Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Anbody hear shoot big stuff?

Just curious if anyone hear is shooting 416's or larger? I'm currently w/o big gun so must live vicariously until I either finish my 416 Howell, or my smith finishes my 500 Jeffrey.

Paul,<BR>I shoot a big gun, but of course you already know that.<BR>For those that dont, I bought Pauls 458Lott a couple of months ago and love it.<BR>Thanks man.

I enjoy carrying and shooting my 416 Rigby in a Ruger No.1 and my .458WM in an old Ruger 77 Prewarning. All game up to the big bears. I do have a 375HH and some small bores for prarie dogs :-)<P>458WM

My 416 Rigby is a converted 375H&H BRNO 602, it has the orginal stock (lots of drop) and that is probably why the thing gives me a head ache after more than 15 full house from the bench.<BR>Also have a 45-70 in a 86 and a 50-2 1/2 Sharps.<P>Regards Martin

Nope, nothing big, just a 416 Taylor. <P>Maybe some day I'll buy a big bore...<P>------------------<BR>Brian<BR><A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/bw_99835/" TARGET=_blank>The 416 Taylor WebPage!</A>

I am only small stuff.<P>Although after a recent sell/buy session all my rifles are in 375.<P>Nothing bigger and nothing smaller.<P>Mike

Hey Paul, what do you consider BIG. 500 AHR is coming along nicely. Won't be delivered this month though. Bought 3 Marlin 1895G's in 45-70 over the last month. Waiting for bullets from Beartooth Bullets to show up to start making my CO or OR Elk loads.<P>------------------<BR>Allen

Does the short version of your handle or the version in .475 dia. count?

Does a 45-70 count? If so I'm in...

I shoot a big bore now and then but its a little older technology. <BR>How about a 50 x 3-1/4 Sharps or sometimes known as a 50x140 Win.

If a 45-70 counts, I've got one.......deadeye

Jn316 do you shoot your 50 Sharps with black or smokeless?<BR>Grease or PP bullets?<BR>What kind of Sharps?<BR>What's the twist and how accurate does it shoot.<P>I like to know because mine has a 1:36 twist and won't shoot acc but with 550 gr PP bullets (5 shots at 200Y in 2 1/2") it don't like grease groove and no Smokeless<P>Regards Martin

hey MartinHin actually I've shot both smokeless and smokealot. Either one about same. Only bullets Ive tried are grease groove type. Accuracy was not nearly as good as your getting. The rifle is not a Sharps brand but a Rem Rolling Block repro acquired through Navy Arms. I have a feeling that like yours it dosn't like those bullets much. But I've never tried any PP bullets. Whats the best course to learn how? I dont remember what the twist was exactly but its in the mid 30's. How about brass you found a source thats affordable?

Hi Jn<BR>The best way to learn about PP is to buy Paul Matthews book the paper patch, he wrote a series of 4 or5 books on Black powder cartriges.<BR>They are available through Wolfs publishing (same people from Rifle and Hloader) but before you buy the book you should check out Brents web site <A HREF="http://www.public.iastate.edu/~codi/PPB/PPB.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.public.iastate.edu/~codi/PPB/PPB.html</A> this gentlemen knows a lot about it.<BR>He put me in the right direction.<P>I believe he may refer to the BP list on his site,mostly BP competition shooters there , most helpfull and knowledgable.<BR>If not I can find it for you.<P>The fiftyes in the original twist are hard to make shoot accurately the comepetition guys rebarrel to a faster twist 1-20 or so.<P>The accuraty I get was done (brent's idea) by shooting bullets (PP) in bore size not groove size ,the bullet is in the case just far enough to hold it there maybe .200" this way most of the bullet is in the barrel when the round is chambered.<P>When I bought the gun I also bought 100 cases and they will last me a long time.<P>Cases are available form Huntington.<P>Hope this helps.<BR>Regards Martin

Thanks for the info Martin.<P>I also bought a few cases (40) cases when I bought the rifle. Gotem from Bell Extrusion as 50x3-14Basic. Wish I'd thought ahead and got 100.<P>Are you casting your own grooveless bullets or buying from someone?<P>I'll keep an eye out for the book you mentioned......Ray

Hi there Ray:<BR>Been away for a few day's<BR>The bore on my rifle is on the small side (.5066" groove diam) so regular store bought bullets are to big.<BR>I do cast my own,I am a machinist so I made 4 diff.GG moulds to find out the right weight and shape no luck so far.<BR>The PP bullet is cast with a selfmade adjustable mould ,range from 200 to750 gr.<P>

Mark shoots the .338/.378 Weatherby would this suffice for a large one? Toons

Toons,<P>While it certainly qualifies as a very powerful cartridge, it's technically not a big bore. Although it's probably more powerful than some true big bores.<P>Most folks consider "big bores" to start at .416 inch. So that even excludes the almighty 375H&H from the club! Yet practical experience in Africa (not by me mind you!) seems to keep the 375H&H as a major player in any big bore discussion.<P>------------------<BR>Brian<BR><A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/bw_99835/" TARGET=_blank>The 416 Taylor WebPage!</A>

I can claim a 375 H&H and now a brand new 45-70 guide gun (Thanks Allen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

I have a 1977 vintage M70 African in .458 Win Mag, and a Marlin M1895 levergun in .45/70. I guess those are my only true Big Bores, but I personally include my pre-64 M70 .375 H&H Mag to be a big bore rifle. They are all fun to play with. I shoot jacketed bullets in the African and lead bullets in the .45/70 - that way I don't get layers of fouling to deal with. Odessa

I forgot, do Moose count as big stuff.<P>------------------<BR>Allen

I shoot several 45/70 with hot handloads.

Shot a neighbors tractor tire once, when I was young, foolish, and forgot to remember whats behind the target. Oops.

Napoleon 12 pounder uses 2.5 pounds of powder and 12 pound solid shot. Does that qualify as big enough? It is classified as a gun howitzer.<BR>BCR<P>------------------<BR>A 45 BEATS 4 ACES EVERYTIME<p>[This message has been edited by Boggy Creek Ranger (edited February 17, 2001).]

I shoot a 378 WBY MAG. It use to be a stock MK V. Now it wears a Pac-nor ultra match barrel. Bluprinted action, both action and barrel cryoed. Bedded by McMillan in their stock. Have not shot it yet. Waiting for the muzzle break to arrive. Does that count?<P>------------------<BR>If guns are outlawed...only outlaws will have guns!<p>[This message has been edited by POP (edited February 20, 2001).]

I have several 45/70's including a Ruger #1. At 7lbs. it sure feels like a big bore when shooting sturdy handloads.<P>------------------<BR>Phil Life Member SCI&NRA

I have a 45/70 in a Ruger#1, a 45/70 trap door, A 1895 Marlin 45/70 and a T/C contender in 45/70, so if that is not enough I also have a 458 Winchester in a model 70. And not to be out done by modern rifles I have a 50/110 Remington Rolling block and a 12.7x44 Remington Roller. That ought to do it for the big bore club you think?<P>Bullwnkl.

Wow Boggy!<P>How many hogs can you take out with one shot ? I shoot a BSA 458 Win Mag. badger.<P>------------------<BR>Keep the traditions alive, take your child hunting.....

I shoot a .416 Rigby and .500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" in Ruger #1's, a FA .454 Casull, and a 45-70 Contender. Nothing like burning over 100 grains at a time, I like to say. :-)

I shoot a few that will make the list as big stuff-<BR>Ruger #1 416 Rigby<BR>Ruger #1 45/70<BR>Custom 98 458 X 2"<BR>Jeffery 404<BR>Sako 9.3 X 68

Hey Paul,I am down to a 45-70 and a 404 Jefferey for my "big stuff" right now. Didn't know you sold the Lott, tell your friend I have some unstamped, full length brass from Huntington's I'll trade for some 222 remington magnum brass (new).( BW sent you the brass I sent him last year?)<BR>RevJKnightcs.com<BR>Jim

<BR> I like big bore tho currently only my .450 Marlin Guide Gun qualify's. I have both eye's open for my Africa Buff rifle, but , being lefty makes finding something I want a bit more difficult. I m leaning toward a .416.<P> I took that guide gun our for the first time and couldnt believe how well it printed at 100 yrds with its factory sights. It was "way to the right" but the group was great, this with the factory Hornady 350's. I want to start reloading for it.<P> I really get a kick out of black powder big bores. We have some guy's at my range that are really into it, both case & caseless. I have a 58 cal smokepole that really throws a hunk of lead.<P> I love reading stories about "Big Bore encounters" with dangerous game. Big Bore's are just plain fun........10

Jim,<P>Yeah, I'm now sans big bore. I sold it to Joel S, so I still get to shoot it now and then. I also need to bug John Ricks about the 500 Jeffrey, so I'll have something big to play with. <P>I did pick up a few ruger #1 take offs in 458 win mag, so will be possibly making another 458 lott, or maybe a 450 Rigby, or maybe one of each. My funding and motivation for such projects is limited at the moment, but I'm sure when I get the 500, it'll be re-kindled. I picked up a 450 gr LBT LFN mold, so will be shooting lots of lead through it, I need to pick up a 350 gr mold for plinker loads.<P>I'll see if Joel is interested in the brass, as I recall I gave him 60 cases, so he should be set for awhile.

hey paul. I am still recovering from my neck surgery. I finally got my 404 shooting right with iron sights, but it hurt my neck so bad, I put it in the very back of the gun safe! ha. I like it, it feels more like a heavy loaded 375 than any 458, but still is a handful. I'm in no hurry with the brass. I have, as I recall, around 39 pieces. It's unstamped, so good for wildcat rounds. Good to hear from you. Jim