Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only how many guys use big bores with reduced loads..

Yeah, but I'll bet those would make you flinch!

Even if you have flinch under control and don't damage your eyes or shoulder, getting belted repeatedly does wear you down. I know a guy who reckons you should shoot lots through a big bore to get used to it and another who won't shoot a big kicker for at least a week before a match. Both are excellent shots.

Maybe it's all in the head?

(Actually, I do usually end up with a headache if I shoot lots of big stuff, before I get any other signs of damage.)

Personally I don't think I've ever flinched with a big bore. But I put a tremendous amount of conentration into each and every shot, and find that there is a point where I just can't concentrate anymore and put away the big bore.

Lots of full power loads are not needed to master a gun, and if you put full contration into each and every "shot" 100's of times while dry firing your rifle you'll become more proficient with the rifle then if you run a couple boxes of full patch ammo through it.

How many of you guys have replacement shoulders? LOL.

Not sure how anyone can get a thrill from the heavy recoil or the big price..

Seriouly is there any secret to liking or enjoying these cannons?

I have used reduced loads in my .500 A-Square Hannibal since after the first shot! That fist shot did it for me. Took two years to work back up to a full-on 2350fps load.

I wrote a letter to the editor of Handloader magazine to ask what to do. This back in 1996 before the internet. Told me to fill the case to the base of the bullet with H-4831. But that made a 2200 fps load! Still hammered me in the 11 pound 4 oz. rifle.

So I loaded the case with H-5010, H-870, H-570, IMR-7828, RL-22 using cast 570 grainers. You can start subsonic and work up. A case full (compressed), of 7828 gave me 1800 fps. Same with RL-22. I can dig out the loads if you want, but you can do the same. You don't need to have a case full, 3/4 case will work fine. I also used Hawk bullets along with the cast. Hawk will give higher velocities than cast.

Also call Accurate and ask about using 5744. I use 37.5 grains for a 1000fps load with same bullet.

I feel that practicing with a bow and a 22 pistol does more to make me a decent off hand rifle shot than large amounts of even 30-06 level loads. Shooting pool and looking at hot girls helps too, I hope.

I don't know anything about archery, but I do know that my .22s are the best teachers I've ever had. I'm pretty sure I do get to flinching with big bores - be they handguns or rifles - and when I start down that road the .22s always straighten me back out.

But - I don't know of any .22s that feel like my dangerous game rifles, nor that have Rigby-length bolt throws or floorplates that might decide to unlatch during a buffalo charge. So I still feel the need to wring out those rifles as thoroughly as possible before the "serious" business gets started, so find the cast bullet/Trail Boss deal very useful.

And you know, often I just enjoy shooting the big guns without getting the snot knocked out of me. Reduced loads are just plain fun, and all by itself that's enough justification as far as I am concerned!

Yes I get your drift. I shall buy a mussle car and just push it around.

That way I willbe more buffed up to handle the power.grin

That's just what I was thinking when I read this thread. I recently got a CZ-550 Safari American in .458 Win. Mag., that's been rechambered for .458 Lott. It was a heck of a deal for a ' I've always wanted a .458' itch. I've fired a friends .458 Win. before, and yeah, it belts 'ya. Shoot standing off sticks, and roll with it, and not too bad for a few rounds. I also have a Marlin .45/70 GS Guide gun I love. My thinking was to load the .458 down to 'warm' .45/70 level...say a 400 gr.to 420 gr. cast to about 1600 to 1800 fps., or a 350 gr. jacketed at around 2000 to 2100 fps. MUCH more shootable out of a 10 lb..458 VS a 6-1/2 lb. levergun, and way cheaper than $100+ a box for full-throttle T-Rex stompers. My 2 cents. Lee

I have been shooting reduced loads ever since the 45-10mm sabot came out . either 45-70 45-90 accuracy has been out standing recoil is much lighter . trajecttory is flat 200 yds is a chip shot .I had 4 molds custom cut starting with 260 272 300 305fp powder charges start in the low trap door range for hunting or target i have no reason to go back to full caliber have shot thousands of these over the years and yes i use smoke less 45-90 will push 300 to 2410 fps for the skeptical keep in mind the lack of friction with pistol bullets realy light loads could be made