The Ideal Weight of your BIG-BORE Rifle – P3

In P2 I finished with a quote from CTF, a contributor to the Express Rifles and BIG BORES Only section of the 24 hr Campfire Forum. I’ll discuss more on that shortly…

Another contributor, Badboy Melvin has as his sig line: “You’ll probably never NEED a gun. In fact I hope you never do. BUT IF you do, you will probably need it worse than anything you’ve ever needed before in your life…” and he too is very familiar with and a user of the .458 Winchester Magnum.

And then there is Dr Ron Berry (“Riflecrank”) who has pretty much made that thread on the .458 Win Mag very productive and influential.

Plus, there are several others who have contributed insights and experiences. All together, it is without doubt encyclopedic in nature and volume for anyone who wants a full and complete understanding of both why and how the .458 Winchester Magnum has attained it’s well-deserved status of ” greatness”.

In this case “greatness” has both history and naked truth in support of such an audacious claim!

< Three new mock-ups of recently acquired .458-cal bullets for my Ruger No.1 in .458 Win Mag. From left to right: a 600g Barnes, 550g Woodleigh Weldcore, and a 500g Hornady DGX

It’s not my intent here to defend the above statement – that can quite easily be reviewed in the 24hr campfire forum – but rather to show the relationship between “greatness” and altered thinking about perceived obstacles.

Depending on financial status, some would, and do, spend thousands of dollars on a piece of furniture or art because of it’s perceived “greatness” in a universal sense, whereas some others of equal economic ability might pass it by without a second glance. Therefore, “greatness” might only be a personal perception of one, few or many. Value is determined by the buyer: How “great” something is worth to the purchaser.

In a personal application, you might be willing to pay more for a particular rifle than I would because of your interest in it. Or even more than the “book” MSRP IF it were “the chance of a lifetime” where someone else might not give it a second thought.

As an application of that principle, this past week I went shopping for some heavy bullets in .458″ and came across a “gold mine” – in my view – at my favorite emporium about an hour’s drive from home. So I came home with five boxes of bullets – four in .458-caliber: 2 boxes of Barnes 600g (which I hadn’t seen anywhere for nearly thirty years); a box of 500g Hornady DGX (I had hoped for a box of 480g DGX, but none available); and a box of fifty in 550g Woodleigh Weldcore RN. I’ll make more comments about results from those sometime next spring, God willing. The plan is to develop mild loads that will still be accurate and effective on anything within 300 yards. That would be the Barnes 600s at ~1650 fps, the Woodleigh 550s at ~1700 fps, and the 500 DGX’s at ~1750 fps. I’ve already done the computer ballistic work and that looks about right for my purposes including recoil.

But the point is: Such bullets are not cheap! It turned out that the 600g Barnes were the cheapest @ $1.75 per , the others were about $2.00 each, plus tax of course. But let’s put some perspective on this from “up here” in Canada, and current international trends: It has become increasingly difficult, due to politics on both sides of the border, to timely get firearm related products out of the USA and into Canada. Companies that have a licence to do such imports can only afford to do so about once per year, so that means a lot of planning (and guessing) well in advance (in addition to cutting a lot of “red tape”).

For example, if a customer wants a particular American product that’s not in stock north of the border, or in poor demand, the importer must be informed by the potential buyer about a year prior to inclusion in an order to Hornady – for instance – that for the full order by the importer might be worth many thousands of US dollars. That may mean full payment up front or an agreed on partial-payment to guarantee intention of purchase by the importer. Then too by the buyer of his “special” order from the importer, who will make a non-refundable deposit assuring his good intentions.

So the fact that I happened upon such a find was near miraculous! I didn’t have to go through all those “hoops” to finally get those bullets. Such a thing happened to me about a dozen years ago at the same dealership where I waited over a full year for a single 1-lb can of AA 2230!

