450Bushmaster.net

I have tried 200 gr SWCs powder coated, w/o a gas check and accuracy was horrible at 50 yards. The loads were probably a little hot for lead. I have some 230 gr RN bullets that I am going to powder coat and try working backwards on loadings. I will see what the minimum charge I can get to cycle the action and see if that helps with accuracy at all.

Keep in mind, that when the bullet passes over the gas port, hot gasses escape under significant localized pressure, blowing past the bullet base at the port location, at a velocity that far exceeds the speed of the bullet. That hot gas escaping past the bullet base will cut a divot in the base of the bullet.

I had previously tried to use a 45 caliber sabot (for in-line muzzle-loaders) with a 40 caliber bullet in the 450B. I recovered some of the sabots and they had a nice 1/2 round divot in the skirt --- the same diameter of the gas hole. (that didn't work)

what if you used a 1/8" hard card wad under the bullet?? I think Circle Fly has them or can make them.

I know it would take up some powder room, but may save the base of the bullet from that port pressure.

Tried the 45 ACP 230 gr PB w & w/o wads underneath . Total waste of time. Several failures to go bang and accuracy like double 0 buck at 200 yards.

Looked at commercial cast bullets but the price difference vs jacketed. The difference is not earth shaking.

The dedicated BM bullet is $52/100
Horn. 300 gr XTPs ar $40/100
Cast Performance 300 gr GC are $40/100

This is the ONLY large bore rifle I own I can't bullets I cast to shoot in.

Is the prize worth the quest ?

Maybe time to dump this upper !

Try the Hornady Jacketed 230 Grain FMJ flat points or the round nose or maybe MagTechs or Zeroes.
The rifle is designed to shoot jacketed bullets or solid coppers. Cast bullets at these velocities with the 1:24 twist are probably not ever going to perform well enough to be dependable. The cartridge has horsepower. Harness it.

For me, shooting heavy cast bullets at a modest velocity was just a quest. Especially in a gas gun. What I wanted was a WFN 400 at 1400 to 1500 fps. Kinda got there, but the pesky flyers annoyed me. For the price of the bullets, the Remington 405's (when you can find them) were a much better bargain.

Every platform has a shortcoming or two, the 450 has always had a problem with light hard cast and the stock twist. Get a magnum jacketed bullet in there, you get instant results.
Thanks for adding to the database about your hard cast endeavors. I still have hope for the Hard cast 405's in a tighter twist longer barrel and slower powder.


Whats a 230grain PB? Plated?
You will get the worst groups with plated.

Heed Tim LeGendres' warnings on plated bullets!!!!!
Don't use them.

The last try is going to be today. If it's still spray and pray, I'm going to have to evaluate keeping an upper I have $700 in that is really of no use to me.
No wild pigs in WY yet and even were there, my R1 300 Winmag with with 165 TSXs would be very effective and reach out a lot farther.

Too bad that a cartridge that is a natural for cast bullets won't shoot them (yet).Adding to the frustration is my 1866 Swiss Veterlli (converted to CF) will toss 320 gr cast bullets out @ 1100 fps and shoot 5 in 1.5" @ 100 yards ...... a 44 Magnum with a long barrel.

We've got a fella over on Facebook who's shooting cast bullets and having some real success with powder coating some monster bullets. I've asked him if he will come over here and join the forum.