Who uses big bores for practically all of their hunting?

[kombi1976]

I was wondering who uses big bores continually for almost all their hunting.
I don't mean magnums necessarily.
Relatively low powered stuff like 44 Mag, 45 Colt and other pistol style cartridges also leave a big hole.
There's been a lot of talk about using big cals and being able to "eat right up to the hole" as a result.
I personally own nothing bigger than a 8x57 but the concept has always interested me and stuff like 38-55, 45 Colt, 45-90 and 500 S&W are beginning to draw my attention.
If you do this what led you to this, what sort of cartridges and rifles do you use, what sort of game are you hunting and what sort of terrain do you hunt?

[moxgrove]

most of my hunting is done with my .375 win. more a medium bore then a big bore. Ialso use 45/70 a lot. and of course shotguns have a big hole in the middle. I have to admit I have gotten to where I use round ball loads over 2400 in the winchester when I used to use a .22lr.

[burntmuch]

I just started shooting a 45/70. I own a 223, 7mag, 30-06, 35rem, 20 & 12 guage slug guns. The 45/70 may be the only one who hits the woods this year. Ive never harvested anything with it . But its accurate, leaves a big hole & with my reloads its cheap to shoot. I now own 2 45/70s. A nef single shot & a marlin 1895. The marlin is ported so, I dont see my self hunting with it. I love the little single shot. I ll let ya know if Im happy with the 45/70 after deer season.   Jay

[StrawHat]

For twelve years all I used was a 45-70 for all my hunting.  I used it for deer, groundhogs, and one copperhead.

For a while I loaded a lot of different projectiles but eventually settled on the Gould bullet (Lyman 457122). 

One rifle, one load, makes it easy to learn how to shoot.

Would I do it again?  Yes.  Would I recommend the same cartridge?  Yes.

Try it, you may swap all those little bores!

[kombi1976]

most of my hunting is done with my .375 win. more a medium bore then a big bore. Ialso use 45/70 a lot. and of course shotguns have a big hole in the middle. I have to admit I have gotten to where I use round ball loads over 2400 in the winchester when I used to use a .22lr.

So is this a round ball or a shotgun style load?
What sort of velocities and ballistics are you obtaining from this?

[kombi1976]

For twelve years all I used was a 45-70 for all my hunting.  I used it for deer, groundhogs, and one copperhead.

For a while I loaded a lot of different projectiles but eventually settled on the Gould bullet (Lyman 457122). 

One rifle, one load, makes it easy to learn how to shoot.

Would I do it again?  Yes.  Would I recommend the same cartridge?  Yes.

Try it, you may swap all those little bores!

StrawHat, were you using a scoped rifle then?
And where did you say "too far" in terms of range?

[moxgrove]

 I use 15 gr. of 2400 and a round ball intended for 38 cal cap and ball pistols. It will group about 1 1/2 in at 50 yards. I experimented with unique and universal clays but found this load gives the best consistent accuracy. I haven't chronyed it but would guess it is under a 1000 fps judging by the lack of noise. I only push the soft lead balls so fast as they will lead or stripi out in the barrel if pushed hard. They don't recoil and have taken everything from squirrels to coyotes and raccoons. I got lucky and found that by removing the sight elevator for the irons they shoot 1/2 in high at 25 yards and a little less than a half in. low at 50.

[StrawHat]

For a while, I had a scoped Siamese Mauser but treated it as a rimmed magnum not a 45-70.

All the 45-70s had some type of open sights on them.  From plain barrel mounted rear sights to tang sights.  Ranges were kept to under 125 - 150 yds for the ground hogs and I tried for half that when shooting deer. 

The copperhead was at about 2 feet and coming fast!  As the trapdoor I was carrying had the long barrel on it I had to back up to make the shot.  If it wasn't for the dog I would have kept right on backing up but I knew the dog would want to see what it was and at that point it wasn't well trained to ignore things.  Still isn't.

The round ball load with just a little powder made a fun plinking load but I eventually settled for full power loads for all my shooting.

The Siamese was a good rifle but since the headstamps were the same for those loads and my trapdoor loads I let it go rather than have a minimagnum get used in the trapdoor.  I kept them separated but one day a shooting partner grabbed a box of 45-70s and one of my rolling blocks.  I watched as the round slid in to the chamber and realized it was a jacketed bullet.  I hollered and he didn't shoot but I realized my foolproof loading plan did not include fools other than me!

