Tell us about the 450No2.
Loads, the rounds and its performance est.

My Lang was made in 1904 as a very deluxe double. I've taken grizzly, buffalo, giraffe with it. due to the low pressure of the cartridge it is very light for its power at 10 pounds and a couple of ounces.
She was used by PH after he retired from the mikitary and then failed in hog farming in Kenya.
For nearly 20 years I've loaded 105 grains of IMR 4831 for Woodleigh or Hornady softs and 102 grains for solids.
Cal

Cal,
Please add the bullet weights for your loads.
Thanks

Cal, I know you are a dedicated double man, but I have often thought a properly stocked Ruger No. 1 with 26-inch barrel in .450 No. 2 would be just the nuts.

Charles, the Woodleigh manual shows 105 grains of H4831SC under the 480-grain Woodleigh giving 2060 out of a 24-inch barrel with Bertam brass and Federal 215.

crshelton:
500 grain hornady softs and solids and
480 grain Woodleigh softs and solids.

Bill:
Yes, I have heard tell of the No1 single shot being made into the 450 no2 round. I shoot basically the same loads as you listed.
Cheers, gents.
Cal

I've had the pleasure of doubling Cal's 450#2. Very gentle indeed!!

Main difference between 450 NE and 450 no 2 ?


Morten

quote:

Originally posted by The Norwegian:
Main difference between 450 NE and 450 no 2 ?


Morten

Ballistics are about the same. The larger case of the no2 round has much less pressure (which was more important in the old days of cordite when useed in very hot climates). Also, the thicker rim had more positive extraction or ejection. (again due to cordite use in the tropics).


cal

That was Nyshens caliber of choice. Believe his favorite is at the bottom of the Zambezi. Although in an interview with Buzz Charlton he brings up the 475#2 if he could go again. Mentions the low pressure.

FYI: from the 1925 Nobel Industries Limited Sporting Ammunition catalogue, data for the Kynoch loads for the 3 different .450 Nitros, with 480 gr. Metal-covered bullets (choice of solids, soft nosed, split, or Westley Richards capped).

.450 Nitro-Express: 70 gr. smokeless, 17.0 tons/sq.in., 2150 fps.

.500/.450 Magnum Nitro-Express: 75 gr. smokeless, 15.5 tons/sq.in., 2175 fps.

.450 No.2 Nitro-express: 80 gr. smokeless, 13.0 tons/sq.in, 2175 fps.

Cheers, Al

Not meaning to hijack but has anyone owned/used a 500/450 31/4” with that load? All I have seen have been the Tropical load, including my own.

I have a Holland & Holland Royal in 450No2 the rifle was built in 1906. Has a set of ivory front sights for night hunting. Cool rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike_TX:
I have a Holland & Holland Royal in 450No2 the rifle was built in 1906. Has a set of ivory front sights for night hunting. Cool rifle.

Is that the one originally slated to be a 500/450 and changed a the last moment? My Royal 500/450 was delivered early 1906 and so was the Raja’a 500 3 1/4” Royal Dlxe I used to
own. Beautiful rifles. They are only four apart serial number

Rocdoc,

I believe that is correct.

My rifle was finished at the factory on August 30, 1906. According to Holland & Holland's records it was originally to be built as a 500/450 3-1/4" NE. On the original build sheet it has a memo on June 12, 1906 that it was shot with Eley's No. 2 nitro cartridge with 80 grs cordite and a 480 grain bullet. The gun is so marked and proved accordingly. The gun was ordered by Fusils Guinard Armuriers in Paris. The gun is in excellent condition and still retains 75% of the original case colors, etc.

Thank you Mike_Tx. Sounds like a very nice rifle. Must be an orphan Royal for that chambering!

Interesting they chambered your Royal for the higher pressure (relative to the Tropical loaded 500/450) cartridge. Must have had confidence pressure wasn’t an issue. Or perhaps they felt the stouter case could handle pressure better in those days?

Do you know why it was ordered by the Armory?

Cheers, Chris

I do not know much more than that.

I purchased the rifle through Champlin’s about 10 years ago. George thought that World War I interrupted its intended purpose and it never saw India or Africa. He also said he has never seen another H&H Royal in .450no2.

It shoots well and I use the same loads as Cal 105grs IMR-4831 for softs and 102grs IMR-4831 for solids

Mike;

It sounds like a wonderful rifle, and in one of the best cartridges ever made.

Thanks to Bill and Cal for the ballistic data.

Now I better understand how my 450 grain .458 Kodiak FMJ at 2150 fps MV is very effective on cape buffalo. It is right up there with proven DG killers.

Not from my .45-70 double, but from my 1886 .45-90 !

quote:

Originally posted by tomahawker:
That was Nyshens caliber of choice. Believe his favorite is at the bottom of the Zambezi. Although in an interview with Buzz Charlton he brings up the 475#2 if he could go again. Mentions the low pressure.

Yes, I believe Ian Nyschens’first Double was a .450 No 2 that is still at the bottom of the Zambezi. He replaced it with a Rigby Boxlock .450 3 1/4” Nitro which I think he used mostly. Apparently the solder disengaged from the barrels from so much use.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike_TX:
I do not know much more than that.

I purchased the rifle through Champlin’s about 10 years ago. George thought that World War I interrupted its intended purpose and it never saw India or Africa. He also said he has never seen another H&H Royal in .450no2.

It shoots well and I use the same loads as Cal 105grs IMR-4831 for softs and 102grs IMR-4831 for solids

I’d love to see it!

I shoot a Champlin Famars in 450 # 2. If I remember correctly it was started in 1989 and completed in 1991. Articulated trigger and ejectors Gold inlaid rear sight and just dot the i in the express sight. Which is 120 degrees wide angle. I have shot Hornady solids, softs, woodleighs, barne's TSX, northfork cup points. All bullets went from 450 to 480 to 500gr Using RL-15 shooting 86,88, 89 grains of power and 5 grains of filler.
The harmonics in my gun are unique I shoot all the loads with the above charges and bullets and no tweeking required. Shot every thing from groundhogs to elephants with it. Even a black mamba.
Weight 11.25 pounds. Rock solid and all screws still it line from front to back.

Mike
Unfortunately I may have to sell it...

quote:

Originally posted by Colin Masters:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike_TX:
I do not know much more than that.

I purchased the rifle through Champlin’s about 10 years ago. George thought that World War I interrupted its intended purpose and it never saw India or Africa. He also said he has never seen another H&H Royal in .450no2.

It shoots well and I use the same loads as Cal 105grs IMR-4831 for softs and 102grs IMR-4831 for solids

I’d love to see it!

What is easiest way to post pictures these days?

Ask Biebs !


Morten

Retreever, Dont sell it!

Gentlemen:
Not to hijack the thread, but to add to it, how about posting pics of your .450 no2s here. It is an amazing cartridge, very impressive looking with a better look to it than the .475 no2.
Just a thought. Or, should s separate thread be started for pics?
Cal

Any pictures?
Mike, would love to see some of your FAMARS

Mike is going through a trying time,let us all keep him & his family in our thoughts & prayers.