Big Bore Addiction Group

[BeeMaa]

@curt672 - Absolutely. I'll send you a packet for your membership dues and a few other things. Don't forget to take the "big bore addict" picture to your tattoo artist for a full backpiece. We can exchange schedules so I can stop by an administer the forearm branding with the end of a barrel from a 470NE Heym 88B or Rigby 450RIGBY (your choice). Looking forward to meeting you!

 

[Wildwillalaska]

If I wanted to make a custom Ruger number 1, converting from A 458 Win mag to another Classic cartridge, what should it be? I would replace the stock with exhibition grade English walnut and make an English style stock. 450/400, 9.3x74R, 300 H&H or something else? Thinking about wood blanks 2,3 or 8.
View attachment 765303

#2 and #8 are both beautiful, and I’d lean towards #2 I guess. Chambering is easy for me…450NE 3 1/4”.

 

[matt85]

Like to have a 375R in a Blaser K95, but would fall short of a big bore by .025”.

As far as I'm concerned "big bore" starts at 45 caliber with 480gr+ bullets. But we allow the .375" and .416" shooters in the club house as long as they bring snacks and drinks.

 

[curt672]

416 Weatherby Mag, my own hand loads with 400gr Tsx--- one shot on my Buff and dead in 60 yards

 

[William W.]

I live in Memphis where there are no Dugga Boys (my hunting fantasy) but your addiction has spread because I have moved from 300 Win to, very recently, 375 H&H and 375 Rem Ultra. The former was purchased to work up to shooting the latter which was a "bargain" from Cabella's Gun Library. The latter came with, seemingly, a splinter stock which I replaced with an HS Precision "wide body" with two mercury recoil reducers. I have still not worked myself up to loading ammunition for it in a somewhat reduced power mode. Call me a chicken s-t! My excuse of a hot humid Memphis Summer is starting fade and I am beginning to face my demons!

My wood 375 H&H CZ 550 Safari required a companion so I bought one with a synthetic stock, I recently took a second bison at a local hunting ranch with my loved wooden stocked version with a old Nikon 2-10 scope. The second time, I had increased the powder load and carefully studied Craig Boddington’s (whom I met at a Dallas Safari Club Exposition) “Perfect Shot” book. I still used the 300-g Woodleigh bullets from my stash of their ”pre-fire” Protected Point bullets and after proving my marksmanship shooting off a carbon-fiber tripod base at the hunting lodge (note: the rifle was never hard-clamped) dropped the second bison in the middle of her first step after bullet impact. Field dressing showed that my “perfect shot” at 50+yards destroyed the aorta region. As shown, I changed a bit since my first bison ten years ago. I have test rounds loaded for my newly Cerakoted 375 Remington Ultra Magnum, but that is another story. As opposed to my target rifles none of my 375’s has a brake. Thus far, with a PAST pad hand-sewn into my shooting coat, in the excitement of the moments, I feel no recoil in my role as the “Bison Assassin”. For target purposes, my new favorites are 300 Norma Magnums.

 

[tarbe]

Don't forget about the 375 Flanged Magnum, a pretty aesthetic cartridge as long as you don't call it a 375 H&H Rimmed. I doubt few Americans know what flanged is, so it gives a romantic ring to it.


View attachment 767447

With a "proper" bullet, LOL

 

[hoytcanon]

416 Weatherby Mag, my own hand loads with 400gr Tsx--- one shot on my Buff and dead in 60 yards

That is a great bull... congrats.

 

[curt672]

That is a great bull... congrats.

TY

 

[curt672]

With a "proper" bullet, LOL

View attachment 774395

I had the same Mos ---

 

[William W.]

I live in Memphis where there are no Dugga Boys (my hunting fantasy) but your addiction has spread because I have moved from 300 Win to, very recently, 375 H&H and 375 Rem Ultra. The former was purchased to work up to shooting the latter which was a "bargain" from Cabella's Gun Library. The latter came with, seemingly, a splinter stock which I replaced with an HS Precision "wide body" with two mercury recoil reducers. I have still not worked myself up to loading ammunition for it in a somewhat reduced power mode. Call me a chicken s-t! My excuse of a hot humid Memphis Summer is starting fade and I am beginning to face my demons!

I bought a American-style wood-stocked CZ 550 Safari in 375 H&H and a synthetic stocked version “followed me home” from the same internet dealer in hopes of a trip to Africa which never materialized. The closest I got was a client-paid trip to Qatar, but being on their nickel, taking a firearm was a questionable proposition. I sent both to a CZ-approved gunsmith for my usual modification of a larger bolt handle, and took my life in my hands personally changing-out the trigger with the intricate manipulations. Each wears an old 2-10 Nikon Scope mounted in a unique way to clear the iron sight. As shown, I found a use for the wood-stocked version in 2016 by taking a bison. By listening to the “guide” who knew nothing about bison anatomy, it took four shots of my hand-loaded “pre-fire” Woodleigh 300-grain Protected Points. As shown, I met Craig Boddington at the Dallas Safari Club show, and bought his Perfect Shot book and memorized bison anatomy. I also substituted a carbon fiber tripod set up for a kneeling shot (with the rifle resting in the opening; not clamped) for the “de-rigeur” shooting sticks shot from a standing position. I increased the powder by 4-grains to approach max-rated velocity with my now pre-fire Woodleigh historical artifacts. The delicious meat lasted in the deep freeze for 6-years. In 2025, I arranged another hunt and took my wife who had a great time with the “game drives” with the accommodating guides at the Goodman Ranch in Henderson TN. On the third day, at just over 50-yards at a local ranch with a surprisingly high bison population, once, the traffic cleared, at 10X, I saw the fur part with the bullet’s impact exactly at the center of the reticle. I felt absolutely no recoil, partially helped by excitement, concentration, and a PACT pad that I sewed into my shooting coat and enjoyed the easy bolt cycling afforded by the gentle taper of the hundred-year cartridge to load a followup if needed. The 3 year old female bison took a small hop and before it took a second step, fell over dead. The heart looked like a study in ballistic gelatin with the aorta completely destroyed. Shooting locally, i has no problems getting the meat - they brought it to me at my home!

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I bought a American-style wood-stocked CZ 550 Safari in 375 H&H and a synthetic stocked version “followed me home” from the same internet dealer in hopes of a trip to Africa which never materialized. The closest I got was a client-paid trip to Qatar, but being on their nickel, taking a firearm was a questionable proposition. I sent both to a CZ-approved gunsmith for my usual modification of a larger bolt handle, and took my life in my hands personally changing-out the trigger with the intricate manipulations. Each wears an old 2-10 Nikon Scope mounted in a unique way to clear the iron sight. As shown, I found a use for the wood-stocked version in 2016 by taking a bison. By listening to the “guide” who knew nothing about bison anatomy, it took four shots of my hand-loaded “pre-fire” Woodleigh 300-grain Protected Points. As shown, I met Craig Boddington at the Dallas Safari Club show, and bought his Perfect Shot book and memorized bison anatomy. I also substituted a carbon fiber tripod set up for a kneeling shot (with the rifle resting in the opening; not clamped) for the “de-rigeur” shooting sticks shot from a standing position. I increased the powder by 4-grains to approach max-rated velocity with my now pre-fire Woodleigh historical artifacts. The delicious meat lasted in the deep freeze for 6-years. In 2025, I arranged another hunt and took my wife who had a great time with the “game drives” with the accommodating guides at the Goodman Ranch in Henderson TN. On the third day, at just over 50-yards at a local ranch with a surprisingly high bison population, once, the traffic cleared, at 10X, I saw the fur part with the bullet’s impact exactly at the center of the reticle. I felt absolutely no recoil, partially helped by excitement, concentration, and a PACT pad that I sewed into my shooting coat and enjoyed the easy bolt cycling afforded by the gentle taper of the hundred-year cartridge to load a followup if needed. The 3 year old female bison took a small hop and before it took a second step, fell over dead. The heart looked like a study in ballistic gelatin with the aorta completely destroyed. Shooting locally, i has no problems getting the meat - they brought it to me at my home!

William - Great shooting on those bison. Being in KY, we are not that far from you. Love the iron sight cutout on the sunshade. Very well done Sir.

When you have time, do please tell us more about the Goodman Ranch in Henderson. My wife and I love bison and I have been looking for a good option for a bison meat hunt as soon as we eat up all of my Nilgai venison in the freezer.

 

[William W.]

I will be frank. I organized a hunt for a some guys in the church that my wife and I belonged to and Goodman ranch did not seem to be as appealing and welcoming as Wilderness Hunting Lodge. Also, WHL had hogs which were a cheaper option. I shot a cow elk, and when that meat was consumed, they had put in accommodations for couples, and I returned for bison. The advantage is that they have on-site processing, but can’t cut meat at all and got nothing recognizable. Also, as the meat did not hang, it was bloody when the vacuum packing was opened. For my second, I found a place in Nebraska who would import a butcher would would cut-to-order. But, I would have a 2-day drive with my heavy-duty Igloo-style coolers that would have to be locked into my pickup to avoid a midnight “appropriation” in our motel stay in Kansas. My wife was also highly annoyed with the concept so I started looking.

From: Paige O’Reilly <paige@goodmanranch.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 11:10:17 AM
To: William Weddendorf <william_weddendorf@hotmail.com>
Subject:Re: Thank you for booking with us!

Hi William, I am not sure which guide you will have just yet. But I know from previous hunts bison hunts are usually done within 50-100 yards. If you have a distance you are more comfortable hunting at we can accommodate.

We will make sure you are able to talk to the meat processor at the time of the hunt and relay any requests you have. We will also deliver the seasoning you bring.

Let me check with Mike on the balance. I know he encountered a banking issue when making deposits and was trying to remedy that situation this week.

