.450/.400 Cast bullet Loads?

[.22-10-45]

I have a Watson .450/.400 3 1/4" N.E. circa 1902 on a Farquharson action. The Krupp barrel is proofed 60gr. Cordite/.400gr. jacketed...the heavy loading. I am not so much concerned with the strength of action..but with the walnut stock. Proffesional done repair through wrist with engraved escutchions & ends of bolt..looks like it was there since day 1...however, when I recieved rifle it was mid winter..very low humidity & a small narrow crack opened up on 1 side in checkering at wrist. My professional stock making friend installed threaded rods accraglased & "dog-bone" shaped inlets for accraglass across crack..all work done under tangs so not to be seen..even crack in checkering is not visible..unless you knew where to look. But now i'm "gun shy"..pun intended..want to stay away from hard kicking loads..even though that wrist is probably stronger now than when new. Using a 300gr. P.B. cast, I have tried 5744, TrailBoss, IMR4198, 3031 & SR4759..all had heavy recoil..some severe even with start loads. I was wondering if any of you experts could tell me if I could use a fast burning powder like Unique, Red Dot, Blue Dot, Herco, or 700X in this huge case with safety? I'm not looking for a hunting load..only a mild acccurate target loading for 50yd. to 100yds. Thanks!

[RJM52]

Not sure if this will help but I have a several .405 Winchesters that takes the same diameter bullets that I shoot reduced loads with. Boolits run from 280-400 grains.

The following is a list from the Lyman #42 Manual for 290 grain boolits:
25.0/2400/1500
26.0/4227/1485
30.0/4198/1530
40.0/3031/1500
42.0/4064/1510
43.0/4895/1480
47.0/4320/1515
16.0/Unique/1460

I have been using loads with Unique and 2400. Although the case volume on the .450/.400 is a little greater than the .405 I don't think you would get in trouble with any of these loads using a boolit 100 grains less than standard.

What are you looking for for velocity? Do you have a chronograph?

Bob

[.22-10-45]

Thanks for very useful information. Yes, I do have a chronograph (haven't got around to using the thing yet...guess I had better start. Velocity is of 2nd concern..only looking for mild recoil accurate target loads for 50-100yds.

[RJM52]

It is just velocity a chrono can tell you about...it's also pressure...

U R welcome...Bob