Big Bore
- Thread starter caster456
- Start date
What are you hunting? It's a wide open question...sort of like: what truck should I drive?
Anyways, if you really want to burn some big powder, stick with a classic and purchase a 375 H+H, (CZ is a great rifle).
It can be used on anything, and doesn't destroy much meat.
Anyways, if you really want to burn some big powder, stick with a classic and purchase a 375 H+H, (CZ is a great rifle).
It can be used on anything, and doesn't destroy much meat.
Generally, the term " big bore" refers to any caliber over .40, so the 45/70 or .458 would fall into that category and are easy caliber to find reloading components for.
For something a little bigger than a 30/06, check out the 35Whelen or 375H&H. Again, both caliber are easy to get components and are useful for Canadian hunting.
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For something a little bigger than a 30/06, check out the 35Whelen or 375H&H. Again, both caliber are easy to get components and are useful for Canadian hunting.
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- Location
- Calgary, AB
Get yourself a Handi-Rifle in .45/70 or .444 Marlin.
The 375 Ruger woudl be an excellent optiopn if you want a bore size over 338 caliber. It depends how fast you want it though, since they are just startign to appear in Canada.
In 33 caliber, I'd go for the 338 WM. Lots of power and a flat trajectory
In 33 caliber, I'd go for the 338 WM. Lots of power and a flat trajectory
Most start with a 45/70. If Levers aren't your thang, get a single-shot NEF handi or a Ruger #1.
Personally, I'd hardly consider anything less than a .400, or 5000ft.lbs a 'big bore' (or maaaaaybe a .375). This disqualifies the 45/70 as a true big bore in my books, but it's close. Naturally, and 'true' big bore is more than you really need for anything in north america, but what the hell. I recently bought a 378 wby, and plan on taking a moose with it one day
If the 45/70 isn't for you, look for a 458 win mag. You can get it in a nice bolt gun, and scope it. You can load it down into 45/70 levels, or man it up a notch if you're feeling macho. Personally, I'd love a 416 Rigby in a CZ550, and then re-chamber it for 416 wby
Personally, I'd hardly consider anything less than a .400, or 5000ft.lbs a 'big bore' (or maaaaaybe a .375). This disqualifies the 45/70 as a true big bore in my books, but it's close. Naturally, and 'true' big bore is more than you really need for anything in north america, but what the hell. I recently bought a 378 wby, and plan on taking a moose with it one day
If the 45/70 isn't for you, look for a 458 win mag. You can get it in a nice bolt gun, and scope it. You can load it down into 45/70 levels, or man it up a notch if you're feeling macho. Personally, I'd love a 416 Rigby in a CZ550, and then re-chamber it for 416 wby
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- Location
- Calgary, AB
Big bore starts at .40 
- Location
- Calgary, AB
SuperCub said:375 H&H! It's like a 300 mag with a full beard and tattoo.
378Wby It's like a 375 mag with a full beard, tattoo and Harley
From a practicle standpoint the 375 is your best bet. The .416 Rem. or Rigby are a big step up from the 375. Properly loaded they'll shoot flatter and really lay a hurt on whatever they hit. The 458 is good but more of an under 200 yds type deal. I've got one of each plus a 45-70. Well actually two 375s and a 338 and a 300....... If you're interested in trying some, PM me I shoot at Mission. You can torch off a few and see how much fun you really need.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
caster456 said:
Just get a single shot NEF or ruger. If you want a bold action 45-70 you can buy a cheap Enfield sporter and get it converted to 45-70 or 45-90 depends what you are into and what you want to pay.
444shooter said:Big bore starts at .40
yep.
i think it matters too whether someone wants a real "big bore" or just a gun with a big hole in the barrel as the two are not the same (44 mag vs 416 rigby type of deal).
oh yeah, since you are looking at a bison draw in bc, unless you reload (or can find some of the +P type ammo), the 45-70 is not legal for bison in bc. (2000 foot pounds required at 100 metres).
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- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I'll vote for the .458. The round is surprisingly versatile. Loaded with a 500 gr solid the .458 will work on elephants - in a pinch. The 450 gr X bullet can be driven to 2200+ with some tricky reloading techniques, a combination suitable for most large/dangerous game benefiting from the use of an expanding bullet. Cast bullets can be driven slowly for small game hunting, or fast enough to harvest any North American game. The 480 gr bullet from MT Chambers is a good choice. Rifles can be found in the affordable range - something not always true of the over .40 club, and components are available and affordable. A Ruger #1 is a pleasure to own and shoot, but if a bolt gun is more your cup of tea, there is lots to choose from.
If you want a true magnum length cartridge the .416 Rigby is a fine choice, but it is viewed as a medium bore by many - although a very capable one. I would go the custom route and get a .460 G&A built - think .458 UltraMag. This cartridge will drive a 500 gr Hornady to 2400 fps, the velocity that many African professional hunters consider Nirvana. Aside from the great ballistics, the G&A can easily be made from .375 Ultra brass, which is both affordable and available.
If you want a true magnum length cartridge the .416 Rigby is a fine choice, but it is viewed as a medium bore by many - although a very capable one. I would go the custom route and get a .460 G&A built - think .458 UltraMag. This cartridge will drive a 500 gr Hornady to 2400 fps, the velocity that many African professional hunters consider Nirvana. Aside from the great ballistics, the G&A can easily be made from .375 Ultra brass, which is both affordable and available.
