doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Purdey 450 reloading problem

Hi Skeettx, the dies are Hornady 450 3 1/4" Nitro Express. I had a suspicion that they could be different from 450 3 1/4" BPE dies. I have collected double rifles since 1971 and haven't shot one in 30 years and decided to get some reloading equipment and try.

More research

The .450 Nitro Express 3.25 in (83 mm) was the first Nitro Express, developed around 1898 by John Rigby. This cartridge was based on the then popular .450 Black Powder Express case with 70 grains (5 g) of Cordite and a 480-grain (31 g) jacketed bullet. Muzzle velocity is listed at 2,150 feet per second (655 m/s) with 4,909 ft�lbf (6,656 J) of muzzle energy. This straight case has a length of 3.25 in (83 mm) with a .670 in (17.0 mm) rim. [1]

Early cartridges used the black powder case that was designed for around 11 tons of pressure per square inch and not the 17 tons of pressure that the Cordite load generated. Case extraction was difficult, especially in warmer climates such as Africa and India where the cartridge was primarily used. To remedy this problem, a reinforced case was produced and Kynoch made a reduced load to lower the case pressure.

Now more thoughts
Since this is a tapered case, if the shell holder were shortened so the case could enter the die more, would this assist?

Mike

I was thinking of that myself, I don't think it could be thinned enough to make a difference. I might try Rocketmans idea of getting a sizing die made to fit my press. My brother has a metal lathe and a milling machine if needed. I used to shoot bore rifles and 8 Bores are a heck of a lot easier to load for with plastic cases.

OR, you could use a 45-70 seating die and gradually screw the die down until you got what you needed.

Now that's an idea I need to look into, would solve my problem as I could size until the case would fit. As said before, I would only need to neck size after firing if used in the same rifle. I am near Cabela's and can get some 45/70 dies. I'll need to research the dimensions. Thanks again.

After many loadings, my.450 cases swell enough to cause chambering problems.I remove the neck expander,put a smaller shell holder in the press,place the case on top of the shell holder and run them all the way into the die,well lubed of course.Tap your cases back out with a hardwood dowel.
I don't know if you will gain enough in your rifle,works for me.

I'll give that a try too! That might be enough to chamber in the Purdey, maybe not in the Holland.

I have an 1885 H&H 450 BPE 3 1/4, that I had the same problem with, as you are having with Hornady brass (note- Eley BPE rounds fit perfectly). Superior Ammunition(Larry-Sturgis South Dakota) couldn't get the nitro for blackpowder rounds to go in the chamber after all kinds of adjustments. The recommendation, have the chamber reemed out. One custom reemer made $160. I gave the reemer to the gunsmith (Les Pittman). I am happy, Superior Ammunition is happy, and Les Pittman is happy. End of problem.
Herb

lots of good info on this forum, thanks guys. I think I will call Les Pittman tomorrow and talk to him about it. That might be the best solution. My .450 Purdey was featured in an article by Sherman Bell in the Spring 2000 DGJ. I might try some of the other ideas first.

AH, problem solved! I hope. I found a Lee .510 bullet sizing die and put it in the press. I lubed a .450 case (one that had been full length sized in the .450 nitro dies)and ran it into the die. Presto, case fits perfectly! Thanks for all your help, lots of great ideas from you guys.