First reloads for the 450 bushmaster

[450newbie]

Hello all, new 450 bushmaster owner here as it has become legal in Indiana for deer hunting.


After reading this website for several weeks, I decided to load some of my own 450.

New Hornady 450 brass
Winchester Small Rifle primer
225 FTX (used due to cost, the 250 ftx's are pricey)
36g Lil Gun (I've read people using from 36-39, wanted to start low, first time reloading for this round and all..)
OAL is 2.125 ( read most on here saying theirs are 2.12 to 2.15 using the 225 ftx)
Taper crimped to .477


Anyone see any problems with this load? I will load 10 this week, and test them this weekend.

Thanks

[Texas Sheepdawg]

Welcome!

[Hoot]

Hello all, new 450 bushmaster owner here as it has become legal in Indiana for deer hunting.


After reading this website for several weeks, I decided to load some of my own 450.

New Hornady 450 brass
Winchester Small Rifle primer
225 FTX (used due to cost, the 250 ftx's are pricey)
36g Lil Gun (I've read people using from 36-39, wanted to start low, first time reloading for this round and all..)
OAL is 2.125 ( read most on here saying theirs are 2.12 to 2.15 using the 225 ftx)
Taper crimped to .477


Anyone see any problems with this load? I will load 10 this week, and test them this weekend.

Thanks

I'd say you nailed it. Now's the fun part.

Don't be alarmed if they soot a little. Crimping down further to .475 or .476 may help with the velocity spread and the sooting somewhat. Before you shoot them, sidle up alongside the bullet and measure the brass length for each one. After you shoot them measure them again. It's crazy how much they shrink, but like sooting it comes with the territory. Make sure you update us with your experience.

Hoot

EDIT: I was typing while someone else was posting, so if I duplicate what they said, my apologies. I type slow.

[Hoot]

Welcome!

It's alive!

Hoot

[greenhornet-1]

Sounds like a good load. Let us know how it shoots.

[Jeepejeep]

Welcome and enjoy your Thumper!

[450newbie]

Thanks for the welcome and information guys.

Hopefully I'll get to test these 10 loads this weekend if the weather is nice, I redid the taper crimp to .475 as suggested.

I'm thinking of loading 10 more at 37gr, and working my way up, what would you all consider "MAX pressure" for this load? 39gr of Lil Gun? I see guys loading all the way to to 44gr for "hot loads" but I'm no daredevil...

[Jim in Houston]

Hoot has posted elsewhere that he got the best accuracy with the 225 gr FTX at 38 grs of Lil Gun. Performance dropped off after this. In the thread 225 Gr. FTX (http://www.450bushmaster.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4966&hilit=225+ftx+going+the+other+way&start=10), Hoot wrote, "In my 20" barrel, the best accuracy comes from 38gr Lil Gun, Remington 7 1/2 or WSR primers, seated to just bury the front cannelure around 2.12-2.15 COL and taper crimp to .476 diameter measured as close to the mouth as possible. At half the price of the other FTX bullets, it's not too expensive for practice loads as well."

Someone in a post on that same thread reported best results with 39 gr in a 16" barrel.

[450newbie]

Hoot has posted elsewhere that he got the best accuracy with the 225 gr FTX at 38 grs of Lil Gun. Performance dropped off after this. In the thread 225 Gr. FTX (http://www.450bushmaster.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4966&hilit=225+ftx+going+the+other+way&start=10), Hoot wrote, "In my 20" barrel, the best accuracy comes from 38gr Lil Gun, Remington 7 1/2 or WSR primers, seated to just bury the front cannelure around 2.12-2.15 COL and taper crimp to .476 diameter measured as close to the mouth as possible. At half the price of the other FTX bullets, it's not too expensive for practice loads as well."

Someone in a post on that same thread reported best results with 39 gr in a 16" barrel.

Awesome, thanks!!!!!!

I'll do a 37gr load, and then a 38gr of Lil Gun next, see what shoots best.

[Hoot]

I found another accuracy node at 41gr of LG using the 225 FTX. but you absolutely need to work up to it, watching for pressure signs along the way.

Hoot