What big bores do you shoot?

I am currently w/o a big bore rifle

and am somewhat patiently, somewhat not patiently awaiting the delivery of a second 458 lott, to replace the first one that was sold to fund a 500 Jeffrey, though some how the smith convinced me in the process I need a second 458, so he's building both, and I'm waiting.
 
 I have been kept somewhat amused with the 480 Ruger SRH I got from Allen, and have been launching cast slugs all the way up to 460 gr. It is especially fun shooting at the 200 yd steel ram at the range in the summer, hits make a resounding wack, misses kick up a dinstinctive splash as it is a tidal zone / wetland.

I only have a couple of big bores that do not shoot black powder. Well three I guess since I will include my 45/70 T/C Contender in this group. I have a 458 x 2 American on a 98 Mauser commercial model. and a Marlin 1895. I have a couple 45/70's for black powder that can shoot light loads of smokeless, 1 a Remington Rolling block, the other a Springfield Trapdoor carbine. Both originals. Been thinking of getting an Encore with a 450 Marlin barrel in a hand gun.
 
 Bullwnkl.

The only rifle I have over .30 cal. is a Guide Gun in 45-70. Sort of a Red Rider all growed up. [Linked Image]

Marlin levergun, "444 Marlin".
 Navy Arms M92, 45LC.
 
 Paul... what happened to the 500 Jeffery you were making?
 
 ~~~Suluuq

I have a 458Lott that I bought from 458Lott (Say that 10 times real fast ) . I also have a slick little 45/70.

I currently have and enjoy: 375HH, a pair of Ruger 416Rigbys, a#1 and M77,and a very nice 45/70 Guide gun. (thanks again, Allen)
 I have owned 3 different 458Win Mags, but all of them had a shortcoming, and had to leave.
 
 If a 375HH is allowed to be included in the Big Bores, it is my favorite for many different reasons.

Suluuq,
 
 The 500 is still in the works, hoping to see it in a month or so. Sometime the second lott will also be finished.

Presently, a 500 AHR, 416 Rigby, 45-70, 416 Taylor and the 480 Ruger and 45 Colt Blackhawk. Do have a couple of nice 35 calibers, but then they are only medium, bores.

My 'big bore' is a .416 Weatherby Euromark I bought from a friend, unfired. I have been loading 350 gr. Barnes X-bullets over 120 gr. of RL22. Chrono velocity is an amazing 2950 fps!!! This gun is a real stomper, but is surprisingly easy to shoot. It has a muzzle brake, so good ear protection is a must when shooting it. Have not yet used it on game, but Africa's Cape Buffalo are on my list of targets for this rifle. It is very accurate, with three-shot, one-hole groups common.

My big bores are two Marlin 45/70 rifles,Ruger #1 rifles in 45/70,458 mag.I also have two 44 magnum rifles,three 44 magnum handguns and a Ruger blackhawk in 45 colt.

Rifles...I have a #1 in 416 Rigby that I shoot most often. It likes the 325gr Barnes X. I have another #1 that's been rebarrelled to 500 Nitro Express 3 1/4" that is lots of fun. It shoots the Woodleigh 570gr soft very well, and I'm still playing with a cast bullet load, but I'm getting there.
 
 Handguns...Freedom Arms 454 Casull, Contender in 45-70 Govt. Nothing quite like a big hole, I say!
 
 My next project will likely be another #1 (imagine that) in 577 Nitro Express. I have found that they are the least expensive way to get into a big Nitro round and they're easy on the shoulder, too. My #1's have no brake...they ruin the looks of a rifle. I just wear a PAST shoulder pad and let fly.
 
 I love the big ones.

An 1895 marlin in 45 70 I've had since '85 and a Ruger No. One in 416 rigby that just came in today. If 41 is where big bores start,then count a Taurus Tracker and RBH both in 41 mag.

I shoot a 338/378 KT. It is built on a Ruger #1. I shoot 250 gr Hornady bullet 3000 FPS over a crony all of the time. It will get out there and touch something. The longest animal taken of far 742 yards. He was a nice buck.

Yeah, right....742 yards...sure. I doubt you could even SEE a buck at that distance. You're so sure of yourself that you remain anonymous. A 338 isn't a big bore in my book. Get real, guy.
 
 Rick

If its built on a #1 it should have a 28 inch barrell at least. All you get is 3000fps?? Doesn't sound right to me.

