Just for fun, who has a really BIG one?

S

SaxonPig

New member
I mean .40 or bigger real rifle caliber, not a Model 92 in 44 bore. I won't even count the 45/70 although it can be jacked up in some rifles.

I have two big bores. One totally custom built and the other pretty much OEM.

I confess that I do not enjoy shooting them with full loads. The Ruger is nastier of the pair due to less weight.


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I guess in "high power" big bores... I have a custom 416 Rigby...

but my 45-70 guide gun handles loads with as much energy

I do have a 50-70 Martini, but it's not a high pressure cartridge

BTW... also have a Browning 375 H&H that usually qualifies as a high power big bore
 
I've owned a couple .45/70s (Marlin Guide Gun and NEF Handi) and one .500 S&W single shot (NEF).

As for the cartridges you mention, I've never had a need and like you said, they aren't "just for fun". :D
 
Does my 500 S&W NEF Handi Rifle count? Then there is my Continder. Even though you don't want to count the 45-70, and this is a rifle forum, the 10" SSK 45-70 barrel on my Contender G2 is pretty "Big Gun"!
 
So anyone with a .50 BMG will win this match... Something to be said about a rifle shooting a projectile with 13,000-15,000 ft-lbf of energy...
500 Nitro Express has just under 6,000 ft-lbf
375 H H is around 4,600 ft-lbf
460 Jeffrey is in the neighborhood of 7,000 ft-lbf
458 win mag around 5,400 ft-lbf...
 
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but the difference is that the guy with a 500 nitro express carries his rifle in the field and shots it offhand:) (against charging buffalo nonetheless,

can't see many .50cal barret owners doing that, shooting a deer a mile or two away isn't as cool:D
 
.444 Marlin
It may not have the best reputation, but I don't use the handgun bullets or the slow twist rate that gave it a bad name.
My handloads start at .375 H&H energy levels (~3,500 lb-ft), and go up from there.

In a 6.3 lb Handi-Rifle, it's great to have around. But, most people don't come back for seconds, after they shoot it once. Recoil velocity and energy exceed that of .450 Nitro 3.25" and .416 Rigby. ;)



precision_shooter, some of those numbers seem a little extreme.
 
I have lots a few 45-70 but if you dont count those then I have 0. I do have access to a 458 Lott, 450 nitro express and a 50 BMG should the need ever arise.
 
I have been thinking about getting an Anzio 20mm for some time. If I ever do Ill be sure to post it here. I do have a Serbu single shot 50BMG.
 
Big

Big bore....
I have a Ruger #1 Tropical in .416 Rigby.
I have a 50-70 barrel for my T/C Encore.
There is a 577-450 Martini in the gun cabinet.
I have been loading brass cases with .715 Dangerous game slugs and rifle propellant (ala the 12 gauge rifle from hell threads that abound) for use in a Mossberg 12 gauge slug gun.....do those factors move it out of "shotgun" status?
And there are four .45-70s.
About the wonderful .45-70: question....there is an earlier comment about the .45-70 in a Guide Gun producing as much energy as a .416 Rigby.
Would you explain that? I have never seen published data that shows any load, not even the high pressure loads for Rugers and Browning Hi-walls, that yield equivalence with the Rigby Cartridge at any bullet weight.
How do you get 5000 ft.lbs. of ME out of the .45-70?
About the .444 Marlin....recoil energy and velocity exceed that of the .416...
no doubt the load that you use is quite a thumper. It would be in 6.3Lb gun.
Much of recoil is dependent on gun weight (and other factors)....have you fired the .416 from a 6.3 lb gun? A standard .416 load - a 400 grain bullet at 2400 fps using 100 grains of powder fired in a 6.3 lb gun gives us a recoil velocity of nearly 31 fps and a free recoil energy of 93 ft.lbs.
I apologize for diverging from the main idea of this thread but statements like the above make me want to ask questions.

Pete
 
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My favourite big bore is a mildly customized CZ 550 Magnum in 416 Rigby. I have two others but this is the one that gets shot and hunted.




I use it and my 338wm for grizzly hunting.

This is a black bear I potted that started hanging around camp too much.
 
Would a .460 Weatherby magnum be big enough? Got one in 1973 and to tell the truth do not really know why. Was young and just wanted the baddest gun around.
 
I've got three different guns in 45-70, but my .50BMG Windrunner is the BIG rifle. I love to let kids shoot it. Efficient muzzle brakes are a blessing.
 
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