I have the urge to own a rifle chambered for 0.4 or larger rounds. I worry about ammo costs because I want to do lots of shooting at the range without going broke. Can you tell me what is the lowest cost round of this size class? I need it to be easily available of course. Thanks.

That would most likely be something chambered in the 45-70 cartridge.

I would agree with the .45-70 unless you would consider a .44 Magnum rifle as meeting your requirement.

Factory loads:
.416 Ruger will cost you about $3.10/round
.416 Remington will cost about $3/per round
.450 Marlin can be had for less than $1.60/round
.444 Marlin ammo can be had for less than $1.55/round
.45-70 ammo can be had for less than $1.45/round
.450 Bushmaster can be had for less than $1.38/round
.44 Magnum can be had for less than $0.55/round

The .45 ACP ammo is cheaper still and .45 Colt is a nickel or so more per round than the .44 Magnum but those are not generally considered rifle rounds.

Marlin 1895 in 45-70. Shoot cast bullets, like from Laser Cast and shoot for less than fifty-cents a round.

Good point, ISS. Shooting cast in just about anything will bring the cost down.

Excellent information. Thank you all!

I cast my own 458 bullets I am sure my 45-70 loads are around 10 cents each that using stock on hand if I had to buy new powder and primers a bit more

458 Lott or Winchester. You can shoot the same bullets as a 45-70. Brass would last forever with reduced loads. Cost would be very reasonable.

Good bolt guns can be found in this cartridge at reasonable prices. If you would ever want to use it for Dangerous Game you would have a true DG rifle.

458 Lott. Bullets, brass, and dies are available from Hornady. Ruger #1 Tropical. Love mine. A 45-70 will almost do what 458 Win. Mag will, a 48 winny will almost do what a 458 Lott will!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sid-:
A 45-70 is well below 458 win mag velocities and nowhere near the Lott. To try to push the 45-70 would be foolish.

The OP did not state if you are a handloader or not but if you are then brass is the biggest investment. I am loading 416 Rem Mag and Rigby for around $1 a round minus the brass. These are not premium bullets but are fun for target shooting.

As others have noted a .458 caliber is probably the best option because of the plethora of bullets available. Anything from 250 grain to over 500 grain is on the menu and cast bullets can save a lot over jacketed bullets. If you get the 458 Lott then the option of Win Mag loads would also be available. Hornady basic brass is some of the most affordable brass out there and is of good quality.

Another thing you did not mention was what type action you would be using. A 45-70 is a lever action or single shot round whereas the belted magnums are bolt action. If you want 3200 ft lbs of energy then the lever action will be fine. If however you want 5000 ft lbs plus then a bolt action will be required. I find the heavy hitters to be much more fun and prefer the more powerful rounds. Don't let recoil scare you....it's a mental thing and if you have the right mindset then any caliber can be mastered.

One thing that will cost you the most is not getting what you want the first time. If you don't then it won't be long before you are looking for another rifle.

Ooops...didn't mean to double post

I approach the question along Sid's lines, though with a different perspective.

For me, the call of the over-40 calibre means available for large or dangerous animals, should the opportunity arise.
The question then splits into two concerns, the rifle and the ammunition.

The most practical bang for buck would be the Ruger Hawkeye 416Ruger. It has a controlled action feed, something prized by many in Africa. If a push feed is acceptable, and many find them just fine, then Howa offers the 416Ruger at a very attractive price. The next step up on price might be a CZ in any of the calibre 416Rem, 416Rigby, 458Win, or 458Lott.

On ammo, a powerful, over-40 calibre is going to cost some money for over the counter ammo. The solution, of course, is to reload. Hornady now offers some excellent brass at relatively inexpensive costs. Bullet costs can be reduced by using same weight cup and core offerings, or cast, instead of premium hunting bullets.

Bottom line? Pick a calibre among the common five: 416Ruger, 416Rem, 416Rigby, 458 Win, 458Lott. Then enjoy busting rocks at 200 to 300 yards, knowing that the rifle is good for anything on the planet at any reasonable distance. Big bores are fun to shoot.

Any of the 0.40+ pistol rounds or something in 0.458.

Single shot Handi Rifle or equivalent in .444 Marlin. Currently at $230 + shipping + FFL paperwork costs through gunbroker.com. Let's call it $300 in hand sans scope.

If you are worried about ammo costs, you should learn to reload if you don't already.


If you do reload, then your next step in reducing costs is to cast your own bullets.


There are few bargains in big bore rifles. Even cowboy loads in 45-70 get expensive if buying factory ammo @ 1.25-1.50+ a round.

Good luck!

Reload, pick something with straight sides, (no
shoulder), cast bullets. Most efficient way to go
big bore!

A Handi-Rifle in 45-70 Buffalo Classic with 32" bbl rechambered to 45-90 to 45-120 for near Lott velo's at ~45KPSI, or the 22" bbl for slightly less velo's, cast lead (your own casting) or commercial.

Either one with a 400-500 gr bullet at upwards of ~2000 - 2200 fs will take ANY large or small game and 300 gr bullets are relatively cheap to plink with at 1500-2600 fs with almost/the same killing power.

Lots of folks talk a good story until they get whacked by the recoil of a 45 plus cal shooter and a 500-600 gr slug, then things start back pedaling...just say'n'... ... economics are NOT the forte of large cals even with lead slugs. ...lead keeps creeping up in price and getting scarcer as zinc is replacing wheel weights).

You can buy a lot of jacketed or commercial cast bullets for the cost of the casting components...i.e., melting pot, molds and other equipment...I went cheapo on everything but still have at least one large invested in casting equipment and molds are the most costly items unless you can find what you want at yard sales or eBay, etc.

Do the math, all the costs are available online.

Luck with your quest.

I'd try and find a some kind of cheap post-64 M70 or commercial Mauser 98 in 458 Win.

You still see these rifles for $550-950 depending on condition and features (scope, stock, etc.).

And I'd shoot the cheaper 45-70 bullets out of it, as suggested above.

the man did say for shooting at the range without going broke. He'll be hard pressed to beat the Marlin in 45-70...

I'd agree with others, ammo for 45-70 is relatively inexpensive and fairly cheap to reload especially if you buy or cast lead boolits. It is a fun caliber to shoot and to reload for as well.

Easy answer. Buy a used light weight 458. Less than 8.5 lbs if possible. Start out shooting it off the bench with a very light bench resters type hold. You will just be amazed at how long two boxes of ammo will last you

The new Rugers would fit the bill.

The 416 Ruger is probably the cheapest, as well as one of the best, means of getting a serious, over 40 cal big bore, suitable for Alaska and Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by els:
Easy answer. Buy a used light weight 458. Less than 8.5 lbs if possible. Start out shooting it off the bench with a very light bench resters type hold. You will just be amazed at how long two boxes of ammo will last you

If you reload, any .458 will be relatively cheap to reload for, either with cast or lighter bullets. I often see Lott's or Win Mags for cheap at gun stores. Many people make the purchase and either cant handle the recoil, or went broke buying factory ammo. If you are truly interested in acquiring and shooting a big bore, reloading your own is imperative. As others have stated, a 45-70 is not to expensive if you have to buy loaded ammo.

That would be .40 not 0.4 btw..The 416 Ruger or .416 Remington would be the cheapest in my mind, but the 45-70 would also be an option but its not in the same power class as the .416s by a long shot. you can also shoot lead bullets to decrease the cost of shooting. An advantage of the 416 Rem might be that you can use 300 H&H, 375 H&H brass run thru the 416 Rem die.

8mm Remington necks up quite nicely to 416 Rem Mag. Just anneal , lube the inside of the case neck and run it thru a Lee 416 Remington sizer die. Clean and load. . It helps to have a friend that shoots the 8 mag but doesn't reload.
Same with the 416 Ruger using 375 Ruger brass.