Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Doctari endorses the .450/400 and so do I

"I have just returned from a hunt in the Zambezi Valley where one of our hunting party used, to good effect, a Heym double chambered for .450/400 NE. To be honest, I was highly impressed with its performance on a big bull elephant with 400-grain North Fork flat nosed solids (at 2,200 fps). If you are new to double or heavily recoiling large-caliber rifles, this would most certainly be an option to consider as this mild-mannered but highly effective cartridge is a lot more pleasant to shoot than any .458." - Kevin - Doctari - Robertson

Read this in this months Sports Afield online. There are actually several good reads in it.

My experience with the .450/400 is the same. For a NE cartridge, it is mild-mannered and high effective. I took elephant with shoulder shots and 400 grn Woodleigh solids, and a number of buffalo with 400 grn solids and soft points and have never been left wanting. Ponodoro Taylor sang its praises, and so does anyone who uses it. A PH might opt for something bigger as a stopper, but like ondoro Taylor, the only thing I'd want beyond a fine balanced double in .450/400 is another!

Boddington also calls it "the" perfect caliber for buffalo.

I've never shot one....guess I'll have to give it a try. I'm used to 500 and 577 doubles....might be a pleasant surprise :-)

There is MUCH less recoil than from your field artillery. I have .470 #2 NE and that packs a punch from both ends. The .450/400 is pleasant by comparison. If you've doubles in .500 and .577, life's been good to you so far!

How does the recoil stack against a 375? Significantly greater?

Eric

Not much difference. I've never shot a .375 double but many .375 bolt actions. How can I describe the difference for me? I'd say the .450/400 is a slower, heavier push while the .375 is a quicker jab. The .450/400 in a double more or less "moves" you out of the way. In real life, not enough difference to matter. Move up to anything I've shot in the .450-.470 range, and there is a difference in felt recoil. 500 grains is noticeable.

hatari, I even has a 600 NE Verney Carron double! Your are right about recoil....the NE calibers in 450, 470, 500 and up are more of a big push than a jab. Even with the 577 and 600, at about 1,950-2,100 fps, you put your weight on your front foot, hold the rifle firmly, and let it rock you back on you rear leg. I'm a believer that recoil velocity rather than recoil energy is what causes the impression of fierce recoil. I'd much rather shoot my 577 than a 340 Weatherby.

^^^ This ^^^ has been my experience as well. I'd much rather shoot my 450/400 double that either my 375 Ruger or 416 Ruger built on M70 actions.

Dude, how many doubles do you have? You are quickly moving up the "You Suck!" list.



I'm with you on that.

Right now I have none! I'm having a custom DR built by Baily Bradshaw; a falling block double with barrel sets in 500 NE and 450-400. Yes, I suck :-)

Thanks guys. I might have to add one of these to my list.

Eric

Wasn't the 404 Jeff designed to replicate the 450/400 performance in a bolt action?

Yes, but it can be significantly boosted (2300 fps) with a bolt action rifle.