I'm on a budget and want to purchase my first "real" big-bore. (I guess my 45/70 isn't really a DGR). Not planning to go to Africa, but Alaska for bear. I am partial to the CZ 550 in .458, but would be open to anything else in that price range, bolt, lever and maybe a Ruger No. 1.

Thanks.

steve

Steve,

I don't know if you have a 375 H&H, but its hard to beat, I would pick the either of the 416 also. A Lott is another if you can handle the back end part of it.

IMO, the best values in a DGR are Brno(CZ) ZKK-602s, CZ550s and Mark X Whitworths or Alaskans. Ruger No. 1s represent good value too but single shots probably are not the best choice for a DGR.

IMHO you'd be better off getting a modern M70 classic in 416 Rem (or 375) and have it rebarrelled with a good barrel before you waste any expensive ammo on it. At $1 a round for good hunting reloads it adds up in a hurry!

The factory barrels are a crap shoot at best. (Now watch 10 people chime in with tack-driver stories!)

Closest I have to the 375 H&H is my 93.x62 in, of all things, a CZ550. Also own two 45/70's.

What about the Mausers imported by KBI (Charles Daly name)? They're available in .458 for about the same money as the CZ's.

steve

Posts here say the quality is lacking on these "new" Charles Daly actions.

I like the Daly Mauser action, mine is in 458 Win with a 25" Douglas heavy contour barrel. Here's the first shots from it.

Mine required some minor cleaning up of the feed ramps to make it 100% reliable and that was it. We shot the groups at 50 yd.s from a standing supported rest. Since these were my first big bore shots ever I was really pleased with the gun, they are probably good enough for any bear you run across also. I'd also consider the CZ, the Ruger #1, although a fine rifle, is a little too light for me to enjoy shooting 458's in.

Go with a 458 win in a CZ 550 shoot "cheap 458" if you want more pop take it Hill Country Rifles and have them ream it out to a lott. You can still shoot 458 win in a pinch. Just my 2 cents.
If you just want somthing to play with I've got a tang safty 458 win Ruger 77 that I'm going to get rid of in time. I'm a lefty and I'm swiching out all of my right hand guns. Just some thoughts!!!

liled

If you've already got a CZ in 9.3x62, you already have something in the range of a .375. Time to go bigger.

The .416s with 350 gr Barnes X's can act a lot like a .375 in terms of trajectory ... something that any .458 will have difficulty doing. I reakky can't imagine the need for anything bigger in North America.

I'll vote for the 416Rem. There should be lots to choose from for you. As a lefty I don't have it so easy. Though if you can find a deal on a 458WinMag you might as well go for that.

No disrespect to the others, but trajectory shouldn't be big concern on a big bear hunt.

Thanks for the replies. I have all summer to ponder this decision, besides, my 9.3x62 isn't exactly puny if a bear hunt came up.

steve

First big bore to me means .375 H&H.

Before you decide your 45/70 is not in the DGR class check out Garrets ammo site. They load a 540 grain 45/70 at 1550 fps for almost 3000 fp of energy. Read about Vince Lupo's safaris.
http://www.garrettcartridges.com/default.asp

Jim

JAG,

I saw that Vince guy on Jim Brockman's website. I guess Jim made the rifle for him. I asked about his accomplishments in the African Hunting forum, I was told to get rid of the post before all hell broke loose.

Sevens