Which big bore?

[rodneyshishido]

I want a big bore rifle. I do not need it. I am not planning any hunt to Africa or to go after big bears. I have narrowed it down to the 405 winchester, 45/70, 450 Marlin and 458. I am a lefty and do not see any lefty bolt actions in the big bores at reasonable prices. I am not sure whether to go with a levergun or single shot like the Ruger #1. I would like to eventually shoot cast bullets.

What are your thoughts?

[tmoniz]

I've always thought about a single shot in 45/70.

[tmoniz]

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResult...;imagefield.y=9 (http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?type=Rifle&subtype=Single+Shot&SearchIn=All&family=Model&variation=Variation&bct=Yes&caliber=.45-70+Govt&finish=Brushed+Stainless&blength=22%22&work=Yes&imagefield.x=8&imagefield.y=9)

[Taos]

Hard to go wrong with a 45 70, it has been taking care of buisseness for one hundred years. I shoot nothing but cast bullets and black powder in mine. Hard cast 500 grainers will go through both shoulders af any elk that ever walked at 150-200 yds. I still want a .405 though.

[sidepass]

405 winchester or 45-70, can't go wrong with either. Took a blacktail with my 405 winchester this year,I was impressed. Granted it doesn't take that much gun for our little deer here in California. My TC Encore puts them in 1 inch at 100 yards and I'm comfortable with it out to about 200-250 yards.Big bullets and big holes.
sidepass

[rodneyshishido]

Thanks for the responses. I have been leaning toward the 405. There is no particular reason, the caliber intrigues me. I have also always wanted a Ruger 1. Its just that the 45/70 has been around so long and I keep hearing good things about the round.

[Tank]

416 Rigby

[Speckmisser]

Hard to argue with Teddy Roosevelt's go-to African gun, the .405. Fun round and still realistic for American game.

I have to say I got a kick out of my first experience with the 450-400 Nitro Express (pun totally intended) in the Ruger #1. That's a lot of gun and no mistake...

As I've mentioned a time or two, I'm partial to the side-by-side "Express" type rifles in the big bore, but that Ruger #1 is a really sweet rifle too. Functional AND pretty to look at.

[rodneyshishido]

I've been looking into the 416 Rigby that tank suggested. Looks very interesting. Okay so now I've narrowed it down to 416 Rigby, 405 Winchester or 45-70.

Thanks for the help! LOL!

[AMMOe]

I have a Siamese Mauser 45-70. It is on par with the Ruger #1 for strength so it has been loaded heavily in it's day. The recoil is about all you'd want to take. It kills like a thunder clap, though
I'll admit, the largest game taken was a bison. It will kill deer with an amazing finality. I'd take on darned near anything with that gun that I would use a .458 on. The rub?

I don't need it. I shoot mostly loads in the Class I or Class II levels (read "Pet Loads", Ken Waters) and little else these days. Maybe you should ask yourself what your requirements are?? A Ruger #1 45-70 will do a lot and give you the feel of a Farquarsen single shot in the doing.~AMMOe

[myfriendis410]

If you're going to reload and shoot a lot, hands down the 45-70. Bullet selection, brass, loads, data. It's all there.

I own a Ruger #1 and love it. It required a little work on the forearm hanger but now shoots under an inch all day long.

[Taos]

If you are a handloader the best way to go in my opinion is the .416. It can be loaded to be fairly flatshooting with 325 X bullets and can be used as an up close stomper with 400 grain solids. Minw would be the last rifle out of my hands. I have used one for 10 years while guiding elk hunters and other than being heavy to tote around the .416 will do it all.

[arizona hunter]

I have a desire for the Marlin 1895MXLR in 450 Marlin. Great looking rifle with big bullets.

[lifesgood]

I think .460 Weatherby is one of the best hard hitting big bore caliber. With 500 gr bullet, it still shoot 2600Fps at muzzle, nothing even comes close.......

[GregVan]

Boy, I have a lot of big bores==hard to decide:

45-70: Sharps copy, orig 1886, Winchester (new) 1886 (45-90), Remington SxS; shoot both black powder and smokeless loads and both lead and jacketed. Always a lot of fun, no matter what. The Sharps and 1886 have an additional historical (nostalgia?) kick to them. The first time you connect on a 500 yd silhouette with a Sharps......

405 Winchester: an 1885 (Ubertis): OK, again a nostalgia kick. The 405 is almost identical with the 40-75 Sharps straight==so I load black powder and call it a 40-75.

458 Win Mag: Ruger M-77. I shoot full loads (great for making small rocks outa big rocks), a real pain to carry. Does take learning how to shoot though or you can really hurt yourself. Once you do that, it's fine.

450 Marlin: No experience.

.444 Marlin: Based on my brother's, it's very overrated.

I will say none kick as bad as a 375 H & H Sako I had.

My recommendation would be either a Sharps or an 1886==that ol' time feelin" is GREAT. Otr maybe an 1895 winnie in 405.