I just came across a nice little Ruger # 1 in 450/400 Nitro Express for $850.00 and thought it an interesting piece for some reason. Does anyone here have experience with this caliber on dangerous game or any game for that matter? How does it compare with some of the .416 caliber cartridges so popular today? I am well aware of the statistics for .416 caliber 400 grain bullets and the vast majority seem to push a 400 grain bullet at approximately 2400 fps. I looked up some specs on this caliber and Hornady is evidently manufacturing 400 grain softs and solids @ 2050 fps. Is this a viable thick skinned dangerous game cartridge? What are your thoughts or expectations on this cartridge or rifle platform?

Thanks,

jfm

I have only shot hogs and lions with mine.

I think Craig Boddington had a review a while back in one of the gun mags. If I remember correctly he thought it was good for cape buff.

I've only shot deer, hogs, coyotes and rabbits with mine with loads ranging fron 210 gr pistol bullets to the regular 400 gr load. They all worked perfectly. I really love the 450/400.

I was lucky enough to draw a coveted wild Bison tag and used my .450/.400. It was away more than I needed. I'm hoping to take it for Cape Buff one day. Craig Boddington has lots of info on the caliber and use in a No.1 in his book "Safari Rifles II".

Had one, 2 yrs. ago. Bought it for a DG hunt in Zim. Lost my job, and had to sell the rifle, without ever firing it. Long story short, I got a job, and my son and I went to Zim last summer. We both used Ruger no. 1s, 375 H&H mag. I took a tuskless ele and a cow cape buff with the 375. More than once, during that trip I thought about the 450/400 and how cool it would have been to have used it. If I had one in that caliber, I'd take it back to Africa in a heart beat.


Mad Dog

We have filmed a lot of game with that set up and I have never seen a buff win against it ! A cool rifle and cartridge. A buddy of mine in Texas will never go to Africa, but he is hell on hogs with it and loves shooting it above any of his other rifles.

Took mine to Mozambique last year and it did well on everything from red duiker to eland.

Comfortable to shoot and a joy to carry.

PM sent.

Here's a buff that I took with my 450-400 Searcy double last June in Dande South in the Zambezi Valley. One shot, ran 30 yards, death bellowed and that was it.

My ph of 45 years professional hunting experience used one, a 450/400 3 1/4", on my 2010 cape buff hunt. Same velocity I think as the shorter more practical cartridge just a milder pressure. Everything I have read about them shows them to be perfectly adequate for elephant. The .458 winnie at 2040 ft/sec works well on everything.

You shoot that 450/400 and it is all down hill from there. Once you hit the bottom you will want a second barrel, so the rifle goes bang! bang!

Mike

I recently took buff and tuskless - see hunt report here:

http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6211041361

For an old cartridge it still ranks as one of the best for penetrating of all doubles. The 500/416 is about equal.
Brilliant gun that can take anything with ease.

Craig Boddington and his wife Donna used one in the filming of his buffalo DVD can't remember if it was first or second one but it sure knocked those buff over with out any drama. I think its like double rifles you either like side by side or under & over. same for a rilfe either you like a bolt gun or single shot. One things for sure not a dman thing wrong with the calibre

Happy with mine, and it sure has nice wood. I'm going to swap out the Weaver K3 for a Leupy variable.

Retreever,
I already have a double Krieghoff in .470 Nitro but the ammunition costs approximately $200.00 per box of twenty. The 450/400 costs half that here in Missouri. I already went out and bought the rifle and can't wait to try it out. I hear the recoil is minimal but the load has very good effect on large and dangerous game. This may become my favorite rifle. We shall see.

Thanks,

jfm

jfm: All that you said is true. I too, own a double in .470 NE, but that 450-400 double is cheaper and a lot sweeter to shoot! And, as my prior post indicates, that caliber will do the number on buff!

quote:

Originally posted by jfm:
Retreever,
I already have a double Krieghoff in .470 Nitro but the ammunition costs approximately $200.00 per box of twenty. The 450/400 costs half that here in Missouri. I already went out and bought the rifle and can't wait to try it out. I hear the recoil is minimal but the load has very good effect on large and dangerous game. This may become my favorite rifle. We shall see.

Thanks,

jfm

Good day Bill.
That sure is a beautiful rifle. I am convinced that you will enjoy it and that it will do the job required.

How does it compare to the 404J?

Most people eqivalate the 450/400 3 1/4 to the .375 H&H in killing power.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Most people eqivalate the 450/400 3 1/4 to the .375 H&H in killing power.

But with an extra 100 grains.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Most people eqivalate the 450/400 3 1/4 to the .375 H&H in killing power.

But with an extra 100 grains.

Minus 500 FPS of velocity (in favor of .375) which makes them about equivalent.