What are your big bore priorities in order?
Some that come to mind...
Recoil
Feeding
Popularity
Accessibility of ammo
Reloading components
Nostalgia/historical significance
Rarity
Maker
Bullet diameter
Parent case
Case characteristics
Action
Range
Case capacity
Cartridge capacity

What else?

Recoil
Feeding
Popularity
Accessibility of ammo
Rarity
Maker
Bullet diameter
Action
Range


Everything is relative.

1. What bullets can I get for it?

2. Can I get the bullets I want for it?

3. Can I get or make brass for it, without a miracle?

4. Does it work in the rifle I want, or have?

Maker
Dependability
Caliber

boom stick,

Bullet dia.
Components
Range
Feeding
Recoil

CRF
Feeding
Bullet diameter
At least 2,100 fps with typical heavy for cal bullet
Cartridge at least older than myself

1)Feeding/Reliability of action
2)Availability of brass
3)My own odd quirk of having sets of guns based upon the same parent case

Just like my dog or horse, first of all is reliability in function and accuracy,..I can generally live with the rest.

It would be hard to place all those items in any certain order, this is something that can't really be prioritized..These are all necessary to reliabvle function and accuracy..

Interesting question boom stick!

I would change the question a little to what do you want it for?

I agree reliability and accuracy are critical for most.

For long range, high BC to buck wind and velocity 3,200 or so.

Buffalo - kill as fast as possible. Biggest bore you can accurately handle the recoil of. Open bush / veld probably a controlled feed
Large caliber rifle. Denser bush / Jess a double. Also adds the romance and beauty of the past. Again biggest with manageable recoil.

And so on.

I tend start with my need, chose the caliber, then the rifle and then onto testing.

1. Power both momentum, energy and TKO

2. Accuracy

3. Reliability, feeding, firing, extraction, rinse and repeat

4. A crisp and light trigger

5. A good scope (Leupold 1.5-5x) on Talley steel QR Rings backup up by good iron sights

6. Feel light and lively in my hands, but not so light that recoil is punishing

I think my 500 jeffery meets all of those criteria, but it didnt't to start, took a bit of work.

On a DG rifle, function and reliability are always FIRST..if it don't go bang or feed in the short rows, your hamburger!

ALL ELSE IS TWADDLE Captain!

Here are mine

1. A big bore HAS to be nostalgic - a classic caliber like a 404J, 416 Rigby, classic DR calibers. (I am not at all attracted to 458 Win, 416 Rem etc) - I MUST have my heart thumping & my guts churning each time I look at the rifle or pick it up.
2. The rifle also should be a classic (though my first one was a CZ Kevlar stocked). It would be great to have a double or single square bridge Mauser in a nice Walnut stock that really fits me. A good fit means a good balance & correct weight for easy point and shoot
3. Must be accurate
4. Must feed reliably

Individuals may have different priorities but the default reason for big bores is to shoot big game, which may also be dangerous.

So, first, it must be of a calibre legal and adequate for the game hunted; second it should have utmost reliability. Towards the latter regard, buyers should beware rifles converted from their original calibre, unless by a first-rate maker or gunsmith and tested repeatedly.

All I care about is the ability to "Kill" DRT ! As Final as possible is a bonus! Big bores and hand grenades usually get the job done!

Functional reliability. If it can't load, fire and eject every time the rest is pretty much wasted.

For me any gun should hit where you look each and every time you pull the trigger. You should n't have to think about it loading, shooting and reloading again. It should be instinctive.

If a gun does n't do this for you then find something else.

Choice of cartridge and in particular its load should then be appropriate for the quarry.

For birds 1 to 1 1/4 oz of 6,5 or 4 shot
Vermin - 22rf

Any thing bigger well anything that can shoot a 100 to 200 gn bullet at more than 2450 fps is enough provided bullet is tough enough and is in the correct place will kill reliably, albeit it may take a few moments for it expire.

But once size is approaching a few hundred kgs or it can stomp or eat you then 375 H&H and above gives a much quicker and surer kill - but again placement is vital - hence the gun needs to shoot for you.

1. The smell of her perfume.
2. Can she dance well.
3. Passionate kisses.
4. A big brass bed.
5. No crackers.
6. Matching camisole and silk panties that flutter slowly to the ground.
7. The tendency to purr like a kitten.
8. Can she move in time.
9. Is she happy when you cook her breakfast in the morning.
10. Ah-bee, ah bee, a bee, thats all folks.