I started here about 18 years ago, saw the new era of bigbore interest thanks to the internet, then left the sport of bigbores a few years ago and don't post much. Just wondered if I could get an update on whats been happening?

Is Ed Hubel still building 4 bores and 12GFH off any action he can?

Is the 600Ok still popular?

What's the new biggest bigbore everyone wants?

Did any obscure calibres become suddenly popular? 450 Watts? 375 Epstein?

Did everyone get their Montana PH actions at last?

Did anyone ever test a 505 gibbs to full power in a modern action with decent brass? Asked the question here 18 years ago, still not sure

Is Nickudu still alive?

Was 500grains ever heard from again?

Have animals gotten even tougher, requiring yet further advancements in case capacity, calibre and bullet hardness to kill them?

Are manufacturers still selling roundnose solids despite the advent of CEB?

Does the ScottS/Judy/ToddE super troll still post anymore?

Do american big bore owners still hate Weatherby?

Are all weatherby cartridges still 'failing to penetrate their projectiles' despite many other cartridges being faster these days and penetrating just fine

Most importantly is the 375H&H a large medium bore or bigbore and should it be used for stopping cape buff

I only started awhile back so am not familiar with the answers to most of your questions, but from recent postings it appears 5.Yes, Montana models are all available; 8. Some of the animals are tougher so as to require the likes of a 500 Jeffery to properly put them down. 8 (second 8) Hornady still makes roundnose solids even though some post about their ineffectiveness. 10. Some still hate Weatherbys, most particularly the ones based on the belted Rigby case. 11. Weatherbys bullets still fall apart, some even before they get to the animal.& 12. Some post a 375 as the top of the middle bores while others post it as the smallest of the big bores. I haven't done a statistical breakdown to see which category has the most 375 postings, so I'll leave that to the others, since they are needed to answer the other questions known by the members with longer standing.

quote:

Originally posted by Karl:
I started here about 18 years ago, saw the new era of bigbore interest thanks to the internet, then left the sport of bigbores a few years ago and don't post much. Just wondered if I could get an update on whats been happening?

1. Is Ed Hubel still building 4 bores and 12GFH off any action he can?
You would have to hear from him but I bet he is one of the most tinkeringest of them all.

2. Is the 600Ok still popular?
I think Rob has a rough estimate on the number of 600 OKs in the wild

3. What's the new biggest bigbore everyone wants?
Subjective, but I would say the 20mm is gaining popularity and some long range variants of Ed Hubbel's 585 necked down to 416 and 375

4. Did any obscure calibres become suddenly popular? 450 Watts? 375 Epstein?
The 400 Whelen has been more popular on this board it seems

5. Did everyone get their Montana PH actions at last?
I have not heard of anyone who did not get theirs

6. Is Nickudu still alive?
Some people are ghosts here but still haunt us while remaining in the living.

7. Was 500grains ever heard from again?
I miss those days of having him around. Some on ARPF I do not.

8. Have animals gotten even tougher, requiring yet further advancements in case capacity, calibre and bullet hardness to kill them?
Yes. Mostly thicker skulls of the shooters.

8. Are manufacturers still selling roundnose solids despite the advent of CEB?
Most have come to see the light but ignorance dies a slow death

9. Does the ScottS/Judy/ToddE super troll still post anymore?
No

10. Do american big bore owners still hate Weatherby?
Yes.

11. Are all weatherby cartridges still 'failing to penetrate their projectiles' despite many other cartridges being faster these days and penetrating just fine
Yes

12. Most importantly is the 375H&H a large medium bore or bigbore

It is a $&@%ing medium bore. Big bores start at 1/2"

Hi Karl,
Nice to hear from you again.

I run my 505 Gibbs, Montana PH action, 23 inch Krieger Barrel, Jamison brass and 600 grain Woodleigh PP at 2600fps. I tested it to 2650 with no pressure signs at all. Im not sure how much more I could get but I wouldnt be suprised if 2700 was in reach. 2600 is where I settled because the 600 grain solid seats more into the case and I wanted them consistent with no pressure issues.

The 600 OK is very popular still. We are building four right now. I don’t think there’s been a time in the last twelve years that we haven’t had a 600 OK on the bench.

The 375 H&H is a small bore, at least around our shop.

Karl,

I almost forgot about ScottS.

Boomstick, thankyou

Lefteris, long time, did you get that 12ga super slug you were working on into guns?

505gibbs2600, that's great to know. Would you believe 2650 with 600 grain was the theoretical max I usually came up with, 2600fps was the lower max estimate.

Fjold, I quite liked him in the end, very entertaining!

Bitteroot had I not retired from the big stuff I would have one of your guns on Ed's cartridge. I did a 585 rifle of my own about 17 years ago, which was not as a good a design. Combined all the issues of the Nyati with even more difficulty getting the brass I needed at the time, since it was longer case. I should probably also add the question, is Dieter Horneber still operating and is he still as impossible to get hold of?

lastly a quiet moment for site early members and old Friends Teenut and Mitch Carter(the king of bigbore accuracy- 1/2 moa with 577 trex) Long gone on the forums...