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Michael

Kynoch currently offer the 450/400 3 1/4" as a 41 cal 400gn projectile doing 2,150fps for 4,105 ftlbs ME. This was considered an all rounder ie. enough for DG and is a classic Nitro Express cartridge.

Hence, assuming we can load the 45/90 to 1895 Marlin levels (which is what Pedersoli backs its Kodiak Mk IV 45/70 double to handle) my ballistics program tells me we could match the 450/400 ie, 400gn bullet at 2,150.

Given the above, energy and momentum(kick) the 45/90 may match a classic NE loading (even the trajectory isn't that far off). So it would definitely deliver a "feels like a", "trajectory like a" classic NE cartridge and all in a "points like a" double rifle package.

Hence my comment "almost like the real thing", but, there is more to it than mere energy.

Energy is a measure of the total destructive potential of a cartridge and many spectacular things can be done with high energy projectiles in fact so much so that there are those blind to all else (not those who gather here), but, that energy must first be delivered before it can have any effect.

Delivery = Penetration.

This is where the 45/90 starts to fall behind, penetration must be a function of momentum brought to bear on an area ie. weight times velocity divided by area of impact or gnsfps/sqin.

The 450/400 41 cal 400gn projectile at 2,150fps gives 6,482,237gnsfps/sqin, whereas the 45/90 46 cal 400gn at 2,150fps gives 5,220,085gnsfps/sqin ie. the 450/400 has 25% more go forward than the 45/90 to deliver the same energy.

Interestingly, this measure of penetration potential places the 458 Win (500gn 2,150fps)on a par with the 450/400 both of which lagg behind the 375 H&H Magnum(300gn 2,550fps) by about 7%. The 375 H&H is supposed to have taken the "best all rounder" crown from the 450/400.

It is well worth noting that the 9.3x74R scores well on this measure especially with the 320gn projectile (up there with the 375 H&H). Perhaps this is the substance behind this cartridge's robust reputation ie. what it has it can deliver. Artemida/Spartan in 9.3x74R please.

Taylor index leans towards the bigger bores so

TI
450/400 = 50
45/90 = 56
375H&H = 41

You see the weakness of the TI, 45/90 better than a 375H&H, and by a wide margin, I find that hard to credit.

Recoil! 7.5lbs is light, it would kick like a bastard, more than twice a 303, only 20% less than a 458Win in fact. The 9.3x74R appears to offer more penetration potential for 3/4 the kick, Artemida/Spartan in 9.3x74R please. But, extra weight installed into the buttstock and a good butt pad could tone that down. The 450/400 was considered mild, but that was typically in 10lb+ guns.

All said, a 45/90 delivering a 46 cal 400gn projectile at 2,150fps is an awful lot of point and shoot (too much from a 7.5lb gun?). The achievable option is a NT Buff shoot. Is this going to do it?

Having exactly nil Buffalo shooting experience I would be confident that my putting the bullet where it can do its business would be a much more significant question.

AR2201

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