400 H&H

[Shawn.54]

This sounds like a very interesting cartridge. If you wish I read in GS Custom website that that they could turn custom sized bullets to fit your barrel at no extra charge if you give them bore dimensions and twist they could quickly build bullets to match I have found them very easy to work with.
Shawn

 

[Pheroze]

This sounds like a very interesting cartridge. If you wish I read in GS Custom website that that they could turn custom sized bullets to fit your barrel at no extra charge if you give them bore dimensions and twist they could quickly build bullets to match I have found them very easy to work with.
Shawn

They actually have a bullet for the 400 H&H I think it is 317gr but no load data. They seem to prefer faster powders.

 

[Pheroze]

Mr Martini has made some beautiful 400H&H http://www.martinigunmakers.com/actions.htm

cheers
Pat

View attachment 177889

Beautiful rifles but it irks me that the price is in US dollars. I have the same beef with a lot of outfitters in Canada. It's not like our currency is very volatile. Anyway, absolutely beautiful rifle.

 

[Shawn.54]

Yes they do recommend faster powder because of bullet design that does not build pressure when bullet hits rifleing.
I use their bullets in two rifles now but as stock is depleted I'm switching all my rifles.
I use 200gr HV in my 375 Ruger and can fire 5 aimed shots off bench at 3213fps and barrel is warm where 3 shots of 300gr round nose at 2500fps will make barrel hot.
I know that they seam to recommend light for caliber bullets but they match length of bullet to barrel twist to achieve greatest accuracy.
While I have not taken any game with the 375 my son uses 40gr HV in a 22-250 and it kills white tail deer. He shot one at 172 yards bullet entered just behind shoulder exited in front hind leg over 23" of penatration without hide.
22-250 load even calls for magnum primer with fast powder.
If they have the bullet I'm sure they can make powder recommendation if you contact them.
Shawn

 

[Pheroze]

I heard from GS Customs that they will be posting load data soon!

 

[jacques smith]

Goeie middag to all
I personally own my second 400HH so perhaps I can add something. First off Dakota arms in South Dakota are a dream to work with. I also got turned on to the 400 by duke and LD of gulf breeze. Since I not only hunt Africa but also Alaska I opted for their model 97 which is a very light weight composite. The action is plagiarized from the old Mauser with the safety three way of the pre 64 model 70. The action is the nicest I've ever worked Despite the light weight it's not uncomfortable to shoot if it fits you correctly. Granted a box would be abusive but I have several in the safe I don't want to shoot 20 rounds off a bench. I have never felt recoil when my target is alive The charts I have show it to be a fast dropper. I.e. 100 yards -3 inches. 200 yards -12.5 to 14 inches. My usage confirms this so I personnally sight in 3 inches high at 100 yards which puts me roughly 4 inches low at 150 yards beyond that I'll pass the shot and try to get closer shots paired at 30 50 and 70 yards can be covered with a dime. My only complaint is ammo availability. Barnes seems to be the only place cases are available. They also match 400 grain in both tsx and solids which roughly find the same hole. North fork offers their 300 grain pp I'm looking forward to trying these soon. Yup it's a little out there but I like it. I paired it with tally 30 mm quick detach and savarski 1.5 to 4. May all your bucket lists come true
Jacques

 

[pinotguy]

Jacques,

Good info, thanks. I have my mind set on a 400 H&H and have been acquiring the needed components over the past couple of years. The last piece I need is a barrel. H&H used the .411" but would a .410" barrel work?

You mentioned Barnes as a source for brass. Is this available directly from them? I did not realize that they were in the brass business but will check with them. While Captech lists it, they never seem to produce any and Quality Cartridge is the only manufacturer I have found in the U.S.

North Fork just introduced a 400 grain semi-spitzer with this cartridge in mind.

Thanks again and I have enjoyed following this thread.

 

[jacques smith]

Not sure if Barnes openly sells brass but I'm sure ward of Dakota arms could acquire some and also answer . 410 barrel question Phone is 1 605 347 4686 mon thru Thursday. I'm also seeing north fork offering a cup face solid in .411 which I think might be impressive. In my experience it overall is truly dangerous game serious medicine assuming good placement. Best of luck putting it together

 

[Pheroze]

The last piece I need is a barrel. H&H used the .411" but would a .410" barrel work?

Hello,

I believe the .410 diameter is the modern 450/400 standard so you may see more bullets in that diameter. However, take note that bullets like Woodleigh's in that diameter are designed to operate at slower speeds then achieved with the 400 H&H.

