A few thoughts, Schüler Jumbo ...
As much as the .378 Wby is by any rational analysis a flawed design, and is responsible for the Weatherby dismal reputation in Africa, the .460 Wby actually has a small but very loyal following amongst old hand PHs with extensive DG experience. This is a fact.
The modern CRF debate is not as much a practical debate as it is a cultural debate. As noted by
analog_peninsula, rare are the CRF rifles, including modern Mauser, Rigby, etc., that actually respect the original Mauser geometry where
the diameter of the case dictated the width of the magazine box, the shape of the follower, the geometry of the ramp, and the geometry of the feeding rails.
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Observe that in order to deliver truly reliable CRF function, Mauser was offering 20 DIFFERENT actions, each designed for its own specific caliber.
Do not believe for a second that a modern 'one-does-it-all' Mauser action achieves anywhere near the level of CRF reliability of the originals, regardless of caliber, and regardless of whatever name is engraved on the barrel, including the most prestigious ones.
That too is a fact.
Yes there are perfectly tuned CRF actions out there, but they are rarer than a hen's teeth and darn few rifle-smiths still know, and take the time, to do it right, the greatest culprit being the universal size magazine box. Diving into the real world, many are those, like
mms45 who never found in their CRF the level of comfort they sought. Not surprisingly, and easily explained by the above...
And do not believe that this only affects lower priced CRF actions. Try for example to feed a flat nose solid through a 1930's genuine H&H made .375, and come back to tell us...
Having personally owned and hunted genuine Mauser (H&H), FN (Dumoulin), Brno, and CZ CRF actions in .375 (above mentioned), .416 and .458, and having renounced all of them (and a K Gun .470 double) for a R8 with a handful of barrels, including .375 and .458 Lott, I am personally completely comfortable that I am not sacrificing an ounce of safety.
Not to mention that the tens of thousands of rounds I fire with the R8 (including practice with .22 LR and .223 by the cases) have made me infinitely more proficient with it than I ever was with any other rifle, by necessity shot a lot less...
I understand that some will forever feel (
note that I write "feel", not "be") better equipped with a CRF action, but this is more in the spiritual rather than practical domain. I do respect that.
Where I completely agree with
Mark A Ouellette, is the muzzle brake. Enough said about this deafening monstrosity...