a few...
 45-70, 375H&H, 404 Jeffery, 458, 450 Ackley, 500 A-Square..
 and I have the itch, but alas no scratch for a 450 #2

I have a Marlin 1895 , 45/70 Caliber.
 Santa brought it to me this year. What a nice old man!
 I have taken 2 deer with it and I tell you guys that don't have one, it's like a bolt of lightning! When the deer is hit, it's over! Yeah, that's it, "Lightning in a Cartridge".
 
 Nice site guys!
 Perry

I have 2 , 444 Marlins. One is the 444S and the other is a 444P. I sold my older 444 and bought 2 of the newer ones. I have been shooting a 444 for over 14 years. I am currently thinking about the 44 Mag in a Marlin. I also have A 44 Mag Ruger Super Redhawk and a S&W 45 Auto. That is the extent of my Big Bores I do have a lot of other firearms. I am getting ready to go on a boar hunt on the 26th and use my 444S. "Can't wait" Also thinking about getting the 444 revolver from Magnum Research?? $$$.
 
 444BB.

Perry,
 A guy on another site that I used to frequent loved the 338 Win...called it "God's Chosen Caliber"....Like you, I love the 45-70, and I told him it certainly must be "God's Chosen Sledgehammer!"

I have 338 and 7 ultra mags and they are awesome,but I'm thinking that if I was reduced to one rifle,it would probably be my 45 70.The only drawback is that I just didn't like a scope on it.It just didn't carry right.The reciever sight is a good compromise. I dont like compromise,so hopefully the 416 Rigby in NO. ONE will give me the best of both worlds and a better bullet selection to boot.But the 45 70 will always have a home here.

I would like to see you Ruger #1 with a 28" barrel. They come with a 26" NOT 28". But then what do I know I only have one. What does the 28" barrel have to do with not getting 3000 FPS with 250 gr. Hornady. One inch only gives 100 FPS at best. I an only shooting 96 gr of powder. This gives me the best accuracy.

I do realize that in MIN-A-SOO-TA that a long shot is nothing close to what we have in the west. This year we watched a B&C bull that was 1700-1800 yards away but then I WAS there.
 Want to have a shoot off ? My KT against your Rigby. We could put ther target out at say 600 yards and then we can let them fly. It sounds good to me.
 
 I will have send my laser range finders back and have them adjusted, or maybe we can use your eyes, but that is no good you couldnot see out 700+ yard.
 
 All is in fun. Have a good time .
 
 Good hunting and Great shooting

I don't need a laser rangefinder, I stalk close enough to call it hunting......not sniping. The 416 has a 1-4 Vari-X II, the 500 Nitro has express sights.
 
 What's that thing about Minnesota? I guess I missed that one.

.458 Lott I saw your comment on building a .500 Jeffery.
 2 weeks ago on the big German Hunting /Fishing show I had the pleasure handling and slobbering all over the Johansson Magnum Mauser 98 action in .500 Jeffery.
 Whaaaaat a gorgeous rifle, whaat a beautifull action!!
 The action was glass smooth, emaculate workmanship in all details, winchester safety, recoil proof magazine release, polished feeding ramp and rails, beautifull express sights with relative large ivory front bead. All that beautifull crafted metal set in a relative simple well proportioned straight grained beautifull finished piece of english walnut. Sigh!! The stuff dreams are made off.

By actual definition "Big Bore" is .458 and larger according to the British Big Bore Rifle makers. The 375HH and the 416 are referred to as Medium Bores. I would guess the 45/70 is going to fall on the side of Big bore by definition but hardly meets the power standards of others in the "big bore" catagory.
 
 25 years ago a 300 weatherby was an awfully powerful rifle to me. I would have considerd it more or less silly for anyhting in the USA. So the "power" each of us sees as un-necessary or excessive is going to be reletive to what we are used to.
 
 By todays standards the 300 Weatherby is not an overly powerful rifle for any big game. But I would bet in some SE or Midwest states it's looked upon just as I did 25 years ago. I'm not looking for a flame or a debate just trying to put into context the term "Big Bore" by those who have built them the longest. Big bore for the British rifle makers are .458, .500, .505. 470. 477, 600 nitro and 700 nitro etc. etc. I'm sure I missed plenty but you get the idea.
