TH44, Thanks for your kindness. You should feel free to comment whether a newcomer or not.

M4220, Good question. My load is 56.0 H4198, F215, two 1/2 diameter x 1" long foam wads, Hornady 300 HP, Bertram brass. It yields 2165 FPS in my 28" barrels and regulates perfectly. It's very accurate.

This load seems perfect in my rifle. Your mileage may vary. You know the rules, start low and work up.

Now about jacketed bullets in these nice old Damascus barrels. I had a conversation with Graeme Wright about just that. He said it's ok and commonly done down under. I see no ill effect after 100 or so rounds. Keep your fingers crossed.

Remember, steel barrels of the same vintage are no stronger. Our man Kuduae (author of this thread) is shooting the 350 grain Hornady, a much tougher bullet than the 300 I'm shooting.

I may get a paper patched bullet mould for my .450, but I may just stick with the Hornady jacketed 300 HP. It is really good in the rifle. I don't think it does any harm, but you use your own judgment in your antique.

Curl