Effectiveness of the 450/400 NE

[crs]

May I mention my method of equaling the 450/400 with a double rifle and a lever action?
The Double
My Simson Suhl DR that regulates 300 grain bullets at 2250 fps AND 400 grain Woodies at 2100 fps.

My Winchester 1895 TD .405 WCF presently shoots 300 grain bullets at 2250 fps and 400 grain Woodies at 2100 fps. The buff to the left was taken with a 400 Woodie and this rifle has taken a big water buff with 300 grain NF CPS at 2250 fps..
If desired, I can increase the velocity of these bullets to 2400 for the 300 and 2200 for the 400. So far, that has not been necessary, but the rifle is off to Magnaport Monday, soo,,,

 

[Rare Breed]

so as many of you know from my other posts, im currently looking at a double rifle in 450/400 NE. however looking at the numbers now has be a bit concerned. the 450/400 out of a 25" barrel only delivers around 2050 fps which yields around 3700 pounds of muzzle energy. this is by far the weakest DG cartridge available and I admit im a bit concerned about the performance. with a speed this low I can easily say this restricts the gun to 100 yards max since the Woodleigh soft point is not rated to expand well under 1800 fps.

the rifle would be used for large bear, buffalo, hippo, and elephant (if I can ever swing the money).

is the 450/400 suitable or should I hold out for a 450 NE or 470 NE?

(edit: I tried using the search function but 450/400 and 450-400 come up with nothing)

thanks
-matt

I have a new Chapuis 450-400 3 inch shooting at 2050 FPS with 400 grains and absolutely smoked a Cape buffalo and 4 PG this past July. I am using it to hunt the rest of the big 5 including elephant and have 100% confidence. It shoots like a dream and I am a dead eye with it due to its mild recoil

 

[1dirthawker]

@Rare Breed,

that is pretty much what i learned about my 450-400, although it likes 400 hrs at 2100 fps. i have shot game to 325 yards with it, a great rifle!

 

[RayAtkinson]

I used the 450-400-3" for over 45 years, shot everything Africa had to offer including buffalo culling..
It served me well..I don't care how big a bore is, you still have to do your part and if you do that the 9.3x62 will serve you well..My bolt gun was a .404 for the most part, seemed to work as well although I loaded it considerable hotter...the 40 calibers are as good as any of the larger bores and don't dish out the punishment....Some folks seem to think a 600 NE will save your bacon and thats fallacy, only proper placement of a properly constructed bullet will do that and in almost any caliber..

 

[colorado]

Jim Corbett was a big fan, hard to think of a better recommendation.

 

[Tanks]

One is available here:

WESTLEY RICHARDS DROPLOCK 450/400 3 — Steve Barnett Fine Guns | High-End Shotguns, Rifles, Pistols, and Revolvers For Sale

SBFG 22411 SN# 15XXX 28" BARRELS WITH 2 REAR FLIP UP SIGHTS AND RAMPED FRONT SIGHT WITH BLADE AND TRIANGLE FLIP UP REAR LADDER SIGHT DOUBLE TRIGGERS EJECTORS SPLINTER FOREARM PISTOL GRIP RECOIL PAD CHEEK PIECE SLING SWIVEL STUDS EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH SOME LIGHT HANDLING 9LBS 11 OZ 14 1/8&

stevebarnettfineguns.com

 

[magnum308]

Coming into this after many years, so trust it is still active and by now you have your 450-400 or something similar.

Not only did John Taylor sing its praises and he is basing that on real world experience, but here a couple of good articles on NE cartridge that mention very highly the 450-400...

: https://www.shootingtimes.com/edito...rtridges-for-5-big-game-animals/467185#replay

Cartridges :: PH-Rifles

The choice for a certain caliber should be done mainly based on the ability to shoot it properly and the personal preference. As for any other hunt, the first shot placement is crucial. This fact does not change due to a larger caliber!

www.ph-rifles.com

 

[Philip Glass]

Coming into this after many years, so trust it is still active and by now you have your 450-400 or something similar.

Not only did John Taylor sing its praises and he is basing that on real world experience, but here a couple of good articles on NE cartridge that mention very highly the 450-400...

: https://www.shootingtimes.com/edito...rtridges-for-5-big-game-animals/467185#replay

Cartridges :: PH-Rifles

The choice for a certain caliber should be done mainly based on the ability to shoot it properly and the personal preference. As for any other hunt, the first shot placement is crucial. This fact does not change due to a larger caliber!

www.ph-rifles.com

I Love this part of the article:


The beauty of the .450/400 N.E is that it has the mildest recoil of all the valid dangerous game cartridges. Many shooters find the .450/400 even easier to shoot than the .375 H&H. With a sectional density of .338 and KO value of 47 it will give excellent penetration, making it a perfectly viable cartridge, even for elephant.

This sums up my experience with this amazing cartridge!

 

[Rare Breed]

I have a new Chapuis 450-400 3 inch shooting at 2050 FPS with 400 grains and absolutely smoked a Cape buffalo and 4 PG this past July. I am using it to hunt the rest of the big 5 including elephant and have 100% confidence. It shoots like a dream and I am a dead eye with it due to its mild recoil

Please let me provide an update...I have owned two 470's and two 500 NE since this post. All have been great. I now have ended up with a beautiful very simple Rigby in 450 NE which JJ Perodeau regulated for me. I will say for those who recoil bother them greatly the 450-400 will be the easiest DR for recoil that will take every animal on this earth including elephant...is it the best caliber for elephant, no but it will still do the job.