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I'm wondering if anybody here has actually chronographed the loads that they shoot in their .450 #2 with 500 grain, not 480 grain or 450 grain, etc? I've seen a few posts where people quote what they THINK they're getting. I went to the range today with 4 different loads. The barrels are Douglas Supremes, 25 1/2" long. Air temp was about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it was solid overcast so no direct sunlight on skyscreens, and a brand-new battery in the Chrony. 4 shots were fired with each load, 2 rights and 2 lefts. The velocity given is the average of the 4. Over the 16 shots, and with all four loads, the left barrel produced exactly 30 fps less than the right barrel. Except for powder, all components were identical:

Case: Bertram
Primer: Federal #215
Bullet: Hornady #4504, 500 grain RNSP
Filler: 2 grains of dacron

Load #1: Reloader 15, 88.0 grains........Velocity: 1981fps, Extreme Spread: 60fps
Load #2: Reloader 15, 89.0 grains........Velocity: 1966fps(note,1 grain more, 15fps slower) ES:44fps
Load #3: Reloader 15, 90.0 grains........Velocity: 1997fps Extreme Spread: 53fps
Load #4: IMR 4831, 106.0 grains........Velocity: 2041fps Extreme Spread: 74fps

The 4831 load showed noticeably more flattening of the primers, not severe but certainly this load is giving higher pressure than any of the three R-15 loads. I'm frankly a bit disappointed as I thought that it would be very easy to get 2050 with this cartridge. I'm wondering if anyone else out there has similar ACTUAL data, perhaps with a different powder, that IS giving higher velocities than these with no signs of high pressue? I have to settle on a final load for this gun so that I can begin the regulation process, so any input would be appreciated.

Edited by ronvella (18/01/07 10:27 AM)

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