Opinions on Best Big Bore Rifle

[leeelmer]

Why are we trying to pretend that a 30 to 35 cal anything is a big bore here?

No kidding, not sure who thought that.

Big bores, I really like the 450-400, way nicer to shoot alot with than my 450 3 1/4. The 450Rigby is cool, had one in a Sako Brown Bear. But wanted the 500Jeffrey.
I really like the 416Weatherby as well. It sure pounds creatures.
505Gibbs in a Bolt gun is a heck of a stopper.
Commercially readily available guns? 470Nitro, 450-400, 416 Rigby(not in a CZ, I know I know flame suit on) I just hate the fish belly, and almost everything about a CZ besides it is very well made, and reliable. Shot one a bunch in Africa, just could not warm up to it.
Today if I was buying a do all big bore. It would be a Weatherby 416 in the synthetic stock version. The brake on weatherbys are arguably the best at reducing felt recoil, synthetic as you can beat it in terrible weather and never worry, load it up or down.
But we are blessed with being able to buy mostly whatever we want, and we are not stuck with one thing.
My current do all rifle is a 338RPM in a Weatherby backcountry TI but I don't consider it near a big bore. I have a 375 Weatherby in a absolutely stunning C grade Remington, but it is not a true big bore either.

 

[BigUglyMan]

Hello new member looking for others opinion on big bore caliber rifles. I’m leaning towards the .35 Whelen. Thought?

Honestly, for most people, the best big-bore rifle is a medium-bore rifle. Most people have no need of a true big bore or the time and money to learn to use one effectively.

If you want a big hole at the muzzle, get a 444 Marlin or a 45-70. Big(ish) bore without the punishing recoil or ammunition expense. Fine choice to take game with too, so long as you respect the trajectory limits of the cartridge and the limits (should you choose to forego glass). If you want more reach, you'll want to take a step down in bore size and go with something like an 8x57, 338-06, 35 Whelen, 9.3x57, 9.3x62, or break into wildcats like a 375 or 400 Whelen. They all have good manners but deliver enough wallop downrange that they don't give up much in terms of practicality.

No good reason to decide that you need a 458 Winchester if you don't really have use for one.

 

[waldo54]

Another one of those obscure posts the OP started it 15 months ago and hasn't been seen or heard from since

 

[jjohnwm]

Honestly, for most people, the best big-bore rifle is a medium-bore rifle. Most people have no need of a true big bore or the time and money to learn to use one effectively.

This ^ for sure. Guys who ask if the .35Whelen is the best choice for a big bore...absolutely do not need or want an actual big-bore. Guys who ask "But what's its purpose?" or "But what would I do with it?" need not apply.

No good reason to decide that you need a 458 Winchester if you don't really have use for one.

Just wanting one...is a plenty good enough reason. And if you buy one for that reason, trust me...you will find things to use it on.

 

[BigUglyMan]

Just wanting one...is a plenty good enough reason. And if you buy one for that reason, trust me...you will find things to use it on.

LOL, I bought a 458 Win Mag Ruger Number 1 because I wanted an 1885 in 45-70 and couldnt find one...until two weeks later when one popped up in the local buy and sell paper.

23 years later, I still own both, and have never fired the 458 in anger.

 

[jjohnwm]

LOL, I bought a 458 Win Mag Ruger Number 1 because I wanted an 1885 in 45-70 and couldnt find one...until two weeks later when one popped up in the local buy and sell paper.

23 years later, I still own both, and have never fired the 458 in anger.

Well...I didn't necessarily mean you'd find something on which to use it right away...

But, hey, buying the .458 obviously created a disturbance in The Force and caused the .45-70 to come to light. Otherwise, you might still be looking for that one.

