Big Bore Addiction Group

[spike.t]

mr VD and matt unfortunately these days there is no stirring smiley or it would have been there waving at you at the end of my post........ and velo get some photos up of that 9.3, if i can do it you can and matt go buy a 9.3x62 you will enjoy it the cz kevlar carbine is nice

 

[matt85]

I wouldn't mind a double in 9.3x74R but otherwise the 9.3's don't do anything my 375 H&H cant do.

-matt

 

[AZDAVE]

Bullthrower338 now that is a safe. I need one of those no matter I don't have room for it unless we change houses but I still need one

Matt the doubles in 9.3x74R are just sweet they handle like a nice old English shotgun and I would use mine in a heartbeat on Cape Buff if I didn't have the 450NE double.

 

[matt85]

i could take that 450 NE of your hands and you could use the 9.3 on buffalo.

-matt

 

[ActionBob]

i could take that 450 NE of your hands and you could use the 9.3 on buffalo.

-matt

+1 on the 450 double

If I was to go after a 9.3 x 62, I my ideal would be the full stock shorter barrel "mannlicher" style like the CZ 550 FS..... Just for fun. Definitely not a "need" gun.

From a practical point, it makes more sense to hunt with my 375... But then again "just for fun"..... If I had the FS, it would have to find it's way to Africa some day for something

 

[AZDAVE]

Matt Talked to the Ph for my buff hunt and the min in his area is a 375 so my 9.3 will stay home, when I bought my 450NE it had a my cape buff written all over it. So we might be able to talk after I get back next year

 

[matt85]

450 NE 3.25" would probably be my first choice for a double rifle cartridge. (if i could only have one set of barrels)

my dream double would have a two barrel set of 500 NE 3" and 500/416 NE 3.25". the 500/416 NE barrels would be regulated out to 200 yards and set up for a scope.

-matt

 

[vette447]

Great thread. I am afraid that I fall in this catagory as a big bore addict. It started with a Browning 1885 in 45-70 in about 1996 and I loved the feel of shooting it and just the sight of the huge 0.45" hole in the barrel. Awesome! My "problem" has progressed (or digressed depending on how you look at it) as follows:

- Winchester Custom African Express in .416 Rem Mag: I always wanted one of these since drooling over them in the "Custom Shop" portion of the Winchester Catalog years ago and finally found one for a decent price. This one is like new with a factory letter from the Custom Shop. It is a great shooter but may end up going to the "For Sale" catagory due to a recent unplanned purchase (see below)
- J Rigby & Co. Boxlock .500 NE: This one came after some trading that I did following a double rifle shoot sponsored by the local SCI chapter. After attending that shoot, I was "screwed up" for life and had to have a double. This is an absolutely beautiful gun and I hope I can go Elephant or Cape Buffalo hunting with it some day. The beauty and "cool factor" of this gun even inspired me to name my oldest son "Rigby".
- Kimber Talkeetna in .375 H&H: Used some Cabela's points several years back to buy this one for a future Alaska Brown Bear hunt. Not sure when I will get to use it for its intended purpose but hopefully some day.
- Winchester Custom African Express in .416 Rem Mag: Yes, another one. I got a really good deal on this one because the guy had inherited it and used it quite roughly pig hunting in TX. It had beautiful wood but it was dinged and scratched as well as many scratches and finish wear on the metal work and the front sight knocked off and lost so it is not a "collector" gun. Perfect for a "project". I took it and had the barrel cut down to 22" and adding an NECG Banded Hooded front sight and got the stock and metal refinished. It is a really nice looking gun now and it is a very accurate shooter. I can never sell this one now since I took two Lions and a Cape Buffalo with it last month. What a hunt!
- J Rigby & Co .416 Rigby: I looked for one of these for a few years and a beautiful example recently came up for sale. It was an unplanned purchase but I was able to make a deal on it. It will be an excellent companion for the .500 NE double that I have. Hopefully I can take it to Africa some day as well. Unfortunately, I may have to let go of my first Winchester .416 to fund this unplanned purchase.

As you can see I have major "issues" with Big Bores.

 

[matt85]

you named your oldest son Rigby, you sir just became the president of the Big Bore Addiction Group!

im also VERY jealous of your Rigby rifles.

-matt

 

[spike.t]

here you are matt and its not a 9.3 . i finally took some photos of my idea of the perfect bolt action back up/carry rifle. this is a copy of the rifle larry amrine built for clive lennox in zim, but his was in .450 ackley and mine is .458 lott. larry built it for me about 15/16 years ago. it has a 22 inch barrel, redfield peep sight and weighs a trim and pleasant to carry all day 8.5lbs. it takes 5 in the magazine and is built on an old czech mauser action. the neat thing is because it was an old action with no rifle ser no i could choose my own, and it wears my initials and date of birth that you can see in one of the photos.

 

[enysse]

That a great PH rifle there Mike, love the peep sight.

 

[matt85]

that rifles a looker for sure!

but shooting a 458 Lott out of a 8.5 pound gun sounds rough!

-matt

 

[Royal27]

Love it Mike!!!!

I just shot my Lott for the first time today. If I wasn't addicted before I am now.... Not bad at all, but mine weighs 9.5 lbs so it is a little heavier than your too!!!!

 

[spike.t]

that rifles a looker for sure!

but shooting a 458 Lott out of a 8.5 pound gun sounds rough!

-matt

for some reason my other .458lott even though its a bit heavier feels like it boots you more than this one does.........

 

[AZDAVE]

Spike.t Sounds like your gunsmith got the fit correct on your 8.5 lb LOTT. I have been restocking several of my rifles in the last couple years after I read a book on gun fit for shotguns. And like you I had two 45/70's that one just was really enjoyable to shoot while the other smacked me. So I sat down and measured both and restocked the hard kicker and whoa and behold it also became fun to shoot. Stock fit is so much more important as the calibers get larger. You might want to have your gunsmith check all the measurements on your comfortable shooting rifle IE LOP, drop and nose and heel, cast, and pitch. Also having a gun that balances between the hands also just makes the rifle feel right. I am lucky as I do all my own stock work. You might find the measuring exercise interesting. shoot straight and often

 

[bebo]

Up .22LR
Right to Left : 45-70 / .270Winch /9.3x62 Mauser / .338WM /.375 H&H (2) / .416RM (2) / .458WM (2)

 

[vette447]

Well, shoot. It looks like I may have just added a Weatherby Safari Custom in .460 WBY Magnum to my Big Bore Collection. I have no need for it but I always thought they were cool and got an opportunity to add this one today. Has anybody ever shot a .460 WBY? Is it punishing?

 

[vette447]

Spike, that is a sweet looking .458 Lott. I bet it points and shoot very naturally with that rear peep sight.

 

[matt85]

well im adding another to the collection. yesterday I finalized my order for a Winchester M70 Safari Express in 416 Remington Magnum. this rifle will replace my B. Searcy 500/416 NE double and should serve very well as my general purpose big bore. I plan on mounting my Leupold VX-6 1-6x24 on it to give it both close and medium range abilities. I plan on converting my healthy stock pile of 375 H&H brass over to 416 RM to help feed the critter.

on that note, im selling my CZ 550 375 H&H to help fund my two big bores (check it out in the classifieds). I hate to see the rifle go since it was my first "big bore" African hunting rifle and its proved to be a reliable good shooting firearm. but the 375 H&H just doesn't do it for me any more... too small. if I ever get another 375 H&H it will be in a much lighter gun. the CZ 550 weighs in at 9 pounds 5 ounces which is nice if you don't like recoil but id prefer the gun to weigh around 8 pounds or less.

-matt

 

[vette447]

matt, congrats on the 416 RM. It is a really good cartridge and rifle. I used my Win M70 416 RM to take two lions and a buff last month and it performed very well.