Theodore Roosevelt's African safari cartridge. He called it 'medicine' for lion. Winchester chambered the Model 1895 for it and Roosevelt took it to Africa in 1909.
Type: Rifle
Introduced: 1904, United States
Parent case: None
Standardization: SAAMI
Bullet diameter: 0.412" (10.46 mm)
Case length: 2.583" (65.61 mm)
Overall length: 3.178" (80.72 mm)
Max pressure: 42,000 PSI
Rim type: Rimmed
Primer: Large Rifle
Typical twist rate: 1:14
Muzzle velocity: 2100–2250 fps
Muzzle energy: 2940–3372 ft-lbs
Effective range: 300 yd
Common bullet weights: 300 gr
Primary use: Big Game, Dangerous Game
Production status: Active
Also known as: .405 Win
History: Introduced by Winchester in 1904 for the Model 1895 box magazine lever action. Roosevelt used it exclusively on his 1909 African safari, killing lion, elephant, rhino, hippo, and water buffalo. His writings about the cartridge made it internationally famous. Declined after the 1920s as bolt-action magnums offered better options.
Notable firearms: Winchester Model 1895
Similar cartridges: .416 Remington Magnum, .375 H&H Magnum