when does it become 'big bore'?

I was always of the understanding that smallbore is 22RF, and perhaps now other rimfires , and big bore is any centrefire. I may have been mistaken all the years. (eg. smallbore rifle shooting is 22RF)
 
I don't think there is a specific definition for "big bore" - I think it is more a matter of personal opinion (would make a good poll). I have always considered the .338's and up big bore. .308Win through .300 Win Mag is pretty much the bread and butter of my shooting.
 
Mr. Friendly said:
just curious...at what size does a bullet/rifle get classed as big bore? :confused:
Click to expand...

I think here in N.A. the .375 H&H is usually thought of as the beginining of the "big bores", but in Africa, where the .375 & 9.3x62 are considered "medium bores", it's .40 and above - but usually not including the 45-70; rather the classic dangerous-game calibres, .404, .416, .458, .470 NE etc.

Not sure why this difference exists, but it may be that here we have little need for calibres above .375 and .458, so they are at the top of the heap. But in Africa, they have another whole world of heavy artillery above the .375, from the .404 through .500 NE and 505 Gibbs up to the .577 Nyati or Tyrannosaur and .600 NE.

:) Stuart
 
Anything below .400" is small bore, .400 -.458 is medium bore, above is big bore, if i remember correctly, this is the old African def. for English rifles.
 
< .308 = small bore
.308 -.399 = medium bore
>.400 = large bore

Which upsets people, because they want their .375 to be a large bore... :)
 
For many years the designation for competitive target shooting was small bore,(22) and full bore, usually meaning the 303 British.
For casual designation, just take your pick and call it as you like.
 
Big-bore is relative. Carbines chambered for pistol cartridges have a fair sized hole in the barrel.
The definition of a heavy rifle is over .400, over 400 grains, .300 or higher sectional density, energy of 5000 fps and nominal velocity of 2150 fps or higher.
 
I can live with the over .40 is a big bore, but Ben got it right; big bores exceed .45 caliber, everything between .30 and .45 is a medium, going by the old English vernacular, and everything smaller than .30 is a small bore.
 
From John Taylor's book African Rifles and Cartridges.

Referring to modern smokeless loads [1948]

Large Bore. A rifle the caliber of which is not less than .450"

Large Medium Bore. A rifle the caliber of which is not less than .400" nor greater than .440"[11.2mm].

Medium Bore. A rifle the caliber of which is not less than .318" nor greater than .375".

Small Bore. A rifle the caliber of which is less than .318".

Miniature. A rifle the muzzle energy of which is less than 1500 ft. lbs.
 
to me small bores are the deer rifles .22-.25 + pistol cartridges regardless of bore size, the mediums are the elk rifles .264-.366 + .444 marlin and 45/70 etc, and big bore is bigger than the .375 H&H in diametre, weight, and energy. i cannot decide if the .375 is a medium or big.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom