I would like to hear the opinion of the distinguished members of this forum concerning the PROS/CONS of the following calibers in a Double Rifle :

450 3 1/4" N.E.

450 NO 2 N.E. (3 1/2")

470 N.E.

The comparision should include the following:

1. Knock down & stopping power for DG.

All are equal.

2. Usefulness as an all purpose rifle/cartridge.

All are equal as a cartridge but the 470 is easier to get ammo for, if you can afford it. The 450 3 1/2 is a lower pressure cartridge but that is probably not much of an advantage anymore.

3. AVAILABILITY OF FACTORY AMMO.

470 is much easirer as Fed. loads it. The others are loaded by WR and Kynoch and are even more expensive, if you can believe that is possible.

4. Recoil.

Equal.

5. Which caliber would you chose?

450 3 1/4 as it comes, if you by a quality rifle, in a slimmer and handier size action. The other two are wider and heavier actions. If you buy one of the entry level guns the actions are all the same so it doesn't matter.

I've always liked the 465 best of all but don't know why I guess it is half way between the 450 and the 470..