POLL: Preferred Big Bore Cartridge?

[Spartan5]

Energy matters but so does diameter..

That sounds like something “she” said

 

[Northern Shooter]

IMHO, I think small bores go up to .308, medium bores extend to sub .400, and above .400 rifles calibers are the base of big bores. A .416 Rigby/Rem. Mag have more energy than a .458WM.

I'm with you on the 0.400 and up definition but on the energy front, if you want to be pedantic, many of the large 338/375's will also surpass 5,000ft-lbs of energy but generally do so with a 300 grain projectile or smaller.

A couple examples:

1. .338 Lapua Magnum - 300grain - 2,870 fps - 5,143 ft-lbs
2. 338-378 Weatherby Magnum - 250grain - 3,060 fps - 5,197 ft-lbs
3. 375 Weatherby Magnum - 300 grain - 2,800 fps - 5,223 ft-lbs
4. 378 Weatherby Magnum - 300 grain - 2,925 fps - 5,699 ft-lbs
5. 375 RUM - 300 grain - 2,945 fps - 5,760 ft-lbs

Most of that list is producing more muzzle energy than .416 Rigby's, .404J, 458 WM, 470 NE etc.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I think any caliber that can hurl a 400gr bullet and create in excess of 5000lbs of energy should be considered a big bore.

For me I have trouble differentiating between “big bore” and “stopper”. Especially in the context of DG hunting. I’ll admit it is a nuanced opinion. There’s a reason the overwhelming majority of PHs aren’t carrying 416s…

 

[Northern Shooter]

For me I have trouble differentiating between “big bore” and “stopper”. Especially in the context of DG hunting. I’ll admit it is a nuanced opinion. There’s a reason the overwhelming majority of PHs aren’t carrying 416s…

I think the "stoppers" are generally the >0.500 class but I've seen a few argue that .458 Lott is the bare minimum as a stopper. I think of 500NE, 500J, 505gibbs, 577 NE etc. as "stoppers."

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I think the "stoppers" are generally the >0.500 class but I've seen a few argue that .458 Lott is the bare minimum as a stopper. I think of 500NE, 500J, 505gibbs, 577 NE etc. as "stoppers."

I believe the conventional wisdom threshold for a “stopper” is a 500 grain .458 cal bullet at 5000 fpe. Historically speaking. That’s from people with decades of practical experience over the last 100ish years. But yes, I think the same people would say that once you step up to the 500s+ it’s a whole other ballgame

 

[Neil Molendyk]

Energy matters but so does bore, and visa versa. I guess that's why a
45-70 isn't there and it makes perfect sense. My choice is a 416 Rigby but in IMHO it isn't a big bore. See below for a truly big boar. He is reloading.

 

[rookhawk]

Not saying I have any sway to write definitions, but here’s my thoughts on it anyway:

Small bore = 30 cal and under
Medium bore = .318 - .416
Large bore = .423-.500
Stoppers = .500-.600
Bigger yet = irrelevant and inferior to the stoppers

If I want an all-a rounder largebore for all 5 big-five, My preference is the 470NE, but a 458Lott or 450 Rigby certainly has the potency as well.

If you want a stopper, you’re not a typical hunter, you’re either a professional, or you’re exclusively an elephant hunter. 500 Jeffery, 505 Gibbs, 500NE, and 577NE are in the stopper calibers. Most can’t shoot them well and should probably stick with “Large Bores” rather than stoppers they can’t operate well enough to use for crisis management at 2 paces.

I don’t hate 450-400s, or 404Js, but they are not ideal calibers for elephant and that’s why they are barely large bores. If you want to kill buffalo, they are wonderfully well suited.

 

[F. Vaccaro]

For those of us who will never hunt Africa, but do hunt where there are grizzlys, the .45-70 in Marlin/1886 Winchester loadings is comforting. They are enjoyable to shoot also.

 

[xausa]

My preference is for a wildcat, a cartridge I designed and had built for myself, the .505 SRE. It fits in a standard length action and the performance duplicates a .500 NE: 570 grain bullet at 2150 fps. I have used it to take one rhino, three elephants and a half dozen or so Cape buffalo. My rifle, built on a P-14 Enfield action, holds three down and one in the chamber, and that has proved to be enough for me in any situation I found myself in. The .505 SRE is in the middle, flanked by the .450 C&W and the .577 VSRE, both wildcats I also designed.

