Daryl, your comments agree with what I've read for target shooting. However, the BPE's gave up bullet SD to get speeds between 1800 and 2000 fps. In the .45s, around 300 gn was a common bullet weight, and I don't see weights beyond 365 gn.

Wright has pressure tested and can now recommend 3Fg for the long .450 3Ľ BPE. Using Swiss powder, neither their 3Fg nor their 1.5Fg could match the original performance of over 1800 fps. The 1.5Fg was a bit better performer but at a much heavier charge. There was no explanation as to why the 3Fg wasn't pushed harder; perhaps ignition was erratic?

He also has 3Fg loads for the big 500/450 3Ľ BPE. Here, 3Fg outperformed the coarser granulation. That it worked well in this big bottleneck case is why I guessed 3Fg would be about right for the 450/400 3Ľ BPE and its 230 to 255 gn bullets.

Trying to get 2000 fps with BP isn't easy. Again, these were not meant to be target cartridges.

Goex also recommends 3Fg for the 450 BPE, but they have no recommendation for the 450/400.