Ignorance is bliss

[Greg Mercurio]

The title says it all. I have a .450 Nitro Express (3-1/4) and .458 WM, both in Ruger No. 1 rifles. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience loading these cartidges with black powder, and what were the results? :coffeecom

[Chicken Thief]

Well the 458WM has the same length as a 45-100 but unless the throat is long then don't expect to get much better than @75 grains BP down there.
The NE has the same case length as a 45-140 so expect to get something like 125gr+ in there.

In the WM speed will suffer with jacketed.

[Greg Mercurio]

This would just be for gas-checked cast loads. Thanks for the assist.

[John Boy]

http://www.goexpowder.com/images/LoadCharts/Cartridge-Rifle.pdf

[Greg Mercurio]

Thanks John!

[RMulhern]

Ain't never hear tell of nair 45/140!

[StrawHat]

At one time, I owned a 458 Winchester Magnum built on a M98 action. For a few years, I loaded blackpowder and lead in it just to shoot it more frequently as jacketed bullets and such were not as appealing to me. Anyway, even with not wprking up a load, I managed to use it successfully on deer and even groundhogs. With a little tinkering and using proper lubes and such, I would imagine the Ruger could be made to shoot nicely.

[wiljen]

a 458 on groundhogs :) Strawhat is a firm believer in "Use enough Gun"

[StrawHat]

a 458 on groundhogs :) Strawhat is a firm believer in "Use enough Gun"


With the black powder load. I am one of the many who ended up with a 458 and a box of factory loads. The only time I shot factory after the initial magazine was if I developed a flinch with a smaller cartridge. One or two from the 458, off the bench, would work to cure the flinch problem. Otherwise, the 458 like most of my cartridge rifles, got loaded with or to black powder levels. I am currently doing the same with a WInchester 1895 in 405 WCF. Downloaded with 5744 and cast boolits, it is much easier to manage than with factory loads.

[AkMike]

Greg,
You can also try a 75% load for your 450 Nitro. It regulates just fine in my DR's and is easy to shoot for practicing.

"The 75% Rule" is 75% of the weight of the regular bullet and full powder loads.
The 450 takes a 480 grain bullet (call it 500 grns for easy figureing) 75% of 500 is 350 grns. Cheap shooting and easy on the shoulder.

I have a 450 NE Ruger #1 ready to be shipped back from the `smiths after a rechamber from a 458 mag. That'll be fun soon!

[NickSS]

I had a ruger number 1 in 458 mag years ago and i could not get it to shoot lead bullets with smokeless powder until I got them up to around 1800 fps and then they were not fun to shoot from a bench rest. So I tried black powder. Results were better accuracy and no nose bleed. However, I sold the rifle. Nowing now what I didn't know then I would have slugged the barrel. I think what I had was an over sized bore as I was shooting 457 sized bullets.

[Greg Mercurio]

Hi AkMike: How's that brass workin' out? You're going to fall in love with the NE, it's a real sweet caliber. Brass prices aren't too friendly but they should last forever.

One of the reasons I'm inquiring is that at some point in my lifetime, it may be a requirement to use black instead of smokeless, even though I have what I consider a fair supply of smokelss for all my firearms. I typically use Trailboss for easy shooting as my orthopedic surgeon has requested I do not undo his excellent rework of my right shoulder. So thanks to all that have posted here, it's a new avenue to explore for sure.

[AkMike]

The brass is getting a work out, when I get the time. No losses yet either.