 
 They did not coinsider the 375HH anything but a Smaller Meduim bore "all around hunting rifle". Even the 404 and 416 were referred to as meduim bores. Those Brit's really must have had a high tolerance to recoil, or they actually understood what was needed to crumple the big guys in Africa. or anyplace else in the world.

Of course you are correct JJ. That is how the "olde tyme" Brits classified the large bores, and this was done in the blackpowder days, was it not? If you wanted more terminal energy on target, the only thing to do was increase bore size, because you couldn't drive the bullets any faster.
 Then along comes 'smokeless", cordite, and finally the slow burning magnum powders.
 I know that numbers are just numbers, but how else to compare dissimilar cartridges performance? What I would like to have someone show me is how the old, slow huge bullets compare with the newer, faster, smaller bores.
 Is Taylors KO value table valid?
 If the old timers, (Sir Samuel Baker) had had a 458Lott, 416Hoffman, or some such, would he ever have had any reason to put up with 'Baby' , his 4-bore rifle(I think that's right?)
 
 In the end, I feel that the .40 calibers and above are getting to be big bores, but that is compared to what I am used to encountering here in good old Nebraska, and what size rifles are needed to be useful on the game that we have available to us. Most people around here think that a 375HH is just HUGE. and they are not wrong, for around here. But if we had lions and tigers and bears roaming these creek bottoms, I suspect that people would feel that the 375HH is a reasonably moderate sized deer gun, and most would be carrying 416s or 458s.
 
 So for me, I'll include 375HH and the 416s in the big bore category, because the energy the develope is on the upper end of the scale compared to what I'm used to.
 I know a gentleman that lives within 25 miles of me who thinks that the 470NE is kinda whimpy, and much prefers the 500 3"NE. He hunts all over the world, and has used just about everything there is to use. I would think that his definition of big bore would be somewhat different than mine, and he is probably correct. (But I have to wonder if the recoil has started to affect his judgement, as he has done a bit of spearing of large dangerous game this year.)
 Big bore rifles are fascinating!
 Best to you,
 Bill in NE

Just one. My Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70.

Marlin 1895GS 45/70

Hello,
 
 This is my first post here. This seems like a nice forum. By way of introduction, the big bores that I presently shoot are: .45-70, .45 X 2 4/10" (.45-90), and .45 X 2 7/8" (.45-110). These are all Black Powder Cartridge rifles. One original Rolling Block Sporting Rifle (new barrel), a Browning Creedmore 1885 High Wall, and two Shiloh Sharps. I am working on building a .416 (Taylor?) on a nice VZ-24 action that I have. Will stock it with English Walnut.
 
 Scott

Scott, welcome!
 
 There is lot of wisdom and experience here, (as well as some joking and BS).
 Hope you want to stick around and be an active part of the group. (unless you're an opinionated idiot, then you can post more, for our collective comic relief) [Linked Image]

Bill

I bought some years back a rifle that was told and sold to me as a big bore gun. Now that caliber is a .375H&H bolt action Winchester with a wooden stock.
 So now, I am told 20 years later, I have in fact a medium bore rifle, still yet all the gun one needs to hunt most dangerous game in far away places I have never been yet.
 
 I get so sick of the so called Cowboys "want ta bee" shooters and their 45/70 guide guns at the range who insist they are carrying the big bores of today with advanced technology behind them, in the way of a ported barrel I guess is what they are referring too. That rifle is a joke in my eyes! I don't care it is my opinion and I am sticking to it........what a way to screw up a nice lever action.
 
 Well, I will still take that .375H&H of mine, even though it sets more than is shot by me, over any other big bore or lever out there and bring home the bacon in spite of what some call a medium bore now days, or weather time has changed the grading system any.

'Shroom, time does indeed change the grading system.
 
 A century ago, 45 cal was small bore. [Linked Image]

Man,this thread has come out of the dark spaces of internet time hasn't it?
 
 I have a 378 Weatherby Magnum (I'd qualify a 300 grain bullet going 3000 FPS as a big bore,wouldn't you?),several 45/70s,a 45/120 3 1/4 inch,and a 458 Winchester Magnum.Plan on picking up a 416 Weatherby and 460 Weatherby one day also.
 
 WB.

Wheel Chair, by my standards I would call the .378 you posted about as being more into mounted cannon offerings. I fired one of those things once without a muzzle break. It would seem to me to be a deady killer of game on one end and a crippler on the other. Yes, indeed I would certainly call it a big bore and then some.

