Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Range Report: Ruger #1 450/400 and Trail Boss powder

Finally got to the range today to test out my new Ruger #1 in 450/400. Since I haven't installed a decelerator pad yet, I decided to use light loads. I got my load from another thread here: 30gr of Hogdon Trail Boss under a 400gr cast bullet. I am using the Montana custom swaged bullets sold by Cabelas, which are sized .408 so they are slightly underbore for my rifle.

The good: This load hit right where the factory sights were set at 50 yards, the second half of my box of 20 reloads was into the black and could be covered with my hand, not bad for off-hand with the factory iron sights. Practice will make it better.

The ugly: The first three rounds key-holed all over the target.

My first thought was: undersized bullets. But, after the first seven or so shots the gun seemed to calm down and the rest of the rounds went right to point of aim and hit the target true. These were the first rounds through this rifle outside the factory so perhaps the barrel just needed seasoning?

Recoil was there, but not bad at all. The Ruger isn't a light rifle by any means and I found the kick to be much like 20ga target loads out of my Ithaca M37.

One thing that is very noticeable with the long 3" case is that the Ruger's safety needs to be trimmed back a few thousanths of an inch to allow fired brass to clear. As it stands with the gun set to eject, the fired case hits the safety and lands back in the loading trough. Not a problem at the range, but would be in the field.

All in all I look forward to continuing to work with Trail Boss in the 450/400. If you've got a big case'd round hanging about, try this powder. Sherman Bell has an extensive article in the newest Double Gun and Single Shot Journal detailing his work with this powder in a number of classic English rounds, and it is well worth reading. My 30gr load was not compressed at all, and the powder could be heard rattling in the case. Nonetheless there were no unfired powder kernels left in the barrel; I was using Winchester Large Magnum primers. My next step is to try .409 and .410 cast bullets to see how well they perform before standardizing on a single load.

Oh, and the looks you get from AR shooters at the range when you are thumbing in 3" cases are absolutely priceless

Just wait until you load up those cases with "full loads". Then you'll deserve those "looks" which are a mixture of wonder, awe and respect after each BOOMMMM!!!.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Did you happen to run that load over a Chrony? Mine dropped to about 1250 with 32 grains and almost 1400 with the 30 grain load.I have had no keyholing problems,but I cast my on bullets,using the Lyman 400 gr Snover sized at .410.
I am working up 5744 with the same bullet this week,I would like to be in the 1600fps range with this load.It is a hoot!!

Haven't chronographed them yet, will likely do that over the holiday.

I found it does have a 'sweet spot'and when you pass it,the volcity drops.My groups opened up to 2" @50yrds with the 32 grain load.With the 30 grain load,back to 1",nice and round.I'm casting off w/weights and SPG lube,all seems well...
I working on trying 5744 to reach 1700 to 1800fps.I have a .404 Jeff and plan to share the load work-up with it later on.
I'm also working on my powder measure to drop TB a little better.

Sherman Bell found that same pattern in his article, and included pressure data for his loads as well. According to him, pressures became erratic once the loads were compressed, even when velocity declined.

I'm sticking with 30 grains, as it is shooting right to point of aim at 50 yards.

I'd be interested in your 5744 data if you decide to post it, I haven't worked with that powder yet. I just want to avoid having to use fillers for reduced loads.

I was glad to see this thread as I have just joined the ranks of .450/.400 #1 owners. This Trail Boss load seems like just the thing for a lot of shooting. Can you all suggest other loading data sources for this cartridge for when full-power loads might be desired? Thanks GWW

Congrat's on your new Ruger.I've been working on some more loads,just waiting on the weather to clear alittle...

The standard load for the 450/400 is 80gr of IMR 4831 with a 4--gr jacketed bullet. This is the load reproduced in Graeme Wright's book "Shooting the British Double Rifle," you can also use Ross Seyfried's "nitro for black" conversion formula to derive loads using RL15 powder, I can't recall the formula off=hand, but it was published in Handloader and can be found on the web.

My 405 Winchester likes bullets sized at 0.412" and AA5744 is a sweet powder to load with. I use it fo all my cast loads at 25 gr gr, and even in the 45-70 the same charge works nicely with the 407 gr cast bullet.

Unless you are gas checking your bullets, I'd keep the velocity down a bit. Leading may become a problem. Mine at 1,300 ft/sec do not lead the bore.

Thanks for the load info!

Do stay with the Mag primers!! I hope to shoot the 5744 powder this week...rifle

The time proven Black Powder Express level loads(1600 fps plus)
use H/IMR 4198 and dacron filler. I have tried 5744 in my 450 BPE double with no luck. In a Ruger #1 450/400 3" a successful load has been a 255 gr Keith style pistol bullet sized about .410, 44 grains of 4198, and 11 grains of dacron, pushed in with a # 2 pencil eraser. This gave us around 1750 out of a 26" custom barrel.

This give a very low pressure load and exact bullet weight and powder charge are not critical. A bullet in the 250-300 gr range and powder in the mid 40's should work. I would think that velocities in the 1700-1800 range are about right and work very well on deer and hogs with low recoil

Well,back from the range.The Trailboss load of 30 grains works well.However,The load of 50 grains of 5744 was a bust,groups opened up to 3" and lots of smoke!! I will contuine with it,but more research is needed.Good thing,still no leading!!

I have been watching this thread and today at the sporting goods a can of trail boss powder caught my eye. I have a couple of big bore rifles I would like to make some light loads for wondering if this may work? Also the can said designed for cast bullets is there any reason this would not work with copper jacketed bullets?
Thanks Chris

I have not tried any jacketed bullets yet with this powder.At this time I only have Woodleigh bullets,a little expensvie to punch paper with.My cast bullets have done very well so far.A reduced load with RL15 can be done with jacketed as well.

well picked up a can to play with the rifle in question ruger #1 in 416 alaskan wich is basically the 450 necked down. 21 grains fit nicely and the recoil was very light with 300 grain jacked spitzers. I am looking forward to using this in the 348 winchester.