after playing with semi-auto military rifles, I'm thirsting for a big bore bolt action. I'm about to pull the trigger on a .338 Lapua Sako and was wondering about other big bore calibers and saw some of the ones used for Africa big game. I don't see any tactical bolt actions chambered for these calibers (.375HH, 416 Rigby, etc). Would these be too much power to shoot in the prone with a bi-pod? Regardless, after reviewing videos on youtube of folks shooting these big bore calibers, I'll either get a .375HH or 416 Rigby. I have 70 acres of land so finding a place to shoot it won't be a problem.
big bore rifles
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Jim Watson
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The main reason you don't see tackytickle elephant guns is that they are set up for short to medium range shooting. A .375 H&H is about the best and it's trajectory is often compared to .30-06, just with a bigger bullet.
Most of the monster sniper developers have gone to somewhat smaller calibers for higher velocity and higher ballistic coefficient to give more downrange energy and flatter trajectory. If you look at the history, a .338 Lapua is pretty much a .416 Rigby necked down, and I think the .408 Chey-Tac is related to the .505 Gibbs. Now Barrett is making a .416 neckdown of .50 BMG if you want the most of everything.
Most of the monster sniper developers have gone to somewhat smaller calibers for higher velocity and higher ballistic coefficient to give more downrange energy and flatter trajectory. If you look at the history, a .338 Lapua is pretty much a .416 Rigby necked down, and I think the .408 Chey-Tac is related to the .505 Gibbs. Now Barrett is making a .416 neckdown of .50 BMG if you want the most of everything.
Strongbad
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Unless you've got a brake on them, which I don't care for, I don't think you'd want to shoot them prone, even if what Jim said wasn't correct and true. With 350 gr. bullets the 416 still turns out a decent trajectory, but that just wasn't what it was made for. It was built for close range to put holes in the heads of things that are big, nasty, and want to eat your lunch.
FWIW the Rigby is considerably more stout than the 375. Try before you buy.
FWIW the Rigby is considerably more stout than the 375. Try before you buy.
The big bores can be a pain (literally) to fire prone. If you are standing the rifle butt rests on muscle and your body gives under recoil. Prone the rifle rests on bone unless you are very careful and the recoil has no place to go so it thumps your shoulder.
For me, 4000 foot pounds in a reasonably portable rifle (one you can carry all day) starts to get a bit wearing after the first dozen rounds.
For me, 4000 foot pounds in a reasonably portable rifle (one you can carry all day) starts to get a bit wearing after the first dozen rounds.
.38 Special
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I don't even like firing the dangerous game cartridges standing. I wouldn't shoot one prone on a bet.
FWIW, Ross Seyfried once made a wildcat .30 caliber on the .416 Rigby case. Made some pretty good hits out to a mile with it.
But generally speaking, the other posters are correct. The "mission" of the dangerous game calibers is stopping big critters at a reasonably close distance. Despite Dirty Harry and his .458, they aren't the best choice for "tactical" use. (Although IMO "tactical" is around 95% appearance, so it hardly matters what the caliber is.
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FWIW, Ross Seyfried once made a wildcat .30 caliber on the .416 Rigby case. Made some pretty good hits out to a mile with it.
But generally speaking, the other posters are correct. The "mission" of the dangerous game calibers is stopping big critters at a reasonably close distance. Despite Dirty Harry and his .458, they aren't the best choice for "tactical" use. (Although IMO "tactical" is around 95% appearance, so it hardly matters what the caliber is.
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