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

W3645 AFF 8419+
W3645 AFF 8419+

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 7, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Gun of the Week: Zev Technologies x Magpul FDP-C

One of the most anticipated firearm releases of 2026 was the Zev Technologies FDP, a folding pistol-caliber design that the company produced in conjunction with Magpul Industries.

Review: Taurus 22TUC

Taurus USA's 22TUC is a little, polymer-framed .22 pocket pistol with a tip-up barrel design that, unlike many of the company's guns, is made entirely in the United States.

Korea Coast Guard Increases KelTec KSG Tactical Shotgun Inventory

KelTec recently announced that the Korea Coast Guard has ordered more KSG shotguns to join those already in service aboard the branch's patrol vessel fleet.

Rifleman Review: Mossberg 990 Aftershock

In 2025, Mossberg added to the non-NFA, shotshell-firing firearm category with its 990 Aftershock, which uses a semi-automatic operating mechanism while still maintaining a compact form factor.

Next-Gen Micro Red-Dot: The Steiner MPS 2.0

Steiner Optics has introduced the next-generation version of its Micro Pistol Sight, a red-dot optic that first hit the market in 2021.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.