Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Whats a big bore?

Greetings, and a Merry Christmas to you all!!!

I was just thinking, were do you believe a big bore starts? I see lots of posts about 35calibers here. Is that where it starts? Opinions please. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Byron

I have always been of the opinion that a big bore is .44cal and up. On that note, here is a pic of my newly aquired .356 Winchester which Winchester classified as a big bore. I think of it as a medium bore myself. I bought a Leupold 1-4x20 compact scope today for it and will be taking off the ugly K4 soon!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have always considered .40 cal and up as a bigbore.

In the sense of world-wide hunting (ie: Africa)....the term "big-bore" would normally mean .45 caliber and above. The various .35's, 9.3Mmm's, .375's, .40's, .416's and .423's would be considered "medium" (even the .30's are considered small-bore in that context).

However, in North American hunting any caliber above .30 would be considered by most to be a big-bore. Some are marginal (.32 Spl, .35 Rem, .44 Mag) as to the term big-bore but for this forum, I think most would accept the "over-30" definition.

Just my convoluted opinions . . .

Centerfire rifle - (for NA game)
small bore - anything .25 cal or less
medium bore - over .25 cal up to .35 cal
big bore - anything over .35 cal

Handguns -
small bore - same as cf rifle
medium bore - over .25 cal up to .40 cal
large bore - anything over .40 cal

Muzzle loaders -
small bore - anything under .40 cal
medium bore - .40 cal up to .50 cal
large bore - anything over .50 cal

As I said, these are just my opinions. I think the uppers and lowers of any of the "classifications" varies depending on location in the country and the accepted "normals" of the locals. Of course, what game you are after and your comfort level with your caliber of choice are going to make the final choice. Some Game and Wildlife departments make the min and max decision for you . . .

I think we need to start a big argument over it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
If it were up to me to make a decision I would say .375 Win on up. By the way I love my 1895 .45/70! She will touch bullets every time at 100 yds with the 300 gr Sierra HP and a 1.5-5 Burris. I have a receiver sight but I just can't bring myself to put it on a levergun that shoots like a varmint rifle.
By the way Leverboy, nice Big Bore 94!

I thought a big bore was a male pig over 200lbs.

I believe if you searched the literature this would be .40 caliber not .45 caliber. European/African/Asian hunters would express a big bore as .40 caliber and up, a medium bore as .33 to .39 caliber and .32 caliber on down as small bores.

Small bore.......Smaller than and including a .257

Big bore...........A .375 or larger

Medium bore.....Whatever's left

IMHO:

Big-bores start with .4s and go up.
Small bores start with .2s and go down.
Mediums start with .3s.

Keeps it simple, at least for me.