Since then the only loads for the cartridges I shoot are suitable for the weakest gun I own in whatever chambering.  The peace of mind is worth losing the fps.

Good luck.

[Questor]

Aye. I fell in love with my 375H&H and don't see much reason to use anything else for medium and big game, except where I'm limited to a shotgun.  It's not just the cartridge, it's the particular gun I have. Reliable. Keeps its zero. Good trigger. Good sights. Great synthetic stock. Reasonable price.  Surprisingly tolerable recoil. I'm not a magnum enthusiast by nature, but this one is like finding perfection. I need to give it an endearing name, like Babe.

[kombi1976]

All the 45-70s had some type of open sights on them.  From plain barrel mounted rear sights to tang sights.  Ranges were kept to under 125 - 150 yds for the ground hogs and I tried for half that when shooting deer.  
The Siamese was a good rifle but since the headstamps were the same for those loads and my trapdoor loads I let it go rather than have a minimagnum get used in the trapdoor.  I kept them separated but one day a shooting partner grabbed a box of 45-70s and one of my rolling blocks.  I watched as the round slid in to the chamber and realized it was a jacketed bullet.  I hollered and he didn't shoot but I realized my foolproof loading plan did not include fools other than me!
Since then the only loads for the cartridges I shoot are suitable for the weakest gun I own in whatever chambering.  The peace of mind is worth losing the fps.

Geez, you must've lost a year off your life watching him slide one of those loads into the rolling block!

Aye. I fell in love with my 375H&H and don't see much reason to use anything else for medium and big game, except where I'm limited to a shotgun.  It's not just the cartridge, it's the particular gun I have. Reliable. Keeps its zero. Good trigger. Good sights. Great synthetic stock. Reasonable price.  Surprisingly tolerable recoil. I'm not a magnum enthusiast by nature, but this one is like finding perfection. I need to give it an endearing name, like Babe.

With a name like Babe I gather it's excellent for hunting hogs!
Now fess up, Questor.
Exactly which model is it?

[Dixie Dude]

Questor,
What brand of rifle do you have?  I was thinking of a .375 HH in a CZ for my all round big bore.  Do you reload?

[Boxhead]

Though not used for all hunting as I am a bit of a gun loonie and probably have one for each critter there is :-), I have used this 416 Rigby on a few hogs and whitetail deer... Loaded down a bit of course.



If I look back at all of the game taken over the years there are few that would have been a struggle for one of my 45-70's though. Only a couple were over 200 yards.

[kombi1976]

Though not used for all hunting as I am a bit of a gun loonie and probably have one for each critter there is :-), I have used this 416 Rigby on a few hogs and whitetail deer... Loaded down a bit of course.

Why did you load them down?

[OHHJIMMY]

I bought my first 45-70 several years ago, and it quickly became my favorite whitetail gun. Since then I have bought a couple more and a 38-55. The 45-70's shoot well enough for deer hunting with any ammo you can buy, though they like some a little better than others. The 38-55 is pretty fussy about ammo. You have to get the right dia. bullets or it tumbles the bullets.
 You mentioned eating up to the bullet hole. I read somewhere that is an Elmer Keith saying. I think that is a good way of comparing how the slow big bores kill as opposed to fast, small bullets. I have a 7-08 that is a deadly deer rifle, but it turns the exit side of the deer to black jelly. With the 45-70 & 38-55, you just get a nice red bloody hole all the way through.
These things ain't beanfield rifles, to me. I would have to study too much about tragectory, but most of my hunting is in the woods and most shots are 50 yards. 75 yards would be a long shot.
Sorry to get so long winded, but you asked a question that is interesting to me and I had to ramble on.

[kombi1976]

If that's rambling keep it up, mate! 
Besides why say something in 2 words that you can say in 10?

[OHHJIMMY]

Kombi,
Here's another thing; We have so many deer here in Mississippi ( 2nd only to Texas according to Deer and Deer Hunting magazine) that the law on primitive weapons was changed several years ago to include a number of big bore cartridge rifles. This was the year after I bought my first 45-70.
The rifles have to be designed before 1900, single shot, and exposed hammer, 38 cal and larger. A dream come true. This has already introduced thousands of people to big bore hunting that otherwise would never even thought of it.
I bet that once they try it, there's gonna be a lot that will use the big bores most of the the time.
Jimmy

[kombi1976]

Kombi,
Here's another thing; We have so many deer here in Mississippi ( 2nd only to Texas according to Deer and Deer Hunting magazine) that the law on primitive weapons was changed several years ago to include a number of big bore cartridge rifles. This was the year after I bought my first 45-70.
The rifles have to be designed before 1900, single shot, and exposed hammer, 38 cal and larger. A dream come true. This has already introduced thousands of people to big bore hunting that otherwise would never even thought of it.
I bet that once they try it, there's gonna be a lot that will use the big bores most of the the time.
Jimmy

That sounds cool.
Exposed hammer though.......there's the rub.
Cuts Martini Henry based rifles out of the running.
I guess everyone is using Sharps and the like.
Are break open guns like the H&R/NEFs allowed?
Afterall, that action is almost the same as break open guns designed in the 19th century.

[warf73]

I've been using my 460WBY for the past 3 years now as my all around carry rifle.

Figured I better start using it more since my African big game hunt is on hold for a few more years. Carrying the rifle all day in the woods hunting deer give you good practice for the big hunt.

Warf

[kombi1976]

I've been using my 460WBY for the past 3 years now as my all around carry rifle.

Figured I better start using it more since my African big game hunt is on hold for a few more years. Carrying the rifle all day in the woods hunting deer give you good practice for the big hunt.

Warf

A 460 on deer! YIKES!!
How does it perform?
All I can imagine is a big bloody mess.
And more to the point how do you explain it to other deer hunters?
I can see it now.........
"Those deer are REAL dangerous....if you don't watch their eyes they'll go for your neck!!"

[OHHJIMMY]

Kombi- Yes, Handi rifles are allowed, and that's what most are using. Some others allowed are: Sharps, Remington rolling blocks, and Winchester and Browning 1885's. 45-70 seems to be the most popular cal. although there are plenty of others. 38-55, 44 mag, 45 long colt, 450 Marlin, 500 S&W, 444 Marlin, 405 Win, etc.

[warf73]

I've been using my 460WBY for the past 3 years now as my all around carry rifle.

Figured I better start using it more since my African big game hunt is on hold for a few more years. Carrying the rifle all day in the woods hunting deer give you good practice for the big hunt.

Warf

A 460 on deer! YIKES!!
How does it perform?
All I can imagine is a big bloody mess.
And more to the point how do you explain it to other deer hunters?
I can see it now.........
"Those deer are REAL dangerous....if you don't watch their eyes they'll go for your neck!!"

I haven't had any Deer walk away after I shot them.
It works good I'm just using a 350gr RN Hornady bullet.

Performance wise I've smacked bone on one deer the only ill effect was bone pieces stuck in the heart of the deer. Exit holes are around 2" or so with a 1-2" blood shot area which isn't a big deal to me(I don't eat deer ribs) as the rib meat is ground up for burger.
The other deer had a nice hole in front of the front leg (chest shot) with a pretty 2" exit hole just behind the right shoulder. Again lots of bone pieces stuck in the heart with even less blood shot meat than the other one, maybe 1" around the hole if that.

The second deer would be classified as Dangerous because he was charging me like a Cape Buffalo 

Warf

[kombi1976]

Kombi- Yes, Handi rifles are allowed, and that's what most are using. Some others allowed are: Sharps, Remington rolling blocks, and Winchester and Browning 1885's. 45-70 seems to be the most popular cal. although there are plenty of others. 38-55, 44 mag, 45 long colt, 450 Marlin, 500 S&W, 444 Marlin, 405 Win, etc.

Wow!
It would be a little too tempting to get a Buffalo Classic and get additional bbls in 500 S&W, 38-55 and 444 Marlin, if I lived in Mississippi, that is.
Unfortunately here in Australia we can't even access the bbl exchange program and Handirifles start at about $500 which the Buffalo Classic costing around $700.
You guys really don't know how good you've got it when it comes to gun prices and options.