I have no experience with .458 400 gr solids. I think @michael458 has shot with positive results dangerous game with B&M cartridges and 400 gr .458 bullets.
Do you even think the 450 solid is needed for Hippo or Elephant over the 400 gr
The 400 CEB Safari Solid is a rather new addition to the #13 Family. I never used it in the field, but would have no issues doing so, especially back up for buffalo, and it will most definitely do the work required for elephant and hippo. With that said, if I were, (and I have) going specifically for elephant I would choose the 450 #13 Solid, I would have tremendous faith that if I needed a rear or severely angled shot, it would give a slight advantage over the 400s in that scenario. Now if you are brain shot, or side heart shot, yes the 400 will do the job, and in fact the even lighter 325 would do so as well.
Here is my favorites in .458 caliber....... the two lever solids far left, 325 and 400 for the lever guns... the Safari Solids in the middle, 325-400-450, and the B&M Banded 450 North Fork. I honestly never fired or tested a 500 gr #13 Solid, with the 450 there was just no need for a 500 in my opinion, and so far that has held true in all 458 caliber rifles.
I had the 400 #13s done in 2022, at the request of our good friend Ron. Early on when I did the 325 #13 Solid, primarily for the 458 Super Shorts, and keeping in mind years before the FN Barnes 330 that did very well too, I went with a .600 nose projection above the band. Nose projection is an important component, and the last factor discovered in terminal penetration of solids. Shorter nose projection means longer base, in the lever guns is required to function through the shorter actions. The magic bubble collapses on the base of the shorter nose projection bullet, causes drag, slowing bullet down and results in less depth of penetration. The longer nose projection solids, projectes the bubble beyond the shorter base, no drag on the bullet, deeper penetration. Both are still 100% stable, just the depth of penetration is effected.
Back to the point, I know the very first CEB #13s were 500 gr .500 caliber. This was early on in the development, and nose projection was only considered for fit and function in a particular action or cartridge. The first 500 gr .500 caliber prototype that was sent to CEB to duplicate, had a nose projection of .585 inches above the top band. For that matter, it still does today. That bullet will go end to end on elephant, and tests here for very deep penetration. So the bubble is collapsing beyond the base for sure. When I wanted the 325 for the super shorts, knowing the .585 worked fine, I requested a .600 nose projection. When I requested the 400s be done, I did the same, stuck in my head.......... Later Ron wanted a .700 nose projection, thinking maybe that gives some advantage in depth of penetration. The 450s have a .700 nose projection, selected by Dan at CEB in the early years, which has proven itself without doubt.
Soon as I received the 400 gr .600 Nose projection I conducted ONE TEST.......... I was expecting somewhere around 55-56 inches of depth in my test medium. I got 53 inches in the test. A little shorter than my prediction. To be perfectly up front, I question this test, I still think it should be 55 or so. I think maybe I had a little tougher mix than normal, or something...... That said, 53 inches is more than enough in my test medium to do anything you want to do under any normal scenario. As stated above, I think the 450 would give you an edge on rear end or severe angled shots on elephant, but under any normal conditions, the 400 or the 325 for that matter gets the job done, and actually has done so.
Then we made a move on the .700 Nose projection 400, and that is what is listed at CEB that you will get today. And yes, it is a dandy. Does it penetrate deeper than the .600 nose projection? Well, I have been too damn lazy to test it properly. But I contend that either .600 or .700 will give us 55 inches in my test medium, and that in the field it will not be compromised and get the job done either way. One day, when I have a full box of test medium made up, I will retest it, but I have no doubts that it will test just fine. It has already been tested in the field for buffalo I know for sure. I don't know of any elephant taken yet.
