Hi,
I was thinking about this, and thought I'd ask. Has anyone ever heard of the 450 Nitro Express No.2 (3.5" case) being necked down to 375 cal? I thought it would make a good high velocity single shot cartridge, if not just a sweet looking 375. I don't know what velocities to expect, but somewhere along the lines of the 375/404, and probably low pressure so maybe a double rifle cart. as well...
any thoughts?

Wouldn't it be cheaper to take 45-110 brass and neck it to .375 (with a sharp shoulder), rather than use 450 Nitro brass?

True, the 450 based case might be very slightly faster, but at a cost of dollars per round.

You can often pick up a box of 20 45-110 brass for under $20.

Garrett

Garrett,
Much cheaper, for sure, but I'm not all that familiar with the 45-110, and what the case length is (110 referring to charge wt??). I do know the No.2 has a 3.5" case so I would "think" there would be quite a bit more velocity, though it's all theoretical. Maybe it's the diff. between a 458 win and lott, maybe not.
The only reason I thought the 450 no.2 nitro was to be more british, I guess -- a bigger 375 H&H flanged nitro in a sense.
If you know of any 375s based on the 45-110 I'd be interested, too.
Thanks
In practical terms the 45-110 parent would get the nod.

Well, sounds like a good idea. A-Square has taken the 470 NE and necked it to .458" and .416", and gotten 500 and 400g (resp) to 2400 fps. I think their case is a wee longer than the 470, but maybe just from starting with basic cases. Neck that one to 375 and you've got maybe the midrange 375 Weatherby velocities at doubles-pressure. Not shabby at all.

Some numbers from Quickload.

Looking at the 470NE case(146gns H2O). I didn't see the 450no2.

useing RL25 it should get a 300gn bullet to almost 2600fps at 40ksi.

Your going to pay more for the brass, but this doesn't seem like an exercise in economics.

Looking at the 375H&H AI(105gns H2O)

useing RL25 shows 2500fps at 40ksi.

Lar45,
I've heard that the case capacity for the 450 No.2 is in the mid 150s (grs. of H2O). I can't confirm this, though as I don't have a case.
I'll find out, though...

Tiger,
The 500-416 is an interesting case and a good parent for the 375 variant. I asked someone who owns a 450 No.2 over at nitroexpress.com and they tell me it will hold 157.6gr. of IMR 4831.
How does this compare with the 500-416?
Thanks,
Mark.

I haven't got any 4831 right now but it held 130 gr of IMR 4895, if that tells you anything useful. The case is very tapered for good extraction in a double and since a new reamer is needed anyway, you'd have a lot of control over the final case volume.

Harry and folks...
in quickload, the 500/416 has 135 gr of h2o capacity... which is "about" what all the big NE's have after the 450 NE... it's easy to remember...
about 500 grains at about 2050fps.... so after the law changed forbiding 450 caliber rounds, and all of them "changed" size, all of them basically used the same bullet weight, with the caliber moved around a bit.

from quickload, case capacities of some round
375 glanged 94.1gr
500/416 135
45/120 113gr
450/400 3.25" 124
"" 3.0" 115
450 ne (not #2) 136
470 ne 146
475 #2jeff 165
475 ne #2 3.5" 165 (confusing)
500 ne 3.25 158
500 ne 3.0 138
577/500 177

and the 577 3" 185

For what it's worth
550 express 133 gr
550 magnum 149 gr < !--color-->

jeffe

Thanks for the info, Jeffe. How does 135 gr compare to the 416 Rigby? Should be pretty close to the same, I think.

just checked QL on the rigby.. and then cross checked with the weatherby.... i THINK it's wrong, but here's what QL says
127gr h20 rigby
140 weatherby...

jeffe

I would have thought they were closer than that but that's just an impression. Either way it means the 500/416 can hold it's own with either. If I ever get the danged thing finished we'll have to shoot it and see. It and the 505. I think my 550 will be last in place.

Depends on the single shot action you use...I would use a Ruger No.1 and go with Saeeds 404-375 or a 375 Dakota if I had to have a hot wildcat, I have seen its use on Cape Buffalo and its a good one...On the other hand I would simply buy myself a 375, 416 Rem or Rigby in a Ruger No.1 and let it go at that...I see little advantage is souping up a 375, better to go to a bigger bore...

I agree. Just ruminating about the options. The action I'm working with is for rimmed only and I'm perfectly happy with the 400 gr/2400 fps that the 500/416 delivers. But to each his own.