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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Big Bore Rifles

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Isopeura
.224 member

Reged: 01/06/08
Posts: 36
Loc: Finland

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Con]
#123166 - 06/01/09 08:15 PM

Con,

Actually the .400 H&H isn't just a .375 opened up to .411". Shoulder is more backwards and sides are a bit more parallel than in .375. Actually it's the shoulder that is more "old school" than in .375 and it is longer. Anyway, it looks a bit like .404 and 450/400 if you look at the side profile of the cartridge.

Basically the neck is as long as the seated shank of the bullet and shoulder starts from there. I think this is for the reason that there is no excessive space that a seated bullet will take away and therefore it can operate with a bit less powder. Pressures aren't too high and not too low either. Too low pressures in too big case often result to uneven ignition of the powder and unpredictable chamber pressures which is a thing that bothers me as a reloader in some of the old cartridges and more modern cartridges that are not driven to "healthy pressures". Anyway, I think that in some cartridges the pressures are easier to keep in control than in others.

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Con
.333 member

Reged: 24/05/04
Posts: 261
Loc: Victoria

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Isopeura]
#123230 - 07/01/09 08:25 AM

Isopeura,
Yes I kind of realised that, opening the 375H&H was just to give an indication of what it looks like. The 404/375 that I'm fiddling with ends up as a straight tapered case with a parallel neck that A-Square called a 'ghost shoulder'. I think comparison to the 450/400 is justified as that's what these cartridges look like, long, slim and sleek! That's why I mentioned a 450gr at 2150fps ... if the 423" wildcat will do that, it's like a 'modern faster' 450/400.

Have you got the CIP specs for the 400H&H? I haven't checked them, but the pressures it's designed to operate at would be of interest.
Cheers...
Con

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Isopeura
.224 member

Reged: 01/06/08
Posts: 36
Loc: Finland

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Con]
#123315 - 08/01/09 06:40 AM

I thing that .400 not it's CIP status yet, but the maximum operating pressures are said to be 4300 bar as in .375 H&H. However, the warranted velocity of 2375 can be obtained wiht noticeably less pressure.

I used this load for the test cartridges:

- QC case
- Fed Gold Medal 215 Match primers
- 400 gr. Woodleigh Soft Point
- 80 gr. Hodgdon 414
- OAL 3.54"

This generates healthy pressures and should provide the needed velocity. I'll work on this afterwards a bit more. I will also work up loads for .405 bullets that would simulate those energy an velocity levels.

Talking about A-Square, I have liked the idea behind .495 A-Square as it has this "ghost shoulder" that makes it easier for the handloader. Have to take a look at the .400 ASDPM too...

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Con
.333 member

Reged: 24/05/04
Posts: 261
Loc: Victoria

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Isopeura]
#123341 - 08/01/09 03:27 PM

Isopeura,
Located the CIP specs ... Pmax is indeed 4400bar. Somewhere here there's a link to the CIP spec sheets, you need to look up Table III for belted cases. I've ended up saving all the files for reference. I've made some dummy 404/375 now, I'll see if I can add a photo later, but it basically looks like a slimmed down 458Lott.
Cheers...
Con

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Con
.333 member

Reged: 24/05/04
Posts: 261
Loc: Victoria

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Con]
#123342 - 08/01/09 03:38 PM

Isopeura,
http://www.cip-bp.org/index.php?id=tdcc-telechargement

CIP spec sheets.
Cheers...
Con

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Isopeura
.224 member

Reged: 01/06/08
Posts: 36
Loc: Finland

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Con]
#123382 - 09/01/09 04:35 AM

And for sure I can't open that link... Well, not a problem since I pretty much have anything allready done.. Thanks anyway.

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Isopeura
.224 member

Reged: 01/06/08
Posts: 36
Loc: Finland

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Isopeura]
#124282 - 17/01/09 03:51 AM

Hello again,

Ok, today I got the rifle back from CIP-approval and it now has "a Finnish Lion" on it. Now I can have the rifle officially registered. I also had the stock back and it sure is nice.

Now I have a problem. Should I have a black fore-end tip or not? Opinions, pleace. It's a working rifle and I'd like it to resemle guns of that role as much as possible. Does these working rifles usually have it or not?

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sactoller
.224 member

Reged: 03/09/08
Posts: 15
Loc: Weatherford, TX

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Isopeura]
#128023 - 25/02/09 03:46 PM

I would not put the black forend tip. JMHO

We need pictures man, pictures!

Jason

--------------------
Jason Z Alberts

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Isopeura
.224 member

Reged: 01/06/08
Posts: 36
Loc: Finland

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: sactoller]
#128029 - 25/02/09 05:35 PM

Ok, I'll take some pictures later today. I bedded the action yesterday and now I'm treating the stock prior to checkering. I ended up doing the fore-end the old fashioned way and shaped the tip as in Sako Mausers.

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Isopeura
.224 member

Reged: 01/06/08
Posts: 36
Loc: Finland

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Isopeura]
#128138 - 26/02/09 06:22 PM

Here's some.

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Isopeura
.224 member

Reged: 01/06/08
Posts: 36
Loc: Finland

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Isopeura]
#136741 - 05/06/09 05:55 AM

Hello again,

I haven't reported lately about the project but it has taken a few steps forward during the spring. I have shot it quite a bit and I find it a pleasure to shoot. It weighs 9.5 lbs as intended and it balances perfectly. I find it more enjoyable to shoot in this configuration than my original .375 Sako AIII. I think the ergonomics are far better for heavy recoil than in my other rifles.

I have to say that according to my load experiments, I think that this rifle is awesome in one other way too. Light bullet loads should prove very effective for all-around use and this makes the rifle a true dual purpose rifle. I try to take some pictures in near future.

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Ruger_450
Banned

Reged: 10/03/13
Posts: 163
Loc: WY & FL

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Isopeura]
#244613 - 30/03/14 02:07 AM

It's a great cartridge. Built on myself a few years ago. Basis was a 700 Classic in 300 H&H. Norm Johnson rebored/rechambered it, added the Vias brake and even changed the 3 on the bbl to a 4 that looks perfect.

Stock was made by one of the former employes of a noted Wyoming SS maker. He also found all steel solid dropped magazine bottom metal (no hinged floorplate to open at the wrong time). Cases were a trove or Norma basics using Hornady custom dies.

Will clover leaf 400 gr Woodleighs and almost as good with 325/350 X bullets (another hoard). Will not shoot 400 gr Xs into less than 2" as they are sooooo long.

Not a graceful rifle but there is a lot to get a hand on to and spread the recoil.

"Function over form."

Saw a real 400 H&H last year at H&Hs gunroom in NYC. It had just arrived sans buttplate (as all do) to be fitted to the buyer. ($28,000 USD). Very plain magnum mauser but the fit, finish, checkering were just wonderful to behold.

My build: (a lot cheaper !)

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Igorrock
.400 member

Reged: 01/03/07
Posts: 1642
Loc: Finland

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Ruger_450]
#244615 - 30/03/14 03:04 AM

Nice rifle but I don´t like the muzzle brake; if you can´t shoot without it just choose smaller caliber.

--------------------
http://promaakari.wordpress.com/

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Ruger_450
Banned

Reged: 10/03/13
Posts: 163
Loc: WY & FL

Re: .400 H&H rifle project starts [Re: Igorrock]
#244623 - 30/03/14 05:52 AM

Would never hunt with it, has cap. Used to work up loads with plugs and muffs.

It's nice for hammering out 50 on the bench, but not needed for hunting.

Word is many PHs won't let clients use them. Easy to understand why.

Have many smaller and a few larger calibers, best all around for anything this side of the pond is the 375 H&H.

A Bolt one of 4 built for Mossy Oak for 2007 shot show, all different patterns and chamberings.

This has a proper 26" barrel and a 235 TSX @3000 fps is a serious thing.

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