i want to try some larger bores

any one here live on the wet side of WA state and own a .400+ caliber rifle? I would really like to try cartridges such at the 416 rigby, 450/400, 404 Jeffery, or anything larger. if you live somewhat near me I would be happy to come to you and of course cover cost of ammo in exchange for a little trigger time.

im very interested in getting a 404 Jeffery or maybe a 458 win. but its hard to be sure of what I want with no hands on experience with anything bigger then a 375 H&H. I like the idea of a bolt gun cartridge that imitates a classic double rifle in that it shoots a heavy slow moving bullet. in truth I want a double rifle... but that is years away.

if your not comfortable posting your location (I don't blame you) shoot me a PM and we can talk in private.

thanks!
-Matt

You think you want one now, wait until you shoot one!!!

Mine is years away as well, so I'm going to look for something like a .458 Lott in the short term in order to help with the cravings....

Good luck on funding one to shoot!!!

.416Rigby.

You'd luv the 404... Probably the 416, as well so the 458 win, 458 Lott, 450-400 is a winner IMO.

Buy 2 at a time it makes the decision easier to make and it's buddy caliber will not feel left out!

My best always

matt85 said:

any one here live on the wet side of WA state and own a .400+ caliber rifle? I would really like to try cartridges such at the 416 rigby, 450/400, 404 Jeffery, or anything larger. if you live somewhat near me I would be happy to come to you and of course cover cost of ammo in exchange for a little trigger time.

im very interested in getting a 404 Jeffery or maybe a 458 win. but its hard to be sure of what I want with no hands on experience with anything bigger then a 375 H&H. I like the idea of a bolt gun cartridge that imitates a classic double rifle in that it shoots a heavy slow moving bullet. in truth I want a double rifle... but that is years away.

if your not comfortable posting your location (I don't blame you) shoot me a PM and we can talk in private.

thanks!
-Matt

Click to expand...

Well if you get the itch for warm and dry weather or find yourself in Phoenix for whatever reason, I'd be happy to let you shoot my .458 B&M. If you do, you'll want it.

Matt, I'm a bit west of the wet side of Wa. not to mention a bit further north, but if you want to wander up we're having a big bore shoot here May 31.
There will be the chance to shoot everything from a couple of 4 bores on down. And I'm talking about a whole bunch of big iron.


edit to add, Have a look at the picture on the second page of my photos. You'll see that line up and more.

while id love to try shooting a 416 rigby and a 458 lott, those two aren't what im really looking to buy. im looking for a rifle in a cartridge that mimics a double rifle cartridge. the 416 rigby and 458 lott do not mimic anything and are in a league of there own as far as I can tell.

the more I think about the 458 win, the more I like the idea. its an affordable cartridge in affordable rifles that mimics the performance of the 470 NE cartridge. this would hopefully fill my double rifle void until I can one day drop the cash on a proper double. I really wish the 404 Jeffery and the 505 gibbs cartridges where more available! I took a very hard look at a used CZ 550 in 505 gibbs but in the end I couldnt afford the asking price or the cost of brass for the cartridge.

-matt

heym used to (not sure if they still do) make their bolt action in some of the big rimmed nitro express calibres including the .500 nitro. i used to have one.not sure how many they made or if they turn up for sale very often, but that maybe an option.

spike.t said:

heym used to (not sure if they still do) make their bolt action in some of the big rimmed nitro express calibres including the .500 nitro. i used to have one.not sure how many they made or if they turn up for sale very often, but that maybe an option.

Click to expand...

I just looked at there website heymusa.com and they do offer a couple of bolt guns but unfortunately not in 500 NE or 470 NE but then again I don't think those big rimmed cartridges would do well in a bolt gun. I cant find a price for the bolt guns but based on the brand and quality ill assume they are too expensive for me. im stuck in the $1000 or less price range till after my trip to Africa next year.

AkMike, I will have to look into the cost of travel. a big bore shoot sounds like a lot of fun!

-matt

From Seattle it should be about $450. It'd be a day to remember!

Big Bore..

AkMike said:

From Seattle it should be about $450. It'd be a day to remember!

Click to expand...

My thoughts, if money is an issue, look to the .458 Lott as a step above the .375 bore....One hundred yard cartridge and a better stopper to boot...If you handload can customize 350 grain to 400 grain longer range thumpers...all around great cartridge and can shoot the .458 win mag to boot....

If you happen to be in Colorado Springs we can go shoot my 500 Jeffery. If you can shoot the 500s the 400s are pussycats as long as they aren't too light and the stock fits you.

the 458 Lott and 500 Jeffery might prove a bit much for me, but I wouldn't be sure until ive had a chance to try them. having said that they aren't really what im looking for because they are true bolt gun cartridges. im looking to copy an English double rifles performance, not exceed it.

Im game to try anything as long as im sure it wont detach my retinas or seriously injure my shoulder.

-matt

Hello,
Winch 70 Safari Express very good quality, not expensive, accuracy etc .. cal .416RM cheaper than .416 Rigby , same ballistic, same use. today my preferred caliber (400g, 300g ..)
Else .458 Lott rather fabulous ..no ?

My opinion : let's forget .458WM .. tough ..:hmmmer: (I dislike it : not enough penetration but, but cheap ammos vs Lott, and Lott rifle can shot .458WM .. with 400g .. not so bad).
The choice is wide ... .416 Ruger .. Taylor ..404 , 450-400, 450 NE ... Look at the famous Ruger #1 Cheaper .. than Double (but not the same playground ...)
Next step : 505, 500Jeffery, 470 NE .. $$$$$:happywave:

Hello Matt85,

A load I shoot often in my .458 Lott is the same diameter bullet, same weight, same velocity (not same powder charge) of the original Rigby specs for the .450, 3.25" Nitro Express, (AKA: .450 NE).

In other words, I shoot 480 grainers @ about 2125 to 2150 fps (I have not chronographed this rifle).

In 480 grain, I like Hornady's newer DGX/DGS and Woodleigh round nose, and also Woodleigh Protected Point bullets look good but I have not tried them yet.

When running short on 480 gr bullets, I use 500 grain Hornady and 500 grain Remington (lucked into a pile of the Remingtons at a gun show back in the day, and am still "plinking" with them, but they appear too soft for African heavy game).

My Lott is a CZ , with certain modifications (larger bolt handle, 23" barrel, Recknaegel front sight, Mod-70 safety, barrel band swivel stud, blah, blah) and it weighs about 11 pounds, empty.

At .450 NE velocity, it is nowhere near as "sporting" to shoot as the factory Lott loads are.

In other words, dropping the velocity almost 200 FPS, reduces the recoil noticeably.

Before anyone gets the vapors, I agree that the Lott factory velocity is a real death-ray, but it kicks very hard as such.

However, the 100+ year track record of the .450 NE needs no further validation.

If I cannot put any animal on earth upon it's chin with a properly constructed 480 to 500 grain bullet in .458 diameter, at 2125 to 2150 fps, it indicates I'm not shooting straight, nothing more.

I highly recommend the .458 Lott, loaded down a bit, as described, for what you want to do, not to mention that; in Africa, ammunition is easier to get than some other large bore cartridges.

Likewise, you can use .458 Winchester in a pinch, just like shooting .38 Specials in a .357 Magnum revolver.

Take a good look at the CZ 550 Magnum, and the Ruger 77 Magnum, in .458 Lott, used ones turn up quite often.

If Winchester is chambering their Model 70 in the Lott caliber, it is also a possibility.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

Smart choice to load the 458 Lott down to 450 NE levels, still a deadly gun! Always better to shoot straight and accurate.

Thanks enysse,

I agree with you.
Velocity is usually fine but accuracy is usually final.

Out,
Velo Dog.

matt85 said:

while id love to try shooting a 416 rigby and a 458 lott, those two aren't what im really looking to buy. im looking for a rifle in a cartridge that mimics a double rifle cartridge. the 416 rigby and 458 lott do not mimic anything and are in a league of there own as far as I can tell.

the more I think about the 458 win, the more I like the idea. its an affordable cartridge in affordable rifles that mimics the performance of the 470 NE cartridge. this would hopefully fill my double rifle void until I can one day drop the cash on a proper double. I really wish the 404 Jeffery and the 505 gibbs cartridges where more available! I took a very hard look at a used CZ 550 in 505 gibbs but in the end I couldnt afford the asking price or the cost of brass for the cartridge.

-matt

Click to expand...

Matt,

I am using a .458WM Win. Mod. 70 for the last 12 years with great success....458 Lott, .450 Watts, .460 Weatherby - are "kickers", well for me they are! the .458WM with a 450gr bullet (2 150fps) has excellent penetration...

im now shooting a 400 Jeffery (450/400 3" NE) and realize I may be getting close to my limit for recoil. I can only shoot a small number of shots before I develop a light headache. ive found if I spread 20 rounds out over a couple hours im ok but if I try to fire continuously (still letting the barrels cool of course) I get a headache. I admit however that the stock on my rifle is not ideal for me and this could be causing the recoil to have a greater effect on me.

if I had to guess id say my limit will probably be around the 416 Rigby.

-matt

Matt - You've already booked a trip to Africa for next year and you're looking for a big bore to take now? with a $1K limit? Seems a little bit of the cart before the horse. I get that you'll be taking your .375, which is good, but your opening post mentioned wanting to try various .400+ cartridges like the ".416 Rigby, .450/400,........" . In your last post you say that you're "now shooting a 400 Jeffery (450/400 3"NE)". Does that mean that you've already bought a .450/400 in between posts? Or are you borrowing someone's? I'm not trying to bust your chops, merely trying to get a fix on what your situation is. You seem to suggest that the .450/400 is your limit, which believe me, I can understand. So are you planning to take both the .375 and .450/400? You seem to still seem to be looking for a bigger bore, ala .416 Rigby. This doesn't leave much room with a $1,000 budget, maybe a used Ruger when they were offering their bolt action in that caliber. But why do you need an even bigger bore? What animals are you planning to hunt in Africa? You might be all set and giving yourself another headache for nothing.