Has anyone any experience with the 400-360? The individual I spoke to has one for sale. He indicates that he is using 320 grain Hawks with 48 grains of RL-15. Would this an equivalent to the 9.3x74 (except for diameter)? I don't see it legal as to buff but maybe plains game and elk. Thanking you in advance,

Dutch

Held center but hit low.

Hey Mark (400 Nitro Express): Don't you have one of those bad boys?

Yeah, I've used one extensively. Dutch, what make is this rifle and what do the proof marks on the flats say? I can be of more help with that data.

There were four .400/.360 NEs. Two, the Fraser and Evans versions, are so rare that they don't merit discussion. The other two, the Westley Richards and Purdey versions, are both common. The cases of all four are identical, except for rim thickness. The .400/.360 Westley Richards used an .060" rim, 41 grains Cordite and a 314 grain .360" bullet at 1900 fps in a 28" barrel. The .400/.360 Purdey used an .050" rim, 40 grains Cordite and a 300 grain .367" bullet at 1950 fps in a 28" barrel. I've pulled bullets from several batches of old Kynoch in both calibers dating back into the '30s and the above bullet diameters were what were actually used.

Actual groove diameter of the guns is another matter altogether. I've never slugged a .400/.360 that was reasonably close to what it was supposed to be. SLUG THE BORES. You won't know what you have until you do.

The Purdey version is a snap to load for. Brass can be formed from RWS 9.3X74R without forming dies. Horneber makes good quality properly headstamped brass if you prefer. Bertram makes it also, but it doesn't work, so don't waste any money on it. Any off the rack conventional 9.3 bullet can be used, but may need to be sized down or bumped up depending on actual groove diameter. Custom diameter 300 grain softs can be ordered from Hawk.

The Westley is a bit of a pain. Cases can be formed from 9.3 as well, but the FL sizing die should be set to headspace it on the shoulder as the rim is too thin. The .360 bullet is a custom order but, again, slug the bores. A friend had a nice Westley chambered .400/.360 sent down on approval recently. The bores slugged .369" and it went back. That your guy is using the 320 grain Hawk makes me think this gun may be the Westley version. However, unless he ordered a custom diameter, that bullet is the wrong diameter for the Westley, unless the groove diameter in it is way oversize. BTW, 48 grains RL 15 with a 320 grain bullet in a .400/.360 is HOT. Be wary of it.

The .400/.360s and the .400/.350 Rigby are, for any practical purpose, identical. All five use the same case, with minor variations in bullet diameter, weight, and velocity. They're fine cartridges for ordinary game. Only on dangerous game does the 9.3X74R offer a usable edge. I use my Purdey chambered double more than any other rifle.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

400 NE
Thanks for the info. This gun is an I. Hollis hammer cordite. I will check on the flats for load info. This gentleman loads a .361 Hawk so I would assume that it is of the former and not the latter WR. I agree wholeheartedly that you gotta slug em. My Rigby 450-400 BPE is .406. The previous owner was shooting some brand of .408 jacketed. This gun weighs 11 1/2 lbs. I find that somewhat heavy for caliber. It's a pretty gun, though. The target that accompanied the gun shows 2 1/2 groups at 50 yards. I'm in agreement, that load sounds hot to me also. Think I'll stick to my option for the 450-400 3 inch. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Dutch.

Just sittin' in the gutter sluggin' rats, Ma.

I've had my 400/360 for over a year now. 400 Nitro helped me look at several before deciding to buy mine. It shoots the Purdey round and the bores miked .3645.

I just got it back from JJ who refinished the wood, the metal, installed a leather pad and re-regulated it for 55.5 grs of IMR 4350 and the Woodleigh 286 soft at 1975 fps. It will put the right and left next to one another at 50 yds.

I knew it was a shooter because individual barrel groups were almost in the same hole but it would only regulate with 250 Nosler BT. After the Ballistic Tip came apart on a 225lb hog I decided to have JJ reregulate it for the Woodleigh.

It's fast becoming my favorite double.

I did notice a 400/360 on GA, not sure if it's any good.

So, he's using a custom .361" 320 grain Hawk. Sounds like the Westley version for sure. It should say "Cordite 41 - 314 MAX" on the flats. Ponderous weight for a .400/.360. Mine is 8lbs, 14 oz.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."