Does anyone have one or use use?

I had on back in the ages 50 years ago and made the mistake of selling it when I went double barrels for heavy stuff.

Thanks,

I assume you miss it because of its nostalgia value? It fired the same bullets as the .404 Jeffery from a somewhat smaller capacity case based on a blown out .375 H&H with the shoulder moved forward a bit and the shoulder angle steepened; introduced years after the Jeffery came to be. So, for practical purposes, or as a classic, why not pick up an older .404 Jeffery? They are relatively easy to find and are easily loaded to the same or higher ballistics. One of the standard loads for the .424 OKH was 75 grains of Dupont IMR 4064 which gave the 400 grain .424" Jeffery bullets 2,358 fps muzzle velocity.

BTW, Keith did not apparently originate either the OKH cartridges or "duplex" loading. Charlie O'Neil did both and even held the exclusive U.S patent on duplex loading until he sold a one-third interest in it to each of Elmer Keith and Don Hopkins to form the Duplex Cartridge Company after O'Neil had moved his shop from Minnesota to near Alberton, Montana.

Keith's role was reportedly not one of designing or developing the cartridges or ANY PART of their ignition system, but was the field testing of them on game, and a major part of the load development for them.

Take a look at the first chapter ("OKH Cartridges") of Bob Hagel's book, "Guns, Loads & Hunting Tips" for a brief but pretty good encapsulated history of those cartridges. Bob used to work a bit in O'Neil's shop in Montana. He also knew all of those involved, including some folks such as Ralph Avery, Joyce Hornady, and Vernon Speer who are often not credited with baving been part of the OKH series development.

There was also, incidentally, a .475 OKH, which was reportedly between the .505 Gibbs and the .500 Jeffery in kinetic energy.

AC

You make a lot of valid points in you post, especially for the average guy and especially if factory ammo is wanted. Making cases for the .OKH is a hassle.

Yes, remembering the old days is a factor. I am also thinking that the smaller case may work a little better with cast bullets.

Anyway, I've got a lifetime of brass made up to why the heck not. Can always set the barrel back and go .404 later or after I'm gone.

Thanks for your thoughts. I don't have Hagel's book, will try to find it.

African Hunter -

Don't misunderstand what I was trying to say...there is NO reason AT ALL that you shouldn't get or make another .424 OKH. It appears you are one of the guys who actually knew what he was doing with his. Many folks bought the sound of it as much as the reality, and didn't know what they were really up to and up against with it. They were just caught up in the "Keith" syndrome big time.

Would make a good "cast bullet magnum", and is not a shabby jacketed bullet cartridge either. Adequate for the Big Five in Africa, and what more could a guy need?

As long as a guy understands it is not "magic", which you seem to clearly comprehend, it could be fun to have...especially if one already has a .375H&H so always has some donor brass lying around.

The only "fly" in it is about $175 for a custom reamer to be used probably only once. A Jeffery reamer can probably be rented for a fraction of that.

So if it lifts your plane, go for it!