Hi Im new on this forum. I am from a family of definite small bore shooters, but I seem to have broke the mold when I started using a 300 WM on deer. I figured overkill is better than underkill. Now I know it doesnt compare to bigbore rifles, but I found that I actually enjoy the recoil of it!!!! Guess I am kinda sick... Of cours eing here in Iraq, when I got a chance to shoot our Snipers Barret, I jumped at the chance!! Im looking ot get my first big bore, and since i am a SSG in the Army, no Africa or Alaska trips are in my near future, so I am looking for something useful in the states. I am seriously looking for something like a 375 H&H, although I am open to suggestions. I already have kinda prepped the wife, on this, although she doesnt understand the need for all the guns.. LOL Any one have anyother thoughts..

Little over a month and my year in Iraq is done!!!!!

first of all thank you for your service and your sacrafice...do you or your unit have any needs? maybe we could help...

second...welcome to the forum!

third, yes shooting the big bores is a lot of fun. no need to appologize.

fourth, the best first time big bore investment is a 416 rigby in a c.z. 550.

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/long_guns/czsafari_0401/


http://www.accuratereloading.com/416rigby.html





now for the penut gallery...

Welcome to the forum.

The .375 H&H is a very nice cartridge and, if you do get a chance to go on those hunting trips, will handle anything you need it to. However, my suggestion would be a .458 Lott if you want to enter the worl of big bores. The range of energy and recoil is very broad, you can choose bullets ranging from 300 grains to 500 grains, and with that, you can slowly work up to full recoil. If you choose not to reload, you can shoot both .458 Win Mag and .458 Lott factory ammunition in it.

Remember, this is only my suggestion. I chose a .458 Lott in a CZ 550 and I never had regrets about it.

Kenneth Irving

i.m.o. the only reason to go to the lott is to have cheap bullets with a good heavy end of spectrum...

the lott is not bad though but the 416 is more versatile

Brent,

First, thank you for your service to our country.

I am glad to hear of your interest in bigger bore rifles...they are a ton of fun and highly addictive! As to caliber, that depends on you and what you really want to use the rifle for. The 375 H&H is without a doubt a great cartridge that is very versatile (I have 3 right now!). It is a great introduction into the bigger bores with it's easier recoil and can be used for any and all NA game. It is a fine elk cartridge but a 338 (and others) gets the job done too with aplomb.

Do you want primarily a hunting rifle or a fun big rifle that can be used for some hunting? For the fun gun I have to go with the 458 Lott (in a Ruger RSM of course!). For someone just coming into the big bores, handloading is IMHO required for the Lott. With handloading the Lott is wonderful...you can load those cheap Rem 405gr bullets at lighter loads for starting out and plinking and use the not too expensive Hornady 500grs at max for impressing the buds and experiencing full power loads. For casual fun at the gravel pit the Lott with top loads is a fun rock buster. I LOVE popping ground squirrels with my RSM Lott using the Rem 405s at around 2400fps. It just doesn't get much better than this. I mention handloading as an important part of the Lott equation, and not just for cost. Full Lott loads ARE fairly harsh, and I would not enjoy my RSM Lott nearly as much if I was stuffing it with factory 500gr fodder.

Whatever round you chose, just do it! Set up the whatever rifle you choose with a good pad, proper LOP and eye relief and go for it! You will be happy you did.

John

Wow Brent, gettin shot at and still time to fart around on the internet. Good for you. Of course a bunch of folks will tell ya to get either a 375 H&H or a 458 something or another. My first big bore was/is a 375 RUM. I do look forward to going bigger later on in the year. Will I ever use it for what its meant for? doubt it. But who cares. Anyhow, look at the CZ American Safari in any of the above mentioned calibers, and you should do alright. WAit!!! you get to fill out that travel voucher when you get back!! Family Sep, Hostile Fire, your wallet should be fat when you get back!!

In that case, check out the Safariclassics in 450 Rigby, or go old school and get the 404J.

http://www.safariclassics.com

Keep your brain bucket on, and your ass down.

Brent,
Welcome to bigbore mania. It will keep you sane.

Definitely start with a .375 H&H: CZ, Winchester, or Ruger RSM. If you are well adjusted and smart you will stop there ... if you need more kicks (shock therapy) then you can rechamber it to .375 Weatherby ... then when that becomes too tame for you, if it is a CZ 550 Magnum or Ruger RSM, you can rebarrel (or rebore and rechamber) to any of the fabulous five Lapua sisters or Grandma Gibbs, the sexy six:
.308 Chui
.338 Simba
.375 Nyati
.423 Kifaru
.458 Tembo
.510 Bibi-Gibbs

Of course a .404 Jeffery is quite a nice dish too, and can be done from a Winchester M70, CZ 550 Magnum, or Ruger RSM.

For future therapy in larger and larger doses, as you become habituated to recoil, the CZ is most adaptable for all conversions. The Winchester M70 makes a swell .404 Jeffery by just switching the parts to a RUM box, but the RSM integral quarter rib is a shame to waste, so would deserve consideration for a rebore.

The .510 Bibi (Grandma Gibbs) requires some advanced magazine work, which therapy I am just now in need of ... Live and Learn.

