THE ACCURATERELOADING.COM CUSTOM RIFLE FORUM

Go
New
Find
Notify
Tools
Reply
  
Big bore option...
 Login/Join
 
One of Us
posted 19 November 2013 10:58
I have had one of the Steve Earle F. Wesson Long Range Rifle actions for a couple years. This is a very strong action. Think Alexander Henry. But, I keep bouncing from one fairly large Express Cartridge to the next. A classic case of analysis to paralysis.

Lately, I have been poring thru Pierre van der Walt's book, "African Dangerous Game Cartridges". Great book by the way, and full of actual load data.

I think I am down to two, one practical, one neo-classic.

1. 9,3x74 Rimmed. I had a double and really liked it. Great cartridge with plenty of bullet choices and easy to exceed double velocities by at least 100fps.

2. .500/416 Nitro Express 3 1/4" Krieghoff. Brass and dies/shellholder are available. It can also be made by running a .470 NE thru the FL sizing die.
It will provide 2500+fps in a strong single shot action.

What think you all?

Rich
 
Posts: 23062 | Location: SW Idaho | Registered: 19 December 2005Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 19 November 2013 17:27Hide Post
Rich,

Tough question, similar to "what look do you like best in a woman?" I personally like skinny petite bleach blondes, while others may like brunettes that are curvy.

To me, a sexy cartridge for that action would be along these lines: .300 H&H Fl, .375 H&H Fl, .450 NE, or .500/450. Sexy just seems to drip from those cartridges, much the same as a Jag XK8, XKE, or Aston Martin.

But it's all in the eye of the beholder. Good luck on that decision.


JP Sauer Drilling 12x12x9.3x72
David Murray Scottish Hammer 12 Bore
Alex Henry 500/450 Double Rifle
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock 6.5x55
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock .30-06
Walther PPQ H2 9mm
Walther PPS M2
Cogswell & Harrison Hammer 12 Bore Damascus
And Too Many More
 
Posts: 1857 | Location: Chattanooga, TN | Registered: 10 August 2010Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 19 November 2013 20:54Hide Post
Rich
For what its worth I have a 9.3x74 rimmed falling block single shot on order from Bailey Bradshaw.

thought the same things you did about it-ans Selous love his singles--


"The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane." Mark Twain
TANSTAAFL

www.savannagems.com A unique way to own a piece of Africa.

DSC Life
NRA Life
 
Posts: 3386 | Location: Central Texas | Registered: 05 September 2013Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 19 November 2013 21:04Hide Post
md,

thanks, I think! Now I am back to paralysis...
 
Posts: 23062 | Location: SW Idaho | Registered: 19 December 2005Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 19 November 2013 21:14Hide Post
thanks, I think! Now I am back to paralysis...[/QUOTE]

Rich, not a bad place to be...paralysis is one of the only antidotes for spending more money on guns :-)
 
Posts: 20181 | Location: Very NW NJ up in the Mountains | Registered: 14 June 2009Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 19 November 2013 22:32Hide Post
400/350 Rigby....300 H&H Flanged...or a BPE 450Express. Mayby even a .333 Jeffery Flanged..?.Small calibers makes more use/sence in the everyday hunt/shoot.


DRSS: HQ Scandinavia. Chapters in Sweden & Norway
 
Posts: 2806 | Location: Denmark | Registered: 09 June 2005Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 19 November 2013 23:40Hide Post
Mine is 450/400 3 1/4. Long, sexy and good selection of usable bullets. Nice carry weight too.
 
Posts: 1208 | Location: Wyoming | Registered: 04 April 2009Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 20 November 2013 09:00Hide Post
500-465

How's that for being an unhelpful prick?


SCI Life Member
DRSS

"In those savage countries success frequently depends upon one particular moment; you may lose or win according to your action at that critical instant."

Sir Samuel Baker
 
Posts: 297 | Location: New Scotland, Canada | Registered: 01 August 2007Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 26 November 2013 02:53Hide Post
thanks kda55!

I am back to paralysis again...

450-400 three and a quarter. Hmmmmmmmmmmm...
 
