Any true .40 Calibre Big bores out there??

11 July 2001, 11:36

Pete E

It struck me the other day that I can't think
of a .40 calibre factory (past or present) round suitable for a DGR suitable for Africa.
I recall one wildcat based on the .458 necked
down to .40 calibre and this had the added
advantage of being able to use .40 calibre pistol bullets loaded as reduced loads for plinking or deer hunting ect.
So what has happened to the .40 calibre??

11 July 2001, 11:39

Paul H

Unless you count on Boutique factory rounds, I can't think of any. There is the 411 KDF, and other similar wildcats that would qualify, and may have had "factory" rounds loaded at one time.

11 July 2001, 14:10

Zero Drift

There have been a lot of wildcat and turn of the century type .40 cals. Here is a short list - .40 BSA, .40 Express, .40 Newton, .40-50 Sharps Bottleneck, .40-50 Sharps Straight, .40-60 Ballard, .40-60 Marlin, .40-60 Winchester, 40-65 Winchester, .40-70 Ballard, .40-70 Sharps Bottleneck & Straight, .40-70 Winchester, .40-72 Winchester, .40-82 Winchester, .40-85 Ballard, .40-90 Ballard, .40-90 Bullard, .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck Straight, .400 Nitro 3" Purdey, .400 Pondoro, .400 Whelen, and .400 Whelen Rimed.

11 July 2001, 16:43

John Ricks

Received several reamer drawings today from my reamer maker, one was for the .408 Cheyenne. .408 bullet diameter, on a 505 Gibbs case. A rifle for this cartridge could be made up on the CZ550 action. This case could push a 350 to 400 grain bullet at or over 3000 ft/sec. Would have incredible penetration with the high sectional density. Should be the ultimate plains game long range cartridge. Only problem, it would take a Swiss Bank Owner to be able to pay the cost for having bullets made. And, as many have said, why push to such a high velocity when 2500 ft is all one needs? I think the recoil would be formidable, with such a high jet velocity. This cartridge really needs at least a 30 inch barrel to use all that powder capacity. Instead of such a hyper velocity beast, if I ever got a trip to the Dark Continent, think I would pack a 404 Jeffery or 416 Rigby and a 7x57.

12 July 2001, 03:14

500grains

There is the 411 Hawk, which is a 30-06 improved with the shoulder moved forward and necked up to .411. I think it gets 2100 fps out of 400 grains.

12 July 2001, 05:35

<BMG>

.408 Chey-Tac is out and bullets will be available from Lost River Ballistics. They will also have a .398 Chey-Tac for the benchrest shooters.

16 April 2006, 15:45

tera

quote:
Originally posted by Zero Drift:
There have been a lot of wildcat and turn of the century type .40 cals. Here is a short list - .40 BSA, .40 Express, .40 Newton, .40-50 Sharps Bottleneck, .40-50 Sharps Straight, .40-60 Ballard, .40-60 Marlin, .40-60 Winchester, 40-65 Winchester, .40-70 Ballard, .40-70 Sharps Bottleneck & Straight, .40-70 Winchester, .40-72 Winchester, .40-82 Winchester, .40-85 Ballard, .40-90 Ballard, .40-90 Bullard, .40-90 Sharps Bottleneck Straight, .400 Nitro 3" Purdey, .400 Pondoro, .400 Whelen, and .400 Whelen Rimed.

tera

I see that you been enough stall there wildcat is can you me given by other calibre than you that you knowledge
I definitely acknowledging you for your help?

Thank you for information,

Of which necked they can take as based their length is
salut

16 April 2006, 16:45

<JOHAN>

Gentlemen,

1 Cent and 400 Tembo, both based on a 404 Jeffery case. 1 cent based on a full length 404 Jeffery case. It's possible to use 40 cal pistol bullet for plinking, small plains game or vermin's.

Cheers
/JOHAN

16 April 2006, 17:18

MAC

I used to have a William Evans ouble rifle in 450/400 3 1/4 nitro express. It's actual caliber was 408. It was definately enough gun to be considered a dangerous game rifle.

That particular caliber was one of the most popular in both Africa and India in the early 1900's. With 400 gr bullets, the penetration was incredible and the recoil was very manageble.

Mac

16 April 2006, 23:29

460wby

quote:
Originally posted by JOHAN:
Gentlemen,

1 Cent and 400 Tembo, both based on a 404 Jeffery case. 1 cent based on a full length 404 Jeffery case. It's possible to use 40 cal pistol bullet for plinking, small plains game or vermin's.

Cheers
/JOHAN

So, you've read "Doctari's" article in "Vaapentidningen" you too!!?

17 April 2006, 01:06

tiggertate

quote:
Originally posted by Pete E:
It struck me the other day that I can't think
of a .40 calibre factory (past or present) round suitable for a DGR suitable for Africa.
I recall one wildcat based on the .458 necked
down to .40 calibre and this had the added
advantage of being able to use .40 calibre pistol bullets loaded as reduced loads for plinking or deer hunting ect.
So what has happened to the .40 calibre??

There are two currently in modern rifles; the 405 Winchester and the 400 H&H. Neither sells large numbers of rifles but they are available as loaded ammo from more than one maker.

17 April 2006, 01:09

Frank Martinez

I am currently looking at an 11.2 x72 Schuler. That relates to a .440 diameter bullet. It was used by a local gentleman who took a number of elephant while in Africa. I have one of the original Schuler rounds as well as rounds made from .425 WR and .450 Bell Brass. The round sends a 400 grain solid out at 2400 FPS with 4k foot pounds energy. It has a rebated rim and although I was a bit concerned about that I have been assured that in a well built rifle it will be no problem. Judging from the number of ele he took with it he had no concerns either.
I am currently also shooting a 450/400 3.25 in .408 and a 40-65 which I am paper patching with .408's. Also judging from the large numbers of .416's out there I feel the 40 is very well represented.
Frank

17 April 2006, 01:35

ACRecurve

I had a 400 Tembo for awhile...it used specially made 370 grain BarnesX bullets that miked 0.400"...velocity was 2300-2350 fps IIRC. It is now a 404 Jeff. Dan Petersen did a great job on the rebore.

17 April 2006, 01:37

tiggertate

I suppose the 405 is a stretch for DG but the 400 H&H certainly qualifies. Has anyone here tried to see if .410 pistol bullets will obdurate into a .416 bore?

17 April 2006, 01:45

Strawboss

There was supposedly a .40 Newton tool room prototype developed but never commercially marketed. This round was just the .35 Newton necked up to .40 cal. and used a .405" dia. bullet. I don't know what weight bullet, but the .35 Newton was used on African dangerous game with good success.

17 April 2006, 02:15

<JOHAN>

460wby,
No, first of all I don't read the periodical you are referring to

I got to know of 400 Tembo almost a year ago. 1 Cent was created a few years ago

Cheers
/JOHAN

17 April 2006, 04:24

p dog shooter

I have not tryed 410 bullets in my 416 I use sized down 429 bullets. I run them threw a custom 416 lee die maded by polishing out a .410 die.

17 April 2006, 05:27

Alberta Canuck

There is also the .404 Barnes Supreme. I have had one of those rifles since 1971.

It uses the full length H&H case blown out very straight, with .411 diameter bullets. Looks EXACTLY like a .416 Remington Mag except it was much earlier and uses .411 bullets. My brass is all made by necking down .416 Remington these days...no other changes.

It also has nothing special to recommend it over any other .41-bore rifle. I'd actually like it better if it used about a .400" to .406" bullet. It still wouldn't be anything better than the others out there, but I just like the true .40 bores for non-logical reasons I guess.

17 April 2006, 07:21

AfricanHunter

quote:
Originally posted by John Ricks:
Received several reamer drawings today from my reamer maker, one was for the .408 Cheyenne. .408 bullet diameter, on a 505 Gibbs case. A rifle for this cartridge could be made up on the CZ550 action. This case could push a 350 to 400 grain bullet at or over 3000 ft/sec. Would have incredible penetration with the high sectional density. Should be the ultimate plains game long range cartridge. Only problem, it would take a Swiss Bank Owner to be able to pay the cost for having bullets made. And, as many have said, why push to such a high velocity when 2500 ft is all one needs? I think the recoil would be formidable, with such a high jet velocity. This cartridge really needs at least a 30 inch barrel to use all that powder capacity. Instead of such a hyper velocity beast, if I ever got a trip to the Dark Continent, think I would pack a 404 Jeffery or 416 Rigby and a 7x57.

Are you still building rifles?

17 April 2006, 07:27

sierrabravo45

The .408 Cheytac could be fun.

30 October 2006, 07:50

sr90

The 375/408 Cheytac combination looks like a great combination.

You don't have to do anything special to the cases just use a slightly smaller bushing when neck sizing.

TTI ARmory sells the best 408 cheytac brass avaialable and they are the cheapest price too. http://www.ttiarmory.com

30 October 2006, 08:08

Charles_Helm

quote:
Originally posted by AfricanHunter:

Are you still building rifles?

This is an old thread and that post was from 2001.

30 October 2006, 09:09

Bwana-be

...and let's not forget...

quote:
Originally posted by tera:

tera
I see that you been enough stall there wildcat is can you me given by other calibre than you that you knowledge
I definitely acknowledging you for your help?

Thank you for information,

Of which necked they can take as based their length is
salut

30 October 2006, 17:18

BigFiveJack

I had thought the 400 H&H was using the .410 caliber bullet, I guess I was mistaken.

30 October 2006, 21:37

white bison

Hi: There were 4, .40 Newton Rifles made by necking up the .35 Newton to .40 cal. .405 Winchester barrels were collared into the Newton receivers, so the bore was the same as the old .405 Winchester (.411" or .412" bore diameter).
Newton Arms Company listed 3.042 fps with a 300 gr. bullet. Reportedly used in Africa with good sucess.
Also, the .35 Newton did well in Africa.
But when you say .40 cal.? Would that include the famed .405 Winchester used by Teddy Roosevelt?
Best Regards, Tom

30 October 2006, 21:39

white bison

ps Also there was a Lefever side by side converted into a .405 Lefever double rifle by Lefever Arms Co., way back.
Tom

30 October 2006, 21:59

HunterJim

Don't forget the .400 Pondoro, A-Square still has ammo and brass. It will shoot the .40/10mm pistol bullets too. This one is on the full-length H&H brass, expanded and necked up (I have one box of brass).

jim