Why didn't Germany or Continental Europe develop big bore cartridges like the British did?

[PerH]

But that is something different than if, for example, a company like Mauser had brought a rifle onto the German market with the caliber "10.57x73/ 10.75x73 Mauser" instead of .416 Rigby or .404 Jeffery. But never mind. The Germans were vastly superior to the British when it came to repeating rifles and their calibers. While the British were unbeaten when it came to double-barreled rifles and their calibers, even though the competition from Germany, Belgium and Italy was already pretty strong at the time. You could also say that it was something like a civil arms race and, as in war, all means were permitted - on all sides

Barella msde double rifles in .404 Jeffery , at kleast one exist and it have no history of whom, what . Maybe owner had a .404 bolt also . Pictures online of it .

 

[PerH]

I almost forgot there were German rifles made in NE cartridges also , on GHG page there was about a Herman double rifle in .600 NE that went to Ondia together with its sibling , a single shot break action rifle same chambered .

I think since the British ammo in NE cartridges was made more easier to find around the world , it was cheaper to get some and build for one of them , then to develop something new .

 

[coreydb]

Yes I'm aware of the 500 Schuler but in general when you think big bore, dangerous game cartridges it's the British (and Americans) that come to mind. Sure Germany had the popular 9.3x62 but it's not quite in the same league as the following.

375 Holland and Holland
416 Rigby
450 NE
470 NE
500 NE
577 NE
505 Gibbs etc.

Was it because the British were more heavily invested in their colonial ventures throughout Africa and India?

Am I overlooking any big European thumpers that didn't originate in the UK?

 

[coreydb]

I know the British had the largest colonial presence on the African continent and as they expanded their presence, they needed guns to protect themselves from the large game they encountered, as well as to hunt them for food.

 

[PerH]

404 Jeffery, 404 Magnum Schüler, 416 WBY Magnum

• grand veneur
• Apr 22, 2020
• 8

The Schüler cartridge made with a 416 WBY brass after removing the belt. Interesting cartridge...

Did a little search and this came up, just a experiment it was , or didn’t go longer than that .

 

[grand veneur]

No one knows whether this cartridge was actually designed or was just a project. An original rifle for it was never found and cartridges never were found either. The cartridge 404 Magnum Schüler was designed by Mr Ziegenhahn based on what he was able to find in Schüler's workshop after it was closed down by the GDR authorities.

The cartridge is only mentioned in the famous catalog page.