I am in the process of conjuring up the newest addition to my gun cabinet and have settled on my first big bore (its a small cabinet). After pouring over load data and research I have settled on a 26" Shilen barreled 375 Ultra Mag. Holding all variables such as wind, recoil, and shooting skill constant, what would be a reasonable accuracy expectation of a bigger bore rifle. I have generally held to a rule of sub MOA for smaller rifles (30 cal and smaller) but for larger guns would MOA accuracy be asking too much? I will say that 90% of the guns life will be spent on the bench at the range with handloads so you have to shoot for something...no pun intended. Any help would be appreciated.

I wouldn't start out with a .375 RUM, I'd start with the old H&H. Almost any .375 will shoot MOA with good handloads, my .416 Rigby will shoot 3 in under 1 in. as well with 370 NF and 105 grains of H4831SC. They will shoot as well as the smaller rifles, you just have to do your shooting in smaller doses or you'll ruin your shooting. I don't have a scope larger than a 1.75-6x on any big bores, they're about right.

Forgot to mention that I am not a newbie to "shooting" big bores...just a newbie to owning one. Have shot everything up to 416's and 470's for extended periods at the range so recoil is not a new thing.

Do Not and I repeat Do Not shoot your big bores off the bench. You will develop a flinch sooner or later and then bye bye your shooting skills. listen carefully,I'm giving you real good advice.
Shoot your big bores off hand at 50-100yrds. You should be able to keep them in 2 inches offhand at 50 yrds and on a pie plate at100yrds. These are not target guns. Their intrinsic accuracy is about the same as a varmint rifle, but that is not their purpose.

JMJ888

I generally concur with Rob as these are not target rifles. 50-70 yds off a bench for iron sights and 100 yds for a scope, sight in, and then get off the bench and practice shooting in the standing or sitting positions. Never have I ever had the opportunity for a prone or sitting shot in Africa. It usually was a rather quick shot from the standing position except for the croc.
Also, if you have a removal brake, do your final sighting in with it, either off or on, but in the final state, as changing this will change POA with most rifles.

Shooting big bore rifles are a blast


Dak

JMJ888,
I am approaching 450 rounds fired out of my semi-custom 375 Ultra.

In my experience (2 rifles mine, 1 my friends) the 375 Ultra has proven very accurate. The three guns range from barely over MOA capability to about just over 3/4 MOA out of my semi custom (1-3/4" or smaller groups at 200 yards). My mediums all wear 1.5-5X scopes so my "custom" is probably more accurate than I can see.

I do not consider the 375 Ultra to be a big bore, since you do, please heed Robgunbuilder,s advice. You shold be aware that shooting a buddies gun is quite different from getting intimately familiar with your own "cannon".

As this will be your largest gun, the first time you have an extended bench session I promise you that your nervous system will start the anticpation process and you will be on your way to a first class flich.

In the process of learning and while trying to find personal limitations, I think most succesful big bore shooters will admit to crossong into the flinch zone more than once. The trick is keeping your nervous system in check.

The accumilation of recoil is key. For me it is 40-50 shots out of a fast 338, 25-35 shots out of my 375 Ultras, and 5-10 out of a 450 Ackly.

Or you can learn the hard way like I did!


Good luck,

Jamie

Thanks xman,

That was the answer i was looking for. I was just asking the inherrent accuracy of the cartridge itself. Thanks again.

Only once was I stupid enough to fire my .600 OK off the bench. Why I don't know. I think I was trying to answer the question of whether or not the barrel mounted recoil lug was affecting its accuracy. I was using a 2100 fps/900 gr load. It grouped 3 shots into one ragged hole at 100 yrds with a scope. The scope hit me nearly every time from the bench despite the 4 inches of eye relief. Not bad just tapped me. I quit right there and have never done that again. The recoil which is a non-issue standing was literally intolerable.-Rob

Here is a 100 yard group that I shot from the bench with a 470 capstick using GS Custom FN bullets:



Up through 458 Lott and 470 Capstick I can tolerate shooting from the bench. With bigger calibers, it is way too punishing.

Impressive group. For all intents and purposes I was dubbing the 375 a big bore to keep with the classification on this site. Personally, I think it is more of a hybrid between a medium and big game rifle. 235-260 Gr. bullets would make an excellent elk and moose rifle while the 300 Gr. would dispatch anything in North America and would "get the job done" for most African game.

Rob, I would imagine that there is a monsterous difference between spending a bench shooting session with the .600 vs. a .375. I can only imagine the brutality.

I can agree that at some point during a bench session there is potential for a flinch to develop but for load development it is a necessity. Most of being a good shooter is being able to acknowledge when the brain and the trigger finger aren't communicating anymore and call it a day. I generally take some of my smaller rifles to shoot while the gun is cooling off to keep the brain/finger sharp.

Look at the load development thread for my 375RUM. I am still in the middle of load development, but so far I have 1" groups with 250gr Northforks. I still have to work on OAL, I bet I can get those groups smaller. Especially since you are gonna use an aftermarket barrel, you should get some pretty good groups with a little work on load development. Since you have shot big bores before, you know that bench shooting sucks, but do what you can to get the most comfort during load development. I wear a Bob Allen rifle pad when I have to shoot from the bench.

Speaking of versatility, you should chamber it for the 375(NOT 378) Weatherby, cause in a pinch you can shoot H&H ammo in it. But, if you dont care, then get the RUM.

Robgunbuilder,
You speak of recoil levels that I refuse to imagine!
How many rounds are you comfortable firing out of you 600 OK?

JMJ888, folks at Accurate Reloading will usually reply with what they think you need to hear. Other sites usually tell you what you want to hear. Welcome! Stick around and learn something....I sure have!

500 Grains,
I am concerned about your hunting partner. He looks as if he had a wee bit much to drink....Nice of you to help him to his feet but you could have helped him with his pants before you took the picture!
The ladies will not be impressed with his er uh......Trophy

Sorry!

Jamie

Basically, with any good gun and load, I know that I can shoot it off-hand into a 2" group at 50 yrds. I don't ever recall shooting a Big Bore at anything past that range and to be honest try not to shoot DG past 20 yrds if at all possible. I belong to the get close, then closer club. Thus, I'm usually more concerned with bullet design and penetration, than the std way of measuring accuracy at 100 yrds. If it will shoot into 2" at 50 yrds offhand it's good to go in my book. I also need to understand just how the gun is going to move on recoil so that I can get a fast second shot off in a hurry. I can't learn that from a bench. Just some thoughts.-Rob

I'm comfortable w/ my .404j off the bench for 25-30 rds. It has turned in many submoa groups w/ the little VXIII 1.5x5. I agree, once you get loads worked up & initial sight in, get off the bench. For bench work, use a sissy bag or Past recoil pad. Sit as striaght as you can & grip the forearm firmly over the front bag rest. This all helps w/ recoil off the bench.

I expect MOA with my 375 H&H. If it won't do it, it's usually my fault.

2 consecutive groups, with different loads.