Author Topic: What............... (Read 2634 times)

Lawdog · « **on:** September 27, 2003, 10:22:02 AM »

I got asked this yesterday by one of my employee's, made me stop and think to give him a serious answer. What was it that attracted you to the big bores? We're talking .375 and larger. I was going to give him a smart remark but I saw he really wanted to know. After thinking on it for a moment I told him there was just something about shooting them that satisfied me that no other caliber ever did. What attracted you to the big bores? And what do you shoot? Lawdog

onesonek · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2003, 03:21:17 PM »

The 45-70, at anything on this continent. When I know I'm going to be hunting at modest distances. Although, I originally bought the Ruger #1, 45-70, for a black bear thumper. The reason being for Big Bores for me. I think they put game down quicker.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 08, 2003, 01:10:47 PM »

I listed some of my big bores in another post. But I like them because there is nothing like a good hard recoil to wake you up in the morning.

Either you love them or you don't. :shock:

Tony · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2003, 08:11:19 PM »

I was attracted to big bores for the same reason that I like big knives. I believe that anything you can do with a small rifle or handgun you can do it just as good with a big bore but not the other way around. As far as what I shoot, her is my list of big bores
Ruger #1: 45-70
SSK: 375 JDJ
Marlin 444P
Ruger Redhawk 45LC
Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag

Tony

nfmMike · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2003, 06:30:11 AM »

I got a 45/70 mostly for nostalgic reasons - I really did want the 45 Colt. Now I am working toward additions to the rifle to make the recoil manageble. Sometimes I wish I had stuck to my original plan, but... you can always load down, right?

I have a Marlin 1895, and I really do like it, just gonna take some growin'...

Mikey · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2003, 08:26:47 AM »

Guys: what attracted me to the big bores was (1) their ability to 'thump', and at both ends so you knew you were shooting something big (2) the hole in the barrel was big enough to see that it was really clean and (3) that in a lever action it was just plain fun to shoot.

I shoot the 444 and prefer the Winchester 94 Big Bore platform, and I will hunt anything on this or any other continent with it. Mikey. :grin:

targshooter · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2003, 07:13:03 AM »

I shot my first deer with a 1873 Springfield. For many years I used more modern cartridges, and then I bought a Marlin .444 because I liked the way the old .45-70 had flattened the deer and the .444 was as close to the .45-70 as you could get in those days in a new factory rifle. The gun and .444 never let me down. However, when Marlin offered their 1895 I sold the .444 and never looked back. I have never had anything go far after a decent big bore hit, whereas I have had to pursue some deer with equally good hits from the under .375 crowd.

TScottO · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2003, 08:43:35 AM »

Im more into big bore handguns. I dont have a big bore rifle yet! Come January Ill be ordering one. Im torn between the Sako 375 HH and the Sauer 458 win. Any help here?

The best I can tell my addiction to big bore handguns is sheer madness. Every time I walk down range to see my target with those big ol holes I just smile. lol I guess too there is a little sadist in all of us, glutting for punishment. Some of us give in and some of us dont. Theres just something about sending 400gr bullets out of a short barreled revolver that gets the blood flowing. Its hard to explain but I just love it!

Some people say, awe you just by those things for crowd pleasers at the range. Hmmmmmmmmm when I go shooting Im usually alone. Guess thats not the reason. I must admit though, it is fun to watch everyone look at you with goose egg eyes when that puppy goes off.

Good luck and be safe,
Scott

Lawdog · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2003, 09:59:48 AM »

TScottO,

The Sako .375 H&H is the more versatile of the two rifle/cartridges you stated. You can load it down to hunt deer or load it up for elephants. Better yet would be to get the Sako and have a .375 Weatherby reamer run thru it and then it would really be the best. Lawdog

Dand · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2003, 10:12:47 PM »

I inheirited a .348 win and it has quite a reputation here in Alaska. Also I've always been fascinated by the .35 Whelen - especially after my former boss whacked several big moose and some caribou with his. Some day I might get one.

TScotto - a friend bought a .375 Sako with the plastic Manlicher stock. Beautiful rifle and a joy for me to shoot. He didn't enjoy it much - the recoil was tough on him but I LOVED it. He let me shoot up over $80 worth of ammo getting it sighted for him. I think that he was willing to let me play with his brand new rifle and pay for all the ammo really added to my fun. Worked with a friend's win 70 458 - 5 shots were enough for me for an afternoon.

