450-400

[pastorp]

Greetings all, Anyone know anything about the ruger #1 rifles chambered in 450/400 cartridge? Actually I'm asking about the round not the rifle. I know it's a british round but nothing else. Any help appreciated. Regards,

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Looked up the 450-400 in my book Cart. Of the World. They listed 3 different ones. I think the Ruger is for the Jeffery NE. It was brought out in 1902 and loaded exclusively with Cordite. It uses a 400 grain bullet. Taylor killed about 1500 buffalo with this caliber and Elmer said it would be his first choice for brown bear in thick cover. This is all from Cart. of the World. Hope it helps.

[Lone Star]

While there is a lot of great info available from this board, when I have a question like this I go first to Google:

http://www.cybertorpedo.com/africanhunter/classcart/450_400_nitro_express_01.htm
http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=483
http://www.gunsandhunting.com/Hornady.html
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:.450/400_Nitro_Express
http://www.familyfriendsfirearms.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-75629.html
http://benchrest.netfirms.com/Big%20Game%20Cartridges.htm
http://www.pmulcahy.com/ammunition/heavy-caliber_small_arms_rounds.htm




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[Big Bore]

This is one fine caliber.And many game been put down with this excellent cartridge.It fires a .410 400gr at 2050.Penetration is outstanding and for sure a classic.

If it was not so difficult to obtain a firearm license in South Africa, I would have bought a Ruger No.1 chambered for the .450/400.I'm like a little boy about this combination.Will top it with a Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20mm and it would be one sweet rifle to shoot.

Also know as the.400 Jeffrey

[kombi1976]

I'm about to buy one of the Rugers myself.
I'd love to be able to afford a double in 450/400 but it's too much and the Ruger is a super strong action.
That means that, should a handloader feel brave (or silly!!) enough, there's more performance to be had from 450/400.
It could probably be loaded to give a better trajectory.
Mind you you'd need to do something about the recoil.......a Limbsaver pad at least.
On the other hand it can be loaded with 41 cal pistol bullets, like the Sierra 210gr JHC, and a friend of mine has had a great deal of fun doing exactly this.
Cuts down on costs and allows practise with the rifle on targets and small and medium game.
Not exactly what the designers initially meant for this cartridge but a chance to use it on a regular basis with out needing shoulder surgery!
It would be good to some lighter, pointy pills come out for this calibre.....say a 300gr or 325gr spitzer or mag tip.
It could probably be pushed to almost 2400fps and favours Ruger No1s more than doubles as they don't have the fixed nature of barrel regulation.

[garyhan]

The .450-400 was widely regarded as one of the best all around African cartridges for everything, including the big five.  Craig Boddington recently wrote that he considers it absolutely perfect for Cape Buffalo.  My Ruger #1 .450/400 is topped by a Leupold 2 1/2x scope and is absolutely one of the most fun
rifles to shoot I own.  groups under 1 1/2"" at 100yds every time.  I put a lip on limbsaver over the factory pad and recoil is just a big friendly push.

gary

[kombi1976]

At 100yds 1.5" is big enough for a rabbit let alone a buff.
I'm just waiting for my No1 now.
Goodness knows when Ruger will do another production run of the 450/400.
Meanwhile I'll be patient and hope.
The only other big bore that even tweaked my fancy was the Steyr Prohunter Big Bore in 450 Marlin and they're a good $1000 more in Aussie dollars.
Send in your orders, folks, and that way we'll all get a '400 sooner!