450/400 NE 3" for Elephant

Longfeather1 · Sep 28, 2026

I've never had the opportunity to hunt elephant with my K-gun 450/400 but have shot buffalo with it (see my avatar pic). Used CEB 400 grains solids which regulated well with the Swifts soft points I was using. They, CEBs, worked great on Buffalo. Most likely would work great on elephant too.

SStomcat · Sep 28, 2026

Longfeather1 said:
I've never had the opportunity to hunt elephant with my K-gun 450/400 but have shot buffalo with it (see my avatar pic). Used CEB 400 grains solids which regulated well with the Swifts soft points I was using. They, CEBs, worked great on Buffalo. Most likely would work great on elephant too.

Nice, not questioning but it looks like a sidelock, though the picture in your avatar is not very clear. Which model of the K gun is it?

Longfeather1 · Sep 28, 2026

It's not a sidelock, it's just the standard Classic Big 5 model. I bought it way back in 2008. I think the way the sun was shining when the pic was taken makes it look like a sidelock.

Russ16 · Sep 28, 2026

I should add a good friend of mine stopped a charge by a bill at 7 yards with his 450/400.

Longfeather1 · Sep 28, 2026

Several PHs I've talked to about hunting elephant have said the 450/400 is plenty enough gun. Keep in mind you'll most likely be inside of 20 yards when you take a shot. Plenty of horsepower at that range.

Rare Breed · Sep 28, 2026

Aussie_Hunter said:
I have been searching the forum and can't seem to find anything specific on the 450/400 for elephant, it's probably on here somewhere I just can't find it?

I'm considering an elephant hunt for 2027, if I end up doing the hunt I really want to use my double in 450/400 NE 3". I know mostly what I see and hear is the 450/400 is capable for elephant. But I'd really like to hear from people that have used the 450/400 on elephant and what their thoughts are, ammo used etc.

My 450/400 regulates well at 2090-2100fps with Woodleigh softs, haven't worked up a load with solids just yet but when I do it will be with Hornady 400 grain DGS. I would also like to hear thoughts on this load as I'm pretty sure regulation with the DGS bullets will be simialr velocity to the load I have already worked up for softs.

Any thoughts, input is appreciated.

Let me assure you the 450-400 NE will work on elephant so do not worry...now to be clear, this caliber is in no way a stopping caliber!!! You will need to have your PH backing you up with a true stopping caliber. However, a 375 is not a stopping caliber on elephant either, but it kills a multitude of elephants every year.

SStomcat · Sep 28, 2026

A reputed Elephant PH I met at HSC hunts with a 375HH, says shot placement and the deep penetration is of great advantage.

kpoynter · Sep 28, 2026

Rare Breed said:
Let me assure you the 450-400 NE will work on elephant so do not worry...now to be clear, this caliber is in no way a stopping caliber!!! You will need to have your PH backing you up with a true stopping caliber. However, a 375 is not a stopping caliber on elephant either, but it kills a multitude of elephants every year.

Hit em in the brain and it is lol….
That’s, of course, normal traditional advice. I’ve always thought that stuff a bit odd though
1) it assumes either a bad first shot and a subsequent charge….or a unprovoked charge
2) it then assumes a potentially bad shot or second shot that also doesn’t kill but “rocks” the animal more

To your point, as a client, don’t think about that as your logic (now again I originally planned on a .470 but that also wouldn’t be considered a stopper)
Your PH is always responsible for that….
Last year I did fire right over the top of a bulls head to stop a mock charge…(it was on TV and YouTube)…quite fun.
I had zero worries about it and feel quite confident with that .450/.400 in my grip

SStomcat · Sep 28, 2026

kpoynter said:
To your point, as a client, don’t think about that as your logic (now again I originally planned on a .470 but that also wouldn’t be considered a stopper)

Beg your pardon, but where did you surmise that? The .470 with any quality solid is the quintessential stopper.
Now, a misplaced shot from a .577 or a .600 wouldn’t stop a charging bull either.

kpoynter · Sep 28, 2026

SStomcat said:
Beg your pardon, but where did you surmise that? The .470 with any quality solid is the quintessential stopper.
Now, a misplaced shot from a .577 or a .600 wouldn’t stop a charging bull either.

I don’t disagree. I don’t like the subjective premise or the entire notion
I would say that when people talk about “stoppers” they for sure are talking .500 and above
They are talking a MINIMUM of .500NE, .458 Lott…505 whatever. You won’t see someone typically discuss a .470 NE in this same breath
My point is the same as yours… a good shot from a .450/400 a .470 or ANY of them stops any animal on Earth
The subjectivity and entire premise of a “stopper” is for either a non lethal shot knocking the animal “more silly” than a “lesser caliber” giving one more time for another shot….OR… such a caliber on a bad angle follow up shot where you have to try and penetrate the length of the body or something gives an advantage

SStomcat · Sep 28, 2026

kpoynter said:
I don’t disagree. I don’t like the subjective premise or the entire notion
I would say that when people talk about “stoppers” they for sure are talking .500 and above
They are talking a MINIMUM of .500NE, .458 Lott…505 whatever. You won’t see someone typically discuss a .470 NE in this same breath
My point is the same as yours… a good shot from a .450/400 a .470 or ANY of them stops any animal on Earth
The subjectivity and entire premise of a “stopper” is for either a non lethal shot knocking the animal “more silly” than a “lesser caliber” giving one more time for another shot….OR… such a caliber on a bad angle follow up shot where you have to try and penetrate the length of the body or something gives an advantage

I don’t disagree with the point; I just think the whole “stopper” label is a little subjective.
It seems the .500s and above have somehow been given an honorary membership in the “stopper” club, while the .470 NE is left standing at the door.

In practical terms, I’d say a well-placed shot from a 375 H&H,.450/400, .470, or any of the proper big bores will stop an animal just fine.
Where the larger calibers may offer an advantage is when the first shot isn't ideal perhaps buying a little more time after a poor hit, or giving you more penetration when a bad angle follow up requires the bullet to take the long way through. 375 will give you the farthest penetration BTW.
So perhaps “stopper” is less a precise caliber designation and more a description of the margin you have when things don't go quite according to plan.

Rare Breed · Sep 28, 2026

We have discussed this before. I believe the consensus was the lowest stopping caliber was the 450 NE then the 470 and 500’s were above that. Again you have a PH backing you for a reason. Any PH will tell you shoot the caliber where you can comfortably make the first shot count. If that is a 450-400 NE then rest easy on that

450/400 NE 3" for Elephant

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