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

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.

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--

md,

thanks, I think! Now I am back to paralysis...

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 :-)

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.

Mine is 450/400 3 1/4. Long, sexy and good selection of usable bullets. Nice carry weight too.

500-465

How's that for being an unhelpful prick?

thanks kda55!

I am back to paralysis again...

450-400 three and a quarter. Hmmmmmmmmmmm...

ISS, check your PM's.

something that beautiful needs to be shared here..

Crazy idea I guess, but why not a .303 British. I think it would be a nice single shot. A lot of components available ...

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.

450-400 3 1/4 is my choice as well. Then .475 No. 2 as a follow up.

I have a .475 No. 2 Jeffrey in a Ruger No.1 It's a hoot, even in a No. 1.

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…

I opted for the 450-400 either 3", or more likely the 3 1/4.

thanks for the advice, especially KDA55.

Rich

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...

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.

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.