Hi all,

Had a chat with my gunsmith about a falling block 450/400 he will be building for me. He recomended a rifle weight of 10 lbs (excluding scope) saying it would make for a comfortable shooting piece. I have no arguments with that but Im not sure I want to lug over 10 lbs of rifle and scope through the bush when hunting.

So what do you say is a sensible compromise in rifle weight for toting while hunting and soaking up recoil when shooting at the range?

For a 450/400 I would want around 8 pounds.

my .404 jeffery comes in at right around 8&1/4lbs and recoil is very manageable.

I agree with what the others have said. Can you give us more details on the rifle....pictures if possible?

Thanks for the replies guys! I was thinking of a weight somewhere bewteen 8-9 lbs so this falls in line with what you gents are telling me.

Degoins the rifle is being made by a South African gunsmith. Its going to be based on a Ruger type falling block action...but I'll save the full details and pics when its completed. Its my first custom and Im champing at the bit to get it done!!

Great stuff!!! Can't wait to see it!!!

With a single shot I would want the weight of a 450/400, with scope to weigh between 9 3/4 to 10 lbs.

400 gr bullets at @2150 to 2200fps is all you need.

For lighter game 300gr bullets at @2330fps work great.

Not one ounce over 9LB. I had a 10Lb 1 Oz. 450/400. Shot great. Only reason I sold it was weight.

Just to concur; I have both a Krieghoff 400 and a Ruger #1 also. the K is so heavy that it is like shooting a .22. almost. The Ruger is about 9 # with scope and it is very comfortable to shoot too and a lot easier to carry.

I think your gunsmith is just about right on the money. Especially if you will be handloading for it. I have two Ruger No. 1s in .450/.400 right now and wouldn't want one at less than 9.5 pounds. 9.75 pounds would be even better IMO.

You guys have convinced me that I don't want to buy a No 1 in 450/400. I'm not carrying that much rifle around. I think I'll get a 9.3X74R.

If you are speaking of one of the 9.3x74R rifles Ruger has put out in the No.1, then I humbly suggest you weigh it before you lay your money down at the counter.

I have both the 9.3x74R and the two .450/.400s in No.1 rifles. As far as I can see without measuring barrel diameters and that sort of thing, they appear to be essentially the same rifle except the 9.3x74R has a slightly smaller hole in the barrel.

That would make it even heavier than the .450/.400 if the exterior dimensions are the same (as mine appear to be).

I still think any man who is in good enough condition to hunt in any way except from a stand, should be able to carry a rifle which is AT LEAST 5% of his own body weight, all day, without noticeable strain.

I'm not saying he should have to carry a heavy rifle, but I AM saying that not being in good enough condition to carry that much shouldn't be allowed to determine which rifle he uses. Better he should get into shape so he can carry any rifle he likes, with pleasure.

After some shooting with my wife's 10lbs 500NE on a No1 I would think that 8lbs without scope would be perfect. Her 416 Rigby at 11lbs is a baby to shoot, she easily does 18 rounds at the BASA competitions.
Who is the gunsmith building it for you?

I just noticed last night that the newest Jeffery .450/.400 DR featured in the 2013 Gun Digest weighs 10-1/2 pounds.

It could have been made lighter but both the company and the person who placed the order agreed on that weight (it was the company's recommendation which convinced the purchaser). His having shot it a lot now, he loves it. Since he only fires one barrel at a time, presumably he would also like the same weight in an equally well-balanced and finely made single shot.

Interesting info Alberta, thanks for posting. I think though Im going to stick to a weight around 9 lbs. CptCurl's original 450/400 3 1/4" Farq weighs 8 1/2 lbs and the new Rugers are about the same without scope and everyone Ive asked with these weight rifles has commented on the reasonable recoil levels. So i think 9 lbs is in the ball park. Also Im having the stock made up with minimal drop in the comb and will have a Pachmayr Declerator pad fitted. No doubt making it heavier will make for a more comfortable shooting piece no argument there, Im just looking for the best compromise.

Balule the rifle will be built by Ralph Badenhorst.

No sweat - It is your gun, and I think you'll enjoy it. they ARE excellent rifles.

I am selling both of the .450/.400s I have just because of health issues which will apparently keep me from shooting them (and maybe anything else). One, which I like very much is still new in the box and has much better than average wood. The other came with factory wood which looks almost like one of the Luxus stocked Turkish walnut ones. It has been shot some but still looks very, very nice exept I don't like the appearance of the Kick-Ease pad wich was added to it.

Anyway, I think you'll like the cartridge and the rifle. You can always add weight to it if the recoil is more than you find enjoyable.

Sorry to hear you may have to give up shooting Alberta, I really hope that wont turn out to be permanent!

Yep Im looking forward to playing with the 450/400 there are quite a few options and its looking like a pretty versatile cartridge. Fun and games ahead

Well I spoke too soon about not buying a No 1 in 450/400. Now I must eat my words since mine is being delivered tomorrow. When I heard that the No 1 is discontinued I knew that I had to act quickly. None of the five big distributors I buy from had any in stock. I got one from Zanders finally. They had one left if anyone wants one.