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2003, 06:22:53 PM »

I believe Tony has it right, the large caliber can do everything the small caliber can do and does alot of things the small caliber can't do. Plus I like the look on peoples faces when you ask them if they would like a turn after they have watched you shoot one :grin:

When I was a kid I read a non-fiction book on african big game hunting and while most of the book escapes me I do remember one part inparticular, A Pro Hunter back in the 40's or 50's used to hunt cape buffalo with a twenty something caliber .257 roberts or .270, I cant remember which, anyway people used to question his use of such a small rifle,to which he replied every animal he ever shot with said rifle was killed. He was of the opinion that a well placed shot trumped knock down power.
Fast Forward a couple of years, he goes out hunting for buffalo by himself as usual, but does not return that evening. The next morning a small search party goes looking for him and finds him dead along side a trophy buffalo, seems his "well placed shot" did the trick, but not before the buffalo had his revenge :wink:

86er · « **Reply #11 on:** November 15, 2003, 04:46:46 AM »

I've been a big bore fan since I acquired my first 1886 Winchester some 4 decades past. The '86 is a true BIG BORE(except the .33 WCF)gun capable of taking any North American game, and most African species, too.

carpediem · « **Reply #12 on:** November 16, 2003, 04:39:18 PM »

I shoot a 45-70 using a 415 grain cast lead flat round nose. The bullet exits the muzzle at about 1500 feet per second. When the bullet makes contact with the target, the target usually falls immediately to the ground.

The other thing I like about 45-70; who cares if the bullet expands. It's already going in at almost a half inch.

I know my rifle bullet combo does not reach out to great distances but, I am a good enough hunter to get to within thirty yards of my moose, deer, bear, whatever and take the shot. Who needs range when you have skill.

.

Kindest regards,

Robert · « **Reply #13 on:** November 16, 2003, 04:42:37 PM »

plain and simple

Fla Brian · « **Reply #14 on:** February 19, 2004, 04:27:04 PM »

There's just something about those big holes that is just so soul-satisfying. I like the authority on both ends. Right now I've got one of the 45-70 Siamese Mauser conversions (that loves to be loaded quite hot), a Trapdoor Springfield Officer model replica (H&R), an old Ruger .44 mag carbine and a Super Blackhawk .44 mag. I get a real kick (no pun intended) out of shooting magnum shotgun slugs also.

All things considered, a big hole, well-placed, beats a little hole any day of the week. :biggun:

jackfish · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2004, 05:26:06 AM »

Big bores are inherently more accurate than other lesser cartridges. Think about it. When shooting MOA you can hit more of the target with a .458" than, say, a .243" bullet. It must follow that when you hit more of the target you get fewer misses, right?

unspellable · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2004, 02:28:08 AM »

I have two 375 H&H's, a 458 Winchester, and a 400-360. I like the 375 H&H better than the newer "improved" 375's because it can be loaded down to an accurate rabbit load. Something you cannot do with the sharp shouldered "improved" versions.

Fla Brian · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2004, 10:16:01 AM »

Quote from: jackfish

Big bores are inherently more accurate than other lesser cartridges. Think about it. When shooting MOA you can hit more of the target with a .458" than, say, a .243" bullet. It must follow that when you hit more of the target you get fewer misses, right?

I think you're onto something here, Fish. I think I'm a'goin' out an' sporterizin' me one of them theah howitsuhs. Them theah squirrls ain't a'gonna stand them a chance no mowuh, y'all. Ah garontee!

flintman · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2004, 05:19:34 AM »

And some of the postings I read in the past have expressed doubts about smaller stuff.Now,just getting one....

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #19 on:** February 25, 2004, 10:03:07 AM »

Lawdog

"What was it that attracted you to the big bores?"

I read "Pondoro" about one too many times.

Larry Gibson

Lawdog · « **Reply #20 on:** February 25, 2004, 01:15:20 PM »

Larry,

I got interested in big bores when the wife and I started to seriously talk about booking a safari. Up until that time the biggest "big bore" was my .340 Weatherby Magnum(not counting my .45-110 Sharps the wife gave me for a birthday present(play around rifle) or the Winchester 1886 in .50-95 that is a family heirloom). I realized that many countries in Africa do not let you use anything smaller than .375 caliber for the taking of dangerous game(Cape Buffalo is my BIG interest). My first big bore was a pre-64 M70 in .375 H&H that I got as part of a matched set(the other rifle is another pre-64 M70 in .300 H&H) from an estate sale. My next big bore is my .450 Marlin Ruger No 1, which really showed me how accurate these big bores really are. Big bores are like a cancer, a disease that so far I have not been able to find a cure for. Now I got four .375's(two H&H's and two Weatherby Magnum(.375 and .378)), a .416 Rigby, two .450 Marlins and a .450 Rigby. All I can say is thank the good Lord for an understanding wife. Lawdog

oso45-70 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 26, 2004, 04:42:30 PM »

Gentelmen,
I have found through the years that my eyes are getting weaker and when i was younger i could see 22 holes at 25 yd.s no problem, well i can no longer see them etee betee little holes, so i bought me a dwrower full of big pistoles,, i'm from new mexico so things come out a little different, any way i bought some big bore long guns and now i can see the holes with no prblems, the main thing all kidding aside,, just love the 45-70s
375 h&hs,,,, there's something about sending a 400 plus chunk of lead down range that is very satisfying.
best wishes, keep your powder dry, Joe

PAHUnter04 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 09, 2004, 10:24:42 AM »

Hi Lawdog:

When I finally set my first trip to Africa I knew I would be in the market for a new rifle.

