.405 Winchester???

[Justice Trimble]

Hello Everyone,

Back when TR hunted in Africa, he used a Winchester 1895 chambered in .405.  How does the .405 stack up against some of todays African Big Game cartridges?  ie: 375, 416, 458, etc, etc???

AND, is it feasable to hunt African Big Game with the .405?  

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

JT.

[RockChucker]

Bought a Ruger #1 in 405win. wouldn't hesitate using the rifle where a 375 H&H is required. Factory ammo cranks out a 300gr @2300fps at low pressures and with handloads at cosiderably higher pressures in a gun that can take it with ease 2600fps witha 300gr. Hornady S.P.
At 2300fps the cartidge is no slouch in my books!

[Ramrod]

Compared to the magnums mentioned here the .405 falls a little short. Lack of penetration on tough animals has always been an issue with this round.

[Redhawk1]

Compared to the magnums mentioned here the .405 falls a little short. Lack of penetration on tough animals has always been an issue with this round.

I agree with Ramrod.

[Yukon Jack]

Hello Everyone,

Back when TR hunted in Africa, he used a Winchester 1895 chambered in .405.  How does the .405 stack up against some of todays African Big Game cartridges?  ie: 375, 416, 458, etc, etc???

AND, is it feasable to hunt African Big Game with the .405?  

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

JT.

Teddy also used a 30-06 and 500-465 double rifle.  Whether it was the 405's performance or Teddy's shooting, something was sure lacking when he tackled the larger game, including lion.

[EsoxLucius]

You have to remember that when TR hunted with the 405 all that was available was a 300 grain jacketed soft point driven around 2100 fps.  The jacket was not particularly stout and the load not up to the round's modern potential.  I cringed reading his accounts of shooting up game in Africa, many obviously ran away wounded not to be recovered, and the problem with 405 in that respect was with the bullets used.  I agree that TR's shooting might have been lacking as well.

Today with the modern Winchester 1895 or Ruger #1 rifles and some good bullets like the Barnes X (too bad they discontinued the 350 and 400 grain .411"), Hornady 300 grain Spire Point, Swift A-Frame and Woodleigh Weldcore this round is more than adequate for African plains game, leopard and lion, and all North American game.  Loaded to its potential in these rifles the 405 Winchester can achieve as much as 4000 ft. lbs. of energy at the muzzle.

[frank405]

The 405 with a my 310 grain cast bullet has taken two mature bison bulls with one shot each. Both bullets were recovered in the hide on the exit side. I am not sure how many meat cows this load has taken, it should be a dozen. Every bullet has exited on them. This same bullet did in two Cape buffalo last summer in Africa with one pass through. I have shot a bunch of hogs and deer, no elk yet all with pass throughs. Would I take it to Africa? sure, but the 505 Gibbs is going also just because it needs to kill something big.

[quickdtoo]

Lots of 405 win guns tests out there in modern arms...

http://www.gunweek.com/2004/feature0120.html

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ammunition/bully_041805/

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger_No1_405.htm