Posts: 23062 | Location: SW Idaho | Registered: 19 December 2005Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 26 November 2013 05:38Hide Post
ISS, check your PM's.
 
Posts: 1208 | Location: Wyoming | Registered: 04 April 2009Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 27 November 2013 05:32Hide Post
something that beautiful needs to be shared here..
 
Posts: 23062 | Location: SW Idaho | Registered: 19 December 2005Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 08 December 2013 05:20Hide Post
Crazy idea I guess, but why not a .303 British. I think it would be a nice single shot. A lot of components available ...
 
Posts: 10750 | Location: Houston, Texas | Registered: 26 December 2005Reply With Quote
One of Us
Picture of zimbabwe
posted 08 December 2013 23:45Hide Post
I have owned several 9.3x74r's,some O/U's a couple of SxS's but only one I own now is a #1 Ruger. It's my favorite African caliber though I never used it in Africa. It's the license plate on my Hyundai Veloster Turbo so I'm rather attached to the caliber. That said one of my other ,of three, Ruger #1'2 is a 450/400 and the remaining one is a 405Win which ain't so shabby in it's own right. Any one would make a superb single shot custom had I the money.


SCI Life Member
NRA Patron Life Member
DRSS
 
Posts: 2786 | Location: Green Valley,Az | Registered: 04 January 2005Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 10 December 2013 05:28Hide Post
450-400 3 1/4 is my choice as well. Then .475 No. 2 as a follow up.
 
Posts: 2755 | Registered: 10 March 2006Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 12 December 2013 20:40Hide Post
I have a .475 No. 2 Jeffrey in a Ruger No.1 It's a hoot, even in a No. 1.
 
Posts: 1743 | Registered: 25 February 2012Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 01 April 2014 19:27Hide Post
My taste says
400-350 NE or 300 H&H Flanged for plains game
the 450-400 3 1/4 or 500/416 NE for the big stuff.

Appropriate for any classic African safari…
 
Posts: 208 | Location: Prague, Czech Republic | Registered: 28 January 2005Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 02 April 2014 06:41Hide Post
I opted for the 450-400 either 3", or more likely the 3 1/4.

thanks for the advice, especially KDA55.

Rich
 
Posts: 23062 | Location: SW Idaho | Registered: 19 December 2005Reply With Quote
one of us
posted 02 April 2014 06:52Hide Post
Rich, I have done a lot of hunting with the 9,3x74R. It is a great calibre and recoil is not bad, even with a 7 1/2lb rifle.

I also have a 450/400 3 1/4" double and that too is a great caliber, but neeeds @ a 10 lb gun to be comfortable to shoot.

In todays world I would go with the 450/400 3" just because Hornady cases are so easy to get.

However, if you are not going to take it to Africa, but just want a big bore, think about the 405 Winchester. You could throat it to seat 400gr bullets to the cannalure and pick up a little extra powder room, and still shoot 300gr bullets as well...


DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
 
Posts: 16134 | Location: Texas | Registered: 06 April 2002Reply With Quote
one of us
posted 03 April 2014 07:33Hide Post
I also like the 450-400-3" as today the shorter brass is thicker and stronger and lasts longer; It requires no filler with todays powders; Brass is more obtainable...Is all this enough to turn me off a nice 3-1/4 gun, nope! I wouldn't pass one up over a few silly milimeters.

However, my druthers lean toward the 3" version,.

I like the 9.3x64, its a nice caliber in a double or SS, and a dream to shoot, but I might be inclined towards the 375 Flanged if I were in DG country.


Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120

rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
 
Posts: 42444 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
One of Us
posted 03 April 2014 10:31Hide Post
Build it in a caliber that will shot a lot like a target rifle. That wonderful action will be wasted if you do not wear it out.

I think a .32-40, .38-55 or .33 Win might be nice.
 
Posts: 13978 | Location: http://www.tarawaontheweb.org/tarawa2.jpg | Registered: 03 December 2008Reply With Quote
  Powered by Social Strata  
 


Copyright December 1997-2025 Accuratereloading.com


Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia