doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com 450 BPE smokeless reloading data

Hello:
I have a pretty Auguste Francotte double in 450 BPE, 1921 vintage. It is very light (7,5 pounds), it has Belgian nitro proof marks under the barrels but no charge indications. The bore is in good condition, the rifling is of the "normal" type. In "Cartridges of the World", the authors state that the NFB versions loaded up to 55 grains of cordite.
I need some indications about loads for it, with smokeless powder, and the pressure levels this type of cartidges were designed for. I have tried to find the Graeme Wright book, but it looks it is sold out. Could some of you give me some starting point, or some of the information there is in G. Wright book? I want to shoot 300-350 grains jacketed bullets.
Thank you very much from Madrid, Spain.

herrdoktor:
Is your cartridge the straight case or the bottle-neck .500/.450 case? I load for a variation of the latter case, using 72gr Varget behind either a 300gr thin-jacket Taipan bullet, or the 350gr Woodleigh JSP. A couple of saddle-felt wads, or a hefty tuft of dacron, is needed to take up the air-space under the bullet. Read about my rifle and loads HERE if interested.

Unfortunately I have no idea of powders available to you in Spain.

If your case is the straight-tapered .450 x 3 1/4, Graeme Wright suggests 70gr Varget, with wads, under a 350gr bullet for 1970 fps; or 55gr H4198 with dacron for 1950 fps.
Be prepared to go up or down a couple of grains for correct muzzle velocity to achieve barrel regulation.

Given the light weight of the Francotte, I'd be looking at the lighter bullet weight if possible. Graeme also lists a load of 97gr H4831 under a 300gr bullet for 1450 fps, and something in that range might be more comfortable to shoot, especially at the range.

Keep trying to find a copy of Graeme's book! It's pure gold!

Hope this helps.

Hello, Marrakai:
Thank you for your indications. My cartridge is the straight tapered 3 1/4 one. In fact, the previous owner sold it as 450 NE. Really, I am not 100% sure the rifle is chambered for the 450 BPE, 1920 looks too late for a black powder catridge and the barrel twist is 1:14, and it is very nimble for a 450 NE; in any case, I do not want to risk my face and the rifle and 300-350 gr of bullet at 1950 fps looks really good for the boar hunting we have in Spain and Europe, normal shots are very fast and at less than 100 yards.
When I adquired the rifle, the said owner was shooting 54 gr of IMR 3031 and a 300 gr Hornady with felt wads, and the shots were 6" open at 50 yards. Recoil was light and I think it was a very mild charge. My preliminary charges are starting from 62 grains of Tubal 5000 and a 300-350 gr Hornady bullet, I will keep you posted about the results. Tubal 5000 is rated in the ADI guide as similar to Varget. I use it in my Merkel 9,3x74R and a bolt action in 375 H&H with good results. In Spain we have Vectan and Norma powders, and some times Vihtavuori.
I think I can get Woodleigh bullets in Spain. Are they very different from the Hornadys? What effect they have regading regulation and pressure?
What are the pressure levels of a BPE cartridge? I have been unable to find them, only NE figures. I suppose they should not be very different from those of a 45-120 or a 45-70 in old rifles, am I very wrong?

Regarding the Graeme´s book, I have been told there will be a new edition in 2008. I think I will have to wait, I don´t know where to seek. If anyone wants to sell his...

Thank you again.