Doubles are out of reach for now, but I have read enough African and Indian hunting stories to want a .450/.400. What bolt action friendly cartridge factory or wildcat is the closest match?

Fireplug

.404 Jeffery

I would say a .404 Jeffery.....or perhaps a .458Win.Mag. with a 400 grain bullet.

Fireplug,

What you are looking for would be a cartridge that sends a 400 grain bullet at 2125-2150 fps. The 404 Jeffery, 404 Dakota, 416 Taylor, Remington or Rigby (loaded down some), 411 KDF to name a few. Even the 411 Hawk or 400 Whelen would get very close to this.

Good Hunting,

The .404 Jeff was designed as a Mauser action version of the .450/400. In the original loadings it came very close and I believe that Kynoch still uses those ballistics. If not, any big bore loading book will give you the modern powder equivilant. As was pointed out, you can get the same effect by backing off the .416 Remington and for the budget-minded Traditionalist a M70 Safari Classic in .416 Rem with a 3-leaf express sight set just about does it all. Beware, this is a treacherous slope! Take the first step and soon you will be shopping for a pith helmet, an original .333 Jeffery and a 1928 Dodge touring car. You have been warned

I agree there are many that bracket the 450/400NE 3" , but if you want a nostalgic round to match the 450/400NE 3" in a bolt rifle, you can't do better than the fine old 404 Jeffery!

How about the .450 Marlin in a bolt-action? I've got one and it meets your criteria.

Thanks All,

I thought there would be a few good candidates and wanted your ideas. Now I have to decide between the africana credentials of say the .404 or to simply go for the most practical way to duplicate the ballistics the .416 CT.

My reloading software says that the .416 Express can also edge into this zone of aproimately 400 grains and about 4000 foot pounds. Although without classic appeal and just barely in the club ballistically, this is interesting to a big .350 RM fan.

Thanks,
Fireplug

DB,
the 450 Marlin in no way meets the criteria of a 450-400...

The Marlin is a 45 cal. fireing a 400 gr. bullet..the 450-400 is a .408 to .411 cal. firing a 400 gr. bullet..

The only resembulance is bullet weight and velocity and that does not tell the story. SD=penitration and thats the big difference and a very important one...

The 404 Jefferys was intended to copy the 450-400 for bolt users at their request...However with modern powders you have the option of also duplicating the 416 Rem or Rigby with the 404....

Holland has introduced their .400 H&H for bolt action rifles, which actually uses the same .411"/400 grain Woodleigh bullets as they have loaded in their .450-.400 NE ammunition. This would be the closest match for you, but the ammunition is not shipping yet.

The .404 Jeff uses 400 grain .423" bullets, and is an excellent cartridge.

jim dodd