450 black powder express

[Nick1982]

Hallo,
Looking for some safe loads for my old H&H double rifle in 450 Black powder express.
I have pyrodex select RS and triple seven. 325 grains and 500 grains jacked bullets available.
Lead bullets on the way 300 grains.

Greetings Nick

 

[analog_peninsula]

Get a copy of Shooting the British Double Rifle from Buffalo Arms. Lots of data and safe, tested loads.

 

[Huvius]

Get a copy of Shooting the British Double Rifle from Buffalo Arms. Lots of data and safe, tested loads.

Very good advice although you won't find any info in there for the powders you've chosen.

Being an H&H, is it their 500/450 or is it a regular 450 3-1/4"?

When you say "325 grains and 500 grains jacked bullets available" does that mean you already have them?
Who made them? What is their construction? You'll want a thin jacket if you are going to use jacketed - something like Hawk, Woodleigh BPE, or the old 350gr Hornady RN.
In a double, the 500gr will be almost useless and you'd likely be getting too high pressures to get enough velocity to regulate.

 

[Nick1982]

Thanks for the replys.
I alreayd have the book.
The gun is from 1884 according the H&H records.
It is in the 450 3/14 kaliber.
It is only black powder.
The barrel is marked .440
All info an advice welcome.
Greetings Nick

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

I , personally, would not use pyrodex in it (or anything for that matter) but would use proper black powder and cast lead projectiles as the rifle was designed for it.
Gumpy

 

[Vintageguy]

If you use black powder, I would use a dry thin card under the bullet and on top of a greased wad. The dry card will prevent the greased one sticking to the base of the bullet affecting accuracy and the greased one softens the fouling.
Your gun should be marked on the barrel flats for the load.

 

[TheDoubleD]

Do you have the New 4th Edition of Shooting British Double Rifles? It has new loads and lot more pages.