Rifle · CIP · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardizedObsolete
.400/350 Nitro Express
Westley Richards' rimless nitro-express cartridge for large and dangerous game.
- Caliber
- 0.3559″ · 9.04 mm
- Introduced
- 1899
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .400 Purdey 3"
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1899
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- John Rigby & Company
- Manufacturer
- Kynoch / various
- Standard
- CIP · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 75 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:14
- Primer
- Boxer Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 40,611 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 5000 yd
- Recoil
- 32.3–34.7 ft·lb
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .400/350 Nitro Express — an obsolete/collector cartridge. Parent case: .400 Purdey 3".
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.04 | 0.356 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.73 | 0.383 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.64 | 0.419 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 6.8° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.96 | 0.471 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 13.46 | 0.530 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 | 0.050 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 12.70 | 0.500 | ≈ |
| Case length | 69.85 | 2.750 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 93.73 | 3.690 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .400/350 Nitro Express is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Lineage
History
Developed by W.J. Jeffery & Co. around 1905 for African dangerous game. The .400/350 Nitro Express fires a 350-grain bullet at ~1,900 fps, designed for use in double rifles. Popular in the early smokeless powder era for light dangerous game and antelope at moderate ranges.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .400/350 Nitro Express use?
- .400/350 Nitro Express typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .400/350 Nitro Express?
- .400/350 Nitro Express uses a 0.3559″ (9.04 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .400/350 Nitro Express still in production?
- .400/350 Nitro Express is obsolete; typical availability is antique.
- What is .400/350 Nitro Express used for?
- .400/350 Nitro Express is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .400/350 Nitro Express based on?
- .400/350 Nitro Express is derived from the .400 Purdey 3" case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 17 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