Then, it was recently reported on “The GREAT .458 Winchester Magnum…” thread on the 24hr campfire forum, that the Woodleigh factory in Australia had burned down, and there’s apparently no intention for a rebuild. That’s very bad news for hunters and shooters, not only in Australia but also in North America and other continents like Africa! On that trip to my “emporium” I also purchased a 50 count box of Woodleigh 320g for my 9.3 x 62 at a very reasonable price of $1.00 per! That was near miraculous also because the first purchase of the same product from Trade EX Canada about eight years ago was $1.60 per.

I share this only to point out again that “times are changing” in regard to most things we’ve taken for granted in the past. Factory ammo in stock at our local Canadian Tire Store (Not just tires, but most things you’d find in any hardware store, including guns and ammo.) is locked behind glass doors on shelves. They are readily visible as to cartridges and costs, and you must press a button for service. I sometimes pass by there when in the store to check ammo prices. Those available are typically the most common in field use: .223, .243, .270 Won, .308, .30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 WM and a few in .338 WM. Anything from .243 to .30-06 is generally over $60 + tax for a box of 20. Personally, I couldn’t afford much shooting at the range of even a .30-06 at those costs if limited to factory ammo.

So economical stability is no.1 in reshaping the world. And financial institutions react to various pressures: Fear and expectations of the general public, which in turn is caused by politics, natural disasters, plagues, threat of war, poverty and general uncertainty. From a biblical standpoint, I know that will only increase until the end. But I’ve no intention to “fold my tent” and crawl into a dark hole to live out the rest of my days on Earth. While I can: financially, mentally, physically and in harmony with God’s will, I’ll purchase Woodleighs, and/or some others while available.

Why? Because my Ruger No.1 in .458 Winchester Magnum tells me I should if I intend to keep it and explore its full potential.

And to talk about rifle weight once more: On the day of my trip to “My Emporium” I wanted to see, handle and evaluate a new rifle being offered on their website.

This is a top of the line Savage hunting rifle with all “the bells and whistles”. I was permitted to handle it with bolt in, and it was both beautiful and well built… but muzzle heavy! The barrel is a very heavy-contour fluted one with adjustable muzzle brake, chambered in .375 Ruger. Weight naked – as seen – was 8.4 lbs on their shipping scales. Add ammo and a scope (It doesn’t have irons), plus sling and you’ll be toting 9.5 lbs ready. They had neither cases nor dies for handloading. What? Waiting a year for those? I didn’t inquire about factory loads which I assumed they would have at over $100 per 20. But the cost of the rifle would be about 1/2 of Ruger’s own of a similar makeup. I’d personally take a pass on it if only because it’s weight was very biased toward the muzzle.

For a review of how I deal with a rifle’s weight: My former CZ 550 in .458 Win Mag was about 11.5 lbs ready to shoot some legal game, but the balance was perfect when held in my right hand at the magazine. The same thing with my Ruger No.1 in .458 Win. It too balances perfectly when grasped just forward of the trigger guard. When a BIG BORE is too imbalanced toward the muzzle end or buttstock end when ready to fire, we too will be off-balance, fighting to correctly aim it.

Here’s the point: That Savage rifle might be tempting to someone because of the initial cost, and they were looking for a powerful “medium”. But add a scope and rings, plus bases, factory ammo for twenty cases to reload, and .375″ bullets, and what would one be looking at financially? Then, it wouldn’t do anything my 9.3 x 62 is already capable of. I have experience with that one, know what I can do with it, having more bullets than I could ever use in the next few years, and it’s accuracy is unequalled in any other mediums I’ve tried. As to weight: 7.7 lbs ready to hunt, and it’s now in the “hospital for surgery” in adding a slim-line muzzle-brake. My temperament at work again in looking squarely at all matters concerned.

I wanted a light-weight powerful mid-bore and found it in the 9.3 x 62, TIKKA T3 Lite. That was a decade ago when I wasn’t troubled by arterial disease or arthritis. Having experienced both in more recent times, I wanted (“want” again) the same potential ballistics from a Big Bore and Medium Bore with less recoil. That’s been achieved in the .458 Win with a muzzle brake and two extra pounds over the weight of my former #1 Ruger in .45-70 LT – and in using heavier bullets at less MV. So we can, in a sense, have our cake and eat it too!

