It seems that IMR 4831 is the powder of choice. Any other suggestions?

H4350 or IMR4350

There's R-15. I've also played with 4064.

quote:

Originally posted by dirklawyer:
H4350 or IMR4350

Would you like to expand on that?

quote:

Originally posted by 470Evans:
There's R-15. I've also played with 4064.

You too?

Will,

I have had good success with 68.0 grs of R-15, 2 grs of Dacron, Bell brass and the 400gr Woodleigh softs in my .411 Jeffery. The speed was 2025+- in 24" barrels and the four shot group was 1.5 inches.

In the same gun I've used 67.5 grs of IMR 4064 and had similar results.

I've never pushed them faster since that's what original Kynoch does in the same gun.

I originally was using 4831 to avoid using the filler and the gun shot ok but since R-15 shoots better and more consistent I've settled on it.

As always you need to start out lower and work your way up to regulation.

What 450/400 do you have?

quote:

What 450/400 do you have?

One that weighs -10 lbs.

quote:

Originally posted by 470Evans:
Will,

I have had good success with 68.0 grs of R-15, 2 grs of Dacron, Bell brass and the 400gr Woodleigh softs in my .411 Jeffery. The speed was 2025+- in 24" barrels and the four shot group was 1.5 inches.

In the same gun I've used 67.5 grs of IMR 4064 and had similar results.

I've never pushed them faster since that's what original Kynoch does in the same gun.

I originally was using 4831 to avoid using the filler and the gun shot ok but since R-15 shoots better and more consistent I've settled on it.

As always you need to start out lower and work your way up to regulation.

What 450/400 do you have?

Since I use RL-15 for most everything else, I am hoping to use that. I guess you saw no difference in pressure indications between RL-15 and IMR4831(?).

I hate to say this for all the potential ragging, I have no 450/400 but am in the process of getting one made from a shotgun. There is just no way I could afford to have a lightweight SxS made with a single trigger, and no maker will even talk to me about a single trigger, except possibly WR. That is just not in the cards! I'm shooting for 7.5 lbs.

Sounds it will complement your Pondoro Garter Belt Cartridge Carrier most famously! So much easier to achieve full pinky extension without a second trigger gumming up the works.

Seriously, what shotgun frame are you using?

Will,
Information is second hand from two 450/400 users so I do not know the exact powder charges they used.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Manion:
Sounds it will complement your Pondoro Garter Belt Cartridge Carrier most famously! So much easier to achieve full pinky extension without a second trigger gumming up the works.

Seriously, what shotgun frame are you using?

Ditto.
We're all ears.
I'll have to shoot for a 400/.395 NE at 7.25# if your 450/400 3" NE is 7.5#.

We could learn something from you Will.

I'm in negotiations with Victoria Secret for a pink garter belt cartridge carrier, but as to the rest of it, I'm going to wait until I see whether this is all going to pan out.

I have used both R-15 and IMR 4831. I had to use dacron with R-15 and none with 4831. The gun liked both and it was easier to use IMR so 80.5 gr. with a 400 gr. Woodleigh sp. made 2060 in my 24" barrels.

Will,
My Sunday go to meeting in the Selous loads have been the same in about every 450-400 that I have owned...

I use DACRON only in the 4.25 rifles...

215 mag primers
Hornady or Horneber brass
71.5 grs. of RL-15 with a 400 gr. Woodleigh for an average of 2154 FPS, 10 shots taking out the high and low...
Also great with the 380 gr. GS Custom fP or HP

85 grs. of RL-22 was very accurate with the 400 gr. woodleighs at 2168 FPS

82 grs. of IMR-4831 is the old standby with a 400 gr. Woodleigh or .380 gr. GS Customs for and average of 2134 FPS and superb accuracy..

These 3 loads have shot in every 450-400-3" that I have tried them in...

Will,
I use RL-15 based on Ross Seyfried's article "Reloading the Nitro Express" in Dec. 1999/Jan. 2000 issue of Handloader.

In the newer doubles you ought to try to use whatever the rifle was regulated for. In old Cordite proofed doubles I use RL-15 exclusively.
The pressure curve on RL-15, according to the article, is close to that of Cordite.

That is important to me. I don't have to worry about extended pressure curves in my old thin barrel double.
More importantly, RL-15 is a position sensitive powder. If you hold it against the primer with the Darcon or foam, you get some very consistant velocities. Also the recoil with RL-15 seems to me to be less than IMR 4831.
I really like RL-15
I have a .jpeg of the article that I would be glad to send to anyone who would request it.

Thanks for everyones input.

Rusty,

I'm sending you my e-mail address for the article.

Thanks,

Bill

I have sent out the article to those who have requested it.