The Accurate Reloading Forums
What is your favorite big bore to shoot?
20 August 2010, 13:21
BrandoWhat is your favorite big bore to shoot?
Im curious as to what you guys prefer to shoot. Not hunt with, just shoot at leisure at the range or whereever you shoot. Any why do you like it over others?
I only have 1 rifle considered big bore, and thats my Lever action 450 Marlin, so I have nothing to compare it too.
20 August 2010, 17:23
jro45My favorate rifle is the 458 Lott. I also own a 416 Rem. And a 338 ultra mag. To have something
to compare it to it has alot more recoil but the lott doesn't hurt me.
20 August 2010, 17:42
trophyhunter5000The next step up from the biggest one I've already shot...

Right now I've not shot anything more fun than my 600 Overkill...
Whether it is targets or live game the results are dramatic to say the least!
It just dosen't get any better than blowing stuff apart or punching big holes through it...
I've got a couple other biguns on the way that I can't wait to get my mits on...
______________________
Sometimes there is no spring...
Just the wind that smells fresh before the storm...
20 August 2010, 18:28
Michael Robinsonquote:
Originally posted by Brando:
Im curious as to what you guys prefer to shoot. Not hunt with, just shoot at leisure at the range or whereever you shoot.
Mine are all hunting rifles, first, last and always.
Being a practical sort, if I didn't hunt dangerous game, I probably wouldn't even own a big bore rifle.

Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
21 August 2010, 00:20
BNagelI prefer the .375 Wby and have it ready to hunt.
I like the .416 Rigby, but it is really past my tolerance threshold and it is mostly about having it "just in case". Guess that makes me a big bore...
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21 August 2010, 00:50
500NI'd have to say my 505 Gibbs or my WR 500 Nitro Double.
Love them both and can't split them.
.
21 August 2010, 01:07
CCMDocMine is my AHR-built 600 Overkill. Fits me perfectly, great fun to shoot, complete satisfaction with the impression it leaves on the targets

NRA Lifer; DSC Lifer; SCI member; DRSS; AR member since November 9 2003
Don't Save the best for last, the smile for later or the "Thanks" for tomorow
21 August 2010, 01:11
phurley5I shoot a .416 Rem in Model 70 Winchester and a .416 Rigby in Ruger #1. I took the Winchester to Africa for obvious reasons, but I consider them equals. Good shooting.
phurley
21 August 2010, 03:09
Idaho SharpshooterTwo, take your pick.
I am lucky enough to own two Double Rifles.
A trim little Chapuis in 9,3x74R and a Searcy .470 NE. The Searcy always challenges me to make it perform like a target rifle. The Chapuis just reminds me of a trim little lady that wants to be handled gently.
To choose one over the other would be an impossibility...
Rich
21 August 2010, 05:23
grandveneurFor shooting , the 460WM , accurate at short and long range !
21 August 2010, 05:24
Strut10I've only ever shot a couple. A .458 Win, a .416 Rigby and Rem, a 375 H&H and Wby.
Since the .375 Wby is the only one I own, it's my favorite to date. Kinda fun to snipe woodchucks at 300 yards with a gun that's buff and elephant capable.........not that I'm ever going to see that side of the pond.
Founder....the OTPG
21 August 2010, 06:10
Bitterroot600 Overkill !!!
When I'm feeling a bit down, I go out and touch off a few. It always makes me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
21 August 2010, 06:24
jetdrvrThe only one I own and will ever own...my custom .458 Win with my last PH's buffalo load in it. Double the recoil of my .375, which is my favorite rifle, and very accurate.
21 August 2010, 10:06
gohip2000At first, it was my 45-70. Then when I got a 375 H&H, that was my favorite to shoot. Now my 416 rigby is my favorite to shoot at the range. See a pattern? I will say that my 375 H&H is still one of my favs because it has an awsome trijicon scope, is very accurate, and the action is the smoothest I've owned. But the 45-70 and 416 make the range real fun when your shooting reactive targets
21 August 2010, 15:11
Paolo9,5x73quote:
Originally posted by Brando:
Im curious as to what you guys prefer to shoot. Not hunt with, just shoot at leisure at the range or whereever you shoot. Any why do you like it over others?
I only have 1 rifle considered big bore, and thats my Lever action 450 Marlin, so I have nothing to compare it too.
Love to shoot .45LC loads in my Freedon Arms Model 83 .454Magnum. Fun to shoot and holes can be easily seen on paper. Had two .375H&Hs but sold them both as I had no need for them. Too large for anything I hunt and no fun to shoot at all.
21 August 2010, 19:21
TreeFarmerFirst, Winchester Model 70 in .404 Jeffery. Second, Ruger No. 1 in .45-70. Actually, my real favorite, though not technically not a big bore, is my Ruger No. 1 in 9.3X74R.
TreeFarmer
NRA Life Member
Moderation in the pursuit of decadence is no virture.
21 August 2010, 19:31
Milo ShanghaiNot sure if it would satisfy you hard core boys as being a "big bore" but my favorite was an H&H 375 2.5inch which I used for red deer when I was younger. If you have the chance to shoot one in a Royal don't miss it.
22 August 2010, 00:25
RobgunbuilderHow about the one in my hand at the time.-Rob
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!
22 August 2010, 01:30
465H&HI might surprise every one but it is my 465 Nitro double.

