My mistake, tped. Before this site went through its latest change last month, all .375 calibers were listed among the medium bores. I had no idea that they were upgraded to the big bore class recently. And it wasn't a flame at you at all, just a clarification, which in the end was incorrect. Now, I wonder if the .366 gang will feel empowered to demand upgrading into the big bore category too!
By the way, no one ever gave me the newbie glad hand when I came to these parts either so don't feel pregnant. But if it will make your day...Welcome to AccurateReloading.com.

Whatever your choice should be, don't let it gather dust. Try shooting reduced loads or cast boolits. That's what I do with my Win 70 in .416 Rem mag. Not much dangerous game here in Lehigh county either. But it's sighted in for 50 yards with 350 grain RCBS homecast boolits and I carry it during my daily walks to keep in shape for Namibia safari in August. You never know when a coyote might pop out within range. Hasn't happened so far but it might.

tped
Welcome to the Forum. While the 375 is a great caliber it is not a BIG BORE, [Pondoro Taylor's influence, no disrepect to 375 people]. Besides you already have a 338.
While the 416 [or 40 anything] is a great caliber too, I think the best BIG BORE for a persons first rifle [if it is not going to be a double ] is the 458 Win or the 458 Lott.
The main reason is the number of bullets [some of them very cheap] available that will give good performance at less than full power [and thus less than full recoil]. This enables you to enjoy shooting the rifle a lot and with the proper loads it makes a very good rifle for any game, form deer to elephant. Brass is fairly inexpensive too, so you can go to the "field" with a couple of hundred "plinking" rounds and really learn to shoot A BIG BORE rifle.
For Bear Moose, Elk etc. compare the ballistics of the 400 and 450gr factory 458 Win Mags to the factory ballistics of the 40 cal rifles and you will see what I mean. The 40's are great hunting rifles for sure, but I think the 458's have several advantages to the first time big bore rifle shooter.

Hey, and welcome.
Regardless of what Saeed thinks, 40 cal is where it starts. And even then, the old English way was to start the medium bores at 40, with 500's, 600's and so on as the real big bores. So I guess it's all relative.
Anyway, back to the quesiton, I don't own one, but would put a CZ in 416 Rigby pretty high up on the list. It'll give you lots to play with, and they convert real easy once you're ready for a big big bore.

I stand corrected. Once again. What was I thinking??

Grab a cz in either .416 or .458 innie or lott if there now availble. The .458 bore has heaps of cheap 45/70 bullets to shoot if you want.

I have to agree on the .458Lott thing. It is by far and away the most economical easy to reload and versitile heavy avaiable. And CZ just announce the 550 in .458Lott.

I tell people looking into a heavy that the lott is the .30-06 of heavies. Mine is built on a stainless winchester action and has a stainless barrell it's all blued and stocked in a synthetic stock. Not the most traditional but definatley unique and durable. A great ugly stick rifle.

thanks for the replies. a real good friend and I discussed this topic today and he felt the Winshester 70
Classic action in 416 Remington is the way to go. I have pretty much decided that it will definitely be either something 416 or 458 and I am leaning toward the CZ. I'm going to start looking around alot more for something and maybe I will get real lucky and find a gem somewhere if I'm patient. I know at least for now I do not want to get involved in rechambering or barrelling anything, pretty much factory for now, some bedding as needed, nothing major. Kind of want to keep it simple. Thanks again.

Why not the Ruger #1 in a large caliber...?
That would compliment your .25-06.

Whatever the biggest hole in the bbl., go with that one!
Good Luck.
And welcome to the board.