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The Woodward Automatic was built for black powder cartridges. I would not have barrels made for a high intensity cartridge. The .450NE was among the highest pressure of the NE rounds at 17 tons. Yet the .375 Flanged Magnum even surpasses that with its proof pressure of 18 tons. Compare that to the typical black powder proof of 10 tons.

Yes I have a Woodward Automatic chambered for the .450/400 3-1/4" BPE. Yes it did pass nitro proof at some point in the late 20's or early 30's. Does that make my rifle a .450/400 NE? NOT FOR ME!

Link to my rifle: Woodward Automatic


Your idea in regard to your Woodward Automatic is misguided. I advise against it. What I haven't explored is how your rifle got to be chambered in .300 Flanged. That's already across the line, but another story.

Curl

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This is the viewpoint that has been missing from this discussion. It is also why I have been qualifying my opinions with "upon the sound advice of a competent gunsmith with experience with double rifle building in particular". I have my favourite cartridges as do most folk, but if the frame wasn't built to take it, one would be well advised to move on to a different approach.

Sometimes one must rise above the emotional attachment and apply a much more pragmatic approach. Find another good used double that is already chambered in your favorite flavor and will handle the pressures of a nitro based cartridge. It will be much more cost effective at the end of the day and you won't have to fudge your loads trying to make something of it that it isn't. The notion that you're looking to do a rebarrel tells me that it isn't money that is your consideration given that a new barrel set is VERY expensive and likely at least as much as buying a good used Merkel etc. If I'm wrong and money is your driver, I don't know what to tell you at that point.

Most respectfully,

Postman

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