I borrowed this bit from pitted bore
* * * * Warning * * * * Warning * * * * Warning * * * * Warning * * * *
In this thread are described some handloads for the 450 Bushmaster cartridge that produce pressures well above SAAMI maximum pressures for the cartridge. Use of handloads based on the data below in your own rifle may be dangerous. Attempting to shoot similar loads in your own rifle may result in damage or destruction of your rifle, and in severe bodily injury or death to the shooter or bystanders.
Anyway I spent a day at the range with some prepped brass, reloading scales, various powders and my reloading press as I do with any new calibre I come into possession of.
I reload for 19 different calibres including 458wm,375rum, 300rum,375H&H,300wm and numerous others.
My normal procedure for economy reasons is to take my loading gear to the range and do the work up there. No sense in loading 5 of each powder charge at home if those loads are miles from peak performance.
When exploring unknown limits I load one and fire one and keep going up until the rifle and cases tell me something with regards to pressure. Then I explore that area for accuracy nodes.
Because the 450 is so under loaded with regards to factory ammo and load data it presented more of a challenge than most of my other calibres.
The rifle I'm using is a standard Ruger ranch rifle and the brass is obviously hornady.
Since I reside in Australia variety of components is some what limited compared to the US.
So far testing is limited to the Hornady 225gn ftx projectile, winchester 296 powder,lilgun powder, AR2205/H4227 and alliant 2400.
The velocity results below are not 5 shot averages or anything. Some are just a single shot to see where I'm at to work out my next step.
This is not meant to be definitive reloading info but more an idea for folks with a bolt gun that want to see what this cool little cartridge is capable of.
What is interesting is that I can't get to the muzzle energy (4000ft/lbs) "pitted bore" got from the 200gnrs. I'm open to suggestions especially from "Pitted bore" as to how I might be able to get more velocity/power from the 225gn Hornady's.
I have a modified 45/70 fcd that I also used in testing.
The results so far are below.
225 hornady is used with all loads here.
46gns 2205/4227 2358fps
47gns 2205/4227 2388fps
48gns 2205/4227 2418fps
48gns w296 2490fps
49gns w296 2471fps
50gns w296 2519fps
51gns w296 2601fps
52gns w296 2616fps
53gns w296 2619fps
40.5gns 2400 2461fps
41.5gns 2400 2496fps
43gns 2400 2519fps
43.9gns 2400 2592fps too hot.
So what I have found so far is that you can not fit enough 4227/2205 in a case to come any where near pressure limits of a bolt action with the 225gn Hornady.
The same seems to hold true for W296, I can't fit enough in to show any signs of pressure even with substantial crimping with the modified lee die.
I must say it was very noticeable that when in the mid-high (45+gn) loads of 296 the case sooting absolutely disappeared regardless of the amount of crimp which also improved accuracy no end.
Notice that there is very little velocity increase with added powder from 51gns of 296.
The load I have settled on for the moment (hopefully briefly) is 51gns of W296 for 2600fps and Moa accuracy.
If someone can tell me how to get above 3400ft/lb of energy with these pills I would be very much appreciative. If I could get close to 2800fps and 4000ft/lbs with these pills I would be stoked!
Cheers
Brett