Big and medium bore fever

hifiwasabi

hifiwasabi

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I live in a giant bucket.
I recently tried a friend’s Marlin ‘95 in 45-70 and have found myself with big bore fever of sorts. I always thought myself a bit recoil sensitive, but the Hornady loads we shot felt pretty tame. Post Deer season, I might test the waters with my Ruger #1 as a trade, something I never thought I’d do. I’ve seen BLR’s and 94’s in 450 marlin for sale, the odd used ‘95 in .444 and the omnipresent 45-70 Marlin ‘95’s, but part of me wonders about .358 and .375 Winchesters. I’m mostly shooting 50-200 yards at 100 pound white tails, but if boars become more prevalent, maybe our group will try boar bacon. I know the overwhelming opinion will be 45-70, but Let’s see how everyone opines.
 
Kind of like yourself........I got into the big and med. bore thing quite a while back. Tried many cals from 338 all the way to 458 (45-70 the most) and it was great. But over a fairly short period of time, found myself slipping back into the smaller bore rifles to use. Just found that I really didn't need all the overkill.
 
if you don't reload i would stay away from the .375 and .358. factory ammo is hard to find. at least it is in this part of the country. that's also the reason i haven't picked up a .450 bushmaster.
 
hifiwasabi said:
How's the accuracy and felt recoil on that BLR?
Click to expand...

I handload so the answer is as much or as little as I want. :p For whitetail I'm using 300 grain loads that I'm super confident out to 200yds (love the BLR option to use spitzers). The hottest loads I currently have rock pretty hard but due to the lack of pachyderms around there isn't much reason to use those particular loads for anything but fun. HAHAHA. It fits me really well (most browning stuff does) and I'm a pretty big guy so that in combination with the with the forward mounted scout scope setup makes me pretty comfortable playing with higher pressure levels for laughs.

I'd hesitate to get a 450 Marlin if you don't reload though. The only factory offering I've seen for sale (I usually check when I pop into a store out of curiosity even though I'm not in the market) is the leverevolution which is just fine but doesn't overly excite me as an only available choice. 45/70 is identical in practical sense and has a LOT more factory ammo options available. Shame to miss out on the BLR platform though imo.
 
As much as I love the 375 Win, and I have a Marlin and soon to have another Winchester Big Bore '94, I don't use it much past 125 yards. The 35 Remington is in the same class. Either good for moose and black bears out to the 125 yard mark.
For up to 200-250 yards, you are better served with the BLR in 358 Win (Hornady and HSM are offering factory loads), or either the Marlin or Winchester Big Bore '94 in 356 Win. The Marlin is pretty rare, while the Winchester isn't too hard to find. Winchester also made another run of ammo for it. Any of these three are good for any north american big game, and recoil isn't as bad as the 45/70 or 444. The BLR has the advantage of the detachable magazine, for quick reloads and use of spitzer bullets.
Love these rifles and cartridges, and own all but the 45/70 and 444 at this time. Have owned the 45/70, but have never gotten overly excited about it, and prefer the others. Have never owned the 444, but have shot them. Another I just haven't gotten too excited about. Although, the heavier bullets from Swift are interesting...280 and 300 gr.
 
Buy a 458wm and a reloading kit. Giant pellet gun to elephant stomper. Itll do everything.
For deer i load 300gr hollowpoint at 2690 fps.
For moose and bear its either 400gr ppsn woodliegh at 2400fps or a 500gr rn woodliegh at 2150fps

I use a 4570 as well with 405gr bullets at between 1550 and 1600fps as well

Soon ill be adding a 416 and eventually a 450/400 3" nitro

Big bores are addictive but truly require reloading if youre going to shoot alot
 
I’ve recently started reloading, so I’m not terribly concerned about factory ammo. I see more and more new production 38-55 rifles, but all the loads seem to be for 255gr cast moving at 1500 FPS or less. I see hawk makes a 200 grain jacketed bullet in .377, any chance those can be encouraged to surpass 2000 fps?
 
Might as well add my two cents in here as well. If you are going with a lever rifle I would look for a BLR in 358 Win. Since you are going to be handloading your own ammunition availability will not be an issue and I would load that ammo with quality 200-250 grain spitzer type bullets.
The 358 Win reminds me of that old saying about a big stick in a small bundle.
 
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