scottfisher wrote:First time reloading 450 Bushmaster but experienced reloader. So my first question what coal are you guys using for barnes 275 xpb's. I see some data for 2.20, 2.25, and 2.260.
Scotty-
To date, I have used the 275 XPBs for only a short trial. My COL was 2.202". That was the length that allowed taper crimping into the front groove on the bullet.
scottfisher wrote:I'm going to use Lil gun so what would you guys recommend I start at. I found some data that starts at 35 and goes to 39. I do have the Hornady book and this seems a little hot to me.
In one of my
bolt guns, 38.5 grains of Lil'Gun was max, judging by the traditional signs of overpressure produced by 39.0 grains. I'm pretty sure this 38.5-gr load was producing about 55,000+ psi, well above SAAMI limits for the 450B used in ARs. Be careful with your starting loads.
Hoot has some good information in the response to your question on your thread from 5 March. It's worth reading,
scottfisher wrote:Also is a crimp really necessary for this load. If so I was going to buy the lee 45-70 crimper. Not sure why the Hornandy crimp die would work?
A crimp is helpful in keeping the bullets in place in the case when the cartridges are chambered from the magazine.
It should
not be necessary to apply a side crimp, either with a modified Lee 45-70 FCD or the 45 Colt FCD that's been mentioned on this forum. The Hornady taper crimp die ought to work well with this bullet weight. (Don't use the roll crimp built into the Hornady seating die; it's intended for use with the 460 S&W, which uses the same seater sleeve.)
--Bob