Opinions on Best Big Bore Rifle

Well, in my opinion, anything over .30 but under .40 is a medium bore, not a big bore, but I get what you're saying.

I went with 9.3x62. Think of it as a .36 Whelen improved. Rifles are fairly easy to come by, if you're happy with a Husqvarna Mauser or variant. Ammo is available, but pricey. You need to be a handloader to get the most out of the cartridge.
 
Big bore starts at one ounce projectile. So about 458.

If your wanting a rifle larger than 30 cal, with an availability of rifles, and ammo somewhat more available than major cities.....??????

338wm comes to mind. Maybe 375 h&h. For a bush range gun 375 win, 45-70, maybe 444.

Oddball magnums with about the availability of the whelen. Rums, Weatherby, maybe 358nm. Ammo is pricey, often reloading components are rare and pricey, recoil is stout.
 
The best of the medium bores is the 375 Ruger. But if I was looking at something like a 35 Whelen I would look harder at a 338-06, although buyinga factory rifle for one would probably be more challenging than the Whelen or the 9.3x62.
 
Hardrockminer said:
Hello new member looking for others opinion on big bore caliber rifles. I’m leaning towards the .35 Whelen. Thought?
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.35 Whelen is not a "big bore"... it is a medium bore, and not a big one at that. Big bores start at .40 caliber. There is no such thing as the "blanket" best... we would need to know the application.
 
Gatehouse said:
The best of the medium bores is the 375 Ruger. But if I was looking at something like a 35 Whelen I would look harder at a 338-06, although buyinga factory rifle for one would probably be more challenging than the Whelen or the 9.3x62.
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One of mine was a 338/06 improved. Very impressive round and lots in the mag. To be honest though, in the field it would probably be hard to tell the difference to the Whalen.
 
I own a Cva scout 35 whelen which is likely the most affordable option. Few other 35 whelen rifles are available used and demand a premium. Loaded ammo can be affordable, for 2024 prices. Various loaded ammo is available from 180gr mono to 250grain cup and core. I’ve purchased premium ammo from individuals but have not seen any available at retailers lately, although not needed for anything in North America except maybe extra insurance for great bears? Recoil is very manageable. Not a snappy magnum type recoil. 225grain partition performed exactly how someone would expect on this years spring bear, very short dead run, death moan, and expired very quickly.
 
Gatehouse said:
The best of the medium bores is the 375 Ruger. But if I was looking at something like a 35 Whelen I would look harder at a 338-06, although buyinga factory rifle for one would probably be more challenging than the Whelen or the 9.3x62.
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I always wanted to convert a Rem 7600 carbine to .338-06. For the bragging rights and utility.
 
9.3x62 is a fantastic cartridge, hard to explain why it is so but it is! 286gn goind 2450fps 1” groups at 100m in a compact 20” barrel rifle is what I like and what I have lol, a husqvarna 640 something rather!
 
In terms of 'best Big Bore rifle', my opinion is the Winchester M70 Safari or a CZ-550 (or the earlier version ZKK-602).

As to caliber, I won't make a fuss as to what people consider 'Big Bore'.

Anything from 9.3x62, .375H&H on up to .458WM in a bolt gun.

The double rifles are cool as #### but way too expensive unless you just have money to burn. BUT... a nice double in .470 Nitro Express deserves to be in my gun cabinet.

As to the original question about the .35Whelen, it's a fantastic and very underrated cartridge.
It'll definitely kill anything that walks.
 
I've been shooting g big rifles for 40+ years and I have no idea what "best" is.

The 35 Whelen is a good medium bore cartridge. The 375h&h might be a tad better for some applications but most of us couldn't notice the difference. Likewise 9.3x62.

416 Rigby is also a good choice, so are at least a dozen others.

Buy what appeals to you, and what you can expect for ammo availability. Reloading opens doors.
 
If I was going to build another, I’d be building a 35 whelen,

If you like odd by chance and reload, the 375-338wm (375 Chattfield Taylor basically) has been a fun cartridge to play with. It’s matching my .375 h&h in velocity with the same load minus 1.5 grains of powder and in a standard model 70 action. The h&h in itself is a hoot to shoot. Both easily loaded down for “range shooting / grouse loads if wanted.

Another I’m having fun with and is a thumper inside a couple hundred yards is the 9.5x57. As Evan mentioned the 9.3x57 is a cool smaller cartridge too and easy to load for, easy on recoil, and might get a guy a bit more range.

.375 h&h / 375-338wm / 9.5x57 (all 260 npt)
 

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remington jim said:
Big 338 ! Get a 338 RUM ! Or std. 338. Use a 338-06 ASquare . JMO RJ
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Have owned all of those. Still have a 338-06 and a 340 Wby. For most Canadian hunting the std 338 WM is pretty hard to beat. Not actually a big bore of course, but one of the best of the mediums. - dan
 
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