Hi,

Any experiences/knowledge of the ballistics and performance of the .400 Whelen when using 400grs bullets?
Please also specify test barrel length.

When looking for info on the .411 Hawk I came across mentions on the Whelen, and apparently Keith spoke highly of it, but not really much anyone else seems to have owned and used one - at least not recently.

Why I ask is because Fred Zeglin claims highish velocities from the .411 Hawk which I dare doubt (although some users have chronoed their rifles and do verify his figures), and I'm curious to know what is the actual performance of the caliber. On this forum I found some posts but didn't some across anyone having used heavier than 350grs bullets.
Certainly, having a rifle stamped .400 Whelen rather than .411 Hawk would, indeed, be something to take on safari!

The other main reason is my curiosity about a cartridge of .30-06 length but as close to an elephant caliber as one can get.
Of the factory calibers the 9,6x64 is the most potent, obviously, and a close call is the 9,3x62 but what if one wants to go above these? And especially then I think of heavier bullets.
The .375 Hawk, again, is there but in the same ballpark as the 9,3mms so what next - we come to the .40 caliber class.

I'm aware of the existence of the .411 KDF/.416 Taylor, but them being belted they're of less interest to me.
I'd be curious to know how close to these belted rounds the .400 Whelen (.411 Hawk) could actually get.
Or in other words: does it duplicate the performance of the .450/400 as Whelen targeted it to?

Do a search on those carts as well as the 400 PDK

I have one, although I chose the Ackley Improved version (40 degree shoulder).

With 58 grains of AA 2230 powder, I'm getting a 300 grain Barnes X (not the TSX) to 2450 fps.
I was getting some primer flatening at that load, so my working load is 57 grains for about 2375 fps.

I used it in Africa in 2006, and was exceedingly pleased with it's performance.

I just picked up some of the new Barnes TSX bullets last Friday, so I'll be experimenting with those soon.

I would not use bullets heavier than 350 grains in it, as those take up too much powder space.

It's a great cartridge.
I brained a hippo with it (one shot), but didn't really get to explore buffalo with it (my rifle came a few days late to camp, so I had to use the PH's 458 Lott for buff).

One thing I haven't done yet is do target work at 200 yards.
My local range had a problem with pistol bullets skipping over a dirt mound and striking near shooters changing the 200 yard targets, so that part of the range was closed as I was sighting in.
The problem is now fixed, and I just need to get my lazy ass back out there and shoot again.

Garrett

You might want to consider the 10.75x68 along with the others mentioned. Very similar to the .400 Whelen with a little larger bullet. Easy to do in a standard Mauser action.

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
Do a search on those carts as well as the 400 PDK

Yup - did; but didn't come across any 400grs bullet velocity data, I'm afraid.

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6521043/m/126103629

Here is the 400 PDK and loads with 400 grain bullets.

quote:

Yup - did; but didn't come across any 400grs bullet velocity data, I'm afraid.

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6521043/m/126103629

Here is the 400gr data I posted for the 400PDK. Like I say this data is only for one rifle over one Chrony with compressed loads at maximum velocity. My case is around 11% larger than the 411Hawk. I talked to Fred about my round when I rented his neck reamer. He also has a 411Express (I believe he calls it) It is the 411Hawk with the shoulder moved forward to give the same length neck as the 411Hawk but use the 2.65" cylinder brass he sells. It should give close to the same capacity as mine. I understood that he uses one himself.(trusting my memory)

A true 400Whelen should have a .458" shoulder anyway. Going with an AI 40 deg will not gain much if any case volume. To gain capacity you need to move the shoulder forward.

As I stated in the other treat. The 300gr gives an OAL of 3.25 in the cannelure. With a 3.38" OAL with the 400gr I would need to shorten my case to use the cannelure or take a file to the mag box.

I see Boom posted the link while I was typing.

quote:

Originally posted by Schauckis:

Certainly, having a rifle stamped .400 Whelen rather than .411 Hawk would, indeed, be something to take on safari!

And that is the beauty of it!
Today it will duplicate the .400 NE with 400 grs at 2150fps, and should be a best-seller right next to his .375 Whelen.

The .425 Fossdal(link in my tag-line) will do the same with a .423 bullet from a lengthened .240 Wea'by case(.473"head), looking like a scaled down .458 Lott.

But the .400 Whelen is a classic, and not much beats that!

quote:

Today it will duplicate the .400 NE with 400 grs at 2150fps, and should be a best-seller right next to his .375 Whelen

I couldn't agree more. With the correct shoulder the 400 Whelen makes a very good round and gives up very little if anything. Most negative press came because the true dimensions of the shoulder were lost over time. As for the 375 Whelen I happen to prefer the AI version but it is more a look thing than performance.

Holy Chamoley!! What velocities!
One'd expect a bruised shoulder after shooting those.
Then again: better to have some extra, as one can always load down.

Didn't realize there was something called the 400PDK at all.

Why is the case so long? Because it's made of cylindrical brass and left longer?
That'd explain the 11% capacity increase.

I thank you kindly for the info - and for the patience of posting the link to us illiterates.

And last but not least: This proves Colonel Whelen was right.

quote:

Didn't realize there was something called the 400PDK at all

Well since it didn't exist until a couple months ago and has only been mentioned here don't feel to bad. As to the PDK series I can count on two hands the number that exist outside my ownership.

As I think I stated with the 300gr flatpoints the most accurate loading is in 2650fps range. I'll need to get some 400s to work on accuracy. In my older 416 version 2205 with 400s 2570 with 300s and 2430 is the 340s(my buddies hunting load). The 416 version was with 280 brass. I think the 400PDK velocities fit in that range.

As to the 2.65" that is the length of the cylinder brass. With the 300gr flat point I can use all of it, seat in the cannelure and still only be 3.25" The 11% is a gross gain. To the extent you can seat the bullet out and stay in a 3.4" box you have a net capcity gain. With a 400gr the net gain from the longer case pretty much goes away I do still have a gain over a Hawk because my shoulder is moved forward.