Bitten by the Big Bore Bug

Turkeyslayer 1300

Turkeyslayer 1300

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
106   0   0
Location
Russell, Ontario
I want to get a "Big Bore" in the next little while and thought I would ask for opinions here first. I want something reasonably multi-purpose, it will probably a deer gun with the odd moose, elk or bear later on. However I realize that anything from a .257 to a .470 would do the job but I have a nice accurate .280 and am looking for something to round out the top end. I was thinking about a .45-70 or a .375 h&h. Can you load the .375 down enough to be tolerable for deer or plinking/paper punching? What do you think?
 
You bet, the 375 is a pissy cat. In any factory size rifle the recoil is not as bad as you might think. As for performance on Deer, the big tough bullets just pass right through without doing the mass destruction the small high speed rounds do. But still kill very well. If you're a handloader and want a reasonably usefull big bore the 375s a great one.
 
I did read an article in Gun Digest 30 years ago by someone (it MIGHT have been Wilf Pyle) who used a .375 H&H quite a bit for deer and loved it.
Check Chuck Hawks' website for reload data; he has some data for reduced-recoil loads. Hopefully for the .375.....
 
I guess it really depends what you want it for and what type of gun you are looking at. At the risk of offending the .45/70 mafia here, I'd consider the .45/70 a shorter range gun that is deadly at closer ranges and is definitely a great choice in a lever action.

The .375 H&H is by no means a long-range cartridge but certainly shoots considerably flatter than the .45/70 and I'd consider it a good choice for someone that is considering shots in excess of 200 yards. It is a classic bolt-action calibre.

Both are great choices but it's kind of like comparing a .30/30 to .300WM......
 
Can you recommend any specific Model of rifle. I'm a student right now and the amount they pay us is appaling so are there any "thrifty" choices? I may just save for a long while and buy a Ruger No.1.
 
The .375 h&h would be a good all round choice the speer 235gr. work well on deer antelope etc. my .375 makes much less damage than my 300 win. or my 300 ultra. unless you like recoil stay away from the .375 ultra or the 378 weatherby.
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
Can you recommend any specific Model of rifle. I'm a student right now and the amount they pay us is appaling so are there any "thrifty" choices? I may just save for a long while and buy a Ruger No.1.
Click to expand...

Best $$ value would be a used one in the EE, or at a shop. I've seen various ones for anywhere from $500-$900 used...

$1000 will get you a .375 Ruger or a Rem XCR .375H&H...
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
Can you recommend any specific Model of rifle. I'm a student right now and the amount they pay us is appaling so are there any "thrifty" choices? I may just save for a long while and buy a Ruger No.1.
Click to expand...

Brno ZKK 602's are great buys for the money, they go from $600 to $900 on the EE (and more) And for the money, you'd be hard pressed to beat that deal. I own 2 ZKK 602's and a Ruger #1 in 375, the ZKK 602's hold 6 down, balance very nice, and are a durable well built CRF rifle, with an action made for feeding the 375.
 
444shooter said:
How about a big bore lever action in .444 Marlin? I hear it is a great cartridge ;)
Click to expand...
A good choice, and although it's worked well, my levers rank as follows;
- #3, is where I rank my 444S
- #2, my 1895GS, 45-70
- #1, my favorite, and recantly re-acquired model 71 Winchester, .348W.
Fudging a little perhaps in classifying the 348 as a big bore.
 
.375 is a classic - and can be loaded right up there (and down). Can't really compare it to a .45-70 which in a lever gun is a terrific game flattener within the 200 or 250 yard range most guys call the hunting limit (depends on the bullet). The .45-70 can be loaded down to subsonic speed with a cheap 300 gr bullet and a few grains of shotgun powder - sounds like a .22 mag when you shoot it. The .375 is more suited to sorting out big angry things that bite back - ammo is expensive, however, but it is a flexible caliber. Elmer Keith would be so proud to see you stalking blacktail deer with one. The earlier comment about avoiding the .378 Weatherby I completely agree with - had one shooting experience with a Mark V in .378 and swore never again, and I shoot a 6 1/2 lb .300 Mag regularly. Way sooner have a .458 than the .378 any day. Why a big bore? Because they work - no such thing as too dead, especially with bears.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom