Woodleigh or Hornady bullets for 450-400 3" double?

Longwalker

Longwalker

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I have posted previously about my new Merkel 140 in 450-400. I am just beginning to get used to this rifle, and have some questions for the more experienced members on here. It is regulated with the only available commercial load, the Hornady 400 grain DGS and DGX. I have read several reports about the old steel jacket Hornady DGX bullets not performing very well in tough game, shedding cores and such. Hornady recently responded by producing a new version of the DGX that is bonded. I have not read enough reports about the DG solid to have any opinion about its reliability on dangerous game.

I will be hunting Namibia in Sept 2019 for Elephant and Buffalo. I like the simplicity of just using factory loads in my double, instead of working up hand loads and all that fussing with finding a load that regulates. But I'll handload if there is a good reason to.

There are few choices of good bullets for the 450-400 here in Canada, but I do have access to Woodleigh bullets. I wonder about using monolithic solids like the Woodleigh Hydrostatically stabilized in a double, ( could shooting them produce damaging pressures?) and also wonder about which diameter of their steel jacket solid is appropriate in this rifle. I can buy Woodliegh Weldcore 400 grain .410" softs If I choose to use them.

So, what do you advise - stick with the new version DG Hornady or ...?
 
I would try a box of Hydros. If they regulate that is what I would use for everthing but Lion. Sometime in the next few months I will try the W. Hydros on lion, but I will have a soft in the left bbl. In case
 
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@Longwalker it is well documented here that I used Hornady DGS 400 grain round on my elephant Hunt in 2015. Bottom photo note the blood bubble just in front of my bull’s ear. He was dead when he hit the ground.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Tokoloshe Safaris said:
I would try a box of Hydros. If they regulate that is what I would use for everthing but Lion. Sometime in the next few months I will try the W. Hydros on lion, but I will have a soft in the left bbl. In case
Click to expand...

We’ve tested Hydros in various cartridges from small to large and have found them to be wonderful for buffalo but not as effective as a Woodleigh soft for pigs (including warthogs). They still work, of course, but typically require a bit of quick follow-up shooting.
 
Go Woodleigh for proven reliability.
 
Based on what you can get in Canada I would go with the woodleigh.

If you decide to load for them I can give you a starting point for 400 gr swift A-frames or Northfork solids if you can get them.
 
Between the options given, Woodleighs by a long margin.
 
I would go with Woodleigh Hydros too, its reccomended that you use a grain or two less powder for similar pressure as your regulated soft, the design of the hydro is such that pressure increase is not that great.
Geoff Mcdonald is quite approachable you should get in touch with him.
If you do load some up obviously work up, use a chronograph and look for pressure signs.
 
If the rifle is regulated for the Hornady load and shoots it well, I'd stick with that option. The solid will perform just fine.
 
I have the same gun. I use woodleigh. My gun loves to collect copper from the bullets and is a real treat to clean. It is my first double and from what I read some guys don’t really think it’s a huge deal to have a double that copper fouls easily. I have had great results with the woodleigh. I recovered this one from my sable.
390BDD83-0FEE-49F3-A577-C6DBA8673171.jpeg
 
Being a traditionalist I will pass on the Hydros.
I also don't use new-fangled bullets with stupid names gather attention.
I use Hornady in my .450-400 to practice shoot as well as cast bullets and the 75% rule.
I use Woodleighs in all of my doubles for hunting and have a life time supply.
I am importing a .450-400 from Africa and it should be here soon. I will have two!!
The best balanced caliber for all hunting.
Cal
 
Finally, some responses that actually answer the question (Hornady VS Woodleigh), rather suggesting their favorite bullet. Is the English language so difficult to learn?

Plus one (+1) on Cal using the less expensive Hornady for working up loads and for practice and Woodies for hunting. And I did it this way before I read his book! ;)
 
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