Howdy!

I don't have any Big Bore rifles (other then a 45/70 GG) but I would like to have one. Kind of like a delayed Christmas Gift if you will. Since I'm on a budget I would like to hear from you all what you percieve as the must cost efficient (in crude words, the cheapest) way to get into this? I'm interested in 458 Lott. The big Weatherby's are out of my price range and the 458 Lott seems like the next best thing with cheap brass and dies. I'm only aware of CZ and Ruger that factory chamber for this cartridge. I've hear many good things about the CZ but also that it need to be re-enforced after purchase. I'm situated in Canada and I know of no gunsmiths that do such work. The Ruger magnum looks nice but costs over $2000 CDN which is a tad high for my taste. I guess I'm looking for options. I would appreciate any advice and input you are willing to offer.

Regards
BBS

How about a Ruger #1 in either .458 Lott or find one used in .458 Win Mag, shoot it as is or have it rechambered to .458 Lott. I find that the #1's are generally about half of the 77 RSM. Hope this helped.

Look for a good used 375. For a first big bore you cannot go wrong with the 375 HH. Then later when you still want something to knock your brain around you can move up to the Lott easily by haveing a 458Winchester opened up. Be sure to choose an action that will allow this without a lot of metal work or better yet send your 375 barrel to someone like Pac Nor and ask them to send you a Lott barrel in the same profile or contour so you won't even have to change the stock.
When cost is no longer an issue you can go for something like the Ruger RSM or a truly custom from the bottom up.
Good luck and don't hesitate to start now.
Frank

Buy a cz 550 in either .375 H&H or .458 win mag. If the latter have it reamed out to the lott. You will have the advantage of being able to use all the cheap 45/70 bullets at reduced velocity from your lott for practice, Work up to 500 gr woodleigh's at 2300 fps. I would probably even sugest the cz 550 .458 win mag reamed to lott before the .375 H&H if you want a big bore as you stated. The .375 H&H is wonderful but it aint a big bore.

Brass and dies for the 458 lott are plentiful form and cheap from grafs. Just ensure a crossbolt is added behind and infront of the mag box and some devcon thrown in for good measure.

I did not mention the cz 550 .416 Rigby because as an introductory bigbore I feel it has not got the range of bullets and components than that a .458 lott has. I just think when your a 45/70 owner a .458 lott is a natural progression

BBS

CZ in 416 Rigby or Ruger Number 1 in 416 Rigby.

Don't worry about bedding etc as once you get the rifle all that is easy. It will all fall into place once you have the rifle.....as it has done for everyone before you and it will happen for everyone after you

416 Rigby has the nice big cartridge feel plus as a bonus it can all shoot at 30/06 velocities with full loads and its mid weight bullets suchas 350 grains.

Mike

The Ruger No.1 would be a real good choice,several good calibers too!

look for a used interarms whitworth express 458wm or 375hh. The ones ive seen look nice.Ive seen them for about the cost of a cz ( ive see them for within $100) but they dont need to be restocked if you dont like that hump back and they all ready have an express sight. Ray had one a bit ago. I have a interarms alaskan 458wm. The action is smooth as silk. My action says it was done in england so I think its a whitworth action, I restocked it and ect so it looks like a whitworth now. They seem to be well priced.
Dean
If you get the 458wm shoot it how it is for awhile they have some reloads now. Then later you can puch it out if wanted.
Dean

Most cost efficient is the Ruger No.1, closely followed by the CZ-550 or ZKK-602.

BBShooter, the absolutely most cost effective way to get a high quality big bore is to purchase a ticket or tickets in the 500 Jeffery Raffle. Information is available on the African Hunting forum. A $20 investment just might get you a custom takedown 500 Jeffery - certainly the first on your block. Its a good cause and a good deal.

Welcome to the board and I hope we'll see you active here.
Forrest

458 bore is the way to go to get into true big bore ownership at a reasonable cost, but be certain that the limited application is acceptable. Nothing is LESS cost effective than a rifle you don't shoot.

As an alternative, the entry level into big bores is the 375 H&H, and as others have mentioned, this is a very, very different round from the 458 Lott. Since you live andhunt in Canada, I suspect that you would actually use the 375 more.

The CZ 550 Safari is hands down the best dangerous game rifle for the cost in the world, and they are a first rate company to deal with. The 375 can be ordered and shot right out of the box, while the Lott will require the rechambering from 458 Win Mag.

In a few years, if you need more power, just rechamber from 375 H&H to 375 RUM, and there will be no reason to go to a bigger bore. Even in Africa, the difference between the Lott and the 375 RUM is largely a matter of personal opinion, since the RUM pushes a 350 gr Woodleigh 2650 fps.