I'm looking for some load data to use for a pre-war (1921) Westley Richards .450 3-1/4" NE. The gun was originally Nitro proved at 70 Cordite & 480 grain bullet.

Which powders do you recommend?
Starting loads?

And anything else you think I need to know.

Thanks

I have a VC, but it should not matter. I had great success with H-4831. My final load (using Woodleighs as a benchmark) was 100grs, but you are perfectly safe to start at say 95 and work up. I had horrible luck with RL-15 however.

Might be worth it to get a box of Hornady factory ammo and see how it shoots in the gun. If it works, you'll have saved yourself the expense of dies, brass, powders, bullets, etc in checking regulation. If it doesn't work, at least you'll have some 1X fired brass to start with :-)

I would try some Hornady factory ammo if you have not already done so. That should get you some idea as to what the barrels like. And I do think the Hornady brass in 450 3 1/4" is of good quaility.

I have only used Fed. 215 GM for primers.

As for powders, my rifle (25" barrels) has worked most sucessfully with H - 4831 and IMR - 4831, I just do not have much interest in using a filler and RL - 15.

As for bullets the North Fork Solids and Cup points are bore riders( less pressure) and shoot very well in my rifle, as do the Hornady factory soft and solids, but after shooting buff and zebra with the Hornady softs, (and yes they died) I wasn't thrilled with the softs we found. The NF bullets have been impressive on paper and load results( high average vel. and single digit SD readings, great groups).

Overall the 450 3 1/4" has been easy to load, Hornady brass seems to last for ever.

Lee's crimp die is nice to have.

Good Luck you will have fun.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Might be worth it to get a box of Hornady factory ammo and see how it shoots in the gun. If it works, you'll have saved yourself the expense of dies, brass, powders, bullets, etc in checking regulation. If it doesn't work, at least you'll have some 1X fired brass to start with :-)

I ordered 1 box each of Hornaday solids and softs to do just that....check regulation and get some brass.

Personally, I'm not a fan of Hornaday bullets, so will want to reload for hunting purposes. Would also prefer not to use loads that require filler if at all possible.

Thanks

MHC, if the Hornady loads shoot to the sights, there are members here who know the load recipe. Then you can swap bullets if you'd like.

I have an older 450NE (1905 Gibbs) and have had success with RL15 and filler but have moved on to H4831 with no filler. Bullets used have been Woodleigh softs 480gr, Hawk 350gr and 480gr and 480gr CEB and 370NC. I took the CEBs to Zim last Sep and shot a Tuskless, a frontal brain shot that exited 3 feet down the spine... As far as I know the bullet is still going.
Now that you have started this thread you know you owe us picture of your Westley

I don't have any pictures to post at this time. I would like to see picture's of your Gibbs.

80 to 83 grs of RL-15 usually regulates in most old 450s with a 480 grain bullet. Use foam for filler. You can use the same loads with 300 grain bullets and they usually regulate perfect. Great practice load.

My 1902 Army Navy shoots 480 gr. Woodleigh softs and solids with the same regulation using 97.5 grains of IMR 4831. I would recommend you start lower at 93 and work up to see what your rifle prefers.

page 2 has a group at 25 yards off sticks after the load workup and me still getting used to the sights.