Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots The #1 in .450 Nitro Express

So I picked up a NIB .450 NE in one of the Boddington Limited Editions. I'm curious if anyone else has shot theirs, and can offer feedback and suggested loads?

I have a suspicion that most of the owners pick them up, realize they have a 7½ pound .450 Nitro, and hastily put them back in the safe

It's no different than a 458 or Lott in the same gun.
I had a 470 NE built by Bowen on a 458 #1. It was actually a fun gun to shoot

What length shell does this take?

3 1/4"

I have a #1 in 450/400 NE 3" which is a fun gun to shoot. I'm working on developing a reduced load using Trail Boss. My goal is to use it as a deer rifle in thick cover.

The 450NE is a lower pressure round than the 458WM or Lott. But; I opted for the 450/400 and it is very mild for that class rifle. Mine is not a Boddington.

My rifle will do 2 to 3 inches for 5 shot groups at 100 yards. Pretty much typical No1 performance for a random factory load and no rifle tuning. Adequate. And, I was able to shoot off a rest without and extra padding or a vest. Sweet. But, then it is not a 450 All smileys and sarcasm aside, I'd like a 450 someday.

Hornady lists loads for both. The choices for both include both of the 4831's and RL-19. Hornady offers 480 grain bullet for the 450. I am sure that weight is for the regulated doubles. I cannot recommend a load. I can recommend the Hornady manual.

Thanks, appreciate the info. My .475 Turnbull is damned accurate, I'm hoping the .450 NE will prove the same.

I had a 450-400NE 3" til a few months ago. Needed a pad on it, could comfortably shoot a box of factory 400gr rounds after that was put on. Then I cast 320gr bullets for it, ran those @ 2050 w/AA5744, much nicer to shoot that way, no issues with putting 40 rds of those thru it. I know of a fella north of me, that says he ran his 450-3-1/4 up to 2400 with a 500gr, said he had to do that once, wasn't going to do that again.

There is no need to shoot wimpy low pressure 450 Nitro double gun ammo in your #1. The 450NE has more case capacity than the Lott and will easily out run it with full power loads.

I use 115gr of 4831SC behind a 500gr Hornady Round Nose. Jamison cases, Fed 115 primer. Velocity is 2411fps from my Boddington Ruger #1.

For 300gr loads, I use the Barnes X bullet with 110gr of IMR4320 in Hornady cases, Fed 115 primer. Velocity is 3058fps.

Tony

There is no reason to shoot a deer with a 300gr bullet at 3000FPS. I like the big guns and get more use from them deer hunting with light loads. I have a light load for my 375 thats wonderful to shoot and the hammer of Thor on deer. Now I need to find one for the 450-400 in my #1

Lighter 458 and 45-70 bullets would be great for lighter loads.

I used 480 Ruger bullets in the 470 for reduced loads. Worked great and shot as well as the full power stuff. Same POI

Cool. Ouch, but cool.

Yeah, Ruger made that gun WAY too light. I'm not sure what they were thinking with a 7.5 pound 450 Nitro.

With heavy loads, even in the hands of a large and determined man, it will knock you into next week!

Tony

Would love to have one but just won"t put the bucks for the 450 version. Had a 450/400, it was a blast to shoot!

You said it man. I don't even load my 308's wide open most of the time.

There might be a reason.

My 450-400 shoots 300's at 2700+ fps. The reason is, if I slow them down they'll be going the same speed as other things I have, then I'll have no reason to own the 450-400.

I looked pretty hard at one (not the Boddington) that the local Scheels had in the used rack, several years ago. The damn thing was priced fair, and it fit me soooo nice - like a fine shotgun. Not much use for it in ND though, and the ammo prices scared me more than the gun's price. It would be a hoot to poke a whitetail with one......

Kaiser Norton