After reading T.Bridges article about excellent accuracy and using the load above, i decided to give it a try. I contacted the people at Western powders about using over a 300gr bullet with blackhorn 209 and this is what i got back:

Bob,

When the warning about using bullets over 300 grains was written, we hadn't had a chance to test them yet. Since that time we have completed our testing but haven't had a chance to change the warning. The only bullet that we recommend a reduced charge for was the 444 grain Power Belt. For everything else you can load up to 120 grains by volume.

I hope this clears things up.



Best regards,
Keith Anderson
Western Powders Ballistic Lab

I went and got some 325g FTX (.458). My gun is sighted in using 250gr Barnes TEZ with 90gr BH209, and a harvester short black sabot dead on at 100yds. I loaded the 325gr FTX with a harvester crush rib sabot. I read in the article about it being a tight fit, and it definitely was, and i was using a range rod.

I shot 5 shots and they were 5" inches high and 1" to the right of bullseye, and all three shots inside 2" I know it could get better for sure, because i definitely been shooting 90gr to long !!
It kicked a little harder than my hunting load. Theres not doubt its an accurate load, but i wouldnt want to load a follow up in the field, but i guess not to many animals are gonna walk away after gettting hit with that load.........Im gonna shoot some more maybe this week.