.450 Nitro Express

Infobox Firearm Cartridge
name= .450 Nitro Express


caption=
origin= England
type= Rifle
designer= John Rigby & Company
design_date=1898
manufacturer=
production_date=
number=
variants=
is_SI_specs=
parent=
case_type=Rimmed, straight
bullet=.458
neck=.479
shoulder=
base=.545
rim_dia=.624
rim_thick=.040
case_length=3.25
length=4.11
rifling=
primer=Berdan #40

is_SI_ballistics=
bw1=465
btype1=Lead
vel1=2150
en1=4770
bw2=480
btype2=Lead
vel2=2150
en2=4930
bw3=
btype3=
vel3=
en3=
test_barrel_length=
balsrc= "Cartridges of the World" cite book | last = Barnes | first = Frank C. | editor = Skinner, Stan | title = Cartridges of the World | edition = 11th Edition | origyear = 1965 | year = 2006 | publisher = Gun Digest Books | location = Iola, WI, USA | pages = 398-399,409,411 | isbn = 0-89689-297-2]

.450 Nitro Express is a name given to several cartridges designed for the purpose of hunting large game such as elephant, not just one specific cartridge. All of these cartridges use a convert|.458|in|adj=on bullet at roughly the same ballistics. This cartridge is used almost exclusively in single shot and double express rifles for hunting at the Tropics or hot climates in general and is a cartridge associated with the Golden Age of African safaris and Indian shikars. A proeminent user was Frederick Courteney Selous, whom using this cartridge in Farquharson rifle was the inspiration for the character of Allan Quartermain [The life of Frederick Courtenay Selous, D.S.O., by J. G. Millais, pub. Longman, Greens & Co., London 1919 ] .

.450 Nitro Express 3.25 in

The .450 Nitro Express convert|3.25|in|abbr=on was the first Nitro Express, developed around 1898 by John Rigby. This cartridge was based on the then popular .450 Black Powder Express case with convert|70|gr|0 of Cordite and a convert|480|gr|sing=on jacketed bullet. Muzzle velocity is listed at 2,150 feet per second (655 m/s) with convert|4909|ft.lbf|J|abbr=on of muzzle energy. This straight case has a length of convert|3.25|in|abbr=on with a convert|.670|in|abbr=on rim.

Early cartridges used the black powder case that was designed for around 11 tons of pressure per square inch and not the 17 tons of pressure that the Cordite load generated. Case extraction was difficult, especially in warmer climates such as Africa and India where the cartridge was primarily used. To remedy this problem, a reinforced case was produced and Kynoch made a reduced load to lower the case pressure.

.450 Nitro Express #2 3.50 in

The .450 Nitro Express #2 was developed by Eley Brothers in 1903. This cartridge used several loadings between 70 and 80 grains nowrap|(4.5–5.2 g) of Cordite with a convert|480|gr|adj=on bullet. The lighter loadings were typically used by Jeffery rifles for regulation.

ee also

* List of rifle cartridges
* 11 mm caliber other cartridges of similar caliber size.
* Nitro Express

References

* " [http://www.african-hunter.com/450_nitro_express.htm The .450 Nitro Express] " by Charlie Haley