Hello,

Well at the range last weekend, I finally sat down with my Ruger No.1, that started life as a .458 WM and was rechambered to .450 NE.
Before Ruger decided to do it.
I have shot and hunted this gun for years.
I have been experimenting with the Hornady 325 FTX bullets, they are devistating on groundhogs.
I finally put some over the chrony and got 2211~2233 Fps.
This is over 96 grains of IMR, the thing that amazed me was the accuracy and consistancy.
I shot a 4 shot one hole group.
The funny thing was I had some reduced loads using 5744 and Hornady 350 RN and Rem 405 FN.
4 each of those and the went into the same hole.

I will post targets after I get some pictures taken.

Thanks

Nitro: Please do post pictures. I had a Ruger No. 1 .458 reamed to .450 NE eight or so years ago after reading something by Ross Seyfried, but traded it off without doing a whole lot of load work.

How cool is that!

Rich
DRSS

I know the Rugers are strong, the buzz has always been some are accurate and then you get the lemons.
I was just taken a little by surprise when all those honking big 458's went into the same hole.
Must be the reloader and shooter

Cheers

quote:

was just taken a little by surprise when all those honking big 458's went into the same hole.

Or maybe it IS so bad you only hit the target once and all the rest clean missed?

That took longer than expected
Maybe I detached my retina on the first shot and could not see the target after that.
Seriously the hole did get a little bigger.
No, there were no powder burns on the target either.

Nitro

I bought one of the "Boddington" special editions in .450NE. That rifle is hands down the favorite of any rifle I own. It is the perfect balance of power and elegance. Very accurate with factory Hornady rounds. Ruger hit a homerun with that one!

OK, so here is the target 7 in the big hole and I pulled 1.
two different bullets Hndy 350 RN, Rem 405 FN Accurate 5744



Thanks
Nitro

PS: Dot size is 2"

it dont get much better than that....and not at all surprising!!

Nitro, what distance was target 7 shot at?

I just got my No.1H last week and have started loading for it. I started light with some Hornady 210's & TrailBoss and have similar results at 50m.

Just ladder loaded IMR4831 and 400gr. Woodleighs so I'm ready to try some individual loads now for group size & chrony.

Please keep posting your results as it is really hard to get info for this caliber particularly for .411 bullets.

Harvey

50 Yards, just because we had targets set at that range, it was at the DRSS shoot.

Nitro

Harvey, are you looking for 450-400 loads? I've used the Hornady .411 300 gr spire point and flat points for 'plinkers.' In the Ruger #1 it should be a breeze to work up loads without having to worry about double rifle regulation . Mild load that pretty well duplicates the 405 Win is:

300 grain Hornady, 63 grains RL 15 with dacron filler at least 3 grains, so it compresses loads, Fed 215 primers. These run around 2100 fps. As always, use at your own risk. Bob

Thanks for the info, Bob. I tried some of the .411 300gr. Hornady's with Trail Boss and they were Ok but I got a terrifically accurate plinking load (shot two 5 shots groups at 50 yds. and have all 5 bullets significantly cutting each other in both groups) using Hornady 210gr. HP/XTP .410 pistol bullets.

I'd really like to load the 300's stronger to use for local hunting. Have you gone higher with RL 15 and left out the dacron (I don't want to learn how to use fillers )?

Harvey, Don't be afraid of using fillers.. I use 15 grns in one of my DR's. It's needed with these huge cases and modern powders instead of cordite or black powder.
I suggest you get a copy of "Shooting the British Double Rifle". It's got alot of great info.

I'm shooting the 300's in an old double, so I'm not looking for velocity, but regulation. Filler is so easy, just a 3 grain gob of dacron. Just an extra step to weigh it. I know you can push a #1 far beyond what I'd do with a 100 y/o double, just would't know where to stop with top end loads. Filler is not hard to manage. Bob

Harvey,
You can use the 4831 you already have and use the same load as your 400 gr bullets and no fillers. Works well in my double and my #1. You might also give 5744 a try, again no fillers. i've had great results with it and the Hornady 210 grain bullets. I havent tried it with the 300 grainers yet. Here's what i got from Accurate Arms:
Unfortunately we do not have any specific lab tested data on this powder caliber combination.
(See notes 1.1 and 2.1 below).
However, I can provide you with some guideline, based on calculations and information from other sources.
Caliber: .450-400 NE 3” (400 Jeffery)
Barrel length: 24 to 26”
Powder: Accurate -- 5744.
Bullet weight: 210 grains.
Reduced load: 37.0 grains (1650 – 1750 ft/p/sec)
Midrange load: 47.0 grains (2200 – 2300 ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 60.0 grains (2750 – 2850 Ft/p/sec)
Bullet weight: 300 grains.
Reduced load: 36.0 grains (1650 – 1750 ft/p/sec)
Midrange load: 50.0 grains (2175 – 2275 ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 55.0 grains (2275 – 2375 Ft/p/sec).
Bullet weight: 350 grains.
Reduced load: 33.0 grains (1550 – 1650 ft/p/sec)
Midrange load: 44.0 grains (1850 – 1950 ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 52.0 grains (2100 – 2200 Ft/p/sec).
Bullet weight: 400 grains.
Reduced load: 30.0 grains (1400 – 1500 ft/p/sec)
Midrange load: 40.0 grains (1700 – 1800 ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 49.0 grains (1900 – 2000 Ft/p/sec).
NOTE:
It’ important to note that:
Whenever Accurate Arms do not test, and have actual data, on a particular caliber or caliber/bullet combination, we may in some cases provide some guideline. This information will be based on various procedures and calculations, or from other very reliable sources.
1. SAFETY is our prime concern therefore:
1.1. The loading data is conservative, especially regarding the minimum or start load to ensure a safe baseline to work from.
1.2. The safety margin built into the start load might be more than the customary 10%.
2. We strongly recommend.
2.1. To always start at the recommended minimum “START” load.
2.2. If at all possible, measure the velocity.
2.3. Contact us again with the velocity data, so that we can verify, and correlate with our calculated/estimated data. The data should also be compared, with the typical velocity levels accepted in the industry, for that particular caliber-bullet weight combination.
Regards
Johan Loubser
Ballistician
Western/Accurate Powders
Tel: 1800 497 1007 or (406) 234 04 22
Part of Western Powders -- Miles City Montana

Thanks everyone - some great info to work with here. I may have to learn more about fillers because even when I look into the case even with my max load of 4831, there appears to be a lot of space left!

Does dacron or any of the other fillers create a problem with bore residue. I have visions of a bore coated by melted plastic. Where do you normally source the dacron?

When I get finished playing around, I hope to post a range report. I'm also hoping (with a little luck) to be able to post a field report as I've drawn an early Oct. L.E.H. tag for wild Bison in the Sikanni river area of BC.

as far as I can see, the dacron doesn't melt, just blows out in a wad.Bob

Dacron is just 'Teddy Bear' stuffing. Just make sure the kids don't see you!
Pull apart a pillow or go to the yard goods store and get a package. It'll last a long time.
Foam 'backer rod' works well too.