450 Dakota Load Development

[davetexas]

A little while back I purchased a 450 Dakota from a fellow AH member and am finally working up loads for my first cape buffalo hunting trip which will hopefully still occur due to corona.

I worked up loads with IMR 4350 and 500 grain Swift A-Frame bullets and shot 3 rounds of each from 96-104 grains off the bench with my Caldwell chronograph. I've only been reloading for about 2 years so still new and doubt that the grain increase to fps is linear but based on the limited data I obtained it seems pretty close.

At this point I'm aiming for 2400 FPS so will be trying out loads from 105-108 grains. Based on what I can find the Dakota is capable of 2550 FPS but I don't see a need to go any higher. I'm going to load up another batch in the next couple of days so would appreciate any input or advice from those more knowledgeable. Thanks in advance!

Disclaimer : I'm not a professional reloader and you should verify any load data I posted with a book or professional reloader before trying to replicate.

 

[austrianhunter]

The figures match the softwaresimulation pretty good - with this load, you have less than 85% of powder burn in barrel - should be a real hefty fireball in front of your cannon.

 

[davetexas]

Barrel is 23 inches. Help me understand what you mean about powder burn in barrel as I’m not familiar with this. Are you saying that 15% or more of the powder is wasted? Thanks!

 

[perttime]

In many cases, powder does not burn efficiently when the pressure in the barrel is low.

Recently, I started working up sport loads for a .357 revolver, starting with very conservative amounts of powder. I got soot all over the place and unburnt powder even on the revolver itself. Increasing the load, I got less soot and no signs of unburnt powder. I should increase a little more, because there's still more soot than usual, and nothing indicates that I'd be near maximum.

 

[austrianhunter]

Barrel is 23 inches. Help me understand what you mean about powder burn in barrel as I’m not familiar with this. Are you saying that 15% or more of the powder is wasted? Thanks!

The load is ok - but 15% of your powder will burn in front of your barrel - around 15% will not deliver power to your bullet, but puff away in smoke and fire. This means, that a faster powder would be better - but i load the 450 Rigby also with that kind of powder (Lovex S070 - its approx. Accurate 4350).

Just for your information - dont care about.

 

[bruce moulds]

as pressures increase, your powder will burn better.
if it gives the velocities and grouping you want, don't worry.
this scenario is better than too fast a powder, as you are in a better pressure situation.
bruce.

 

[bruce moulds]

just to add.
you are going about this in a systematic way which is good.
for 3 shots, e.s. numbers are not of significant value and could differ if the test were repeated.
s.d. figures are actually totally meaningless for less than 10 shots.
congratulations on going about it the right way and not just asking others for "a load that works".
bruce.

 

[davetexas]

Finally got back out there and shot some 106.0 and 106.5 rounds. I'm not sure what happened with the first round of each group but it was really high for the first group and low for the second group. I have been writing the grain weight on the case itself so I know I didn't mix up any of the loaded rounds.

Based on this either round should work and maybe I'll stick with the 106.5. Accuracy was great with either load. I will now adjust the scope accordingly load up some more rounds and continue to practice.