by BD1 » Tue Sep 11, 2012 7:34 am
Welcome WD! I'm looking forward to hearing your results. I've done some work with cast in the .450B using the Lee 300 grain WFN, the Ranch Dog 290 and a 290 grain mold I designed by Mountain Molds. I also worked with some heavier designs but have pretty much decided that 300 grains and under is my best bet. The .450 is a great cast shooter in many respects, but I have not been able to get the consistent accuracy with cast that I can get with jacketed. I've shot many groups with three shots touching, and two flyers that open the group up to 2 1/2" or so. I had myself convinced that the larger gas port on the .450 was disrupting the occasional gas check leading to flyers so I had a taller gas check maker made. Unfortunately, not the simple solution I was hoping for. My next line of thought involves harder alloy, and less lube. We'll see.... A couple of things to keep in mind; a good crimp is required, the heavier the boolit, the more crimp you need to keep it from jumping forward in the case on chambering, and beware of seating depth as the boolit base can bulge the case enough to cause it to wedge in the chamber tying up the rifle.
Have fun! and play safe.
BD