CTF has killed both deer and brown bear in using a single load of the old Winchester factory 510g RN soft point for the .458 Winchester Magnum. Now that’s versatility! And the rifle weighs less than 9 lbs ready to hunt. While deer was the primary target, the area was in big brown bear habitat where they made their living in hunting those same deer! (You can read his views and experience at the end of P2)

“Want” isn’t a bad word in particular circumstances, like “I want a drink of cold water” when working all day under a hot sun with no shade! Nor is “wanting” something a bad thing if it adds legitimate pleasure, or the meeting of a particular temperament bias that needs expression in a well-rounded life experience. Of course, none of that is intended as an excuse for over-indulgence in self-centered living or abusive actions toward others or self-destructive living. And all within “reasonable” living habits depending on relationships, financial status, health and for the benefit of self or others. Let’s be honest in all that! “The Law and the Prophets”, Jesus said, is fulfilled in this: “Do for others what you would want them to do for you”. Some hard-hearted cynics have twisted Holy Scripture to their own judgment, in sayin’, “Do it to others before they do it to you”. They don’t yet know it, but will give an account one day for such distortions of God’s word !

That God himself gifted me with a new stock for my Ruger #1 in .458 Win Mag at the hand of Dr Ron Berry is a prime example of the teaching above. Does God care about such “small things”? You betcha! And we’d better too! But if God concerns himself over such relatively “small matters”, then how much more over the the redemption of humankind that seems bent on self destruction! (Gospel of John ch 3: 16). And humankind in it’s arrogance and blindness will not, on its own, repent and turn to God through the One he has sent (Christ) apart from his intervention! (Isaiah ch 55, vs 6 – 13).

A heavier rifle with Mag-na-ports suited my need for less recoil – due to ageing and health concerns – and my Father Above showed compassion and care through a human servant. I thanked God and I thanked Ron — and I’m still thankful to both. It was a great lesson — not the first and not the last! But wanting something that’s for our ultimate earthly good may be asked for from “Our Heavenly Father”, if we’re not cynical or arrogant but honestly trusting Him. God – the Only One – isn’t mean spirited, though some apparently think that way.

Here are some practical issues to be considered in deciding on a rifle’s worth and weigh:

1) How much do I want that rifle? And why? What are the sacrifices I might have to make in some other matters of living?

2) My current physical status? (Age is not the main limiting factor.)

3) Finances – can I really afford it without going into debt?

And some steps to be taken:

1) Handle it. And calculate the ready to fire weight. Scope and ammo will add at least one pound.

2) Will the overall weight ready to use with ammo and scope be well balanced? Also, by adding weight (with lead in the stock, for example) it might upset the balance. That’s why I decided against adding weight to my 9.3 x 62 in the TIKKA T3 Lite, but chose a muzzle brake instead, which will add a couple of ounces to the muzzle but not enough to upset its balance. If it did, I can add a couple of cartridges to a buttstock cartridge holder. And, yes, I’ll be wearing electronic ear muffs when hunting or at the range.

3) Get permission to shoulder it, aim it and work the bolt – if it’s a bolt-action. If a break-action, do the same. I did all that with the Savage in .375 Ruger mentioned above, and that convinced me (along with the other matters mentioned) that despite its good features, it was not a rifle I would want enough to warrant a purchase. The bolt was very smooth in operation, however, and I’m partial to a tang safety.

Yet, the main problem as I see it, is a .375 caliber becoming a competitor for time, interest and financial commitment that I yet want and need to give to both the .458 and 9.3 x 62 in exploring their best in full measure. I find intellectual and emotional fulfilment in certain scientific pursuits… seriously! That’s why I was into astronomy and telescope building for so many years. As a “spokesman” for God and his Son (Jesus the Messiah), he knew that I would need a break now and then from such a demanding calling… so, yes, he inclined my spirit toward the “outdoors” and discovering adventure therein.

< Some bullets in perspective, from left to right: 320g Woodleigh/9.3mm; 286g Nosler Partition/9.3mm; 250g Nosler AccuBond/ 9.3mm; 250g Sierra BT/ .375″; 550g Woodleigh/ .458″

Therefore, being “at ease” with a rifle’s weight has more involvement than simply its pounds. Health concerns, the balance of the rifle when ready to fire, financial issues and how much it’s needed or wanted are all associated in the decision making process.

And plans for its use should precede any choice we make. In my view, it should NOT be purchased without an intention for its use.

Much more could be said or written… but that’s all for this time.

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

The Ideal Weight of Your BIG BORE Rifle – P2

Having established in P1 that the ideal weight of any big-bore rifle depends on the individual shooter – their temperament, general healthy condition and experience – we’ll now move on to some specifics. Temperament affects general mindset over both one’s physical condition (regardless of age) and any other personal challenges – specifically in this context of a rifle’s weight and recoil.

< As previously published: a 500g Hornady RN at 2198 fps (instrumental). Corrected to MV = 2210 fps/5454 ft-lbs. The actual average weight of those was 503 grains. I was in my mid-sixties and weighed about 200 lbs. The rifle was my #1 Ruger in .45-70 LT (long throat) The load was 75 grains of H335, Rem nickel brass and WLRM primers. COL at 3.19″. Rifle weight = 8.4 lbs with scope only. Recoil = 73 ft-lbs. It was sometime in the month of April at my bear-bait site. Temp in the 50’s F. Shot from a standing offhand position at about 15′ from the Chrony. That number was NOT an anomaly as it had been shot at the range and also recorded. At the same time and place I fired a 450g A-Frame over 75.5 grains of H335 that recorded 2305 fps (instrumental), and corrected to MV = 2317 fps/ 5364 ft-lbs. Recoil wasn’t a major concern as I’d previously fired multiple heavy loads from that rifle. It stayed with me as my favorite until 2018 when it was swapped for the #1 Ruger in .458 Win Mag. But I did use milder hunting loads in it as well, such as a 300 TSX at 2650 fps and the 350 TSX at 2470 fps, neither of which were max loads.

I’ve studied and used practical psychology, and have been aware during most of the years of Christian ministry that, regardless of the system (and there are several in use for relationships, education and employment), humans are divided into four broad types of temperament, and each of these are again separated into four each making a total of sixteen – in a general, spectrum-like sense. So there are more than just two types: Introverted and Extroverted, or Type “A” etc. So whatever our temperament type (often referred to as “personality”) it mostly determines our outlook on life – relationships, education, jobs, etc., and even degree of success in whatever might be involved in just living.

Agreed, there are other factors such as parental modelling, cultural norms, education, religious training (if any) and associations, but in the end our fundamental temperament will incline us in one direction or any other. Some are more individualistic than others – they tend to be leaders rather than followers. We say, “They have a mind of their own”. To be honest, I tend to be more of that type than just a follower. Some, of course, are stronger in that tendency than others. In the firearms industry — hunting rifles in particular — we think of names like Townsend Whelen as a strong leader with entrepreneur skills. In fact, all successful entrepreneurs must have a “daring to take risks” propensity.

So how does your basic disposition affect the weight and thus the recoil of the rifle you are comfortable with? But really, “comfortable” isn’t appropriate in this context, is it? Rather, “at ease with”, “not troubled by”, or “not distressed by” might be better ways of expressing our dealing with heavier rifles that might also have “heavier recoiling effect”.

