BigBores!!

I recently bought a .444 Marlin. I started out shooting Leverevolution out of it, but now roll my own Hornady 265gr. FP. I then put on 1.5-6x20 scope on it for load development. It shoots 1.5" groups at 100 yds, and I ring the 8" gong every shot at 200 yds. I'll be using it for deer and elk this fall and perhaps spring bear. I'm becoming very attached to this little big gun. :)
 
You want new? You want old??

I just got my first 40 cal and cannot wait to try it up at the homestead.
It is an 1871 Vetterli, bolt gun with a 9 shot tube mag in the mannlicher military type stock.

They are affordable and very fun to shoot.

Depending on your purpose it may not be the right one tho. It only clocks 1400fps with full power loads......LOL
 
Had a 45/70 and found it too limiting, I now prefer the larger medium bores for anything in North America, One day I'll have a 416 rigby or taylor but for now the 9.3x62 loaded to modern pressures in capable rifles with good bullets does it for me. The same could be said of the 35 Whelen , 375 ruger etc.
 
I like my 45/70s, Marlin with heavy loads, Sharps with Black Powder....I like my .45/100 Sharps with 595gr bullets and Swiss Bl. powder.....My 50/90 Sharps trumps 'em all with 530gr. or 685 gr. and a full case of Swiss B.P......i have many other guns but only feel comfortable with these for big game......I like my 38/55 for deer when used with 255gr. bullet and Swiss BP.......I am working on my .356 and 250gr. cast flat pts., but tend to like bigger bores on anything larger then deer.
 
.375 H&H, custom built on a Sako action - Just paper punching, so far.
.444 Marlin S, primarily a spare rifle for Moose hunts, three Moose to date.
.45-70 Marlin, 1895GS - Just used on paper, so far.
.458WM model 70 Winchester, in case an Elephant pops up?;)
 
I hadn't mentioned "my" .375 H&H 'cause I just didn't know whether it fell under the "big bore" category. But, seeing that others have, I'll throw mine in the mix too. 300gr. TSX's
 
I don't know if a .375 H&H is a big bore or not, but I've got a couple of 'em. Rather useful caliber, I've taken animals from 20 to 3000 pounds with one. My .416 Rigby is a bigbore by most definitions, whether it kills any better needs a little more research. I'll get back to you.
 
Powerful rifles and big bores are not neccissarily the same. Big bores, at least by African standards, tend to be very specialized firearms. They are called upon to prevent emergencies from becoming serious emergencies. In the glory days of the ivory trade they were the tools of tradesmen, not unlike the specialized Sharps on the American frontier - and like the Sharps of the time could cost the equivalent of several years wages. They are big, heavy, and lead to detached retinas. What has been listed here for the most part are mediums, although the .500 A-Square makes the cut.
 
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