Remember that there is a "Twelve Step Program" at GA (Gunaholics Anonymous, NOT Guns&Ammo Magazine) ready to welcome you, as we are here, anytime.

May the Recoil Force be with you.

The first big bore I shot was a CZ in .458WM. It had a hogsback stock that bitchslapped me silly! I sold it and swore to never shoot another gun in ANY magnum caliber...

Then I tried boha´s .375 and liked it. The stock was straight and the recoil didn´t land on my nose!

So I bought one.

Then I tried my PH´s .416 Rigby!

And I had one built.

But after shooting boha´s .500 Jeffrey I realize that the .416 is where I draw the line. Feels that I´m getting more recoil shy with age.

I think the 375 H&H is the best big bore to start off with. The recoil isn't bad at all and it is a round that you can hunt anything in NA with and also take to Africa if you get there for a one rifle battery no matter what you hunt. I have a winchester model 70 in it and it is great fun.

Thank you for your service! God's speed on the way home.

The .375 H&H is a great caliber. It is useful in North America for larger animals without being silly and forms the basis of a good African battery to boot.

The recoil difference between it and the .416s, .458s and larger is pretty significant. Great place to start because inexpensive bullets are actually available and many .375 caliber rifles are moderate in weight. They are relatively handy in the field. As a result, they actually get used.

CZs represent very good value and in .375 they need only be bedded to assure stock life.

Whatever you choose ... enjoy the experience!

Brent,

Welcome to AR.

We are in Dubai, in the UAE, so if your travels bring you here, you are welcome to drop by and try all the big bores we have.

After you have tried them all - up to the 700 NE, you might be in a better position to decide which one to have.

Of all the big bore rifles, I think one should dtart with the 375, in whatever flavour that takes your fancy.

You cannot go wrong with this choice.

Brent,

My recommendation would be the .375. The .416 and larger calibers are specialized calibers that are best reserved for hunting the big boys. When you step up to the .416 and larger the recoil also increases.

If you want a rifle that you can shoot a lot, then go with the .375. The .375 is relatively inexpensive to shoot and will have more applications in North America.

Get a Winchester or CZ, have a good smith check the feeding, adjust the trigger and glass bed it for you. Then go have fun with it.

Regards,

Terry

Thanks for all the input on the big bores, I think I may be leaning towards the 375 even more, after checking out prices.... I figure if I get stationed in Alaska Ill have a great bear gun, and it will definitly work as a back up gun for elk.

Brent,
Thanks for serving!

there 2 lines of thought on big bores(and then the line of no thought that the big bore junkies like) ...

and all of them REQUIRE that you reload, in order to not go broke

the 375 is a very flexible, practical round, and can be loaded from 200gr to 350 gr... and doesn't kick too bad.


and

the 458 lott is the MOST practical of all the true big bores, in that
1: there is no lingering doubts as to if it's a heavy medium or a big bore
2: cases and dies are CHEAP
3: bullet weights from 200 to 550 (or 600)
4: the overwhelming reason for a 458 lott for a first big bore .... Remington 405gr 12¢ bullets and surplus powder.

on brass and die costs, you'll find the 375 and 458 are the same price.. as well as generally are the rifles.

jeffe

I'd start with the 375, very practical & versatile, so are the 416s & the Lott but a significant step up.

quote:

I found that I actually enjoy the recoil of it!!!! Guess I am kinda sick...

he said he likes recoil...

lott or rigby...

lott cheaper brass and bullets rigby more versatile...

Welcome to the forum and Happy New Year. You can have a lot of fun with the big bores. A 375 is a nice way to start and if you decde to go another direction down the road, a 375 is easy to sell!

Brett, What blows your hair back? The power of a true big bore 458 Lott, the wonderful versatility and history of the 375 H&H, or the mystique and fantastic looks of the 416 Rigby? It's your money and it's your choice. Have fun.

Brent- Thanks for your sacrafice and service. As an ex Vietnam vet I can really appreciate how important such dreams can be. If you ever get to Las Vegas, I'll be happy to let you shoot anything you want from a .375 H&H to the 12 Ga From Hell. Then you deceide what YOU like best. Stay safe and Thanks again.-Rob

Hi Brent
You can't go wrong with the 375. It's a big step up from your 300 but is still in the mild recoil range. You can always have the 375 as a second rifle for an African trip if you get the chance and it is a perfect elk, moose and large bear caliber. You can rechamber it to a 375 Weatherby or one of the other 375 improved cartridges which will give it a little more
range and power. You will be able to shoot 300 grain bullets at 2750 fps or 270 grain bullets at 2900 fps with the rechambering. For North America that's a lot of power with good trajectory.
Take good care,
Dave

Brent:

Many thanks for what you are doing for us! If you ever get to Pittsburgh, I can let you start at 375 and work your way up through 500 Jeff. If you want to step up in power and still use the gun in the US, I would suggest a stainless synthetic Model 70 Winchester in 375H&H. With reloading lighter bullets it can be very versatile. Another consideration is a 458. We shoot them with cast bullets for deer. You can make it an (ugh) 45/70 by loading.