450 No 2 Nitro Express Project

[ET1775]

Apparently I have weak resolve when walnut is involved, the French Walnut blanks are on there way to me.

 

[ET1775]

Today is a good day, with the help of @SkullKeeper I was able to find and purchase a die set and shell holder from CH4D - that they had in stock! The mail carrier and Fed Ex came bearing gifts as well! My donor rifle is on its way to the smith for a new barrel and metal work. Ruger sent me new sights to fix the very "off" factory zero on the .300 H&H CB. Also, Huntington's order arrived with a Woodleigh reloading manual and Bertram brass for my project.

Things are moving right along.

 

[ET1775]

I will post some better photos of the wood in sunlight when I get a chance.

 

[geoff rath]

Today is a good day, with the help of @SkullKeeper I was able to find and purchase a die set and shell holder from CH4D - that they had in stock! The mail carrier and Fed Ex came bearing gifts as well! My donor rifle is on its way to the smith for a new barrel and metal work. Ruger sent me new sights to fix the very "off" factory zero on the .300 H&H CB. Also, Huntington's order arrived with a Woodleigh reloading manual and Bertram brass for my project.

Things are moving right along.

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Blessings have fallen upon you! Lovely timber too ...

 

[SkullKeeper]

Nice blanks there !
PM me and I’ll share some load data for the 450#2 that has been excellent for me.

 

[ET1775]

Nice blanks there !
PM me and I’ll share some load data for the 450#2 that has been excellent for me.

Thank you, will do! I am trying to decide if I will go traditional to start and get 480 gr bullets or go the easy route and grab some 450 gr and 500 gr. I will reach out shortly, getting ready for work at present.

 

[Nhoro]

I love traditional walnut and blueing so my vote goes for that.

 

[ET1775]

I love traditional walnut and blueing so my vote goes for that.

I love that combo as well. I am considering it but not sure how well stainless blues. I also really like that target grey stainless finish that Ruger put out a few years back and thought that something like that or bead blasted would look very nice. The downside to bead blasted finish is how much it can show scratches, etc.

 

[ET1775]

Project is nearly a reality. I am sending a dummy cartridge to my gunsmith so he can make sure of reliable feeding/extracting. After that is confirmed or corrected he will bead blast the rifle and send it my way!

 

[Woodcarver]

Project is nearly a reality. I am sending a dummy cartridge to my gunsmith so he can make sure of reliable feeding/extracting. After that is confirmed or corrected he will bead blast the rifle and send it my way!

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What are you looking for as a finished weight? I have been looking at doing this same thing as doubles in 450#2 seem to be not just scarce, but invariably well out of my budget. Already have brass and dies. Been keeping an eye out for a 458WM Ruger #1 for awhile to be the donor.

 

[ET1775]

What are you looking for as a finished weight? I have been looking at doing this same thing as doubles in 450#2 seem to be not just scarce, but invariably well out of my budget. Already have brass and dies. Been keeping an eye out for a 458WM Ruger #1 for awhile to be the donor.

I went with a 26" barrel and a solid quarter rib to add a bit of weight, I will probably add 1-2 lbs of weight internal to the stock and use a Falcon Strike buttpad to further reduce recoil. Ruger No. 1's are light and known to kick hard so any help I can get to tame it will be looked at. I would love to get it to 11lbs but that may not be possible.

I used a .405 Win as a donor rifle as the rim was the closest in dimension so the extractor will need less work to fit. At least that is my theory. My smith made a new barrel anyway so having a .458 wasn't necessary.

Let me know when you have your project lined up and I can loan you my chamber reamer and go/no go guage.

 

[alby]

Walnut and blue, also consider Colour Case Hardening and border scroll engraving for a bit of class!

 

[ET1775]

88 grains Reloader 15 gets me 2150 fps with 480 CEB solids. I use 3 grains of dacron filler.

Just got the rifle back from my smith and it looks good! I had him glass bead blast the rifle for a no-glare gray finish. I had sent it back to get a bit more shaved off the feed trough for smooth feeding/ejecting and that seems to have done the trick. I need to smooth up the extractor a bit because it is very hard on the cartridge rim. Going to give it a good cleaning and function fire. Will post some photos soon. Rifle weighs 8 lbs and the recoil is not bad at all with a just a sweatshirt on.

 

[SkullKeeper]

That’s outstanding that is very good velocity. I’m looking forward to seeing it.!