Gentlemen,
A few thoughts from someone who has been loading these calibers for 30 years.
- Comparing cartridges based on the shape doesn't work (ie the 45-120). Look at the bullet to powder weight ratio. In the express calibers it's about 2 or 3 to one, in the military or sharps calibers it's about twice that, 5 or 6 to one. The express calibers were built for speed over a short distance where the militarys were built for longer range impact/penetration. Comparing the two is like matching a sports car to a John Deere, both do their entirerly different jobs very well but don't trade them.
- Ross Seyfrieds 40% of 4198 works very well and at lower pressure than black, but only if you follow it closely and be double damned sure to pack in the dacron. I've tried everything printed in the last 30 years and this is the best. Be sure to use the correct bullet weight! SEE BELOW!
- Shooting nitro loads, or anything close to them, in a BPE or Nitro for Black gun will destroy it, if not immeadiately in a short while. I had a friend who bought a German double 450 3 1/4, didn't check the proofs but swore the seller told him it was a NE gun. Six rounds later it came apart, left lock came completely off, stock cracked multiple places, upper tang bent, trigger plate and triggers/springs all bent up. The only thing that didn't let go was the breach. Bottom line, we're trying to make the old dogs bark again, not trying to teach them new tricks.
- Duplex loads, ie smokeless and black, scare the poop out of me. I know Graeme Wright mentions several but Ross Seyfried and I talked about these and we both feel the same. About 20 years ago I was involved in developing tank ammunition using duplex and in some cases triplex loads, some of those did really weird things I wouldn't want to duplicate in a 100 year old rifle.
- These are the thoughts of an old fart, take them for what they are if you want, but remember you are only the caretaker of that rifle for the next generation.