 

[hoytcanon]

The OP is long gone but the discussion lives on... many deer woods or mountain hunting folk think of any number larger than .308 or perhaps .338, if they are badass, as a "big bore..." and I guess "to them" a .35 or 9.3 or .375 or .416 is a big bore rifle. Whereas, the people that actually need big bore rifles start the conversation at .458. I do not own or shoot the really large big bore rifles, but do still have and regularly use a .458 Win Mag (baby big bore) and .458 Lott (teenage big bore). These are actually very effective and useful, even here in NA. The large bore cartridges do the same thing as smaller bore cartridges, but in a different way... kinda like comparing a Ferrari to a Freight Train. Most NA hunters think that these "big" guns will blow a deer apart. In actuality they do LESS meat damage than a .270 with 130's or a 7 Mag with 150's. And then, there is the satisfying thump to the shoulder, the deep throated "boom," and the mule kick, stagger and flop of the target... big bore rifles are just plain fun to shoot.

 

[dan belisle]

The OP is long gone but the discussion lives on... many deer woods or mountain hunting folk think of any number larger than .308 or perhaps .338, if they are badass, as a "big bore..." and I guess "to them" a .35 or 9.3 or .375 or .416 is a big bore rifle. Whereas, the people that actually need big bore rifles start the conversation at .458. I do not own or shoot the really large big bore rifles, but do still have and regularly use a .458 Win Mag (baby big bore) and .458 Lott (teenage big bore). These are actually very effective and useful, even here in NA. The large bore cartridges do the same thing as smaller bore cartridges, but in a different way... kinda like comparing a Ferrari to a Freight Train. Most NA hunters think that these "big" guns will blow a deer apart. In actuality they do LESS meat damage than a .270 with 130's or a 7 Mag with 150's. And then, there is the satisfying thump to the shoulder, the deep throated "boom," and the mule kick, stagger and flop of the target... big bore rifles are just plain fun to shoot.

40 and over was always my large bore lower end. Still have a few, 416, 450, 475. 50, but it's a black powder cartridge so doesn't really count. - dan

 

[jjohnwm]

The OP is long gone but the discussion lives on...

Ha! I hadn't noticed that. Joined a year ago...posted one thread...and then "poof!"...Kaiser Sose.

Was it something we said?

... the satisfying thump to the shoulder, the deep throated "boom," and the mule kick, stagger and flop of the target... big bore rifles are just plain fun to shoot.

Yup. Its a shame how many people "know" they won't like it before they ever try it, thanks to internet experts who warn them about the horror of it...even though they haven't actually tried it either.

The crack of a .30-cal just doesn't compare to the boom of a big gun.

 

[hoytcanon]

Ha! I hadn't noticed that. Joined a year ago...posted one thread...and then "poof!"...Kaiser Sose.

Was it something we said?


Yup. Its a shame how many people "know" they won't like it before they ever try it, thanks to internet experts who warn them about the horror of it...even though they haven't actually tried it either.

The crack of a .30-cal just doesn't compare to the boom of a big gun.

"Kaiser Sose"... lol

 

[saskgunowner101]

^^^ Funny how you guys mention the "boom". Years ago shooting a 458WM, I thought the sound was markedly different, kind of like in Quigley Down Under (I think?) where he takes a poke at something, and the boom and the rolling echo sound absolutely beautiful. Wife comes outside and asked "WTF was that? I thought your gun blew up or something..."

 

[Dosing]

Hello new member looking for others opinion on big bore caliber rifles. I’m leaning towards the .35 Whelen. Thought?

338win mag.

 

[Mike Webb]

Ha! I hadn't noticed that. Joined a year ago...posted one thread...and then "poof!"...Kaiser Sose.

Was it something we said?


Yup. Its a shame how many people "know" they won't like it before they ever try it, thanks to internet experts who warn them about the horror of it...even though they haven't actually tried it either.

The crack of a .30-cal just doesn't compare to the boom of a big gun.

I took my 1920' s 1895 in 35 Winchester to range couple weeks back. Have several boxes of Kynoch 250 grain factory loads. I was the only one there early morning except for two conservation officers on pistol range. After a bit one guy called out, " What are you shooting over there, a cannon?" Definitely a healthy boom on that rifle.

 

[TXTad]

Another one of those obscure posts the OP started it 15 months ago and hasn't been seen or heard from since

That is odd, but it seems to happen often. I bet that at least sometimes, it's someone already on the site that wants to talk about something, but for some reason doesn't want to be seen starting the conversation...?