Rifle · CIP · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardizedObsolete
.400 Purdey 3"
.400 Purdey 3" is a rimmed straight-walled rifle cartridge of United Kingdom origin.
- Caliber
- 0.4051″ · 10.29 mm
- Introduced
- 1905
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1905
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- James Purdey & Sons
- Manufacturer
- James Purdey & Sons
- Standard
- CIP · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Collector
- Case capacity
- 95.8 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:15.0
- Primer
- Large Rifle Magnum
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 34,809 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 250 yd
- Max range
- 1250 yd
- Recoil
- 22.4 ft·lb
Introduced by James Purdey & Sons
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .400 Purdey 3", so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
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 · secondary source| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 10.29 | 0.405 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 10.85 | 0.427 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 11.99 | 0.472 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 13.26 | 0.522 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.32 | 0.052 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 76.20 | 3.000 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 91.44 | 3.600 | ✓ |
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 Purdey 3" is highlighted below.
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
Connected reference
History
Introduced around 1905 by James Purdey & Sons.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .400 Purdey 3" use?
- .400 Purdey 3" typically uses a 1:15.0 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .400 Purdey 3"?
- .400 Purdey 3" uses a 0.4051″ (10.29 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .400 Purdey 3" still in production?
- .400 Purdey 3" is obsolete; typical availability is collector.
- What is .400 Purdey 3" used for?
- .400 Purdey 3" is primarily used for hunting.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