Mushroom,
 Without a muzzel brake,the 378 Weatherby Magnum is one of the most ferocious kickers in the world;from a 10 pound rifle,it'll have nearly 80 pounds of recoil at 23 FPS.Even worse yet,if you have one that hasn't been made in the last view years,it'll have a #2 barrel instead of a #3,and will be VERY light-some weight only 8 1/2 pounds,complete with scope!Mine has a #2 barrel,but luckily has a very dense peice of Claro on it,and weights 8 3/4 pounds scopeless.It also has a muzzel brake on it,which automaticaly makes it into a pussy cat,albit a very LOUD pussy cat.
 
 WB.

WCB, I only fired that 378 once, it left forever lasting branded impression upon my brain and body. I got a bloody nose from the idea, friends of mine thought I had been in a fight earlier, from the blood on my shirt. A mule won't kick as hard as that rifle I was told and believe it too.

.45/70 T/C Contender.

375 H&H x2
 
 460 WBY.
 
 Just got rid of the 416 WBY.
 
 I really liked the 378 WBY I had,it was a Lazer mark with a really nice stock .
 235 grain speers at 3300fps really got the message down range in a hurry.
 
 
 
 Charlie

john 'pondoro' taylor, a transplanted english irishman who somewhat defined the golden age of safari in the waning days of empire, defines 'big bore' as follows in his seminal book, 'african rifles and cartridges' (safari press, reprint 1994):
 
 "LARGE BORE. A rifle the caliber of which is not less than .450".
 
 "LARGE MEDIUM BORE. A rifle the caliber of which is not less than .400" nor greater than .440" (11.2mm).
 
 "MEDIUM BORE. A rifle the caliber of which is not less than .318" nor greater than .375".
 
 "SMALL BORE. A rifle the caliber of which is less than .318".
 
 "MINIATURE. A rifle the M.E. of which is less than 1,500 ft. lbs.
 
 "MAGNUM. A rifle the M.V. of which is not less than 2,500 f.s.
 
 
 te

My only big bore that I shoot is my .375 H&H. Dunno if that is a true big bore or not, but plenty big enough I think!

magnum research 440 corbon and 50 ae.I like the desert eagles ALOT,being able to change from 357 to 40 to 44 to 50 is way cool !

I have two .375 H&H's(Ruger M77 & Win. M70), Ruger .416 Rigby and two .450 Marlins( Win. M70 & Ruger No.1). Currently I'm building a .450 Rigby on a Ruger M77 action, SO if anybody out there has any load information on this cartridge I would be very grateful if you could pass it along to me. Have a Safe and Happy New Year. Lawdog

Lawdog,

Go over to Accuratereloading.com and post in the big bore forum. There are several folks that shoot 450 Rigby's there. Also use the search function for older related posts.

Marlin 1895GS GuideGun .45/70 Govt. and I LOVE it!

Presently, a Ruger #1-S in .375 H&H, which has broken its Redfield scope. Also something NO ONE ELSE YET MENTIONED <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> A Field's Patent falling block by R.B. Rodda, in .500-.450 #1 Blackpowder Express. The former is a nice shooter, the latter I am working on, so far 4" groups at 50 yards is the best it's done.

Would like a .416 Rigby CZ, they seem a great buy, though I'd have to get the stock shortened. I also have no idea what the hell I'd shoot with it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Anybody have one?

A .45-70 Ruger #1 has a nice feel. Ruger's 416's, though, are usually too heavy. A hunting rifle need not weigh 10 lbs!

That rumor of a .405 Winchester in a #1S?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Ahh, now we can find out what that cartridge will REALLY do!

I have a Ruger #1 45-70, a .416 Taylor and a .375 Ackley Improved. I just wish I could go shoot them at the game they were designed for.

I have a 444 Marlin Timber Carbine, 45-70 Marlin LTDV, 2- 375 H&H bolt actions, and a Win M70 458. If handguns count how about 2- 454 Cassulls, 45 Colt Ruger.

Sauer 9,3x62 mm.

Mostly the 338s Win/Wea./Rem./06 A Sq.
Love the 375 H&H.

