Im looking to get a bigbore rifle, to go with what I already have. I currently have a 30/30 lever, and a pair of model 70 classics, one in 7mm rem mag, and the other in 300 RUM. I think Ive decided to go with either the model 70 safari, in either the 416 rem, or 458 win, or a CZ 550 in 416 rigby, 458 win, or 458 lott. Right now I hunt elk, and deer mostly, but look forward to planning trips to Alaska and/or Africa for some big stuff some day. Currently not reloading, but will probably take it up at least for my 300. What are the pro's and cons of the calibers and rifles?

You may want to get a .375 H&H first. Many on the forum here recomended that I do that first and I could have not been more pleased. It may be a more versatile caliber for you. I thought of it as a step between medium and big bore rifles. After the .375 then I bought a .458 Lott. recoil between the medium and big bores are very different.

Get a .375H&H. There are lots of bullets available in different weights, so you can tailor your choice for North American game, too.

The .375H&H is also easy to shoot, as its recoil is mild compared to say, a .458 Lott.

George

Good advice from 300magman and George. A 375 H&H rifle is a very versatile weapon. A variety of bullet and wide range of powders give you everything from a dangerous game rifle to a legitimate long range killer.

Going above that caliber I'd go with one of the sweet .40 calibers. Any of the 416s. Good long great penetrating bullets.

If it were my first Big Bore, I'd choose the 375 H&H and never look back.

Just my opine and your money!

The advice to go with a .375 is excellent.

Before getting into larger stuff the .338 Win Mag was the largest rifle I owned. Based on the recommendation of folks here I got a .375 H&H first. Was only a moderate step up from the .338 WM but with excellent performance.

I later got a chance to shoot a .416 Rigby and a .458 Lott next. The Lott is a significant step up from the .375 and it's recoil is heavier than the Rigby. I bought a Rigby.

After some experience with the heavier rifle I finally acquired a .470 NE.

Turns out that I'm not all that sensitive to recoil ... but that may be a result of starting at a reasonable place and working up.

I'd go with the 375 to start with, just flat gets the job done for all differnt kinds of hunting and is very easy to shoot, lots of bullets and easy to find. A win would be nice if you could find one, if not a CZ is nice and fun to trick.

Everybody should have a couple of 375's.

One suggestion, hang around your local rifle ranges and see if you can find somebody who has some bigger than 7MM for you to try out. Ask the rangemaster if he knows of any who comes out with some bigger stuff.

I love the 375 H&H, but if I had the calibers you do currently I would purchase a 416 with a slight nod to the Rem so the actions will be the same length and you won't short stroke your heavy in the heat of battle. I couldn't tell any significant difference in the recoil of a 416 and a 375 H&H and find my 300 mag was much less pleasant to shoot than either.

Perry

No doubt that a 375H&H is a must have at some point but given your current battery I would suggest a 416 of some sort.

Personal favorite is the Rem simply due to the number of cases you can get in the magazine but the Rigby is a good choice as well and there may well be more of those on the market now anyway. I would also not turn my nose up at a Taylor. Almost as much punch in a smaller lighter action. No buff will know the difference.

I would say that a 300 RUM and a 416 whatever is an ideal battery for Africa. Personally I would substitute a 338 for the 300 but I would dance with what I had and never look
back.

Good luck deciding.

John

Dittos on those that said the .375. It works great on deer & elk. I liked my brother's so well I had one made up on an Interarms Mark X action.

Got this deer with one.



This is the exit hole from a Barnes 235 gr X bullet.

quote:

Originally posted by 475Guy:
One suggestion, hang around your local rifle ranges and see if you can find somebody who has some bigger than 7MM for you to try out. Ask the rangemaster if he knows of any who comes out with some bigger stuff.

I have a 300 ultramag as well, so I have one heavy kicker lol.

I like the die hard 375, but wanted to make sure I went a step up from my 300rum. Think I may look at the 375 or 416 rem then, in the winchester safari then. Will the 416 perform every bit as good or better or worse then the 375 in the field?