Let's Talk Big Bores

Premium 9.3x62 ammo ~$6 per round compared to $8~$9 per round for .416 ammo not that much less costly. Got 9.3x62 rifle incoming should be fun ballistically similar to my .35 Whelen. Sourced PPU brass ~$1.25 ea. & Lapua bullets ~$1.35 ea. so handloads at ~$3.25 ea.

so no powder nor primer, i knew the 9.3x62 was that magical but still ...
 
so no powder nor primer, i knew the 9.3x62 was that magical but still ...

$1.25+1.35 doesn't equal $3.25.... that leaves 65c for primers and powder. If he's using powders and primers bought before covid that doesn't seem outrageous to me? In fact it could be even cheaper if you spread that brass cost out across multiple firings.
 
OP Here.

I think I've decided to go with a Sako 85 rifle. My heart wants 416 Rigby but my wallet says 338 WinMag so it's going to be a toss up between these two. I see that neither would qualify as "big bore" but I have enjoyed the discussion that took place here.

Unless I 100% had plans for an African Safari I don't think i'll ever "need" a .458cal or above. If I ever do hunt plains game or cape buffalo my .375 H&H and (maybe) .416 will do the trick while also being more than sufficient for North American game of all sizes.
 
Since the definition is subjective I'm claiming my .444 as a bb rifle and I love it to bits. I can load them (relatively) easy or with lots of gusto and I've never lost a piece of brass to wreakage of any kind. I hunt manhole covers with it, my favourite one is at about 125 on the laser. I spray it day-glo krylon once a season and then shoot all the paint off.
 
1 - .40 +
2 - For me it is all about nostalgia.
3 - Yes ; .40- 60 , .40-65 , .40-82 , .405 , .45-60 , 45-65 , 45-70 , .45-75 , .45-90 .577
I have hunted with some of these.
4 - No. Yes , the .405 ( Moose & Elk)
5 - No.
6 - Yes.
7 - Pedersoli I believe.
 
Had a 9.3x74 R in a Ruger No.1, regrettably sold that many moons ago. More of a medium bore, and reasonably comparable to the .375HH. Stylistically I was never a huge fan of the design of quarter rib and banded front sight, but a real sweet rifle.

Picked up a custom left handed .458 Lott built on a CZ550 Magnum action, thankfully it came with some brass and dies! Looking forward to seeing how it shoots.. and if I really dislike the recoil I'll consider re-barreling to a .375 or .300 HH.
 
That's the rifle that I wish my #1H 458 was. I've toyed with the idea of reaming the chamber out to 45o NE which, in theory, should be an easy job. But then I'd have to buy another 458 to shoot up all the ammo I have already!

My shoulder is effed too, but that's the fault of a rather large, and very drunk, Chilcotin kid, not my magnum rifles.

Yeah the doctor blamed my shoulder on swinging sledge hammers at work for the last decade. Probably a bit of both. I couldn't even shoot skeet this year. Target loads in an 8 lb Citori were too much. It has come a long way in the last few months though.
 
1. I've always thought it was >0.40.
3. I hunt with 450 marlin and 457 WWG (also takes 45-70) which it seems like some don't consider big bores. I've always thought a big bore didn't necessarily mean Dangerous Game rifle.
4. Do you view these cartridges as excessive for North American game? DG cartridges, yes.

5. Never travelled abroad with them, and I don't think they'd be ideal for an African safari.
6. I'm set up to reload but am working through my stash of commercial ammo given the cost of components. Commercial ammo from even 2019 for 450 marlin and 45-70 (279$ for 200rds of S&B) was cheaper than components now.

Steyr Big Bore (they named it, not me) in 450 marlin. factory tested to 120000 cup IIRC. Just over 8lb empty weight so more bearable to shoot than the Browning BLR in 450 marlin which weighs 7lb.

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