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.

Rifle · CIP

.450/400 Nitro Express

.400/.450 NE.400 NE 3".450-400 NE

Classic African double-rifle cartridge widely considered the optimum caliber for dangerous game hunting.

Caliber: 0.4098″ · 10.41 mm
Introduced: 1900
Case: Rimmed
Primary use: Hunting
Status: Active

Velocity2,150–2,175 fps

Energy4,105–4,200 ft·lb

Typical grains400 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1900
Type: Rifle
Origin: United Kingdom
Inventor: John Rigby & Co.
Manufacturer: Kynoch, Norma, Hornady
Standard: CIP
Status: Active
Availability: Rare

Build

Case capacity: 100 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:16
Primer: Berdan Large Rifle
Case type: Rimmed

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 42,100 psi
Eff. range: 150 yd
Max range: 400 yd
Recoil: 20–30 ft·lb

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd

Open in Ballistic Compare ↗

By real loads: 2,050–2,150 fps · 11 loads
Parent case: —

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady Dangerous Game DGS FMJ400 gr · FMJ Solid · 2,150 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .450/400 Nitro Express ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

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 ⌀	11.15	0.439	✓
Shoulder ⌀	12.65	0.498	✓
Shoulder angle	5.6°	—	✓
Base ⌀	13.84	0.545	✓
Rim ⌀	15.85	0.624	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.07	0.042	✓
Neck length	24.13	0.950	≈
Case length	82.55	3.250	✓
Overall length	100.33	3.950	~

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

In production — 11 active loads across 6 brands. Top 12 shown.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Hornady	Dangerous Game DGS FMJ	400	FMJ Solid	2,150	4,105	—
OFB	Solid	400	FMJ Solid	2,150	4,105	—
Hornady	Dangerous Game	400	DGS	2,150	4,105	—
Norma	African PH	400	Woodleigh Solid	2,150	4,105	—
Federal	Cape-Shok	400	Trophy Bonded	2,150	4,105	—
Barnes	VOR-TX Safari	400	Banded Solid	2,150	4,105	—
Kynoch	Big Game / Nitro Express	400	Metal Covered Solid	2,150	4,105	—
Hornady	Dangerous Game	400	DGX Bonded	2,050	3,732	—
Norma	African PH	400	Bonded Soft Point	2,050	3,732	—
Barnes	VOR-TX Safari	400	TSX	2,050	3,732	—
Kynoch	Big Game / Nitro Express	400	Metal Covered Soft Nose	2,050	3,732	—
Kynoch	Soft Nose	400	Soft Nose	2,150	4,105	—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .450/400 Nitro Express

8 models in the database chamber .450/400 Nitro Express. Browse all →

Blaser S2 450-400 NERuger No.1 Tropical .375 H&H 24-inchHeym Express .450-400 NE 24-inchWestley Richards Droplock Double Rifle 375 H&HRuger No.1 .450/400 NE 24-inchRuger No.1 Limited Edition .450/400 NE 24-inchHolland & Holland Dominion Double Rifle 450/400 NEWestley Richards Farquharson 416 Rigby

Connected reference

Loads12 factory loads for .450/400 Nitro Express↗FirearmsFirearms in .450/400 Nitro Express↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

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.

Sources & provenance

StandardC.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers

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 →