Hello, I'd like to make a display for my trophy room using cases from the classic big bores. So here's the question what would be the definative list for the worlds most popular big bores. And to add a twist I'd like to keep it to 20 or so, so the obscure ones aren't included in this list.

thanks

the chef

I have been gathering to do the same. My picks
1. 600 nitro express
2. 458 lott
3. 458 winmag
4. 450 ackley
5. 404 jeffery
6. 500 jeffery
7. 375hh
8. 470 nitro express
9. 9.3x74
10.416 rigby
11. 470 capstick
12. 12bore
13. 4bore
no so classics
14. 505 gibbs
15. 450 rigby
16. 577 trex
17. 600 overkill
18. 700 nitro express
19. 416 rem
20. 460 weatherby
Dean

What is your definition of "classic"?

Do you mean big and impressive to look at , or do you mean cartridges from the historic heydays of big game hunting ?

Without wishing to denigrate Tonto's listing , half of those on the list are not "classic" in the heyday sense , they are too new , and some are not calibers that you could walk into a shop and buy the ammo for , as you would need to be able in 1923 in Kenya or Bangalore......

To leave out some of the obscure ones may well be missing a true classic . Send us some more thoughts and a classic list is sure to eventuate .

Good point, muzza. If you are looking for classic big bores, than obviously the Nitro Express rounds should make your list from 600 down to maybe 450 3 1/4. plus the Jeffery rounds (.404 and .500), and don't forget the evr classic .375 H&H. The .458 win mag is also significant as it was a commercial attempt to meet or beat the classic nitro express big bores in an affordable rifle. Just a thought.

Well you can tell I don't know a hell of a lot about big bores. I think of classis as something that would be used in africa 80 yrs ago and now, but also the bullets that have become extremely popular in the last 30 yrs or so. So maybe i should say modern classics and historical classics if that makes any sense.

thanks

quote:

Originally posted by muzza:
What is your definition of "classic"?


Without wishing to denigrate Tonto's listing , half of those on the list are not "classic" in the heyday sense , they are too new , and some are not calibers that you could walk into a shop and buy the ammo for , as you would need to be able in 1923 in Kenya or Bangalore......

I agree thats why I labled almost half of them as not so classic. You can go into the old double rifle rounds 450/400 ect ect. I was thinking more along the lines of more known classics and possible future classics.
Dean

Best of luck to you as you start this journey. I have really enjoyed getting my collection together. Here is a list of the cartridges I have in my collection...if it helps
1. Four Bore
2. 700 Nitro (H&H headstamp)
3. 577 Tyrannosaur
4. 577 Nitro
5. 585 Nyati
6. 500 Jeffrey
7. 505 Gibbs
8. 500 Nitro Express
9. 500 Nitro Express 3†Kynoch (Cordite)
10. 500 A-Square
11. 450 x 400 Nitro Express Kynoch
12. 450 Assegai
13. 450 Ackley
14. 450 #2 Nitro Express
15. 450 Rigby
16. 416 Chapuis
17. 460 A-Square Short
18. 470 Nitro Express Kynoch
19. 500-465 Nitro Express Kynoch SLD
20. 475 #2 Nitro Express Kynoch
21. 500-465 Nitro Express Kynoch SP
22. 450 Nitro
23. 416 Taylor
24. 425 Express
25. 458 Lott
26. 404 Dakota
27. 470 Capstick
28. 416 Rem Mag
29. 476 Nitro Express Kynoch
30. 450x400 Nitro Express Kynoch SP
31. 450x400 Nitro Express Kynoch SLD

quote:

Originally posted by calgarychef1:
Hello, I'd like to make a display for my trophy room using cases from the classic big bores. So here's the question what would be the definative list for the worlds most popular big bores. And to add a twist I'd like to keep it to 20 or so, so the obscure ones aren't included in this list.

thanks

the chef

If you are looking for 80 years ago you would have to have.

8 Bore
10 Bore
12 Bore

600 NE
577 3" NE.
577 2 3/4"NE
505 Gibbs
500 Jeffery
475#2
470 NE
500/465 H&H
450 #2
450 3 1/4"
450/400 3 1/4"
400 Jeffery
416 Rigby (not popular than but is now)
404 Jeffery
375 H&H
9.3x74R
9.3x62
350 Rigby Mag.
333 Jeffery
318 WR

458 Win.
460 Weatherby
378 Weatherby

Who are some collector cartridge dealers to purchase these rounds from?

try ed reynolds (Hockeypuck? I think) on this site or http://www.colcartinc.com for the British stuff.

regards,
mjg

Fla3006 - many of these catridges are offered on http://www.auctionarms.com or http://www.gunbroker.com and can be found without too much effort .

Others will be found at gunshows on the more cartridge-oriented sales tables , and some will cost you real money and a good excuse to your wife as to why you spent that much on one little "bullet".....

Such are the joys of cartridge collecting....

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:
Who are some collector cartridge dealers to purchase these rounds from?

I got a lot of mine from Colcart, several from Westley Richards, (but they are not selling single rounds anymore) and there is a cartridge collector that advertises in Gun List from time to time. On some of the more modern stuff, like A-square, I have been known to buy a full box and sell/trade off singles that I dont need.

quote:

muzza: some will cost you real money and a good excuse to your wife as to why you spent that much on one little "bullet"

Actually I once had a fairly sizeable cartridge collection but decided to sell it about 20 years ago. I took it and my ex-wife to a gun show where we had a table. I had the cartridges in a box on the table with no price. My wife was watching the table while I was walking around and guess what happened? Someone came by the table, offered her $3 for the box, and she took it. As I said, she is my ex-wife.

I know this isn't what you asked for, but you may wish to know of a source for mailable empty cases.
My local baitshop sells new single-specimen brass from several sources.
http://www.huntingtons.com/cases_singlecaseprices.html
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

When you say classic big bores, I'd say the newest chambering that would qualify would be the 458 win mag, and the bulk of the rounds should have been introduced prior to the 1920's.

With that out of the way, I'd say a good representation of classic big bores, albeit not 20 but an even dozen would be:

375 H&H (not a true big bore)
404 Jeffrey
416 Rigby
400/450 NE
450 NE
458 win mag
470 NE
500 Jeffrey
505 Gibbs
500 NE
577 NE
600 NE

There are some more esoteric NE and magazine rifles rounds that could be added to up the count to 20.

Classic bigbores?

Hmmh...

9,3x62
9,3x64
9,3x65R
9,3x70 Magnum
9,3x72R
9,3x74R

9,5x57 MS of African fame
9,5x73 Miller & Greiss

10,3x60R Swiss (still going *very* strong)

10,75x57 MS
10,75x63
10,75x68

11,2x60 Schüler
11,2x72 Schüler

12,5x70 Schüler

Carcano

As good of a place as any to start...
http://www.kynochammunition.co.uk/