465H&H
22 August 2010, 03:38
jeffeossoquote:
Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
How about the one in my hand at the time.-Rob
me too
22 August 2010, 06:47
VFR110.75 Mauser that will be going to Moz with me next month.
22 August 2010, 07:12
PeglegFor me it is the Ma-Duce and ankle deep in brass.
The only easy day is yesterday!
22 August 2010, 19:13
sharpsguyMy favorite is a 45 caliber Sharps 1874 with double set triggers and iron barrel sights. Loaded with traditional paper patched bullets they will reach and shoot all the way through just about anything you can see well enough to generate a quality sight picture on. A 45-70 has mild recoil when loaded properly, and will shoot through two inches of oak planking at 800 yards.
My 45-110 knocked a Blue Wildebeast off his feet at 312 yards and shot all the way through him on the Eastern Cape of RSA in 2007. That aside, the big Sharps is just a fun rifle to shoot.
23 August 2010, 00:39
10,3x60rMy....sure .416 rem mag!
Look:
OUCH!!!
23 August 2010, 00:53
jwp475416 Rigby

_____________________________________________________
A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
- Winston Churchill
23 August 2010, 01:22
GarByToss up....Searcy 375 Flanged Mag double with a nice little 1.25 x 5 Loopie or my Heym 500 Jeff bolt with a 1x4 30mm Trijicon. The 375 is easier on the shoulder, but the 500 Jeff with the scope on 1x is a both eyes open cheater out to 75 yards or so.
Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC
24 August 2010, 12:53
RigbyUserI like my 500 jeffrey the best.....
Those 535 grain Woodleighs at 2350 fps cut ragged holes at 50 and 100 yards, and all of this with express sights !!!
Good fun and you do get used the big bores, the more you shoot them the simpler the process becomes. Enjoy...
24 August 2010, 18:08
Black FlyMy 416 Taylor. I almost always take it as the second gun when I go to the range, or to my little backyard range. I usually shoot up all the ammo I take along for it, but bring home a few rounds for whatever else I take. Next to my groundhog rifles and 22's, I probably shoot it more than any other rifle.
Bfly
Work hard and be nice, you never have enough time or friends.
26 August 2010, 03:52
CamoManJJimatcat's .416 Taylor...I wished it was mine!
Thanks again, Jim.
"A Lone Hunter is the Best Hunter..."
27 August 2010, 01:02
bobgrowA toss up....416 Rigby and a 450 Dakota, both Dakota M76s.
The 450 knocks the cobwebs loose.
Bob
Bob
DRSS
DSC
SCI
NRA & ISRA
27 August 2010, 07:24
BrandoI keep seeing alot about the .416 Rigby...
And after all this hype I hear about how much people love there 458 Lott...Must be an ass kicker of a rifle...
27 August 2010, 08:14
tk10gadoes a 10 ga count ? would like a 378 wby
27 August 2010, 09:02
DWrightSo far. . . . Michael458's little .50 cal B&M!
09 September 2010, 06:02
.458 OnlyMy .458 Win Mag is awesome in the CZ550, holding five 350 TSX's loaded at Lott-length = 2753 fps and 29,450 ft-lbs of KE in the magazine, firing them into MOA! It's handling and balance is perfection, not to even mention 500s at 2200+ fps. But it's not my all-time favorite...
An 1895 Marlin in .45-70 classic, shooting 465grn hardcasts into MOA at 1900 fps is capable for anything in Noth America that goes under the nomenclature, "big game". It's a pleasure to tote... but it's not my favorite.
My number ONE, after a decade of shooting it, is my Ruger No.1-S in .45-70 (Improved). A 500grn Hornady at 2200 fps is a wake-up call if you're drowsing at the range! A 450grn A-Frame at 2300 fps gives me visions of Africana! But, reality sets in with the 350TSX at 2470 fps, or the Speer Hot-Cor at 2500 fps, both at MOA! That's Canadiana... moose in the alders or bear in the brush... and all that in a 38" compact, handy, ready to go 8.3 lb package with a Burris silver safari scope, with 5" eye-relief, and 4 on the stock and one in the chamber for "WHATEVER"!
If I'm able, it's more than able, and neither of us make apologies!
BTW, if you hadn't guessed, "Improved" = long-throated.
Bob
www.bigbores.ca
"Let every created thing give praise to the LORD, for he issued his command, and they came into being" - King David, Psalm 148 (NLT)
09 September 2010, 06:13
cmfic1Right now its my 458 Lott
I just got an email from Luxus, my re-stocked Boddington edition 450-400 will ship next week, I'm sure I'll really enjoy that rifle, even though its not a real BIG bore.
Bitteroot is trying to convince me on a 500 AHR....I'm himmin n hawin on how much fun that could be too
Rod
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"A hunter should not choose the cal, cartridge, and bullet that will kill an animal when everything is right; rather, he should choose ones that will kill the most efficiently when everything goes wrong"
Bob Hagel
09 September 2010, 06:16
GrenadierIt's a toss up between the Farquharson .450 3-1/4" Rigby and the .450 Bushmaster AR Carbine. Two very different types of rifles. Two different purposes. When it comes to which is better for carrying around in the bush, the short and light AR has the single shot beat hands down.
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