Purdey 450/400 express (10,3x60R)

[rigbymauser]

Hey folks.

I have recieved a fair offer on this Purdey doublerifle.
I have been in the marked for a smallbore/lowpowered english doublerifle for awhile. Power wise its on-par with the .44Magnum and RWS still makes brass.
Purdey double rifle in general are rare and at the same time I wanted a new double with another name and another caliber than what I already have.

The bullet dia of this one is .405" where the 450/400 3.25" is .410"(formost part)

Anyone has reloading experience with this cartridge?..

Kindest regards..

Info from Purdeys:

The 400 black powder Purdey express double barrel hammer rifle no.13349. was completed in August 1890 for Mr H. T.

Lawford.

28" barrels, chambered for the 450-400 black powder express cartridge, loaded with 3 1/2 drams of black powder.

"C" quality But with extra quality locks & wood. Purdey&39;s made five qualities of gun at this time best, B, C, D & E quality.

Lever over guard opening.

Back action locks rebounding & bolted.

Eyes for sling.

Weight of gun 7lb 14oz.

I hope this information is interesting.

Yours sincerely

David Maynard

 

[rigbymauser]

Its a .450/400 2 7/8" express and not the shorter version.

 

[AZDAVE]

Is it the 400 purdey express cordite proofed double? if so there is a load in Graeme Wright's "shooting the British Double Rifle". I just reread your post and it is the BP version.

 

[Ridgewalker]

What a fun gun to play with! Best of luck!

 

[rigbymauser]

Is it the 400 purdey express cordite proofed double? if so there is a load in Graeme Wright's "shooting the British Double Rifle". I just reread your post and it is the BP version.

Its a .450/400 2 7/8" express. Very difficult to find reloading dies to.
I have Graems book,...but this caliber isn't there. Maybe Purdey only made 40 guns in this caliber?..Had it just been the .400 3" Purdey express.

 

[austrianhunter]

If its the same as 10,3x60R then Reloading Dies and cases are easy to come by. Popular in Graubünden Switzerland.

 

[HWL]

The 10,3x60R is nothing but the swiss version of the .450/400 2 3/8" NE.

The .450/400 2 7/8" Express is something completely different!

Express indicates black powder!, otherwise it has nitro proof marks.

Slug the barrel, use lead bullets of proper size (.405!) and black powder.


HWL

 

[bruce moulds]

and check the twist.
bruce.

 

[rigbymauser]

The rifle is a 450/400 Purdey(2. 7/8") which is project it self to get reloading dies for plus reforming cased and the whole nine yards. Had the rifle been the Swiss 10,3x60R cases and reloading dies is easy to find.
I didn't buy this very rifle as I found 500 3" express instead.
Its always easy to buy but a 1000 fold more difficult to sell..particular an odd ball blackpowder cartridge that never made it into the smokeless plus selling blackpowder express rifles in general these days.

 

[bruce moulds]

it would have made a nice short range deer stalking rifle.
bruce.

 

[rigbymauser]

Yes....that was my originally intension.

Do you make bullet moulds?.

 

[bruce moulds]

no that is just my sirname.
i have bought a few over the years though.
from paul jones, buffalo arms, steve brooks, and kal.
all for long range black powder rifles, paper patch and grease groove.
bruce.

 

[Muskox]

Current 10.3 bullets range from .405-.413, and everything in between.

RWS and a few Swiss Manufacters make bullets, but I think I would shoot cast bullets out of it.

Power will be more like 444 Marlin.

I used to have a blaser r93 in 10,3x60R. Nice caliber, kicks more than it should but most Blaser's in that claiber have 27 inch barrels.

 

[rigbymauser]

If I find a vintage english doublerifle in the short 450/400(swiss 10,3x60R) for a reasonble money I could catch an interest. I am just done with special projects where everything becomes an ordeal in getting ammo.