Phil, the 450/400 3", and 3 1/4" are fine chamberings for a double rifle, and are perfectly addiquate for the purpose you have stated. The 450/400NE was Pondoro Taylor's favorite round for elephant, and that alone says something for this chambering. The one word of caution with the 3 1/4" version. It was offered in blackpowder,Nitro for black powder, and Nitro, and when the Nitro (smokeless powder) version came out, the case shape was not changed, so Nitro ammo will chamber and fire in a black powder rifle! Because of this fact, you need to make sure the rifle you're thinking of buying is "NITRO PROOFED". The 3" version was never offered in a black powder version,so any rifle found in the 3" version will automaticlly be Nitro proofed, and the 3" version of this cartridge will not chamber in a 3 1/4" chamber.

Try Talking to NITRO 450 No2, who posts on AR, and sometimes here, as he has a lot of experience in working up loads for this chambering. Ray Atkinson also has some experience as well.

The A. Hollis rifles are quality items,if in good shape, and are sought after here in the USA.