first try with the 450BM

Kevin Stenberg

Well-Known Member
I was pleasantly surprised with the mild recoil of my rifle with both 220gr and 450gr cast bullets. My lowest velocity was 960 and my highest was 1350ish. I basically through several powder together with the 2 bullets i have. I wasn't looking for accuracy just what i would get for velocities.
Most everyone on the BM site uses 296 or H110 or IMR4227. With the common practice of not downloading those powders. Can someone point to any of the powders i have on hand that could be downloaded to the general 900 fps but still be uploaded to midrange deer hunting loads?
I have Unique 2400 H322 H335 H4895 WC860 IMR 4064 - 3031 - 4350 - 4831 - 4350 - 4895 Varget Lever Revolution 800X Promo BLC2 Kevin
 

Ian

Notorious member
Unique and 2400 will do all you need. Everything else you have is going to be too slow to work out very well in the 450. 4198/Reloder 7/XMP 5744 are going to be about the slowest powders that will burn efficiently for you and you don't have anything in that range.
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
Ive tinkered with Colts , Schofield , a rimless 460 (45 Raptor) and 45-70 .
In a bolt gun I wouldn't hesitate to run with Unique all the way up through the midrange . H322 was very interesting with heavies in the little Colts . I have a 250-535 gr for the 45-70 and 196-350 gr actually for the 45 pistols . Of course with sizers on hand to patch the Raptor lives pretty high . Start with max Colts loads for Unique for the light one .

I don't have anything for the low speed , rifle powders , or cycling autos . Other than don't go to the 4350s or 4831 . The 4350 is weird down low even on a compressed load . I would be suspect of the 4831 also .
 

Kevin Stenberg

Well-Known Member
That gives me a good place to start.
Being i am using a bolt gun rather than an AR. I don't have to worry about pressure to operate the action.
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
I tried so QL suggestions in Colts with a 350 and H322 to keep it under 25kpsi for a magnum action platform carbine . I don't have the information handy at the moment , but I backed it down like 15% of the maximum number . It delivered over 1200 fps with that start load . The bullet from mountain moulds was designed with case intrusion and drive length in mind more than contact area . But that was going the wrong way for my intention which was to skate on the slow twist and stay sub .
The 16,18,20 or 22(4?) Twists will handle even subs that are way too heavy as a rule .

I've hunted all over for 460 rifle data and it just isn't there except in dark little corners . Probably working down with capacity , common sense , and 45-70 as a starting point for powder selection and a huge amount of trepedation is going to be the best bet without something like QL .