My first was a Custom 416 Rem mag... bagged a 46 in Buff in Tanzania in 2002... Now I wanted more.... second was used Ruger 458 Win Mag just for fun.. :lol:

Now I am really rolling... Third was a Custom 458 Lott... this almost broke the bank.. :?

My last one is a semi custom Winnie Mod 70 SS 375 H&H...

It is easy to get hooked on big bores.. :-D

Regards Jim P.

Lawdog · « **Reply #23 on:** April 09, 2004, 10:51:11 AM »

Jim P.,

First, in case it hasn't been done Welcome to Graybeard Outdoors. The best forum on the net for hunters/shooters going today(I am bias). Now back to the subject at hand. Yeah Big Bores are habit forming and it is a habit I do not intend to try to break. I gave up smoking 15 years ago so I believe I earned a replacement habit. In fact I am talking to a gent that has a NIB Weatherby Mark V Deluxe in .460(NO brake, never had one - factory clean). IF we can come to a price that suits us both then it will be mine. Now if I could just get my cousin to sell me his grandfather's(my great grand uncle) H&H double in .470 that would make my day. Small groups and tight lines to you. Lawdog

Gun Runner · « **Reply #24 on:** April 09, 2004, 01:03:18 PM »

Guess after running around Alaska for a while with a 300 winnie and getting stalked by a Griz, made me go to a 45/70. A friend who is a guide said thats all he carried in the bush when guiding. No scope, just open sights cause you aint got time to figger out what part of the bear your looking at with a scope at close range. That was back in 78, havant regretted getting the Big Bore, and still shooting one. Son in law fired mine now he wants one.

Gun Runner

PAHUnter04 · « **Reply #25 on:** April 09, 2004, 02:03:07 PM »

Hi Lawdog:

Thanks for the welcome to Graybeards.... It really does seem like a nice web site.

I must admit that I followed Randy Wakemans posting on other websites that eventually led me here. He wasn't advertising this site, just posting and writing articles.

I am on AR and HA and Blackpowder Muzzleloading and I know you are on a few of those also. :wink: We must have good taste huh....

That 470 Double H&H would make anybodys day..

I have been looking at doubles on and off for the past year, everytime I think I am falling for one, something knocks me back to the real world, like paying over $10K for a rifle that I may use once or twice.... but Ohhhhh are they nice. I was looking at a Heym 470 NE.... and I love the old English Guns.. God but the prices... :wink:

Some day..... maybe..... I hope.....

Regards... Jim P.

Con · « **Reply #26 on:** April 09, 2004, 09:25:52 PM »

In the gun safe currently are a 375H&H, 45/70 Marlin, 458WM and 458 Lott. A 470 Capstick is being put together and voices in my head are whispering 585 Nyati. The points I like about the Big Bores are:
1. Softer on the ears, especially when hunting with-out ear protection. Deep boom vs sharp crack. A 30/06 will have my ears ringing for a day or two, the 458WM doesn't.
2. I'm more tolerant of a big "push" type of recoil then fast and sharp.
3. Down-loaded most Big Bores are still very effective, velocity gives you greater reach not killing power, and all my shots are less than 150m.
4. Animals struck by large diameter bullets tend to visibly show it, this personally gives me confidence, especially in thick scrub.
5. Shot angles that are marginal on large deer (Sambar: my main quarry) become workable with the Big Bores. This again gives me confidence.
6. Big Bores are FUN and at the end of the day I really enjoy shooting them.
Cheers...
Con

Florida Jim · « **Reply #27 on:** April 10, 2004, 03:55:35 AM »

I guess 45 70 is my favorite caliber. I have five and counting. also a
40 65 sharps and a brand new 375 H&H.
My favorite brush gun is a Ruger #3 in 45 70, with a Leupold 2 X 7 compact. Great gun to carry around, and yes it has a Packmeyer Decellerator pad.
Also Marlin 1895 SS, Browning copy of 1886, and 1885, and a H&R copy of a trapdoor carbine.
Oh I almost forgot the 45 70 contender barrel that I shot once, but it's a conversation piece.

Lawdog · « **Reply #28 on:** April 10, 2004, 01:00:10 PM »

Jim P.,

The Holland & Holland that my cousin has I know exactly how many times it has been fired, 31. My Great Grand Uncle bought it new in 1957 for his African Safari. It says on the barrels Modele DeLuxe, .470 Nitro Express and he still has the leather case that came with it that holds not only the rifle but a cleaning kit and ammo in it's compartment. My cousin still has the original receipt but what gets me is he doesn't even hunt or shoot. Someday I hope to find him needing money then that rifle will be mine just like when he sold me the 12 ga. Parker double that belonged to my Great Grand Uncle too. Lawdog

The Silver Fox · « **Reply #29 on:** April 15, 2004, 05:04:36 PM »

I think of my 450 marlin as a chevy big block, Nothing fancy just raw power.

I think of my 7mm as a twin turbo v4, razor sharp for the 400 yard shots

but when it comes time for hunting i grab the 450, it just feels right,
i also get more satisfaction when i can get close to game without being seen.

And the 450 just pokes 2 inch holes in deer without damaging meat.

the 7mm makes the insides look like jello usually with bruising meat.