Loading data for the .450 Black Powder Express

[miroflex]

Hi all,

Has any member loaded the .450 3 1/4" Black Powder Express cartridge and is loading data available? From where can one buy the equipment and components? Are bullet moulds available for casting bullets? If not, is there any method of having a mould made?

Regards.

 

[adam12]

.450 BPE loads

Hello, New member here. First of all, do yourself a HUGE favor and buy this book: SHOOTING THE BRITISH DOUBLE RIFLE by Graeme Wright. Buy the THIRD EDITION. that's important as it's crammed with so much more information than his earlier editions.

I've got an Alex Henry .450 3 1/4". Back action, hammers and a Jones Under lever I've found a great load for it, albeit a Nitro-for-Black one. It loves 48 grs H1498 and a Hornady 300 gr soft point. I know what you're thinking: the jacketed bullet will eat up the bores but I've found it just isn't so. That said, I still want to try cast bullets once I get a mould.

A BP load for all these BPE's is of course the Holy Grail, but I've found it frustrating to work up a really good load. Which doesn't mean I've given up on it, it just means I have to dedicate some serious time. I've got a few .500 BPE's as well.

Good luck with yours, and if you do find a good BP load Please share! By the way, could you share some details on your .450?

 

[Kbhallmark]

Adam12 were you using any kind of filler over the powder charge? My understanding is its not necessary with 4198.

Thanks,

 

[Woodcarver]

11 year old thread, and Adam12 hasn't logged in since 2015.

Best option would be to start a new thread with your question.

Adam12 were you using any kind of filler over the powder charge? My understanding is its not necessary with 4198.

Thanks,

 

[Huvius]

Adam12 has a good smokeless load for the 450.
When using 4198, I use 1/2” backer rod which takes up the space. You’ll definitely want to use a filler with the 450 3-1/4” and smokeless.
Just about all of the original 450BPE loads took 120grs of Curtis & Harvey’s No.6 powder regardless of the bullet weight.
It is sad that the BP of the era was more energetic than that made today so starting at 120grs of any good quality black powder will be a good starting point.
There are numerous .458” molds available and if your chamber is tight, as many 450BPE rifles were designed to use a .450” projectile, you can simply use a Lee push through sizer of .450” if needed. Usually, with a cast bullet and black, you just use a bullet that fits your fired cases without the need to neck size often able to seat the bullet without the use of any loading dies pushing the bullet home over the powder and whatever wad you use.
Tell us about your rifle!


Ah…. An old thread.
Worth a conversation though!

 

[Kbhallmark]

Well, it’s not a rifle yet. I have a barreled action put together by Steve Bertram on a Steve Earle Wesson action. Modeled after an Alex Henry single shot. I just got a stock blank duplicated so one of these days I’ll have a rifle. I was under the impression that all smokeless powder loads in the old NE cases needed a backer. I was recently told that h4198 did not but was looking for first hand experience.

Thanks for the information.

Kevin

 

[lkydvl]

I am using .458 390 gr cast bullets over 55 grains of 4895 with a puff of dacron filler. It took me a while to fund that load. Shooting a Webley & Scott 450 BPE with nitro barrels. Its the first load I've found that regulates. 50 yds the bullets are side by side within 1/2 inch. Were almost right on with the sights as well, about 1 inch right. Easily corrected with a slight nudge of the rear sight.

 

[Hagler.450Ex]

I always used 4198, either brand, .40 X original BP load = starting grains, then 'ease' up to regulate to sights. Always used dacron, I pull it from old pillows. Can't remember how many grains dacron. Don't cram it down into a brick, just soft and comfy like your pillow, but firm enough at the same time to be supportive. It's only there to take up room and keep the powder down. I've used this in everything from the .450, to the .450 no.2 Nitro (which takes an awful amount and ends up as fluffy snowball on the ground....literally in front of your elephant if that's the case), all the way to the .600
Since I had forgotten the grain-age of dacron in the .450, I just checked "Shooting the British Double Rifle", (second edition) and Ross Seyfried used up to 15 grains in the .450
It's fun weighing the little snowballs on the scale....pillow stuffing is my go-to stuff....
p.s.----remember, NO space between it and the bullet base....just takes up room, remember pillow-like. With other calibers, one can experiment on how many grains by feel and firmness.
....think I'll go rest on my pillow now....lol