did anyone ever try 41 mag pistol bullets in thier 450/400? there was a thread going a while back on this subject. i have some 41 mag bullets that i've used in my 405 with good results and i'd like to try them in 450/400 when in gets here in couple of weeks.

I haven't yet tried 41 mag bullets, but am having fine luck with Hornday 300 gr flat point plinkers using AA 5744 powder. I'm using 35 grains and getting about 1450 fps. This load is regulated at 50 yds and shooting less than inch and a half. It's amazing that this light load sloshing around in the big case can give that degree of accuracy. Bob

thanks bobc, that sounds great. i have plenty of 5744 and some 300 gr cast gas checked bullets i use in my 405 that i'll try that in. yeah it's hard to beleive you can get such consistancy with that small amount of powder with no filler, but i've done it myself in the 45-70. thanks again

quote:

Originally posted by degoins:
thanks bobc, that sounds great. i have plenty of 5744 and some 300 gr cast gas checked bullets i use in my 405 that i'll try that in. yeah it's hard to beleive you can get such consistancy with that small amount of powder with no filler, but i've done it myself in the 45-70. thanks again

quote:

BOBC
I haven't yet tried 41 mag bullets, but am having fine luck with Hornday 300 gr flat point plinkers using AA 5744 powder. I'm using 35 grains and getting about 1450 fps. This load is regulated at 50 yds and shooting less than inch and a half. It's amazing that this light load sloshing around in the big case can give that degree of accuracy. Bob

You may get by with it for a while, and you may not! small powder charges in large cases, with a lot of air-space is asking for a ringed chamber, or worse. Of course it is your rifle, and your fingers, and face, so do your thing! Please don't advertize it here where some kid will follow your lead! There are many theories, but nobody really knows exactly what causes this phnomanon, but it has been known for a long time, and is not a reccomended practice!

mac,
FWIW i'm well aware of the phenomenon you mention, however the mfg of 5744 powder, Accurate, says this powder was specifically designed for this application and is perfectly safe. does that mean you still couldn't get a detonation? i dont know, but i've never heard of it happening with this powder and there have been lots of people including prominent gun writers (if you beleive what tey write) who have published their results using this powder in small amounts in large volume cases as the mfg recommends.

Yup, this is what 5744 is designed to do. If you look at the manufacturers own data, it's full of loads for 416 Rigby, 375 H&H and other big cases with slow moving cast bullets loads. They recommend it for smokeless loads in the old buffalo rounds as well. Bob

quote:

Originally posted by degoins:
mac,
FWIW i'm well aware of the phenomenon you mention, however the mfg of 5744 powder, Accurate, says this powder was specifically designed for this application and is perfectly safe. does that mean you still couldn't get a detonation? i dont know, but i've never heard of it happening with this powder and there have been lots of people including prominent gun writers (if you beleive what tey write) who have published their results using this powder in small amounts in large volume cases as the mfg recommends.

quote:

bobc
Yup, this is what 5744 is designed to do. If you look at the manufacturers own data, it's full of loads for 416 Rigby, 375 H&H and other big cases with slow moving cast bullets loads. They recommend it for smokeless loads in the old buffalo rounds as well. Bob

Could be, and I have lots of double rifles with some very large cases, but I think I'll just sit on the side line, and listen for the "BOOM"!

..............

mac,
have you tried any of these lighter, read cheaper, bullets in your 450/400 using more traditional powders? if so, please share your results....if you dont mind.

[QUOTE]degoins

[mac,
have you tried any of these lighter, read cheaper, bullets in your 450/400 using more traditional powders? if so, please share your results....if you dont mind./QUOTE]

I don't have a 450/400NE double rifle anymore, Long story !

Tony, came up with a formula that seems to work quite well! When you get a load that regulates with you heavy bullet, then find a bullet that comes as close as you can find to 75% of the weight of your heavy bullet, and seat it over the same load used with the heavy. They will usually regulate fine! This seems to work with all chamberings it has been tried in!

degoins
I suggest you get Graham Wrights book on "Shooting the British Double Rifle. For very light loads with 41 mag pistol bullets in .411 guns use Nitro for Black loads with IMR 4198 [with filler].
My rifle is a .408 and when I tried 41 Mag bullets they would not chamber, so I got some Hawk .408 bullets.

My 75% rule consist of using the same powder charge with a bullet that is 75% as heavy as the normal bullet. In my 450/400 I have used the Hawk 300 gr with the .025 jacket on a deer and several pigs. They are awsome killers. I likeed them so much I tried some 400 gr Hawks with the .035 jkt. Shot one pig with them so far. Thjey are DYNO-MITE. They all hit the same place as the 400 grain Woodleighs.
In my 450 No2 and several 470's 350 grain bullets have regulated with the full power loads.

mac and 450,
thanks for the info. i will give it a try.

I've used Tony's loads with 300 grain Hornady .411's designed for the 405 Win. They regulate perfectly 1 grain below my 400 grain load. I now have 2 levels of plinker, 1450 fps and 300 grain flat points using 5744, and 2100 fps using RL 15 and filler. The RL load is spot on the signts at 50 yds, the 5744 loads need the 2nd leaf flipped up to be on the money. Nice combo and I'm not the least bit concerned about the 5744 loads, as this is the designed use of the powder and bunches of loads are listed in Accurate's manual for huge cases. Bob

sounds great bob, i hope to be in your shoes shortly.

Now you can really see the versitility/shootability and huntibility of the 450/400.

300 gr bullets at 1450fps, well that is just about 454 Casull performance.

300gr bullets at 2100fps,

My 400 likes 300gr bullets at 2255 fps, just over 405 Winchester,
My rifle also shoots 300gr bullets at 2335fps

Then 400 grain bullets at 2100 to 2200, for the Big stuff.

The lighter loads are perfect for smaller game. The more you use your double the better you will be with it.

Now that I have a scope on my 450/400 I really plan to use it even more.

450,
shootability and versatility were two of the main reasons i decided to go with the 450/400. your scoped one will be about perfect for any application.