Velo Dog
AH ambassador
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2014
- Messages
- 5,190
- Reaction score
- 9,074
- Location
- Anchorage Alaska, USA
- Media
- 83
- Member of
- NRA Life Member.
- Hunted
- Africa 7 times. And the USA - most western states including Alaska and Hawaii.
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.
Hi Vette447,
And prior to you mentioning that you have named your son "Rigby", I thought I had stolen the cat's pajamas when I named my latest hunting dog "Theodore Roosevelt".
Excellent post, and when you get a chance could you treat us to some photos of especially the Rigby .500 NE, as well as your two lion and one buffalo hunt ?
Cheers,
Velo Dog.