An RCM case should as well. Anything with '06 capacity should do it, albeit not with large case/low pressures of the 450/400, hence our use of slow (for bore/case size) powders in the Whelen.
Yes, the Whelen needs necked up to 416, re-sized and fireformed. The beauty is that 41 cal. pistol bullets do this economically.
Close to 400 rounds already, no headspace problems. We even tried making it fail by firing with straight cylindrical cases. Not even a hitch. It is a highly unsung round.
3sixbits, Have you any sources that have had headspace issues? I have heard this too but have never even had any trouble whatsoever, nor have I heard of documentated cases.
Ken Howell here has stated that it was never an issue and he himself developed a rifle cartridge that headspaced off of the mouth.
Most 400 Whelen dies are designed in such fashion that the shoulder cannot be pushed back.
This is a long read on the history of the ctg in question and I hope you have both the time and inclination to read it. It is well written by Alaska's own,MICHAEL PETROV the link is
HERE I feel that Michael has really covered the topic quite well. No I do not think Ken Howell is wrong, I have at least three of his design reamers in the drawer. Ken and I have had this conversation before, often before he left Prescott. My objection is not with any of this head space issues at all. I just need to chamber this barrel to a rifle that has a strong chance of selling, I don't need or really care for any rifle that I don't already own. As stated above it is really hard to sell a wildcatted rifle, I don't care what it is, they are just tough to sell. The .416 Ruger is new, it has factory ammo, brass, factory non-custom dies, that I don't have to buy and try to pedal the rifle. That means the rifle will sell. I have a good idea what sells and what does not sale at these gun shows here. Even the cheapest B&C stock and a SS barrel with a brake and big caliber is going to sell with CRF.
For me this whole thing stared with me ordering to light of a barrel contour, and a huge number of actions that will fit this project and maybe, just maybe, let me cash out on this thing?
