450/400 3" Hornady DG-X bonded

[cajunchefray]

@Kevin Peacocke All though this published data from Hornady doesn't call for it, I would consider using a case filler when using the RL15 powder charge. That's a fairly small charge for a case of this size and I'm thinking it will probably leave quite a bit of empty case space.

Woodleigh published data for the 450/400 3" calls for a case filler with RL15 charge weights of 64 grains and 66 grains.

I use an open cell foam as a case filler, works perfectly when I'm loading 470 Nitro Express with faster burning powders like RL15, RL17 and AR2209.

Hello Kevin,

Regarding a Hornady factory load equivalent, I can only offer my experience from the past few years. I have read that Hornady first used a powder in the Reloader 15 burn rate, then changed to a slow powder like IMR -7828, or VN-165. POI changed and is what I experienced.

In 2014, I acquired a Sabatti 450/400 Nitro (.400 Jeffery) from Cabela's, unground muzzle and a tight gun. My first shots were with Hornady DGX 400 grains, circa 2014.

The rifle grouped Right and Left, about 3 inches (approximately 76 mm) at 40 Yards (my range distance), although about 10 inches high for me. The stock proportions did not fit me.

Subsequent factory Hornady loads acquired in 2020, with higher powder charge, did not group well. Too much recoil, and 10" above POA.

Now, I had my gunsmith (an old African hand) mount a Trijicon RMR 1 MOA red dot, because I could not see the sights anymore.

To Regulate, I found that the Woodleigh 450/400 load with Reloader 15, 66 grains, and a 400 grain Woodleigh soft, shot well. See attached picture. ( Pictures to come in seperate post, computer problems loading the image).

This is higher than the Hornady loads, I think underpowered, but right in line with Graeme Wrights " Shooting the British Double Rifle, Vol 3.

ALWAYS PROCEED IN RELOADING WITH CAUTION, regarding powder charge, case expansion, velocity variance, and good reloading practices. I expect readers here are familiar with the protocols.

This load with Reloader 15 corresponds to Ross Seyfried's formula of Cordite (tropical load) x 1.19 for the proper Reloader 15 charge. (55 grains Cordite x 1.19= 65.45 grains Reloader 15).

So, I have duplicated Hornady's original load, but I think Hornady changed to a slower powder, like VN-165 in later batches. Grouped, but again 8 inches high and recoil impulse was a bit much.

My rifle likes the 65-66 grain Reloder 15 loads. Now just to find more gunpowder.

Kevin, I like your new double, Heym Model 89B. Nice choice of rifle. On my wish list in your configuration.

Good luck shooting and let us know what works for your rifle.

 

[cajunchefray]

Loads were in Hornady brass, .410 WOODLEIGH SOFTS, 66 grains Reloder 15.

BACKER FOAM FOR FILLER TO PLUG THE AIRGAP, APPOXIMATELY 22.5 MM.
Federal 215 primers.

Cartridge Overall Length is 3.710 inches, 94.2 mm, loaded in Hornady dies.

I will test this load with Hornady 400 DGX softs, running out of the Woodleigh 400 softs.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Kevin,

what is the length of your barrel? the hornady info states 2050 fps out of a 24" barrel and that jives with my 25.5" barrel at 2100.

i suspect hornady used the "tropical" load velocity for their regulation/loads to accommodate a large number of double out there that were made for that load. maybe being in hot weather with cordite caused guns to be a bit "hotter" and would run at 2150 fps or so. anyway, good luck!

Hi 1dirtwalker, it is 26 inch.

Hello Kevin,

Regarding a Hornady factory load equivalent, I can only offer my experience from the past few years. I have read that Hornady first used a powder in the Reloader 15 burn rate, then changed to a slow powder like IMR -7828, or VN-165. POI changed and is what I experienced.

In 2014, I acquired a Sabatti 450/400 Nitro (.400 Jeffery) from Cabela's, unground muzzle and a tight gun. My first shots were with Hornady DGX 400 grains, circa 2014.

The rifle grouped Right and Left, about 3 inches (approximately 76 mm) at 40 Yards (my range distance), although about 10 inches high for me. The stock proportions did not fit me.

Subsequent factory Hornady loads acquired in 2020, with higher powder charge, did not group well. Too much recoil, and 10" above POA.

Now, I had my gunsmith (an old African hand) mount a Trijicon RMR 1 MOA red dot, because I could not see the sights anymore.

To Regulate, I found that the Woodleigh 450/400 load with Reloader 15, 66 grains, and a 400 grain Woodleigh soft, shot well. See attached picture. ( Pictures to come in seperate post, computer problems loading the image).

This is higher than the Hornady loads, I think underpowered, but right in line with Graeme Wrights " Shooting the British Double Rifle, Vol 3.

ALWAYS PROCEED IN RELOADING WITH CAUTION, regarding powder charge, case expansion, velocity variance, and good reloading practices. I expect readers here are familiar with the protocols.

This load with Reloader 15 corresponds to Ross Seyfried's formula of Cordite (tropical load) x 1.19 for the proper Reloader 15 charge. (55 grains Cordite x 1.19= 65.45 grains Reloader 15).

So, I have duplicated Hornady's original load, but I think Hornady changed to a slower powder, like VN-165 in later batches. Grouped, but again 8 inches high and recoil impulse was a bit much.

My rifle likes the 65-66 grain Reloder 15 loads. Now just to find more gunpowder.

Kevin, I like your new double, Heym Model 89B. Nice choice of rifle. On my wish list in your configuration.

Good luck shooting and let us know what works for your rifle.

Thank you for this great information Ray, we will go at it until we get it right. I will feed back information to the group.