I would be very interested to know is what you are told about using the .410 barrels. Please update us.

Good luck with the project

 

[V.Veritas]

Beautiful rifles but it irks me that the price is in US dollars. I have the same beef with a lot of outfitters in Canada. It's not like our currency is very volatile. Anyway, absolutely beautiful rifle.

Pat,
I feel the same way about $US pricing in Canada. However I have good news too. I was thinking about booking a Newfoundland moose hunt for some time and always got turn away by the $US pricing. This spring at Toronto Sportsmen Show I checked with a few outfitters and ALL offered the hunts to Canadians in $CAD currency (30% save from the $US prices). So I've booked one.
Same idea for Mr. Ralph Martini's prices. He is one of the importers for Heym rifles in Canada, but sells them in $US pricing because he mostly cater to US clientele. However, he keeps his prices in $US, so one will have to pay the equivalent in $CAD (I have checked). So I have purchased my Heym 88PH 450/400NE from an importer from QC and paid the same amount in $CAD (30% save from the $US price requested by Mr. Martini).
I thought I should share my experience for the benefit of other Canadian hunters (though, it won't help for custom build rifles by Mr. Martini).

 

[zephyr]

Brass can be bought from Quality Cartridge, http://www.qual-cart.com/
they can also be easily made from 375H&H brass with a well lubed case and one pass in you resizing die. A small wrinkle left in the neck will shoot out with your first load.
Jacques
I have shot numerous game with Barnes' .411dia 300gr TSX moving at 2700fps, I am heading to Zim this fall for Eland and will be bringing North Fork .411dia 360gr SP. CEB has .411dia 400gr Solids and 370gr Raptors that arrive at the same hole. I have shot a Buff with the 370gr Raptor. Hawk Bullets, http://hawkbullets.com/
make numerous bullets at .411dia. Hornady's 300gr SP designed for the 405win is my go to varmint load at 2600fps+ it turns everything into a gray mist.

 

[Excessexpress]

Hello,

I believe the .410 diameter is the modern 450/400 standard so you may see more bullets in that diameter. However, take note that bullets like Woodleigh's in that diameter are designed to operate at slower speeds then achieved with the 400 H&H.

I would be very interested to know is what you are told about using the .410 barrels. Please update us.

Good luck with the project

Ruger made their #1 with a .410 barrel for their 450/400, everybody other current production model I've seen uses a .411 - Merkel, H&H, SIACE, Sabatti etc.

Woodleigh cater for the Ruger, but I doubt .001 will make much difference in a low pressure cartridge.

 

[V.Veritas]

I believe Heym makes their 450/400 NE in 0.410". They are regulating their double rifles with Hornady ammo, so it would make sense.
Woodleigh makes soft points in .408", .410 and .411". FMJ in .408" and .410".

 

[Pheroze]

I really like Woodleigh's but I think they are too soft for the 400 H&H. Woodleigh rates them up to 2200 fps I recall. They suggested I swage down the 416. But I like the look of Hawks and North Fork so no need ( when I finally get it all pulled together )

 

[zephyr]

There are proper Woodleighs around I believe Superior Ammo had some

 

[jacques smith]

Zephyr
Thanks for mentioning superior. I got ahold of Lonnie and he is working me up some sample packs including the north fork cup face solids he can come up with Jamison hulls if anyone needs brass. Cheers

 

[zephyr]

I've been using Qual Cart Brass since I started loading for the 400H&H and resized 375 brass for practice..
http://www.qual-cart.com/
Just ordered 40 pieces
Good Shooting

 

[zephyr]

Just ordered 2 boxes of North Fork's .411 400grn looking forward to them coming in.
Will post range results in a couple of weeks .....

 

[Pheroze]

Just ordered 2 boxes of North Fork's .411 400grn looking forward to them coming in.
Will post range results in a couple of weeks .....

Hi

Did you have any success with these?

I am also wondering about the barrel length. My 375 has a 22" barrel and I really like the compactness. It has not really affected velocity either. What are your thoughts on keeping the 22" barrel when going up to the 400?

 

[CTDolan]

The 400 H&H is a fine cartridge (better than the 465 H&H, in my opinion, due to its parent case, if nothing else). But, it's trying to enter a crowded field and without the marketing effort of a major U.S. manufacturer. Given this, it'll only ever be a novelty, a "boutique" cartridge. I'm not sure it really matters, though, as H&H clearly has no other interest (and those who do take to the fine round will not suffer from a lack of ammunition and/or components...in other words, sufficient interest will remain).