Which Big Bore would you pick if you had to do all of shooting with it.

You can have as many rifles as you like must they must all be in your calibre choice. Also assume that you reload.

For those who would pick 375 H&H also list your second choice, that is, if 375 H&H was exluded what would be your choice.

Mike

Mike,

Your name says it all-- 375!!!!! If I can't have one of the other 375's (375 RUM or 375 Dakota), since you specified big bore it would have to be 416 Remington.

Jim

Mike,

I'd also pick the 375 H&H, it would be best suited to what/how I hunt.

I'd be torn between a 458 Lott and a 416 Rigby for second choice. The Lott would be more practicle, and versitile due to bullet choices, so would likely be my choice. But, a 416 Rigby launching a 350 gr @ 2500-2600 fps would be equally as versitile.

Jim,

I am classing 375 bore size as big bore..in line with this forum.

Actually I think the 375 RUM is a better choice than the H&H and for a couple of reasons. Firstly if you get a "270 Win or 300 Magnum" type feeling come over you then the 375 RUM will do the 3000 f/s from 270 grains and down. Secondly, it will duplicate the 375 H&H ballistics in cruise mode and with all sorts of powders and loads.

Mike

[ 03-20-2003, 00:18: Message edited by: Mike375 ]

Mike375,

G'day! Well stated. Couldn't agree more. .375RUM.

Joe

Paul,

I see you mention the 458 Lott.

Although I can make a perfect argument for the 375 H&H (or 375 RUM) the two big bores I have probably had the best combination of happiness and success with when used across the activities of rife range, rocks/trees and of course countless roos and pigs are the 458 Winchester (three different Model 70s) and two 460s (both Mark Vs)

I guess the 458 Lott splits the difference

Mike

375H&H, 458Lott

Mike375
I'm going to build an MRC 458RUM and find out.
Guy Morrison

For an all around Big Bore it's my .375 Weatherby Magnum. Reasons are it's faster by almost 200 fps. and if you run out of ammo you can always use .375 H&H in it. Same reason they're buying the .458 Lott, in a pinch you can use .458 Winchester Magnum ammo in it. Second choice would be my .416 Rigby. Lawdog

I would have to pick my 375 RUM,great caliber,very versatile depending on how it is loaded. Second choice would be a 500 Jeffery( which hopefully will be happening in the next few months!)

416 Taylor

I would take my 450/400 3 1/4 double rifle. 26" bbls 9.25lbs. This double is svelte enough for a trip to Alaska or a backpack hunt in Montana.
Either of the 450/400's are the best all-round big bore rifles around.

"No rifle that is not a double can be considered an all-round rifle." Major Gerald Burrard, NOTES ON SPORTING RIFLES, 1932.

[ 03-20-2003, 10:07: Message edited by: N E 450 No2 ]

.375 H&H first followed by a .416 Rigby or a .458 lott due to more cheap 45.70 bullets.

My first choice would be a 375 H&H In an FN Mauser. If I can't have that, then I'd have a 404 in an FN mauser, if restricted to bolt rifles.
The best, however, would be a cape gun with a 12 ga on the left barrel, and a 450/400 3" on the right, with a quick detach 1-5X20 scope! But folks, I ain't haveing no "ONE CALIBER FOR EVERYTHING"!

1. .416 Hoffman or Rigby
2. .500/.416 NE

.416 Rem Mag! If something is too far to hit with the big bore . . . try hunting and GET CLOSER!

JMHO,

JohnTheGreek

.375 H&H - .375 Weatherby - .416 Remington

I'll make do with any of the above but definitely prefer the former for all-round use.

.416 Rigby

376 steyr
416 rem/rig/tay
500 jeffe

I have no doubt in my mind the 416 Rem or 404 is best all around, probably the 416 Rem. for dangerous game, but you included "all game" so I think that changes the picture somewnat therefor a .375 H&H or 9.3x62 would suit me fine..In the end its all about shot placement, plus the the 375 and 9.3x62 are better Plains game rifles and all around rifles IMO..and IMO suitable for Dangerous game.

I can shot my .375 H&H off the bench without any problems or discomfort. It is one of the more versatile cartridges around. I had a choice between it and the 416 Remington and based upon my research, chose the 375 H&H

What else would I say
416sw

John if your serious about getting in close as real hunting then buy a bow or better still a spear.

I've picked the 375HH for my African all rounder. However if the 375 was excluded I'd pick the 416 Rigby. I handload and I already have dies and brass for it.

If I didn't have the dies and brass already for the Rigby I'd have a 416 Hoffman built.

My wildcat 458.Can load up or down.Use 300-350 gr
spitzers for deer and elk.Good for long ranges if I do my part.Heavier bullets if I ever get to
Africa.And of course just shooting targets, is the most use, and the fellas just love it with
350 gr loaded fast.Ed.

375 H&H 375 Ackley Improved

375 H&H, 416 Rem.

The 375 H&H in my Ackley chambered rifle hit very close to same POI of the powered-up version. And with 88gr of V550, the 270gr Hornady impinges upon and sometimes crosses the 2900fps barrier, and at nice low pressures. Kind of edges into 375 Ultramag turf in a rifle that will shoot the stuff found round the world in a pinch. The recoil isn't unmanageable either, much like its parent.

Used to believe the .416 was next, but the 400gr bullets at 2400 (almost) really belt hard. Kind of like a 300 Weatherby on a huge dose of steroids.

And then...I shot my first .458 Lott with 500gr loads pushing 2300fps and it was like a big push rather than a slam. Let's see...25% more throw weight, 21% more frontal area. Similar velocities, better SD and BC....and it shoots the venerable .458win in a pinch. Neither .416Rem or Rigby are rumored to be all that available round the world.

Gotta look real hard at the .458 Lott.

And the number of whitetail that have fallen to my Carbon Extreme with Steath cams (circa 1992) still outnumber those to all other means. 540grains, traveling 262fps, 68# draw-weight. About 7MOA out to 35yards.

[ 03-22-2003, 08:43: Message edited by: Rod@MRC ]

416SW,

I am actaully considering getting into the whole traditional archery thing. Even with a rifle, I personally try to stalk closer than is probably necessary just because it makes life a bit more interesting. This is, of course, not always a strategy that gets the most game in the bag but makes things a bit more fun.

Best Regards,

JohnTheGreek

Pussies use rifles.
MEN use 5" knives...

95% of these answers will be .375. Be careful with any opinions from these big-bore shooters- I think the recoil has had some long-term effect one me. I like the .375 more and more every year.

I will also cast a vote for the 416 Rem.
Perfectly capable and very imposing to the neophyte I had one built on a Enfield action and barreled with a PacNor. Goes nice with my other Enfields in -06,303,35 Whelen,375 Taylor,458 American,30-378,500A2 and next a 8mmRem Mag. I really like those big bolts.
45nut

When did a .375 become a Big Bore?

Gentlemen

My choice would be a 416 RIGBY. If there should be any other needs I would cover that with a 450 Rigby rimless.

375 caliber big bore? How can a the queen (375 H&H) of medium bores become big bore suddenly

Next week someone will call the 9,3's big bores

/ JOHAN

[ 03-31-2003, 12:51: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

JOHAN,
I agree with you. The .416 Rigby is the one.

450/400 3 inch Nitro Express.
Shoots a long .408 400 grain bullet that penetrates! It is the ideal all around double rifle big bore round. Recoil won't beat ya to death and big enough to sort out trouble.

Rusty
We band of brothers!

This is going to get me strung up by the board, but I'm not a real big fan of the 375 H&H. I've got two (a stainless M70 & a stainless Weatherby) and trying to sell one.

I consider the 375 H&H an excellent round, but it is at the upper end of the medium bores. If I am going to shoot a medium bore, then I will shoot my 35 Whelen or a 9.3x62. The 375 H&H is just more gun than I need when I'm hunting stuff that just needs a medium bore. Now, the big bears would be different. Then I become a big fan of the 375.

For my all around big bore, it would be the 416 Rigby with the 458 Lott running a very close second. The only reason I choose the Rigby is the reduced recoil. But when I am shooting at game, I don't notice the recoil anyway. I'm going to flip my answers.

416 Taylor. If it can't be done with a 400gr bullet at 2350fps, then I guess I didn't really need to do it. I'll never get to Africa, and Alaska is still outa my price range so one big bore is all I own.

.375 H&H/.470 Mbogo.

Holmes

1) .416Rigby, Ruger M77 Magnum. I LOVE this rifle.

2) .470Mbogo, going to have this one built soon.

I used to think the 375 was the worlds champion all around rifle caliber, now I think the 416 Rem shoots circles around it...A 300 or 350 gr. monolithic pushing 2950 and 2700 respectively is really impossible to beat...then a 400 gr. at 2500 takes care of the rest of the world...

I still have both, but I don't kid myself anymore and the recoil is so close I cannot tell any difference, but we all have different recoil tolerances and that may be a legitamate case for the 375 with some folks, or even a 9.3x62. Recoil can be the ruination of good shooting.