Rifle · CIP
.450/400 Nitro Express
Classic African double-rifle cartridge widely considered the optimum caliber for dangerous game hunting.
- Caliber
- 0.4098″ · 10.41 mm
- Introduced
- 1896
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .450/400 3" Black Powder Express
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1896
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- W.J. Jeffery & Co.
- Manufacturer
- Kynoch, Norma, Hornady
- Standard
- CIP
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 118 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Berdan Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 40,611 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 150 yd
- Max range
- 5050 yd
- Recoil
- 51.5–52.3 ft·lb
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .450/400 Nitro Express. Parent case: .450/400 3" Black Powder Express.
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 ⌀ | 10.41 | 0.410 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 11.20 | 0.441 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 13.21 | 0.520 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 15.04° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 13.92 | 0.548 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 15.85 | 0.624 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.65 | 0.065 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 17.20 | 0.677 | ≈ |
| Case length | 76.20 | 3.000 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 95.25 | 3.750 | ~ |
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. .450/400 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.
Firearms chambered in .450/400 Nitro Express
Lineage
case shortened to 3", neck moved forward, thicker rim (Jeffery)
History
Developed around 1900 by John Rigby & Co., the .450/400 NE 3" became one of the most respected African dangerous game cartridges of the early 20th century. W.D.M. Bell rated it highly for buffalo and lion. Hornady revived commercial production in the 2000s after Kynoch ammunition became scarce. Professional hunters (PHs) in Africa still chamber doubles for .450/400 NE for its manageable recoil compared to larger calibers while retaining genuine dangerous-game stopping capability.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .450/400 Nitro Express use?
- .450/400 Nitro Express typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .450/400 Nitro Express?
- .450/400 Nitro Express uses a 0.4098″ (10.41 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .450/400 Nitro Express still in production?
- .450/400 Nitro Express is active; typical availability is rare.
- What is .450/400 Nitro Express used for?
- .450/400 Nitro Express is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .450/400 Nitro Express based on?
- .450/400 Nitro Express is derived from the .450/400 3" Black Powder Express case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 11 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
