Hello Guys!!!

I am new to the site and here is my issue!!!

I want to build a large bore rifle. Most of my hunting with it will be North American, but a trip to Africa in the future is not out of the question. I have shot large bores (.378 Weatherby, .416 Riby) in the past but have never owned one

I have a Rem 700 in a magnum action, and a Sako TRG-S in a super mag action. What would you do in this situation and what caliber would you build?? I handload for all my rifles and a wildcat would also be considered!!

My thoughts are a 416 Rem, 458 Lott, or 450 Ackley on the Rem 700, and for the Sako TRG-S I was thinking .378 Weatherby or 416 Weatherby, 460 Weatherby?? As a note I have figured out a way to have 5+1 in the TRG-S action and also being Mag fed!!

Only one rifle will be re-barreled and the other will be kept as a med. bore for smaller game!!

Any help or opinions are appreciated and only serious reply's are needed.

Thanks
Paul

Those all seem reasonable to me based on ammo and component availability. I like the 416Ribgy becasue of the classic ctg design and history. I also like the 458Lott a lot(ha).

If only one, then it would be the 416 Rigby which has more versatility and still pleny big enough. You dont include that as an option. Another one of the 40's then for same reason, versatility.

I though of the Rigby!!! Just thought the .416 Weatherby would be a better choice??

Again I an new to the big bore game. I am also making the caliber decisions based on the availability of bullet that I can buy here in Canada, thats why the .375,.416,.458's and nothing larger!!

if i could have only one bigbore, it would probably be a 458 lott .. easist to feed, great power, and can do get the job done!

Yes, there are a lott of .458 bullets and the Lott can be loaded down with 350-400 grainers for any hunting planed in Canada. The smaller case of the Lott could be an advantage if loading down. The 45 would also handle cast bullets better. So; there is more fun potential handloading the Lott, perhaps vs long range potential for the 40. Elk gun?

Maybe you need two guns....

I went through this same kinda deal not too long ago.
I have a 375H+H and had (just sold it) a 416 Rem Mag. Couldnt really justify owning both seeing as they are ballistically somewhat close together.
So I bought a Custom 458 Lott and sold the 416 Rem Mag.

But now I have a 375 Ruger & a 450/400 on the way....who needs justification anyhow?

Like Jeff & fourbore alluded too....go with the Lott!

I havent shot them, but prior to getting a big Bee cartridge, I'd try and find one to shoot 1st. I guess you could load 'em down (like folks do), but then what would be the sense of getting one?

just my .02

I've never owned one "yet"
But a 458 Lott is an honest 300 yard hunting cartridge when loaded with 400 grain spitzers at 2500 fps.
It also had very good case life when reloading.
Cheap components
Very good accuracy
Widely available ammo with the option of using 458 Win Mag ammmo in a pinch.
Probably the most practical Big Bore there is.

John

For me the choice would be straightforward and simple - .416 Weatherby.

Great selection of bullets with a variety of different constructions, SD and BC.

Brass is easy to come by and though a bit more expensive than some, I get as many as seven reloads from a case and I never "load down".

Lots of great choices mentioned here but for me, the reach of the .416 Weatherby with aerodynamic bullets can't be matched by the .458 caliber projectiles and a FN solid will work just fine on anything that walks for close-in stuff.

You can't go wrong with whatever you choose.

Stay well,
Paul

I differ to some of the posts about 416 and bullets. It is 375 and 45 where the bullets are. Once you get away from premium game bullets, Barnes X, Swift etc then 416 bullets are very thin on the ground. For example, Sierra don't even make a 416.

Let me put it this way. I have had several 378s (lots of 'em) and 460s but only one 416 Wby.

Since you are ranging from 378 through to 460 and hence "unsure" I would go with 458 Lott. The other one I would consider would be the 375 RUM on the Rem 700.

Mike.........you left out the 300 Bee

Just jokin

I would go 378 or 460 just because the cheaper bullets in those cals up here. The 416 is very nice but not a lot of cheap bullets to shoot. If you are near me I would let you try a few 460's.
If you go 416 wby then I have 50 Norma brass.

.458 Lott

1- On the REM - .375 Weatherby because it's a bit hotter than the 375 H&H

but the 375 H&H ammo chambers and fires in it with zero problems, and 375 H&H ammo

is everywhere on the planet in case ammo needs to be acquired while on the hunt.
________________________________________________________________

{If you must stay under .500" diameter}

2- On the SAKO - Super wildcat, use .499" bullet from www.gscustom.co.za at 570 grain

weight fired from either 450 Rigby brass, if you want a beltless round with a shoulder,

or from 460 WBY brass if you want a belted round that may OR MAY NOT have a shoulder

based on your own tendencies!
_________________________________________________________________

{If you must stay at .458" diameter or less}

3- On the SAKO - 460 WBY or 450 Rigby based on whether or not you want a belted round.

Good points PoppaW...I didnt realize he was a fellow canuck.

In his case I would for sure do a 458

Ever consider a switch barrel .300 ultramag and .458 ackley on your Rem 700? That would be a most excellent plains game/ DG combo? add a Sako extractor to the Rem 700 bolt and you will dramatically improve it's reliability. -Rob

quote:

a 458 lott .. easist to feed, great power, and can do get the job done!

+1

Keith

I agree the 458 Lott is the way to go. I own one
and I plan on going Elephant hunting with it.

Ok guys why the Lott and not the 450 Ackley??? I know about the .458 Win mag being able to fire in the Lott and I read somewhere the .458 Win. will fire in the 450 Ackley!!

Just more questions to help me out. I will need a reamer made up and a set of dies so I can reload.

What are the opinions on the .378 Weatherby as a stopping rifle for the big stuff?? I have shot one and loaded for it and now that barnes is making a 350 gr for the .375's would this qulify as a "big bore". Also the .378 would make a hell of an elk/moose rifle !!

Thanks for all the input and sorry if this discussion has been gone through the ringer before!!

You know "nooby to big bores" questions.

thanks
Paul

quote:

Originally posted by apapro:
Ok guys why the Lott and not the 450 Ackley???

I will need a reamer made up and a set of dies so I can reload.

What are the opinions on the .378 Weatherby as a stopping rifle for the big stuff??
Paul

I am not too sure, but I think ballistically they are close enough that the "game getting" difference could be negligable. Availibility, especially for us up here would be tough initially & you said you need to have a reamer made, so the added cost of the reamer, availibilty, price of dies & brass would rule it out for me.....but that might not be enough reason for you, the "cool" factor is definately there.

I think the whole 378 Weatherby thing has been beat up pretty good in the past here. For my money, if I want that much recoil, I'd go with a +40 cal.
Is using a 378 for Moose/Elk a must for you? I know even if I had one in my locker, I would ALWAYS reach for something else in there.

The .458 Ackley will actually launch a 500gr slug at 2400fps from a 24 inch barrel. I've seen 2450 from my 26 inch barrel! You will be lucky to get 2300fps from a Lott with the same bullet weight and barrel length. In my hands a .458 Ackley will nearly always do 100fps more than a Lott. The ONLy advantage the Lott has is its commercially available. Yes you can also fire .458 win in a Ackley chamber too. Fire forming Ackley brass from .375 H&H is pretty easy too. For most folks who dont reload teh Lott is THE cartridge to go with. For those who like wildcats and reloading the Ackley is an even better cartridge.-Rob

Is the 458 AR with the bullet loaded out to max length give equal usable capacity as the 458 Ackley?

Do a regular 375h&h or 458wm you are going to use it most on Canadian game. You dont need a .460w on elk and a .300-.366 is better at longer range.