Lindcott Armory Compare / .450 Adams vs .450 Nitro Express
Cartridge comparison
.450 Adams vs .450 Nitro Express
.450 Nitro Express is faster (2,175 vs 750 fps); .450 Nitro Express carries more energy (5,038 vs 281 ft·lb); .450 Adams recoils less.
.450 Adams →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.450 Nitro Express →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .450 Adams | .450 Nitro Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Pistol | Rifle |
| Introduced | 1868 | 1898 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.45″ | 0.458″ |
| Case length | 0.54″ | 3.25″ |
| Velocity | 650–750 fps | 2,150–2,175 fps |
| Energy | 211–281 ft·lb | 4,926–5,038 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 11,000 psi | 44,237 psi |
| Recoil | 3–5 ft·lb | 70–95 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 25 yd | 100 yd |
FAQs
- Is .450 Adams faster than .450 Nitro Express?
- .450 Nitro Express is faster — up to 2,175 fps versus 750 fps.
- Does .450 Adams hit harder than .450 Nitro Express?
- .450 Nitro Express carries more muzzle energy (5,038 vs 281 ft·lb).