.450/400 3" Nitro Express
Light-recoiling double-rifle round for buffalo and elephant; a professional hunter favorite.
Good for: Africa, Double rifle
A typical factory load is a 400 gr solid bullet at about 2,050 ft/s, with roughly 3,732 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle.
Typical load
400 grsolidMuzzle speed
2,050 ft/sMuzzle energy
3,732 ft-lbsTypical BC (G1)
≈ 0.32typical, varies by brandTwist rate
1:15Practical range
100 ydPoint-blank range
196 yd6" vital zoneRecommended platform
Double rifle, 10–11 lbMild for a dangerous-game roundOn the Big-Bore & Dangerous Game chart
Made for
Light-recoiling double-rifle round for buffalo and elephant; a professional hunter favorite.
Typical load
400 grsolid
Typical muzzle fps
2,050ft/s
Typical muzzle energy
3,732ft-lbs
Typical BC (G1)
≈ 0.32typical, varies by brand
Twist rate for typical load
1:15
Practical range
100 yd
MPBR
196 yd6" vital zone · Near zero 18 yd · Far zero 168 yd · Min PBR 0 yd · Max PBR 196 yd · Sight-in @100 2.99" high
Recommended platform
Double rifle, 10–11 lbMild for a dangerous-game round
Open the full Big-Bore & Dangerous Game chart →
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Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.