Help ... .450 NE #2, .450 Rigby, .450 3 1/4 NE, .450 NE Hornady ...

bebo

AH enthusiast
Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
329
Reaction score
71
Media
10
Hello, I'm lost ...:confused:
TODAY what's the difference between .450 NE #2, .450 Rigby, .450 3 1/4 NE, .450 NE Hornady ...:banghead:
What can we find today ... easily and ... where ? :think:
 
I'm not sure but I would think the 450 NE and 450 3 1/4.
 
Hello, I'm lost ...:confused:
TODAY what's the difference between .450 NE #2, .450 Rigby, .450 3 1/4 NE, .450 NE Hornady ...:banghead:
What can we find today ... easily and ... where ? :think:

Ballistically they're all about the same up to the 500 NE. That one is a step above.

The 450 #2 is a lower pressure round than the 450 NE 3 1/4. The 450 NE Hornady is the 450 NE 3 1/4 made by Hornady. The 450 Rigby is a rimless for a bolt gun.
 
450 No. 2 Nitro Express is a rimmed cartridge for double rifles. The brass is 3 1/2" long. It is also called the 450 3 1/2". It was developed around 1903 by either Eley or Jeffery.

The 450 Nitro Express is a rimmed cartridge for double rifles. The brass is 3 1/4" long. it was developed around 1898 by John Rigby. It was the first Nitro Express cartridge. It is also called the 450 3 1/4" or the 450 Rigby Nitro Express. The round Hornady sells will fit this rifle.

The 450 Rigby is a rimless cartridge for bolt guns. It is basically a 416 Rigby necked up .458 caliber. It was designed by Paul Roberts in the 1990s.

These three cartridges are NOT interchangeable.

Because Hornady loads for the 450 NE it is the easiest to find in the states. The 450 No.2 brass is expensive and fairly scarce. Not sure about the availibility of the 450 Rigby.
 
The 450 3/4 is the one to go for in a double. that is unless you find a nice old rifle in the 450#2 that you really like.
Being that Hornady load the 450 3/4 makes using factory Ammo more accessible.
 
That's what I like about this web site. So may knowledgeable people to help someone out.
 
I just ran about 60 down the tubes of my Searcy 450 NE today despite the late season snowfall at the Alaska DRSS shoot.
There were 15-20 attending and some amazing rifles appeared out of the wood work. WOW
 
OKKKKKK ! :happy:
Now that's clear in my mind.
Thanks for all :thumb:
Our forum is quite good, the better !!! :humble:
 
Bebo, Just don't ask about the 500/450!!!!


There were about 19 cartridges with this going for them and all have different names.
 
Bebo, Just don't ask about the 500/450!!!!


There were about 19 cartridges with this going for them and all have different names.

Right , I forgot it .
Ha ? 19 ... nothing but 19 ...:zen:
 
With English cartridges the basic thing to remember is the first set of numbers shows the cartridge family that it's based on. the second number shows the bore size. This is usually followed by the cartridge length.

So a 577/500 3 1/8th" is based on the 577 cartridge family. It has a 500 bore and is 3 1/8" long. The 500/450 3 1/4 is easy to understand now. I have a 500/450 1 9/16" that has similar measurements but just a bit short from it other bigger brothers.
 
I have a 500/450 1 9/16" that has similar measurements but just a bit short from it other bigger brothers.

OK. That means any cartridges like yours are "full proprietary" ... Reload ? big stock ? Not easy to manage ... no?
Exceptionnal cartridge for exceptionnal rifle or double, I presume.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
53,628
Messages
1,131,482
Members
92,687
Latest member
JohnT3006
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

Impact shots from the last hunt

Early morning Impala hunt, previous link was wrong video

Headshot on jackal this morning

Mature Eland Bull taken in Tanzania, at 100 yards, with 375 H&H, 300gr, Federal Premium Expanding bullet.

20231012_145809~2.jpg
 
Top