Do most of you guys with a 450/400 have 24 or 26 inch barrels. Also post the velocities you are getting with your rifle.

My 450/400 3 1/4" has 26 inch barrels.

The loads I have used on game with the 400gr bullets have been with 81gr of IMR 4831.
400gr X bullets [use in a double rifle at your own risk] gave 2095fps.
This load hammered a very big cape buff my wife shot in Zim, one shot kill.

My double shot good with 81 and 83 gr of IMR 4831 with 400gr Woodliegh Softs.
83 gr did 2215fps, but I used 81 as it shot just as good and would be easier on the gun.
Do not have chrono info for 81 grains.

81 gr load with softs took cape buff and lion, and some plains game as well, 2 caribou in Alaska and a black bear in Montana also.

Used 81 gr with Woodleigh solids as well, took bull elephant no problem.


Have recently switched to RL 15 in the 400.
71.5gr gave the following velocities,
400gr Woodleigh Soft. 2167fps.
400gr woodleigh Solid 2149fps.

I have since discovered my rifle likes 72gr of RL 15 better, have not chronoed that load yet.

Butch advised me his 450/400 Double rifles will only be made with 26" barrels.
I'm sure he would bend this rule if necessary but why would you argue with that?

Get 26 inch barrels. When you have a choice, that is the only choice to make. It is the one you will never regret!

My Jeffery 450/400 3" has 24" barrels and gets 2010 with 68grs of R-15, my Manton 450/400 3" has 26" barrels and gets 2050.

Overall I prefer 26", it just feels better to me. Buy after my last range session with the Jeffery, it's a keeper

My rifle, described below my name, has

28 inch bbls. While I was awaiting it's

arrival I had some concern that it

would feel "ungainly" in my hands, as

I shouldered it and swung it, etc. It

turns out my "fears" were baseless. I
am very happy to report that.

I am 6'1.5" tall and maybe that makes

a difference as compared to what a

shooter 5'8" might "feel", I certainly

can't speak for the next guy.

My 400 also has 24" barrels and it balances and swings just fine for me. I think it is kind of like weight, some doubles are "Too Heavy" for their caliber, but feel just fine and handle well. If I had a choice, I would have longer barrels just for the velocity advantage they give, But, I would never trade handling for velocity. There is no magic combination that works for everyone, and why trying out a double with return priveledges is so important.