beat it in the durability department.
Aloha

DagaRon
Most everybody agrees with your "muddy" opinion about the 480 Woodleigh's.
With 450 No2 brass @ $100.00 for TWENTY a fella can afford to shoot the 45 Lapua just once and throw it away.

450 NE No2,
Well at least you don't have to buy brass for a 700 NE, so cheer up! Some old codger died and left behind 300 pieces of new/unfired BeLL 470 Nitro brass and 700 bullets for the 470 NE (softs and solids: Barnes Originals and FMJ's, and Trophy Bonded Sledge Hammers). He was stocked up, and I got it all in a lot for half retail.
Aloha

DagaRon
You sly dog. I must admit I did get a good buy from Midway on some 450No2 Brass. Now I just need to get 2 more 450 No2 doubles so I can wear all that brass out, because I do not think the first one will last long enough to wear out the first hundred cases.