Big Bore Enthusiasts Weigh in on their Favorite Large Calibers

We caught up with a handful of hunters to learn about their favorite big bore cartridges. (Graphic: Guns.com)

For those who’ve harnessed the power of the big bores, there’s no going back. One thing is certain– “big bore” means different things to folks. Guns.com looks at some of the top choices from historical figures as well as modern shooters.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

The author’s Dakota Arms Model 76 chambered in .416 Rigby, the same rifle built for R. Lee Ermey. The rifle has now hunted numerous dangerous game animals around the world. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

To begin, let’s look at the wide variety of choices from a handful of the most well-known African hunters of yesteryear. Walter Dalrymple Maitland Bell, better known as Karamojo Bell, hunted elephants in remote, warring Africa with the .275 Rigby.

Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson, famed for killing the lions of Tsavo, wrote “the battery, to be sufficient for all needs, should consist of a .450 Express, a .303 sporting rifle, and a 12-bore shotgun.”
Ernest Hemingway’s Westley Richards chambered for .577 Nitro Express took lion, rhino, and buffalo on the Dark Continent.

Of most recent fame, the late US Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant turned actor R. Lee “Gunny” Ermey, bagged numerous dangerous game animals on than one safari with his Dakota Arms Model 76. The gun was custom built and serial numbered to him as ZMBZHNTR1, chambered in .416 Rigby.

Modern Day Hunters

Check out the top selections in both big bore chamberings and firearms from some of today’s most respected shooters, hunters, gun builders, and outdoor celebs.

22Plinkster: YouTube Star, Rimfire Aficionado, and Henry Repeating Arms hunter

22Plinkster firing his Henry rifle in .45-70 Govt (Photo: Oleg Volk)

“I would have to go with the tried and true 45-70 Govt. The cartridge has been around for nearly 150 years and is still just as relevant today. Nothing says ‘America’ more than a classic Henry Repeating Arms rifle chambered in 45-70 Govt.”

Donna Boddington: Big game huntress, outdoor personality, co-host of The Boddington Experience

“My favorite big bore is the .450/400 Nitro Express, 3-inch same as the .400 Jeffrey. I’ve taken elephant, giraffe, Cape Buffalo, and numerous other animals with that round. The Cape Buffalo was harvested with a single shot Ruger No. 1 in 450/400 and the others with my Heym double rifle. That round really gets the job done. The recoil is, in my opinion, very reasonable and mild considering the caliber. It’s a great cartridge and all-around big-bore caliber.”

Ashley Hlebinsky: Cody Firearms Museum Curator, Firearms Expert, and Consultant

Ashley Hlebinsky with cartridge designer and namesake John Linebaugh (left) and handgun builder Hamilton Bowen (center). (Photo: Ashley Hlebinsky)

“Although I haven’t been hunting with this caliber yet, one of my favorite big bore cartridges is the .500 Linebaugh. I first got to shoot that caliber at one of John Linebaugh’s annual matches in Cody, Wyoming, and I was surprised at how well I did with it, despite the fact that I have bad wrists from many surgeries.”

Stephen Bann: African dangerous game professional hunter, owner of SB Hunting Safaris

“When it comes to dangerous game hunting, each hunter has their own preference regarding caliber, but the most versatile is definitely the .375 H&H. I have hunted many buffalos with a .375 H&H, but before I carry on, I must say the best rifle must be one that the shooter can handle and shoot well. Period…because I’m a Big 5 Dangerous Game hunter and did much research on the subject, I ended up with a .450 Rigby. For the record, I also have a .416 but I will go to war with my .450 Rigby. I have been in a few close encounters with charging buffalo, and I know for a fact the .450 Rigby has excellent stopping power.”

Stan Pate: Team USA World Champion Long Range Shooter, big game hunter, outdoor writer

Professional Hunter Stephen Bann and hunter Stan Pate with the Cape Buffalo that Pate bagged using his .425 Westley Richards. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

“I have many favored big-bore cartridges, but if I had to make a single choice, my choice would be the old but still relevant 45-70 Govt. There is nothing on the North American continent that I wouldn’t feel comfortable hunting with this historical cartridge and on more than one occasion in both black powder and smokeless firearms it has brought home clean meat from the forest to the dinner table.”

Phil Massaro: Outdoor Author, big game hunter, commercial reloader, and cartridge expert

Phil Massaro with his Zimbabwean bull elephant, harvested with the Heym Express by Martini in .404 Jeffery. (Photo: Massaro Media Group)

“[Whenever] I’m (tragically) forced to choose just one rifle/cartridge combination for dangerous game, it would undoubtedly be the Heym Express by Martini in .404 Jeffery. The gun is rock-solid, and the cartridge does it all, with flair and class.”

Ernie Bishop: Single-shot handgun expert, custom gun builder, and WY-Shot organizer

Ernie Bishop with a nicely-sized hog. (Photo: Ernie Bishop)

“I’d take the .454 Casull in a revolver for dangerous game. I can manage the recoil well enough to practice as much as I should with this cartridge. In a specialty pistol, I’d go with my custom center-grip XP-100 chambered in 33 Nosler. If I was hunting dangerous game with a rifle, I’d have to choose the .375 H&H.”

