Do you need a REASON to buy a big bore rifle?

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mountainclmbr

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I have been fascinated with big bore rifles for a long time. Sometimes I think I would like to get one just to shoot paper. Probably not a 4-bore or .700 Nitro Express, but possibly a .375 H&H or a .458 Win Mag/ or Lott.

I wouldn't count out a trip to Africa some day, but a salmon fishing trip to Alaska (or moving there one day) is more likely. Of course, I could use either rifle on elk here in Colorado or for black bear protection in the spring or fall when the bears sometimes break into homes in my area. Maybe a little overpowered for anything in Colorado, but it would be neat to have one.

Has anyone else gotten a big bore just because you wanted one? What is the recommendation of chambering if you have?
 
ME.ME.ME.:D . Looking at possibly a 375 or a 338 I know the 338 isn't "big bore"but close. Mine would be for the larger North American game kinda overkill but thats ok. I may start a fund.

Would love a .4-.5 something but would need a reason to convince myself.
 
"it would be neat to have one" is a good enough reason for me. :)

I bought a Ruger No. 1 in .45-70 for precisely that reason. It is not up to the .458 area but it can be loaded to approach it. It is my "big bore."


Drue
 
Drue, I'm glad I'm not the only one!

It was just sitting there on the consignment rack. My only reason was, I HAD to have it. :D

A Ruger #1S in .45-70, that is. Now I HAVE to go on a bison hunt, and then a Cape Buffalo hunt, etc. Funny how that works.

rugerbenchsmall.gif
 
Say a 48 Buick gets between you and your deer...

Or a rhino escapes from the zoo and starts turning the local shoolyard into a stomping ground.

It could happen.. will you be ready? :scrutiny:
 
When I was much younger I was trying desperately to rationalize a gun purchase and my Grandfather told me “a gun nut only needs one reason to buy a gun, because he wants itâ€â€¦ and ol’ Granddad was right! :p

Ed
 
Three weeks ago I walked into the biggest gun shop in the area.I was looking for a non-remington open sighted .30-06.I especially wanted to see if they had a CZ in that format.The salesman helped me talk myself(he didn't have to try very hard:D )into a CZ550 safari in .458win mag.I have a friend who handloads for his no.1's in .375 h&h,.458 winmag,&.45-70.I have shot them before & I kinda like it.;)
BTW,I picked up an open sighted model 70 in .30-06 over the weekend @ the local show.phew!:eek: :cool:
 
I once bought a Browning A-Bolt Stalker in .375 H&H just (I suppose) in case a herd of Cape Buffalo ever decided to try to take over my neighborhood. They never did so I guess the word got out. So I used it as a plinker. And let me tell you a Pepsi can plinked with a .375 H&H stays plinked. Great round. Very accurate. Mine was MOA with 3 shot groups. Probably shot it too much. Began to develop what I thought would be a permanent flinch. Even with a PAST shoulder pad, after about 25 or 30 rounds, I'd get a little antsy about pulling the trigger. Big bores in .375 and maybe .416 Remington are fairly affordable for doing a fair amount of shooting. (I reload.) When you go to the larger calibers (.416 Rigby and up), costs are incredibly high...even if you reload. Someday I plan on getting another .375 (probably a Winchester Safari). Won't shoot it as much on each outing. Most dangerous game rifles come with metal sights. If you put a scope on whatever you get, eye relief is the thing to be concerned with. I'd love to have a rifle in .416 Rigby just because of the history associated with the round. But I'll have to win the lottery to afford the ammo.
 
If you reload, the big bores are adaptable and affordable to shoot. If you don't reload, forget it. I pay about 35 cent each for my fun loads in my 458 Lott. That includes jacketed bullets. When CZ comes out with it's 505 Gibbs in a year or two, then I'll start paying.

No, you don't need a reason.


David
 
You DON'T need a reason to want it.
You DO need a place to fire it.

Not so easy when you start talking about things like .50 BMG
 
I will have a .375 H&H someday...even if I'm sitting in a wheelchair in a home for the aged. Wanting one is reason enough....if you can afford it.
 
Heck no, you don't need a reason other than the one you stated - you've been thinking about it! :D

With your intentions, wouldn't it be grand to have a bolt-action .375 and a lever-action .45-70?
You betcha!

I got my Marlin 1895 a couple of years ago and finally, recently, got my .375 in the form of the Remington 700 / .375 Ultra Mag.
WOW.

Seeya in Alaska someday maybe... :)
 
only1asterisk, howabout details on those 458 fun loads? I've been looking for an excuse to get a Lott and that may just do it. :D
 
I bought my .458 for large flesh eating monster worms that break thru the basement wall.

I figured I was also covered for elephant stampedes.
 
I have many rifles including 270, 30-06 (Garand and 1903-A3), 8mm Mauser (3 different models) and a 444 Marlin. I have 2 12 ga shotguns. But, a .375 or a 458 would be interesting to shoot.

The 444 Marlin with 300 gr at 2000 fps is potent, but I don't consider it in the "Big Bore" class like the .458. Is the same true for 12ga slugs?

I was thinking of the .375 H&H or the .458 Win Mag/Lott for availability of brass. I reload so are there other options like the 416 rounds I should consider?

And if a Grizzly was driving a 1948 Buick in front of a deer...what would I want???
 
No, but I've got a Trapdoor Springfield in 45-70 as well as a Marlin 45-70 rifle. Now, if we ever get a group buy from Barrett, I want a M-82.
 
My fun loads use the 405 grain Remington 45-70 bullet. They run 15-20 cents delivered. The powder is any medium fast rifle powder I happen to have on hand (60-80 grains depending on powder) and a CCI 250 primer. The secret is to crimp the bullet in the groove ahead of the cannelures. Seating the bullet thus will reduce the capacity of the 458 lott to 458 Winchester levels and reduce the powder required. This load will get you 2175-2375fps, a sore shoulder and expolsive results downrange.
This combo is for range/varmit use, not edible game and certainly not for anything over 150 pounds or so. The bullet is a bomb at this velocity and will make a mess of anything it hits.

The .458's are the least expensive big bores to load for, but prices for .475 revolver bullets have dropped to the point that the 470 NE and others can get close. A rifle barreled for one of the various .400's that use .411 bullets can be feed .41 mag bullets for fun. I haven't even mentioned the vast number of cast bullets on the market. Once the set up cost is paid, the actual loading and shooting is not too hard to swallow.


David
 
No trouble at all, sir! When you get her done I'll send you some details. Right after we see some pictures! ;)



David
 
I DO live on the plains.... There ARE buffalo... I COULD be at danger....OFF to the Store I go.
 
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