Prospector

I think I'll invent Carson's inverse rule: The older one gets the less recoil one likes. This doesn't explain the .458 Ruger M77 I just purchased. (Christmas present my wife says). Anyone have a really loud, but low recoiling load for this beastie? The locals will be impressed when I jerk up on the muzzle during recoil and give'm a brave smile. My wife will quite asking what those black and blue marks are on my right shoulder are too. (Those were from a lowly 9.3 x 62 mm 286 @ 2360 fps, 7.3 lbs. I'm a whimp it seems.)
Those of you who shoot all those British Nitro Express cartridges have my upmost respect.
Carson

Well if you go with over 40 cal I have
577-450MH x2
45-70 in an original 1886 Win & Trapdoor
43 Spanish in a Rem Rollingblock

If over 375 caliber include a 375 Winchester

45-70

.458X2" American, 375/350 Rem(wildcat) and a .54 front stuffer

Mark H

416 Remington in a Ruger No-1

.444, 45-70, .458Win, no need for any more big bores- they do the trick for North American Hunting. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

375 H&H, 45/70

tq

I just had my Win M70 .375 H&H rebarrelled in .416 Rem. As soon as I get it back from the 'smith, that's what I'll be shooting.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hi All,

This is my first post. I guess my .444 Marlin only qualifies as a large medium bore. Sure feels big since is in a 5 lb T/C Contender Carbine w/ a 16.25 inch BBL.

Tony

>45-70, 458 Win, 45 and 58 BP in Switchbarrel Rollingblock.

Centerfire--9.3 x 62 Mauser, 44-40 WCF, 45-70

Muzzle-loader--.54 conical and roundball, .58 Minie and roundball.

My "heavy" is a Kleinguenther K-15 in .411 KDF Magnum. Haven't had a chance to shoot anything big and bad with it yet but have been known to carry it into the deer stand once in awhile. Also have a Ruger #1 .45/70. If you stretch the definition of "big bore" to .35's, I'm well covered with a .35 Rem., .348 Win. .356 Win., .358 Win., .350 Rem. Mag., .358 Norma Mag. and will be completing the collection with a new 7600 .35 Whelen when they arrive next month. Also have a shiny new CZ 550 in 9.3x62 that I haven't even shot yet. Oh yeah, I also have a TCR barrel in .375/06 JDJ but my TCR was stolen a couple years ago {with a .32/40 barrel} and I haven't been able to replace my TCR frame so this barrel is just gathering dust.

.375 H&H (if that counts) and .450/.400 NE double (400 gr at 2150). Looking for a .416 Rigby. Oh, and a trap door .45-70 and a .58 muzzleloader.

45/70 Marlin 1895.

Anyone that thinks this is a comfortable shooter, is a less recoil bothered person than I am. I am still trying to make it my friend. Methinks it will take awhile. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I have now:

Winchester 1886 Rifle 28 inch barrel in .45-70

Winchester 1886 SRC .45-70

Winchester 70 Alaskan .338 w/ Leupold 1x4 on it

Had a Winchester 70 in .375 and I didnt really see the point. It kicked more than the 338 and I dont see that I gained much advantage on Elk, etc. I still use the 86 SRC as a saddle rifle and carry my old Winchester 88 as a truck gun.

SUCKS 700 LSS in 338 RUM.

It doesn't kick too bad, it is managable.

Tony.

I have been hunting Alaska and Africa since I was 11 years old. My father always told me that the bigger the better. i am currently in possesion of a rigby 500ne built in 1959. I am also shooting the wonderful 458 Lott, 458 win mag, both built by my company on montana rifleman actions. I have a 458 win mag in a ruger #1, a 375 h&h built on a pre 64 win action. I am currently building a wildcat 416. I am using a 340 weatherby case shortened and then the neck reformed to hold a 416 bullet. I am still working out the details. i have a reamer and I have completed the bbl. It is going on a montana action. I will write more and in greater detail after I complete the job and develop loads for it. I also have a nice 416 rigby built on an old bbk 02 action that I bought from a man in montana 12 or 13 years ago. I believe olypic arms is selling those now. It took a tremendous amount of work to make it the great action it is now.

458 Lott,

If a .375 is considered a big bore, I have one. It is a .416 Rem necked to .375. It has a BIG muzzle brake, a Decelerator behind a 1/2" stroke hydrolic shock. The felt recoil is maybe like a .270 with a kick pad.

I have used it on deer, elk, squirrels and jack rabbits. Squirrels disappear. Jacks blow up spectacularly. Deer and elk react about the same as when hit by my 7MM.