At 8 3/4 pounds, I could carry it all day, and repeatedly did.

 

[RETD16]

That sounds like something “she” said

I was actually going to say “that’s what she said”, but wasn’t sure of the consequences…

 

[DLSJR]

Well, the Original post didn’t ask about “stoppers”, bu rather simply asked which is your favorite big bore from a list he created. I chose .416 because these days I shoot a .416 Hoffman. I sold a .458 Winchester and a 470 NE double I had, as I find the 416 to be a great overall choice for me. That said, I’ll probably acquire another double in the future and it’ll almost certainly be a 470.

 

[Scott CWO]

So, the Lott wins again! 404 and 416 are medium bores.

 

[Slider]

The Lott is always in a Bolt Action and is inexspensive. That's why it is so popular. No Dought one of the Best cartriges though. If Everyone was givin a FREE Rifle either a Bolt Action 458 Lott or a 500 Double witch one would they choose?

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

The Lott is always in a Bolt Action and is inexspensive. That's why it is so popular. No Dought one of the Best cartriges though. If Everyone was givin a FREE Rifle either a Bolt Action 458 Lott or a 500 Double witch one would they choose?

The double!

 

[CoElkHunter]

Micro bore: My .338WM
Small bore: My .375 Holland and Holland
Medium bore: My .416 Rigby or .416 TAYLOR (less likely to detach a retina)
Large bore: My .458WM or Lott (wish I had a .450 Rigby)
Mega bore: I don't own any, but: .600 Overkill, .577 Tyrannosaurus, .550 Triceratops

 

[Spartan5]

Some day I will try to own a .577 Tyrannosaurus, I already have the big head I just need the little arms

 

[ldmay375]

If you had to pick one for overall utility and enjoyment.

With those two guidelines, 458 Winchester/Lott. Either would work fine for me. If you are able to hand load, there are many options for versatility and pure fun. Many great and varied choices of bullets for the .458's. And normally components and factory loads are quite a bit less expensive than the .500's and above.

As much as I like my .416's, I personally consider the .458 as the start of the big bore classification.

 

[gballard137]

Not saying I have any sway to write definitions, but here’s my thoughts on it anyway:

Small bore = 30 cal and under
Medium bore = .318 - .416
Large bore = .423-.500
Stoppers = .500-.600
Bigger yet = irrelevant and inferior to the stoppers

If I want an all-a rounder largebore for all 5 big-five, My preference is the 470NE, but a 458Lott or 450 Rigby certainly has the potency as well.

If you want a stopper, you’re not a typical hunter, you’re either a professional, or you’re exclusively an elephant hunter. 500 Jeffery, 505 Gibbs, 500NE, and 577NE are in the stopper calibers. Most can’t shoot them well and should probably stick with “Large Bores” rather than stoppers they can’t operate well enough to use for crisis management at 2 paces.

I don’t hate 450-400s, or 404Js, but they are not ideal calibers for elephant and that’s why they are barely large bores. If you want to kill buffalo, they are wonderfully well suited.

If 404 aren’t stoppers why do PH use them.

 

[rookhawk]

If 404 aren’t stoppers why do PH use them.

Some PHs use 375HH, a lot use 458WM, Harry Selby carried a 416. There are a number of reasons they carry what they do rather than a stopping rifle:

1.) They can’t afford one.
2.) They aren’t hunting in an area where they need to stop something.
3.) The biggest thing they might need to stop is buffalo and lion In their area.

Nothing stops an elephant like a .577NE but that’s a minimum of a $27,000 gun, even with the PH discount from Heym on a bare-bones model.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Some PHs use 375HH, a lot use 458WM, Harry Selby carried a 416. There are a number of reasons they carry what they do rather than a stopping rifle:

1.) They can’t afford one.
2.) They aren’t hunting in an area where they need to stop something.
3.) The biggest thing they might need to stop is buffalo and lion In their area.

Nothing stops an elephant like a .577NE but that’s a minimum of a $27,000 gun, even with the PH discount from Heym on a bare-bones model.

Cost of rifles and of ammo was part of the reasoning when I formed this question. Some of these more exotic cartridges are exclusively delegated for the rich.

I expected the 416s and 458s to show the highest popularity as they are most commonly available in the most affordable of DG rifle offerings.

Once you get into the Double Rifle cartridges like 500NE and 577NE you're talking big money that most of us would be priced out of.

A quick google search is showing that 577NE ammo costs about $25 USD/round lol.