H&R Shikari 445SuperMag, 375gr.

[leadman]

I have an old H&R Shikari that was a 44 magnum originally. I had it rechambered to 445 Super Mag years ago.
I was casting some boolits from a mould a friend gave me, a Lyman 439186 which weighs 375 grs. as cast. This is for the 11mm Mauser. When I was measuring the bullets the diameter was .437 to .439"
This got me wondering if they would size down for use in my H&R. They did, I sized to .430" very easily.
Don't know if they will stabilize but want to try them. I'm currently using 34.8grs. of WC680 behind the Hornady 265gr. jacketed.

I was thinking of starting at 20 grs. of WC680 and work up.
Any opinions on this plan?

[chevyiron420]

i dont know about your shikari, but my 11mm mauser is .446.

[leadman]

My Shikari was a 44 Rem. Mag originally. Just had the chamber lengthened. Bore is .4295".

[cajun shooter]

Leadman, I had a Shikari in 45-70 in the early 70's. I was always told that they would only stand up to Trapdoor pressures as they were a cast iron receiver.

[leadman]

That is what is said. I don't fire many full power loads out of the 445SM, mostly 225gr SWC with 11 grs. of Unique.
I loaded 5 of each with different powder charges, found a load that was good, loaded 5 more to confirm, then loaded 60. Still have about 55 left. Will use these on a hunt so will only have to resight then go hunting. Hornady 265gr, 34.8grs. WC680.
I have seen these older H&R rifles rechambered and/or rebored all the way to 348Win and wildcats on the same case. Not saying it is a smart thing to do but the gunsmith that did these said he never had one come back with a problem.

I was thinking about trying a powder a little slower than WC680 for the 375gr. I have 4198 but think Rel7 might be better. With the heavier boolit I wouldn't need high velocity.

[geezer56]

The problems with the Shikari are: Cast receiver. Silver soldered underlug. I have one in 45-70, and love it, just respect it's pressure limitations and you'll be fine. The underlug is actually weaker than the receiver from all the reports I've read, but it's on the net. so I don't really know how accurate it is. Your biggest problem may be the twist rate, some of the older guns had really slow twists in the 44's.