I have been wanting, for a few years now, to build or buy a lefty big bore of 45 caliber or larger. My recent 400 Whelen build somewhat quenched that but the burn is coming on again. I have a Montana 1999 that I got on the charter offer several years ago. I had them barrel it in 375 H&H but let them talk me into a heavier than necessary barrel. For some time now I have considered reboring it to something a bit bigger.

Considering my love of classic cartridges, both standard and wildcat, I have long considered the 450 Ackley or the 475 OKH as choices. I know the 458 Lott and the 470 Capstick would do the same but I like being a little different. I have enough barrel diameter for either on a rebore.

The pragmatist in me thinks I might be better off to find one of the fellows that got a left handed Zastavas in 458 Winchester and see if I could work a trade for my lefty Zastavas 7x57 that I'm not likely to use much. I really vacillated between the 7x57 and the 458 and really wish I had gone with the 458.

Realistically, I've no need for a 450 Ackley, 458 Lott or Winchester, or 475 OKH/470 Capstick, although I would happily carry any one of them afield. I guess once the big bore bug bites there is no real cure. I consider the 458 Winchester to be a classic. It's been around long enough and has earned the title. The 450 Ackley and 475 OKH are just plain interesting and are classic big bore wildcats.

I guess fellas, my question is which way do I turn? Thanks.

Mart

.475OKH. It is unlikely you will ever encounter someone who owns one.

George

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
.475OKH. It is unlikely you will ever encounter someone who owns one.

George

Especially left handed.

Mart

I had a 450 Ackley in a Griffin & Howe rifle at one time. That's one I should have kept. The 450 Ackley can handle the 458 Win, 458 Lott, 450 Watts, and the all-out Ackley. Great cartridge.

Several other considerations come into the picture.

Firstly, you will have better bullet selection and probably better bullet diameter consistency and accuracy with .458" over the various ".474"s.

Secondly, the 458 Lott would give you a better neck. The 450 Ackley has a neck that is only 75% of bore.

Thirdly, if your action is up to the strength and length of big bore magnums, then the natural choice would be a 450 Rigby or 450 Dakota. Both of those will require some bolt work and feeding work but a competent smithy can take care of that easily. Those calibres will make use of the bullets and give you a much wider choice on perfermance levels, up to about 7500+ ftlbs.

fourthly, if you are still listening but disappointed in advice going against the '470', then by all means choose a 500. With your action you could go all the way to a 500 Mbogo (.510" long Rigby case), or in shorter versions, the 500 AccRel Nyati or 500 Bateleur.
The Mbogo is good for over 8000ftlbs, the latter two are good for over 7000ftlbs. For a traditional, though with 'rebated rim', you could go with the 500 Jeffrey, which can be handloaded up to 8000 ftlbs like the Mbogo.
Personally, I find that 7000 ftlbs is 'enough gun' for plains game. I want to be comfortable with a gun for shooting small stuff. Then it is an accurate tool for the big stuff.


PS: if you want something with too much capacity for practical hunting, then you could try a 510/505 Gibbs (better bullet selection than .505") or the .408 CheyenneTactical.

quote:

Originally posted by G.Hansen:
Oh that your action would accommodate the .458 Express:

http://www.458express.com/

You've got the .458 virus and seeking an alternative .45 will leave you vexed, vacant and wanting.

Starting completely over again is, sometimes, the shortest distance between the very two (2) points that you seek.

That said, I've only offered you something that you already know to be true.

The 458 express website is 'cherrypicking' data and comparisons. Basically, it is a 3" Lott, with a little more capacity than the Lott and a lot less capacity than the Rigby/Dakota/Weatherby. A person needs to choose the power level that they are interested in, and then build accordingly.

For that matter, one should mention the 458 AccRel., with a little more capacity than the 450 Ackley and close to the "Express", though in a standard length cartridge/action.

I would also go with a minimum of .500, and, using that criteria, the .500 Mbogo is just too hard to beat...

Respects,

Phill

quote:

Originally posted by mart:

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
.475OKH. It is unlikely you will ever encounter someone who owns one.

George

Especially left handed.

Mart

I am always the only one at the range with a left-hand big bore (.375, .458, .470).

George

quote:

I am always the only one at the range with a left-hand big bore (.375, .458, .470).

George

I always get a few interested onlookers when I bring out my 1941 model 70 that was converted to left handed and rebored to 35 Whelen. The lefty 400 Whelen always draws some interest as well.

As to the 500 Mbogo I don't know if I have enough barrel diameter to rebore to a 500 and while it is interesting, as is the 458 Express, I am more interested in classics like the Ackley or the OKH. Like the 400 Whelen they are a link to the past and to some of the gun personalities who mentored me through their writings.

Mart

quote:

Originally posted by mart:

quote:

I am always the only one at the range with a left-hand big bore (.375, .458, .470).

George

I always get a few interested onlookers when I bring out my 1941 model 70 that was converted to left handed and rebored to 35 Whelen. The lefty 400 Whelen always draws some interest as well.

As to the 500 Mbogo I don't know if I have enough barrel diameter to rebore to a 500 and while it is interesting, as is the 458 Express, I am more interested in classics like the Ackley or the OKH. Like the 400 Whelen they are a link to the past and to some of the gun personalities who mentored me through their writings.

Mart

There's always the 475 A&M as well ...

http://wethearmed.com/rifles/475-am-magnum/