405 Winchester

[wch]

Anyone have any light cast bullet loads for the 405?

Thanks.

[405]

I shoot an original Win 1895 in 405 so this may not apply. Also, I'm not sure you mean "light" bullet or "light" load.

I shoot two cast bullets... one a 300 gr RNFP gas check and the other a 320 gr RNFP gas check. I've found that with velocities in the 1200-1300 fps range my gun likes a cast bullet sized to .415 of about 12 BHN over a light charge of 5744 with low density dacron filler. This applies to both bullets.

If I want something in the 1500-1600 fps range I've found that I have to up the BHN to about 15-16 to maintain accuracy. For this slightly faster load I use either "bulk" 4895 or 5744 for either bullet.

I consider those bullet weights in the 1200-1300 fps range to be a "light to moderate" load with the 1500-1600 fps range to be a "moderate to heavy" load. For anything faster or more "serious" I just load a 300 gr Hornady FP Jbullet. For accuracy and more enjoyable shooting I stay with the 1200-1300 fps loads.

For "light" loads I prefer 5744 for many applications, not only in the 405.

[wch]

I meant a light powder charge; regardless, you have given me start points, and I thank you.

[405]

OK. For the light loads I started with a powder charge with those two bullets of around 24 gr 5744 with the low density dacron filler. I worked up using a chronograph to velocities in the 1200-1300 fps range. The chronograph is especially useful for such cartridges where expensive pressure data is lacking. Watching the velocities and SDs closely for unexpected or squirrely velocities is the prudent way to go for these type loads when proceeding without the pressure data. One caution, the Hornady manual shows load data for the 405 but they are not mild and seem to me to be approaching max pressures. They are listing loads in the pressure range I am not comfortable with in my gun.

[Shooter]

I have a Ruger #1. I breech-seat 300 Gr. RCBS boolit over 15 Gr. of Unique with a 1/4 sheet TP wad.
Ken Waters Lists the following:
316 Gr. Lyman 413263
30 Gr. IMR 4198 = 1,638 FPS
37 Gr. Re-7 = 1,787 FPS

[Nrut]

I have a Ruger #1. I breech-seat 300 Gr. RCBS boolit over 15 Gr. of Unique with a 1/4 sheet TP wad.
Ken Waters Lists the following:
316 Gr. Lyman 413263
30 Gr. IMR 4198 = 1,638 FPS
37 Gr. Re-7 = 1,787 FPS

Shooter,
Were did you get your 300gr. RCBS mold?
I have a 350gr RCBS mold and am looking for a lighter weight boolit..
Thanks

[Shooter]

I think it came from Midsouth. Midway has them too.
#40-300-SP-CSA
It is a bit on the small size for my Ruger, as it has a .414 groove. I shoot them as cast.
I have thought of honing the mould, but breech seated with the TP wad I get no leading.

[BerdanIII]

Complete Guide to Handloading, Sharpe
225-gr lead - .220" seating depth
20.0 - 2400 - 1514 fps
16.0 - Unique - 1595 fps
300-gr lead - .401" s/d
20.0 - 2400 - 1410 fps
16.0 - Unique - 1460 fps

Handloader #232, Dec. 2004, A Single-Shot .405 WCF
255-gr lead (BRP bullet)
10.0 - Red Dot - 1213 fps - 1.66" at 100 yds.
40.0 - IMR4895 - 1524 fps - 0.67" at 100 yds.

Belding & Mull Handbook, 1937
300-gr cast
17.0 - SR80 - 1140 fps
26.5 - SR80 - 1500 fps
(See SR4759 data below)

Lyman #38
300-gr Jacketed
20.0 - SR4759 - 1200 fps estimated

Lyman #42
290-gr #412263
26.0 - IMR4227 - 1520 fps
27.0 - SR4759 - 1550 fps
26.0 - IMR4198 - 1390 fps

Ken Water's Pet Loads article on the .405 WCF has cast loads for 283, 316, 352 and 414-grain bullets, but they all use Reloder 7, IMR3031, H4198 or H4895. He got very good results with jacketed .41 Magnum bullets at up to 2500 fps! A 210-grain swaged lead SWC is pictured in the article but no data was shown, which leads me to believe it was a dud in this case.

[Nrut]

I think it came from Midsouth. Midway has them too.
#40-300-SP-CSA
It is a bit on the small size for my Ruger, as it has a .414 groove. I shoot them as cast.
I have thought of honing the mould, but breech seated with the TP wad I get no leading.

Thanks Mike...