Jim Scoutten: Shooting USA host, firearms expert, outdoor journalist

“The .30-06 Spfld has been around long enough to be loaded for just about any game you’d like to hunt, with selections of powder and bullet weight. Plus, you’ll find it in stock most anywhere ammo is sold. I’d make it the top choice for everything up to African dangerous game. At that point, you’re going to need a very large and approved cartridge and the shoulder to back up the shot.”

Brian “Pigman” Quaca: Producer and star of “Pigman: The Series,” riflesmith, hog hunting expert

“That’s an easy choice. The .300 Win Mag wins, hands down. There are so many options for ammo and bullets for the handloaders, from 125- to 220-grain. The .300 Win Mag has enough punch to anchor most everything on the planet. You can choose a flatter shooting round or buy a heavy-bullet round for most animals a person would encounter.”

Jim Supica: NRA Museums Director, professional firearms consultant, and author

S&W broken open for loading or auto-eject unloading along with comparative .44 Russian, Special, and Magnum cartridges. (Photo: Jim Supica Collection)

“I’d have to say the .44 S&W Russian. I’m an old guy. I like smoke & noise, but I don’t like hurting my hand and I don’t like hurting my ears. The .44 Russ is a joy to shoot, the most accurate centerfire handgun cartridge of the late 19th century, and the preferred round of my all-time favorite gun — the S&W New Model Number 3. Plus, it’s the granddad of the .44 Magnum, if that counts for anything.”

Tim Andrus: TV host of Rush Outdoors and World of Rush Outdoors, deer hunting expert

“Even though it’s not a true ‘big bore’ by most folks’ standards, I love my .270 Win. It’s flat shooting, has light recoil, and is a great all-around gun. Plus, my Remington Model 700 BDL was a gift from my mother. When the .270 just isn’t enough, I also love my .300 Win Mag, which covers any game animal that I want to pursue.”

Jeff Quinn: GunBlast founder, firearms expert

Jeff Quinn photographed in Dover, Tennessee sporting a Colt Bisley chambered in .38 WCF caliber and a Freedom Arms Model 83 chambered in .500 Wyoming Express. (Photo: Ben Philippi)

“My choice would be the .45-70 Govt cartridge, loaded hot with ammo from Buffalo Bore, Double Tap, Garrett, or some healthy handloads– in a slick lever-gun from Marlin or Henry. Such a rifle would be topped with a quality low-powered variable scope from Trijicon, Skinner, or Leupold. This rifle-scope-cartridge combo is capable of taking any game on Earth, as well as whatever roams other planets. Big, heavy bullets penetrate deeply and crush large bones reliable, and a handy lever-action rifle can deliver those bullets on target repeatedly and rapidly. The cartridge has been proven in the field for over 140 years. It is truly a classic and shows no signs of ever becoming obsolete.”

Murray Carter: Master Bladesmith, owner of Carter Cutlery, big game hunter

“Hands-down, if I was forced to sell all of my rifles but one, I would keep the CZ 550 in .375 H&H for several reasons…I love that it is versatile between smaller game and large dangerous animals. My future goal is to couple the cartridge with the most aerodynamic projectile possible and see what kind of long-distance effective range I can get out of it. I just bought a 280-acre ranch in Idaho and I might get an opportunity at a distance shot on antelope.”

Craig Boddington: World-renowned professional hunter, outdoor journalist, U.S. Marine

The .416 Rigby is a common choice for hunting dangerous game. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

“I think the various .416s and the .404 Jeffery are the way to go, moving a 400- grain bullet at 2,350 to 2,400 feet-per-second. If you like nostalgia, the .404 Jeffery or .416 Rigby are the obvious choices, but the .416 Remington Magnum is just as good, with cheaper ammo. Likewise, the .416 Ruger!”

John Nosler: President and COO of Nosler Inc, big game hunter

John Nosler and the 33 Nosler rifle he used to harvest this trophy Roan in Africa. (Photo: John Nosler)

“If I am dropped anywhere in the world with one cartridge, it better be a 33 Nosler loaded with a 250-grain Nosler Partition. This beast of a round is capable of taking anything on the planet and I feel confident behind the trigger.”

Kristin Alberts: Guns.com Staff Writer, hunting expert, and author of this article

Kristin Alberts harvested this nice Sable bull on an African hunt. (Photo: Stan Pate/Guns.com)

“I’m fairly new to hunting dangerous game, but I’ve settled on two must-have rifles and chamberings. The first is a .416 Rigby in the Dakota Model 76, which will take down the biggest of the big. The second is a .375 H&H in a CZ 550, which might just be the best do-all cartridge, with bullet weights from 250-grain tipped to 350-grain soft nose. If I’m hunting big game with a handgun, I’ll have my Magnum Research BFR chambered in .375 Winchester. Recoil is manageable, and the knockdown power is certain.”