Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only What would be the smallest big bore?

In your opinion, what would be the smallest big bore cartridge?

This was discussed in length especially what most regard as the "smallest"

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/12436368/1

Guess I was a little late asking the question.

I read the thread and it was interesting.

To me big bore starts at .400" bore dia.

But, you know what they say about opinions.

That's my opinion not because I shoot a .405 but because smaller bores don't cut the mustard when launching big hunks of whipazz..

It's a "geographically challenged" question In Africa, a 40 is a medium bore with big starting at 45...

IMO,the .450" is the smallest "big bore" and going up from there.

Al Miller answered the question as a 358 caliber with at least 250 grains.
He mentioned that almost none of our cartridges today would have been considered a “big bore” in the 1800’s. (Or he said something similar.)
To me my 416 Rigby is a “big bore”. (Though it’s probably a medium in Africa) My 375’s seem big too. Bigger than 308 and up to 358 “Medium Bores???” Maybe 338 to 416 medium bores???

I guess that a caliber that is 100% reliable without expanding bullets perhaps???

There’s no definition that anyone can take to the bank. As Jorgel said, it’s a geographically challenged question”.

When we were in lower grades of grade school and dad let us shoot his 1903 Springfield and with cast bullets, we definitely had just shot a “Big Bore!”

It sure was big compared to our single shot 22’s.

I have a couple of 45’s - a 45-70 and a 45-90. I’m don’t think they are in the same class as even a 375 H&H - so to me it isn’t just about diameter. (Maybe I’m hedging here a little).

What about bullet S.D. or bullet weight when personally determining big bore the in the United States of America?

My opinion is not set in stone.

Geography would make a difference for sure.

Maybe I should have framed it as, On the North American Continent?

.

What you guys talk of as being big bores, .375" on up, are in fact medium bore. Big bore starts at .458".
Whether it's Africa or Europe, it makes no difference, big bore has to start with 458", all other smaller cartridges/calibres are medium bore to about .366", anything under this are smallbore. Yes, it can be argued that .338" & .358" could be considered medium, but most countries do not recognise this.
I, personally, consider that the advent of the .510" calibre, due to a perceived need that was never really there, was, in fact, the true start of the trend of big bores and the rifles made to shoot them.
Many could disagree, but when the .458" was banned in England and it's colonies, the necessity for a larger calibre was real, before this, not many cartridges using Nitro powders were available. The advent of the bolt action also made cartridge invention smaller than traditional long tapering rimmed double rifle cartridges.

It's an interesting time in cartridge history and made what is available today the 'norm'.

Cheers.

.450"

.460 Wby and a jackrabbit.

.450 ? TR just rolled over in his grave..

Yes he did!

Big bore start at .243 here in Stunt Shooter Land....

Oh Paleeze ! Its the 6mm Rem of course !

For me it would be one of the larger medium bores ...9.3x62 Mauser.(.366) or a .35 Whelen ai
The 9.3 is certainly worth some in-depth research if you are not familiar with it. Right behind is the .35 Whelen Ai.
I have both and it's hard to tell the difference in performance on large Game out to 300 yds with the right bullets.
I use Nosler Partitions and Woodleigh PP's almost exclusively on all game, including Deer. Both are simple to load for and easy to shoot as well.

I can remember a time when 5000 ft pounds was considered where Big Bores start. Now that You can buy factory 375 h&h ammo with a 235gr. at 3100fps for 5015 fpe, things have changed some.

Small bores are 30 and under, mediums over 30 and under 45, .45 caliber, 500 gr of lead and leaving the barrel over 2000 fps, that's where big bores start.

That's not to say that animals can't effectively be killed with less, nor is it to demean the 40's which IMHO are heavy medium bores and some of the most effective rounds for hunting large and dangerous game.

.458" then WAY up from there.

Nice clean kill with good penetration and minimal meat loss... Now skin it, and make some jack rabbit jerky. Only if it's in the winter time. Shoot and let lay if its warm out. Don't want any part of Tularemia.....

Winchester evidently considers their 375 Win lever action as “Big Bore”. They named it such. There’s a book on “Big Bore” cartridges, it covers 8mm and up. Al Miller wrote 358 with 250 grain bullets and up...

So as your post implies the title “Big Bore” is a definition that is somewhat different depending on one thing, “Opinion”.

To me consider a 416 Weatherby, well if that isn’t a big bore in cartridges available today, with the tremendous energy it produces, well???

Compare that 416 to a 50-110 or a 45-65 or a 54 muzzle-loader.

I’m not sure any of my rifles would be considered a big bore. But my 54 muzzle loader looks like it has a mighty big hole at the end of the barrel. My 416 loaded to almost 6,000 ft-lbs of energy feels like a big bore to my friends who have fired it.

Well we all have opinions and this post shows that clearly.

If pointed at me, I would say .177 or larger.

This is so SIMPLE...You know one when you see one!
If it goes...'Tonk! when you load it...that is also a clue.
If a stranger says something like "JEEZE, look'et 'That !" There is another clue.

"Hold my pudding cup and watch this...."