Today I finally had good enough weather to shoot my Army & Navy 450/400 3 1/4" for the first time.After shooting a few loads this is the one I may stick with,81gr. IMR4831 federal 215 primer and 400 gr. woodleigh soft points.The group is 1 1/2" wide and 3/4" tall.I don't think this is too bad for a gun over 100 years old.I was shooting at 50 yards resting my hands and elbows on sand bags.
Fred

Nice!

I don't have much experience but it seems you can add a wee bit more powder to get your rights and lefts adjacent. If you do nothing its a fine shooting droup.

To get your elevation are you going to a lower front sight and your windage push your rear sight to the right?

JPK

Thanks JPK,
I've already moved the sight now I need more ammo loaded and try again.
Thanks,
Fred

I would play with 0.2 grain variations each direction to see how the group changes, but I could definitely hunt with that load as is.

WVFred, you might adjust the load as 500 suggests. I, however, wouldn't change a thing other that filing in the sights to place the group in to ZERO of the target! The load, IMO, is perfect, with the first shot from each barrel 3/4" of each other, and with the left barrel slightly on the left of POA, and the right slightly on the right of POA. IMO, all that is needed is to drift the rear sight to adjust windage, and raise the front sight, or hold the bead higher in the wide V of the back sight. Contrary to popular belief, double rifles are not supposed to cross,at any range, when properly regulated! I believe your load is perfect! I'd load up 100 rounds of that load, in new brass, and put it away for hunting big things, and be done with it!

Looks promising. Now the trick is to find out where the Woodleigh solids hit as well.

Do you have a chronograph? I'm curious about what velocity are you getting.

Tim

Thanks Guys,
I think for now I will just practice and tune in the sights with this load.I think it is as good as I can shoot anyway.I do want to get a chronograph and some solids and see how things work out.As soon as I do I will post results.Thanks again.
Fred

Fred: I have a chronagraph; when it's handy, we'll go to Kessel's farm and check your loads. I also need to start developing some loads for my .470 in preparation for an upcoming Australian buff hunt.

Thanks Frank,
Hopefully the weather will break and we can do that soon.
Fred