I believe it was the Heym booth that they said the 470 n.e. was the most popular order followed by the 450-400 3". Experienced big bore shooters verses newbie big bore shooters perhaps?

Very interesting data.

I'd guess difference is whether hunter is primarily an elephant or buffalo hunter.

quote:

Originally posted by 376 steyr:
I believe it was the Heym booth that they said the 470 n.e. was the most popular order followed by the 450-400 3". Experienced big bore shooters verses newbie big bore shooters perhaps?

But which is which? I'm inclined to think Pondoro would have favored the .450/.400 because he could put the bullets exactly where he wanted and save a little recoil and weight in ammo and rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by sambarman338:

quote:

Originally posted by 376 steyr:
I believe it was the Heym booth that they said the 470 n.e. was the most popular order followed by the 450-400 3". Experienced big bore shooters verses newbie big bore shooters perhaps?

But which is which? I'm inclined to think


Pondoro would have favored the .450/.400 because he could put the bullets exactly where he wanted and save a little recoil and weight in ammo and rifle.

Pondoro wrote extensively on his views about firearms and calibers.
Worth a read if you’re remotely interested in what he favoured.

My suspicion is that like all other big bore rifles, the majority never get to the hunting fields.

Most are range toys.

The .470 is kind of the most recognized double rifle elephant gun caliber.

The .450/400 kind of surprises me that it is #2, and I would think a larger percentage of them actually are hunted with, but still probably not most of them.

Never discount the availability of ammunition...

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:

My suspicion is that like all other big bore rifles, the majority never get to the hunting fields.

Most are range toys.

At least one person agrees with me.

Although in Australia I would add to the range toy side of things a huge number of kangaroos, pigs and goats as well as plenty of emus. A 460 Wby is really something on emus.

quote:

Originally posted by Ridgeman:

Pondoro wrote extensively on his views about firearms and calibers.
Worth a read if you’re remotely interested in what he favoured.

Not sure if you addressed that to me or the general readership, Ridgeman. Forgive me if it was the latter.

I do own and have read African Rifles and Cartridges and remember that Taylor approved of various heavier cartridges for professional elephant shooting, when he wanted to shoot half the herd and needed extra knockdown power to keep them down until he got back for the coup de grace.

However, I do recall his admitting fondness for the .450/.400 over six pages, citing its ability to knock down charging elephants etc and mentioning a friend who liked it so much he carried a cartridge on a string around his neck.

I started with a 470 NE back in 2003. Then I purchased another double in 450-400 3 inch. I subsequently had a 375 H&H Flanged double built. I have hunted Africa with all of them, and killed a lot of dangerous and other game with them. It is no surprise to me, in the least bit, about the popularity of 470 NE followed by the 450-400, as the 450-400 is such a sweet caliber to shoot and hunt with.

Id say that's correct..I liked my Searcy .470, but traded it to Butch for a 450-400-3"..I always liked the 450-400 as recoil was considerably milder, recovery for second shot was faster if that counts for anything? but either one would suit me and apparently most folks based on sales...I never found the 450-400 lacking in any way.

If push came to shove and I had Africa in front of me as opposed to behind me, Id opt for the great 450-3-1/4"...

No surprise to me. My guess is older double rifle hunters move down in recoil and opt for a 450/400.

Perhaps the .470 is cock of the walk these days but I seem to recall it was the .450/.400 in late-colonial times, if only because India was as important for hunting as Africa then.

According to Graeme Wright, India was much bigger - probably 10 times bigger market for double rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by sambarman338:
Perhaps the .470 is cock of the walk these days but I seem to recall it was the .450/.400 in late-colonial times, if only because India was as important for hunting as Africa then.

The late Ganyana, aka Don Heath, always claimed that the 450/400 gave deeper penetration than the 470.
So there is that

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
The late Ganyana, aka Don Heath, always claimed that the 450/400 gave deeper penetration than the 470.
So there is that

No doubt true because of the greater sectional density of a 400-gr/.410 (SD = 0.340) versus a 500-gr/.475 (SD = 0.317),
about same velocity for both,
let alone the parabolic "pointy-roundnose-shaped" FMJ tumbler bullet in the Kynoch-loaded 470 NE.
The 400 S. Jeffery (aka 450/400 NE 3") had a better nose shape usually.

Rip ...

The best system is to have four double rifles!

A 470 NE, and 450-400 3in , a 375NE flanged, and a 9.3X74R so you can just pick the one needed for the animal you are hunting!

……………………………………..Hell! it's only money!

Didn't know about the passing of Ganyana(Don Heath). He was an excellent writer.

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:
The best system is to have four double rifles!

A 470 NE, and 450-400 3in , a 375NE flanged, and a 9.3X74R so you can just pick the one needed for the animal you are hunting!

……………………………………..Hell! it's only money!

I love it, though I’d want a something small, like 7x57r!