Rifle · CIP

.465 H&H Magnum

.465 Holland & Holland Magnum.465 H&H

Holland & Holland's answer to the British colonial ban on .450-caliber rifles.

Caliber
0.4681″ · 11.89 mm
Introduced
1907
Case
Rimmed
Parent
.460 Weatherby Magnum
Primary use
Hunting
Status
Limited
Velocity2,150–2,175 fps
Energy4,926–5,037 ft·lb
Typical grains480 gr
Identity
Introduced
1907
Type
Rifle
Origin
United Kingdom
Inventor
Holland & Holland
Manufacturer
Kynoch / Hornady
Standard
CIP
Status
Limited
Availability
Specialty
Build
Case capacity
130 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:14
Primer
Large Rifle
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
62,366 psi
Eff. range
100 yd
Max range
300 yd
Recoil
70–95 ft·lb

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
100 yd · zero0″−73″73″ drop @ 500 yd0250500Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
By real loads
2,150–2,150 fps · 18 loads

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

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady DGS FMJ Solid480 gr · FMJ Solid · 2,150 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .465 H&H Magnum 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
Measuremmin
Bullet ⌀11.890.468
Neck ⌀12.550.494
Shoulder ⌀13.500.531
Shoulder angle
Base ⌀14.780.582
Rim ⌀14.710.579
Belt ⌀15.330.604
Rim thickness1.600.063
Neck length14.570.574
Case length73.502.894
Overall length90.003.543

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. .465 H&H Magnum is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 18 active loads across 12 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 19 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
HornadyDGS FMJ Solid480FMJ Solid2,1504,926
WoodleighHeavy Grade480FMJ-BT2,1504,926
RWSSafari480SP2,1504,926
FederalTrophy Bonded Bear Claw480Trophy Bonded Bear Claw2,1504,926
KynochSafari480SP2,1504,926
A-SquareDead Tough SP480Dead Tough SP2,1504,926
GrafFMJ Standard480Soft Point2,1504,926
Sellier & BellotSP480Soft Point2,1504,926
KynochFMJ Solid480FMJ Solid2,1504,926
NormaAfrica PH480Soft Point2,1504,926
Buffalo ArmsCustom SP480Soft Point2,1504,926
RWSClassic480Soft Point2,1504,926
FederalTrophy Bonded480TBT2,1504,926
NormaAfrican PH480SP2,1504,926
BertramCustom480Soft Point2,1504,926

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

Suitable powders

1 reloading powder listed for .465 H&H Magnum, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

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 .465 H&H Magnum

1 model in the database chamber .465 H&H Magnum. Browse all →

Holland & Holland Royal Double Rifle .465 H&H

Lineage

Immediate parent
Family TreeOpen .465 H&H Magnum in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

History

When the British government banned .450-caliber rifles in India and Sudan in 1907, Holland & Holland — whose reputation rested partly on the .450 NE — needed an immediate replacement. The .465 H&H Magnum was the result: same bullet weight, same velocity, same energy, different bore diameter. The difference from the .450 NE is so minor that professional hunters who used both reported no practical distinction in the field. The .465 became one of H&H's most prestigious chamberings, appearing in their finest Royal double rifles. It was used extensively in the golden age of African safari hunting in the 1920s–1950s. Kynoch and Hornady still produce ammunition; H&H still chambers rifles in .465.

FAQs

What twist rate does .465 H&H Magnum use?
.465 H&H Magnum typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .465 H&H Magnum?
.465 H&H Magnum uses a 0.4681″ (11.89 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .465 H&H Magnum still in production?
.465 H&H Magnum is limited; typical availability is specialty.
What is .465 H&H Magnum used for?
.465 H&H Magnum is primarily used for hunting.
What is .465 H&H Magnum based on?
.465 H&H Magnum is derived from the .375 H&H Magnum case.
What are the best powders for .465 H&H Magnum?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .465 H&H Magnum include Reloader 25.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 18 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →