The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores Which caliber for a beginner?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| one of us |
The CZ 458 Lott is an all round rifle for any where in the world. | |||
|
| One of Us |
375 Mod 70 Classic or Ruger 77 African. Handload everything. 375 Ruger would also work and is not very costly. Next choice - 404 Jeff in anything you can find. I passed on one in a Ruger 1 for 400 bucks once. New. Dumbest thing I ever did. Those are just my uneducated opinions. But if you're a bit recoil shy, the 375 ain't bad and I don't expect a 404 Jeff to be much worse, if any. Compared to these two, a 458 Winnie or Lott with full power loads will kick your butt off, and I do know that from experience. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Canuck, I was just trying to give the 9.3 blokes a boost by putting it in the 375 category  Mike | |||
|
| One of Us |
Considering what you've already got, your best option is clear. Since you already have the K-gun in 9.3, just have a second set of barrels in .450/.400 3" made for it. The K-guns are all made on the same frame, regardless of caliber. A friend has a four barrel set - .500/.416, .375 Flanged Magnum, 7X65R, and 20 bore. It came as a .500/.416, the other three sets were retrofitted by Krieghoff USA in PA. Superb shooter with all four. He takes along a throw-down, el cheapo .375 M70 bolt cranker trash on his safaris, just in case a lorry backs over the hunting rifle. I can't disagree more with the idea of ditching the 9.3 double in favor of a medium bolt and a heavier double. I get more use out of my medium double rifle than any other. Just remember - small bores are bolts or singles, mediums and heavies are doubles.    ---------------------------------------------- "Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder." | |||
|
One of Us |
This maybe? | |||
|
One of Us |
dblhunter, I have a CZ in 416 Rigby coming in today around noon(hopefully). I'll let you know in about 6 to 8 hours what the recoil is like. Also my shop is about 25 miles east of Owensboro, in case you need an FFL to handle shipment of something for you. I follow Rule #62. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Thanks for the offer XM. I appreciate that very much. I get down that way about once a month. Maybe I can stop by sometime to chat. I like 400 Nitro's suggestion the best of all of these so far. I was wondering if my 9.3 would fit a second set of barrels. He's answered my question about that. I was looking at the cost of a second set of barrels on line. I suppose by the time I have the money saved up to buy them, they'll be available and I can get them fitted. I was out shooting my 9.3 yesterday. That's a sweet gun. I don't think the recoil of the 9.3 is bad at all. I am pleasantly surprised as to how mild it is. I own a few guns in different calibers, but I'm thinking this my be the one I'll use as my "go to gun". Of course I haven't had a chance to hunt with it yet, but I'll get that next month during the deer season. I have a lease down in Livingston County and we usually do pretty good down there. Oh I suppose I could shoot the deer standing in my back yard/pasture if I wanted to, but that would be hard to do since I've raised them from birth practically. Secondly, my wife couldn't handle me dragging a dead deer up to the back porch. She would freak! Thanks for all the input guys. I appreciate it very much. You've helped more than you can imagine. And like I've said here before, your writings are my learnings. Thanks. | |||
|
| one of us |
For a beginner I would recommend a .375 H&H or .375 Ruger. It is plenty of gun for anything IMO...bullet placement and bullet construction being more important than caliber... I love the 9.3x62 but its illegal in Tanzania even though many have used it there, but the way things are changing who knows whats next.. One thing that I have noticed is the 9.3x62 will kill buffalo well, but it kills them a bit slower than a .375 and about like a .338 Win. kills them or so it seems to me. That gives the bulls more time to get to you perhaps, but this is all conjucture based on my own experiences. It appears that you are new to big bore rifles so perhaps recoil is a problem in which case the .375 would be a much better choice for you, if not then a .416 Rem might be ideal.. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
|
| One of Us |
My 416 arrived yesterday, contrary to what I had been told, recoil was mild. Kinda makes me wish I'd went with a 458 Lott. But I zero in several slug guns for Indiana clients each deer season, and had warmed up that morning on a 54 cal MZ with a steel buttplate, so I guess its all relative. I follow Rule #62. | |||
|
| one of us |
The 500/416 recoils every bit as much as the .470 IMO..Both are controlable, but not much of a joy to shoot IMO... I really like the 450-400-3" as an all around DG caliber, I have never seen the need for more power, nor can I tell any difference in killing power between it and the various larger bores, as long as the shot is placed right, but then you must do that with any caliber from .22 to 700 N.E.. I have a client and good friend that took his .470 and 375 Flanged to Africa last year and everything he shot was with his .375 Flanged as that is the one he had in hand at the time...It killed everything in its tracks, not too shabby and he was amazed, since he had read so much of the opposite view on the blogs. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
|
| One of Us |
