Stopping Rifles, .375 - .450 - .505 Gibbs

I saw a target setup that was made on a modified remote controlled car setup. One person would be the shooter and the other would operate the target. It would be a fun and challenging setup. Idea: 3-d targets of various game, training/practice sessions on moving targets with the ability to analyze bullet path on the 3d target. You could easily adjust movement of the target: 1/4 to/away, straight towards etc etc. You could have a nice lodge for accommodations, eating and sharing stories by the fireside while sipping Sherry.

Name: The SOMA Clubhouse.
 
Very nice.... and impressive work with the double.... The only gun I could even come close to matching that with is my scattergun... lol

Really like that you didn't edit out the misfeed as well.....
 
Superbrad said:
Very nice.... and impressive work with the double.... The only gun I could even come close to matching that with is my scattergun... lol

Really like that you didn't edit out the misfeed as well.....
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Yup - the only thing that would have made it better would have been him falling to the ground after the misfeed and acting out a scene called: "elephant turns me into toe jam". :)

Just kidding with ya Ardent. ;)
 
Very impressive shooting. It's always nice to watch someone that puts in the work to not only handle the recoil but simultaneously run the bolt or find the second trigger and acquire the next target while bringing the rifle back to bear. Hardcore my friend. Hard-effing-core.
 
Ardent said:
I'd really be frustrated if it did it then. :) For about 2 seconds and the Elephant would help me forget.
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I shudder at the thought. It sure puts into perspective the value of a double, doesn't it? No messing around, no flailing with the bolt...
 
BigUglyMan said:
Very impressive shooting. It's always nice to watch someone that puts in the work to not only handle the recoil but simultaneously run the bolt or find the second trigger and acquire the next target while bringing the rifle back to bear. Hardcore my friend. Hard-effing-core.
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Making me blush, but means a lot, too kind!


1899 said:
I shudder at the thought. It sure puts into perspective the value of a double, doesn't it? No messing around, no flailing with the bolt...
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I agree of course, but also can't discount the century and more of success of bolt actions and several in this thread have used them on Elephant, and even more on other dangerous game.
 
Ardent, thanks for this really interesting thread. It makes me want to buy a double rifle, or maybe take my .50-140 Sharps out to the range. :). It's a different sort of cartridge, 700gr .512" bullet and 135gr of black in a 3-1/4" case. I think similar to some of the old British cartridges, but not an express. It'd be interesting to see a double chambered for that cartridge, although it's not in the class of stopping rifles you have here.

Thanks again,

Chris.
 
Happy to, I'm having fun doing it, I must apologize for being slow on the write up with all the proper details and intrigue so to speak, working. Just don't want to rush the article out and bugger it. There certainly appears to be something special about the big guns, and 135grs of black must leave a wonderful white cloud.
 
Thanks for your comment Ardent; it's not the price tag of your Merkel that keeps it out of my hands, it's the prudence of purchasing it today. I won't likely get to Africa for my first time for another 2 years or so... and I can make and save an awful lot of money between then and now. Meanwhile... other things to do!
 
You know what, and as much as I'd like to sell my rifle to put the deposit on the Leopard hunt, I have to tell you I'd hunt with an affordable rifle any day and save for the trip, rather than own the lovely rifle early. You're on the right track, heck if I had to I'd use a Zastava and let everything else go, I've come close to doing just that in years past, near full safe clear out. When you're getting ready to go, no matter how many years, shoot me a message there's a lot to know to get the right experience.
 
What a great thread so far and I enjoyed the video too. I can't wait for the article, but I will patiently.
I'll be taking out my 458 CZ550 on Sunday and I think I'll practice some similar type of shooting as I've never tried it before.
 
Ardent said:
You know what, and as much as I'd like to sell my rifle to put the deposit on the Leopard hunt, I have to tell you I'd hunt with an affordable rifle any day and save for the trip, rather than own the lovely rifle early. You're on the right track, heck if I had to I'd use a Zastava and let everything else go, I've come close to doing just that in years past, near full safe clear out. When you're getting ready to go, no matter how many years, shoot me a message there's a lot to know to get the right experience.
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That's a deal, and thanks for the offer.
 
Silverado said:
Thanks for your comment Ardent; it's not the price tag of your Merkel that keeps it out of my hands, it's the prudence of purchasing it today. I won't likely get to Africa for my first time for another 2 years or so... and I can make and save an awful lot of money between then and now. Meanwhile... other things to do!
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False economy my friend. 2 years is a perfect time frame to purchase and run drills. I wouldn't advocate buying a new rifle with any less time, especially a double which, with two triggers, can take some getting used to for people that were not raised on double trigger shotguns. Lots of people, especially after being donkey-punched by their rifle, instinctively pull the front trigger again. Buy the double now and shoot a boxcar-load of ammo through it and you'll be able to handle it like it was a part of your body. To hedge your bets you could also pick up one of the SxS shotguns from TradeEx and spend time shooting clays with it to improve your trigger transition (assuming you don't already have this skill set). You won't regret being more familiar than less when you're headed into the thick bush.
 
I do the same thing. I have shot a lot of gophers with my 45-70's and 458wm. Even got a coyote with my 458 shooting 300HP's this spring.
 
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Good to know as I am currently deciding on what 375 to buy. The remington 300gr HP at 2500-ish fps were pretty destructive.
I have some 250gr bullets for a 45 colt at .452 that I am going to paper patch up to .459, not sure how they'll shoot though.

Big bore varmint guns are so much fun that most of my other actual varmint guns sit in the safe now!
 
Ardent said:
Fair points all around as well. I like to use the guns I take after adventurous things abroad a good deal at home, even call coyotes with the double. Shot lots of vermin with .375s, and I'm sure a few will succumb to stick's .505.
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Popping gophers or squirrels with a big bore would be a damn interesting experience! I suspect that my first time hunting with the 505 RSM will be the small Vancouver Island blacktails --- I suspect it'll have no problems putting them down with little meat damage besides the 1/2" through-and-through hole. My hope is that I'll eventually have a chance to use that rifle on a Yukon bison hunt, but in the meantime, I'm happy to simply get it out, used, and appreciated.

Thanks for taking all the time to put these demonstrations together, Ardent, and letting us follow along. I'm looking forward to your article when it's ready --- and don't worry about any hurt feelings if you have criticisms about the 505 --- I'd prefer an honest evaluation and comparison.
 
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