Does anyone own one?....Can someone report on using one?....I'm curious if this truly is just a slightly modified .416 Rem Mag.

VapoDog,

The case design for the .400 H&H is what you would expect from the originators of the .375 H&H: belted, lots of body taper and low-pressure loadings. The bullet diameter is .411" regardless what some magazine articles say, and they use the same 400 grain Woodleigh bullet as the .450-.400. So yuo know it will work.

I have seen test results from H&H and John Ricks, but no field reports for actual use.

The .416 Rem has less taper and higher pressure.

jim

Its dimensions are quite different than the .416 Remmy. Here is a short article with dimensions.

.400 H&H

The .416 has less taper and higher pressure? I disagree with that..It doesn't even make since if you stop and think about it..the 416 has more case capacity, and a bigger hole...

Ray,

You may disagree all you want.

I am commenting from data on the two rounds that showed lower pressure and velocity for the factory .400 H&H cartridge compared to the .416 Remington.

The taper of the two cases is there for the world to see: you can also compare the parent cases, .375 H&H and 8 mm Remington. In each case the Remington designs have less taper and sharper shoulders.

jim

OK and thanks I will disagree based on the fact that as you say the remington designs have less taper and sharper shoulders, all of which contribute to more case capacity thus less pressure at equal velocity,, that was basic gunsmithing 101 where I come from!

The ONLY way the 400H&H has less pressure is if they are loading it to lower velocity than Remington does for their 416. I'd imagine they're claiming the same thing about their 465 vs the 460Wby.

Less case capacity, a smaller bore, the same weight bullet, at the same velocity, = Higher pressures. This is basic internal ballistics. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but even the good folks at H&H can’t rewrite the laws of physics.

The fact that H&H even came out with this round is a tip of their hat to George Hoffman. The reality is that the H&H round cannot be better ballistically, lacks any H&H panache as it is a new addition to the line, and will cost a boatload more money for components. Why the hell bother.

JMHO,

JohnTheGreek

quote:

The reality is that the H&H round cannot be better ballistically, lacks any H&H panache as it is a new addition to the line, and will cost a boatload more money for components. Why the hell bother.

quote:

JTG:

The theory of relativity at work Dependent from which point you look at these two cartridges your statement may hold water. On the other hand it may not !

If you are of disposition to be a true H&H customer and not just a tyre kicker in their store then these two cartridges are no different to anything else they market and it will have the value embodied by their fine reputation and name.

Personally, if I could afford I would not mind having both these in my collection, what is neat is that you can claim that you own something quite rare and unique, especially if the rifles were made to order!

Ray,

They don't run equal pressures because the .400 H&H uses a lower muzzle velocity than the Remington.

jim

Hi Alf,

From a pure collectors point of view you may have a point as there may be some novelty value to the .400. For a guy with a boatload of made to order H&H rifles, I can see him thinking "why the hell not" I guess. However,I have to say that, even if I had the money, it would be hard for me to not order a rifle (double or bolt) in any of their "classic" calibres that have the image of "old Africa" dripping from them. The .400 would be pretty low on the list I think.

Hope all is well "post MI" !

Best,

JohnTheGreek

quote:

Originally posted by HunterJim:
Ray,

They don't run equal pressures because the .400 H&H uses a lower muzzle velocity than the Remington.

jim

By this rationale then we can make any "high pressure" round live up to whatever H&H has deemed to be the "magic" pressure level, including the .416 rem. What makes more sense, 1) reduce the powder charge in a .416 (hardly necessary) or 2) buy a 400 H&H, goofy brass, less widely available bullets, and a rare set of reloading dies that you will never be able to get rid of should you decide that a .416 Rem just makes more sense.

Best,

JohnTheGreek

John,

It's all about cachet and having something no one else in camp has.

George
P.S. Have you gotten over to Greece lately?

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
John,

It's all about cachet and having something no one else in camp has.

George
P.S. Have you gotten over to Greece lately?

Bingo.....that's the best reply I've read in months.....thanks GeorgeS

Right on, George. You hit the proverbial nail on the head!

Hi George,

Sadly, no. I may wave to the North this weekend though as I could be in Alexandria.

Best,

JohnTheGreek

The 400 H&H is about as much needed as my toy 10.75x68, its something different, that's about it....I wouldn't mind having a 400 H&H, hell I probably will someday, but it will never be as good or practical a caliber as the 416 Remington and all that garbage about 416 Rem pressures is just that, garbage...I have shot that caliber since before its birth as a Hoffaman and got one as soon as the factory released it...Never had any pressure problem, not in the least and I suspect that if someone did then they had a out of spec tight chamber of simply put too much powder in the case....If the 416 offers too much pressure then the .270, 300 Win. 7 mags, 338 and a host of others fall into that same clap trap, I think not.