Atkinson, Thanks for the input. I was thinking about a set of barrels for my Krieghoff in 450/400. However, I just thought I would have to wait two or three years for them to become available. That's why I asked all these questions. I appreciate your comments on the 500/416. I haven't been able to find much info on it regarding performance and recoil. I enjoy shooting and playing with my 9.3x74r. I have been told that would be a good caliber to go to Africa with (if I were to ever be able to go). I'm not sure I would need anything bigger than that. My interest are for plains game at best. But then, everyone says: "once you've gone, you have to go back". So, I thought I would start planning for my next acquisition while I'm planning for my hunt at the same time. My first hunt will probably be just of PG. However, a couple years later, I'm going to go back for something bigger. (if the good lord is willing!). So, think "long term", I'm getting as much input from you who obvioulsy know more than I do about these things. If I keep reading, stay in touch with the "real" hunters on this board, I might learn enough to help me enjoy my trip even more. Thanks for all the info that everyone has posted! | |||
|
One of Us |
I don't know Mr. Atkinson but it seems I agree with everything he says. I've never been able to figure out why anyone needs more than a .30-06 in the states for deer on up. The .375 H&H seems to be the same all around caliber in Africa. Works on buffalo and on gazelle. I don't know the .375 Ruger. May be fine but I've got to believe ammo's tough to find in Africa. Tanzania in 2006! Had 141 posts on prior forum as citori3. | |||
|
One of Us |
.577 Trex? Love shooting precision and long range. Big bores too! Recent college grad, started a company called MK Machining where I'm developing a bullpup rifle chassis system.  | |||
|
| One of Us |
I started my dgr hunting with a sako 375 H&H, with a pachmayr recoil pad and magna-porting, because I too was recoil sensitive. I now use a 505 gibbs, with no problems. Recoil can be rendered acceptable; its mostly psychological, and experience, proper holding, and a properly shaped stock will do wonders I would start with a 375, in a Whitworth. The stock is nicely proportioned for an average man, the weight is about 8.5lbs without a scope, and its a controlled round feed, for what thats worth. Avoid the CZ like the blazes, it has all the handling of a 2X4 If finances are not a major problem, and you reload, I would then suggest a custom .404 jeffrey. using 350 gr NF bullets at 2150 fps, the recoil is not noticeably different in my 404 as compared to the 375. the 404 can be used with complete satisfaction on all DG, unless used as a PH's follow up or elephant culling weapon. Once you have shot it enough, it can be loaded to 416 rigby ballistics (400 gr@2360fps) with no problems, using modern actions, brass, and powders. And ask tony sanchez arrino and harry selby if the rigby is enough gun! See below my 375 and 404 <a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa33/505gibbs/375404.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> | |||
|
| One of Us |
The straighter stock of the 404 may help mitigate recoil. Note the location of the sling stud on the 375; if no barrel band is available, this is a worthwhile adaptation. The 9.3X62 became popular in Africa becausethe rifles and ammo were cheap. Essentially, its a 35 Whelen; I dont consider it a DGR, though I am sure legions of ols African hands will rise up in indignation! I do have a Husqvarna 9.3X62, a fine , light, quick handling rifle that I use for pigs and bear and deer. I would not use it on buff; what if you had to follow one up? | |||
|
| One of Us |
No. Just use .458 WinMag brass. For what it's worth, there's absolutely nothing wrong with shooting factory .458 WinMag in a Lott except for very marginally diminished accuracy. It's a cheaper and more pleasant way to go when you are plinking with one. | |||
|
One of Us |
Get a 10 pound 450/400 3 inch and you won't have to worry about recoil. You'll get a nice long .408-.411 caliber bullet that will penetrate well. Searcy makes a nice NIB 450/400 3 inch with proper 26" barrels. Heym has one in the works and I think Kreighoff is going to build one as well. Recoil is purely a personal matter. What some folks think is OK, is too much for others. My 450/400 3 inch is great to shoot. My 9.3X74R Chapuis is a sharp kicking little girl. Rusty We Band of Brothers! DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member "I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends." ----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836 "I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841 "for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.” | |||
|
one of us |
My experience is a little different than Ray's and the gun may have fit me differently, plus the 500/416 Krieghoff feels heavier to me than the 470 Merkel. Having shot both a good bit but only in one rifle each, I prefer the 500/416. (And I am not an African hunter like Ray, just a gun crank). I think a scoped 500/416 is every bit as versatile as a 416 Rigby or 416 Taylor/Remington Mag. All four shoot 400 gr bullets in the 2350 to 2400 fps range. The Rigby does it at 47,000 psi, the 500/416 does it at about 45,000 psi and the Taylor/Rem Mag do it at an all-out 62,000. With a Krieghoff in 500/416 and a good scope, you have a 250 yd rifle; farther with the appropriate practice. The same could be said for the 450/400 I suppose, and if you don't handload the Horandy ammo is a plus, assuming your gun regulates to it. But brass is readily available for the 500/416 and 416 bullets are everywhere. "Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson. | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata | Page 1 2 |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores Which caliber for a beginner?
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia
