Just wondering if some of you guys with big guns(.500-.577-.600)could give me some idea of a comparison between these and a .460WBY.I live and hunt in B.C. and will probably never go to Africa, I've had experience with .375-.416-.458s and a No.1 in .460 for a while. The .460 didn't bother my shoulder but it rattled my brain after about 6-10 shots off the bench.Are the realy big bores that much worse?

Some are, and some aren't. Some, like the .378, .416, and .460 Wby. rifles have a very sharp recoil (fast recoil impulse).

Others, like the .375H&H and .470 Nitro Express, have a 'softer' recoil (slow recoil impulse).

Stock design and rifle weight also have a lot to do with how much recoil you feel.

Build a rifle 'from the ground up' so recoil is less of a factor than it might be otherwise.

George

quote:

Build a rifle 'from the ground up' so recoil is less of a factor than it might be otherwise.

Cartridges don't recoil at all per se; only rifles recoil.

Hi MTM
Here is a link to some recoil information from my site. http://www.470mbogo.com/BigBores/BigBores9.html

I think you will find that any of the big bores especially 50 and up will give you the head ache after shooting off the bench. That's why all the information is posted against doing so.
Take good care,
Dave

Well, to put it in a different perspective, I can shoot the big bores 500 and bigger OK but I'd rather fight Mike Tyson than shoot a 460 #1 off the bench. Is it braked? You're a better man than me, MTM.

470, thanks for the link. Some interesting stuff on there.The gun had a removeable brake with cap. To be honest I found it quite brutal with or without the brake. I now understand it's best not to shoot these off the bench. When useing the brake I would inform all other members before torching one off under the covered range.Ended up selling that one as I was getting a mild concusion each outing. Downgraded to a No.1 Rigby and absolutely love it. Thanks for the replies.

triggertate, I should have added that the reason for the question was the I had such a hard time dealing with the gun off the bench I thought I was being a wimp and could not see shooting something with a lot more recoil.

JMO but if you managed it more than once you're no wimp

MTM
Try videoing your shooting on and off the bench. When you watch that you will see how much worse shooting from the bench is on the shooter. The big rifles from 577 and over are slightly more comfortable as long as they are not pushed too fast. 2100-2200 is sufficient and beats the old Nitro Express cartridges by a nice margin.
Stock design is a big factor as well and Weatherby stocks don’t seem to be ideal for handling heavy recoil. Build a high comb classic stock with plenty of purchase and large butt and it really tames the beast.

Hi MTM
There are lots of videos on my site of shooting big bores from both the bench and off hand. You really have to make your rifle weight and stock to handle recoil as well as get a good recoil pad to slow down the recoil velocity and suck up some of the recoil energy.
Take care,
Dave

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm starting to think about putting together a standup bench.

quote:

Originally posted by MTM:
triggertate, I should have added that the reason for the question was the I had such a hard time dealing with the gun off the bench I thought I was being a wimp and could not see shooting something with a lot more recoil.

you are not being a wimp. It just takes time and practice to get use to the recoil. My 378 weatherby broke me in for my 460. I only use factory loads and I dont use brakes. Shooting off the bench just requires you to set yourself
up in a different manner. On the bench just have the rifle high enough (on the rest) so the rifle goes straight back not crouched over like a varmit rifle and you are halfway there. Good luck if you get your 460. I love mine.

I can honestly say that one of the worse recoiling rifles I have ever owned was a 465 Hollland Dominion grade double. I have a 470 Rigby, a 476 Westley Richards and a 500 Jeffery bolt rifle and the 465 really pounds me. It also had a habit of doubling if you fired the left barrel first! That really ruined my day at the range. I have had a 460 Weatherby and it was a nasty rifle to shoot off of the bench. In all honesty, what Weatherby is comfortable to shoot off of the bench??

quote:

Originally posted by Fungunner:
I can honestly say that one of the worse recoiling rifles I have ever owned was a 465 Hollland Dominion grade double. I have a 470 Rigby, a 476 Westley Richards and a 500 Jeffery bolt rifle and the 465 really pounds me. It also had a habit of doubling if you fired the left barrel first! That really ruined my day at the range. I have had a 460 Weatherby and it was a nasty rifle to shoot off of the bench. In all honesty, what Weatherby is comfortable to shoot off of the bench??

I agree the 460 weatherby is not comfortable to shoot off the bench but it can be managed.

Bear in mind this is a Ruger #1 460. Whole 'nother animal from a factory Weatherby. I would think it absolutely brutal compared to purpose-built 460 bolt gun.