A Potent Oldie: .450-400 NE 3"

by
posted on October 8, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ammo2015_fs.jpg

Using the recipe below, the .450-400 NE 3" is capable of taking all game animals with the exception of elephant; a homogeneous or full-metal-jacket projectile is preferable for that application. Additionally, the load virtually duplicates the velocities of the original cordite rounds, so point-of-impact shifts shouldn’t be a concern.

Loads_Hornady_DGX

Bullet: Hornady 400-gr. DGX
Propellant/Charge: Vihtavuori N165/86.5 grs.
Primer: Fed. 215
Case: Hornady
Case Trim-To Length: 2.980"
Cartridge Overall Length: 3.685"
Velocity @ 15’ (f.p.s.): 2108
Energy (ft.-lbs.): 3,947
Accuracy: 1.44"  
Uses: all game animals (except elephant)

Notes: Test rifle: 24"-barreled Ruger No. 1 topped with a 1.25-8X 32 mm Bushnell Elite 6500 riflescope; *for use in modern rifles with a 0.410" groove diameter; **firm roll crimp required; ***average of five consecutive, five-shot groups at 50 yds.

Latest

Marlin Mad Pig 1894 01
Marlin Mad Pig 1894 01

Marlin Goes Mad: The Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894

Marlin’s latest Model 1894 lever-action rifle, a collaboration with Mad Pigs Customs that is a far cry from traditional, delivers “modern, factory‑installed features previously found only on custom builds.”

I Have This Old Gun: The Southern Derringer

People carrying small firearms for personal protection is not a new concept, and in the middle of the 19th century, many pocket pistols were designed with self-defense in mind. One such gun, the Brown Manufacturing Southern Derringer, was among the earliest cartridge-firing self-defense guns.

Affordable & Feature-Rich: The Springfield Armory Echelon Alpha 4.0C

Springfield Armory entered the world of modular, striker-fired handguns in 2023 with its Echelon line of pistols, and for 2026, Springfield is introducing an entry-level Echelon model with the Alpha 4.0C.

5 New SBRs for 2026

It has never been easier for gun owners to buy and use short-barreled rifles, and for the occasion, we have five of the latest SBRs on the market right now.

Review: Military Armament Corporation MAC-5K

SDS Arms, under its Military Armament Corporation (MAC) brand, imports Turkish-made roller-delayed handguns of the H&K MP5 pattern called the MAC-5K.

8 New Revolvers for 2026

Despite the incredible array of polymer-frame, striker-fired, semi-automatic handguns on the market, the classic revolver not only refuses to die, it has seen something of a resurgence in recent years.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.