Thanks,

Paige
859-402-5798

They have one very nice room that my wife loved, and the chief guide took us on game drives to find the “right” bison and my wife loved being in the front SxS seat .I took the back seat). They ended up driving the processed meat to my house. I gave a 20% tip and considered myself well-served, plus $100 for the door delivery. Call They took my meat to a REAL processor who aged it, cut it fully boneless. Call me if you want more details 9013384031. Oh, and buy and give to the processor Legg’s #6 for your sausage meat…and sprinkle more on your sausage patties while they cook on your Blackstone. Check out their white bison. Thanks for noticing my sight cut-out.

 

[Mooselodge]

Hello, my name is Matt and I have a problem. It appears I have become addicted to large bore rifles. My addiction has soaked up large amounts of money and made the credit card company very happy.

Im pretty sure my addiction started when I bought my CZ 550 in 375 H&H, Beware of these rifles! They are gateway guns to a life of heavy recoil, empty wallets, and most importantly LOTS OF FUN!

here is a picture of the cartridges ive been playing with along with some more common cartridges for comparison.

left-right: 9mm Luger, 7.62x39, 375 H&H, 450/400 NE 3", 500/416 NE 3.25", and 505 Gibbs.


if you share my addiction, please state your name, how you started, and a picture.

-matt

matt
I contracted the same mental disorder decades ago and it culminated in acquiring a Barrett bolt action 50 BMG . Great to shoot ( very accurate at 500 yds) BUT at near 25 lbs you had no option but to use your high or low Sticks.
The concussion from the brake on the 36 inch barrel absolutely precluded. A buddy being anywhere near you when firing . Too heavy to carry or shoot standing without sticks But again if you have a special Sitting spot overlooking vast open terrain and have good sticks , have at it .
I reloaded the 50 and as I recall it used 238 gr of Hogdon BMG and a 700 gr Amax bullet .
It doesn’t get more fun than that

 

[William W.]

William - Great shooting on those bison. Being in KY, we are not that far from you. Love the iron sight cutout on the sunshade. Very well done Sir.

When you have time, do please tell us more about the Goodman Ranch in Henderson. My wife and I love bison and I have been looking for a good option for a bison meat hunt as soon as we eat up all of my Nilgai venison in the freezer.

From the Goodman Ranch: That’s awesome! Thank you! If you would like to give them our number it’s XXXXXXXXXXX

 

[matt85]

Did a little target shooting today with the 8-bore. The gun shoots really well with a .85" ball over 67gr of blue dot.

Here is one of the loads checking regulation at around 30-40 yards:

 

[matt85]

Oh yea, and for you big bore junkies who like stats, the above load is throwing a 900gr (58.3g) 0.850" (21.6mm) lead ball at around 1350fps (411m/s).

The load would not be suitable for elephant but would likely be fine for everything else. For elephant I have a 1200gr (77.7g) bullet. But the recoil gets a little too "brisk" for people who aren't ready for them, so I don't load them very often. Think of the 900gr balls as being "softs" and the 1200gr bullets as being "solids".

 

[Mooselodge]

matt
I contracted the same mental disorder decades ago and it culminated in acquiring a Barrett bolt action 50 BMG . Great to shoot ( very accurate at 500 yds) BUT at near 25 lbs you had no option but to use your high or low Sticks.
The concussion from the brake on the 36 inch barrel absolutely precluded. A buddy being anywhere near you when firing . Too heavy to carry or shoot standing without sticks But again if you have a special Sitting spot overlooking vast open terrain and have good sticks , have at it .
I reloaded the 50 and as I recall it used 238 gr of Hogdon BMG and a 700 gr Amax bullet .
It doesn’t get more fun than that

It got your attention when you pulled the trigger but the muzzle blast required ear plugs plus cup protection

Did a little target shooting today with the 8-bore. The gun shoots really well with a .85" ball over 67gr of blue dot.

Here is one of the loads checking regulation at around 30-40 yards:
View attachment 774958

Matt
That certainly looks like minute of buffalo at 35yds. I would be most satisfied with that pair.
What was your load velocity and projectile weight? Rifled or smooth bore?

 

[matt85]

It got your attention when you pulled the trigger but the muzzle blast required ear plugs plus cup protection

Matt
That certainly looks like minute of buffalo at 35yds. I would be most satisfied with that pair.
What was your load velocity and projectile weight? Rifled or smooth bore?

We posted at the same time, scroll up for stats.

The gun is fully rifled. The velocity is an estimate and probably a bit low now that I think about it. My 1200gr bullets are leaving the muzzle at 1300fps with the same load. So, realistically they are probably slightly faster... will need to check this load over the chronograph in the near future.

 

[AZDAVE]

Nice group on your 8 bore Matt.

Been a few years since I shot an 8, but remember the big difference between blue dot and 1 1/2fg black.

 

[AZSkibo]

Current battery includes (but is certainly not limited to):

45ACP (for scale)
300 H&H
375 H&H
425WR
500-416
475 No. 2 Eley
500 NE