Please explain the difference between these two. My understanding is that they're both based on the 416 Rigby but they are different enough that they can't be fired from the same chambering.

Any ballistic difference or loading difference?

Thanks

dakota is shorter and less taper than the rigby, so while the rigby is narrower at the shoulder, the neck is longer and wont go in the chamber.
conversly, the dakota is fatter at the shoulder, and wont go in a riby chamber.

This is not a case of 458 win in a 458 lott chamber.

think of this as why a 300win won't go in a 300 HH chamber, and vice versa

jeffe

Thanks jeffeoso.

Is there any basic ballistic difference between the two?

On www.dakotaarms.com you can see brass drawings of all their cartridges.

Click on store directory, click on BRASS section. It shows the 450 Dakota to be 2.90".

I have a bolt action 5 shot built by www.rifleactions.com WFF HEIN in this caliber, unfired.

I have the double rifle fever so I'd sell my rifle for partial funding of a DR. Lots of extras, black synthetic stock.

They are both about 2.900" long and the only significant difference is that the 450 Dakota has a longer history in the game fields, and is steeped in nostalgic tradition, much more so than the 1995 upstart 450 Rigby-Me-Too cartridge.

Thanks all