< That was my CZ 550 in .458 Winchester Magnum. As seen in this photo it weighed about 11.5 lbs with four cartridges in the magazine. My partner (who took the photo) and I were on a moose hunt in the “Far North” of our Province of Ontario. I did a lot of walking and used the sling over my left shoulder for toting the rifle in more open areas. In tighter quarters it was in my hands with the left hand gripping the pistol grip and my right the forearm since I shoot from a left-handed position. Recoil was approximately 48 ft-lbs in firing the 350g TSX at 2700 fps. Neither the weight nor recoil were of any concern to me during the week-long hunt when we were on the move most of those hunting hours. I was in my seventies and weighed 190 – 200 lbs without clothes and boots. In this photo, all dressed for hunting and rifle, my feet, knees and legs were feeling the effect of about 225 lbs. All told, I walked several miles each day, and most of it wasn’t on trails – some through alder patches. I took breaks by resting on a bolder or deadfall, and at the end of each day’s hunt was ready for a meal and my tent.

It’s quite evident that those who contribute most of what appears on “BIG BORE” forums are “at ease with” shooting big-bore rifles all the way up to… what? For some they stop at the .375 H&H, referring to it as a “Big Bore”. For a handful, they have tried things like a .600 NE or .460 Weatherby which take you up around 100 ft-lbs of “kick”! And a half-handful beyond that still! I’m not among them, though when a bit younger I was tempted to have my CZ 550 in .458 Win re-chambered to .460 Wea. Mag. But I decided, after some sane reflection, that wouldn’t be a brilliant idea all matters considered! I was in my seventies, and what possibly could a .460 Wea. do that a .458 Win couldn’t? My temperament made that decision for me!

So why did you choose a BIG BORE? Or, why did you give up on one? Only you can answer that, but I think it might be of value for you to know why you did one thing or another.

Sometimes it’s a matter of economics, or it might be purely a practical matter – you simply don’t need one. But then, to be purely practical, how many rifles do we have in our safes, cabinets or closets that essentially do the same things? That’s “want” not “need”. So, let’s not kid ourselves by lying to ourselves (or spouses) that we “need” that extra .30-06! Or that “ultra-lightweight” .270! Instead of having a couple dozen that do the same thing as deer rifles, why not venture into a BIG BORE? Too heavy, some say?

Let’s keep in mind some details regarding a rifle’s weight and associated recoil effect: And I’ll start with an experience I had at a range many years ago. I was shooting a variety of handloads in my SAKO FS (20″) in .338 Win Mag. Recoil was up around 37 to 40 ft-lbs, and they were shot over my Chrony to record MV. A nearby fellow shooter was firing handloads from his short-barrelled (20″ or less), light-weight .300 Win Mag and asked if I’d fire one shot over my Chrony to check MV. Those were 180g. To put this in some perspective, My SAKO FS was not a “lightweight” at nearly 9 lbs ready to shoot with a 3 – 9 x 40mm scope. He didn’t know the exact weight of his rifle when it was handed to me, but with a synthetic stock and no longer than my SAKO, it felt like a “flyweight” of perhaps 6.5 lbs. I fired the single shot that recorded 3050 fps ( corrected to MV = 3058 fps), and it was the loudest and nastiest rifle I’d EVER fired to that point in time! Light and handy? Sure… but VERY impractical! I had earmuffs on and it was still very loud! I can hardly imagine what the “BANG” would be like in hunting “close quarters” (The excuse for such a “creation”!) . And the perceived recoil was far worse than my SAKO FS in .338 Win Mag!

And some calculations: The recoil from my .338 was, as stated, about 37 to 40 ft-lbs, depending on the actual weight bullet and load fired that day. That particular .300 Win Mag shooting a 180g at 3058 fps would have been about 43 ft-lbs, but it seemed worse than that because the speed of recoil was much faster than my .338 and little of that weight was at the muzzle end that allowed “muzzle jump”! So, he saved about 2 lbs in carried weight but increased recoil by 10 ft-lbs plus a noise-level increase of about 50%! Otherwise, with a “normal” weight .300 Win. Mag. of around 8.5 lbs ready, and a barrel of 24 – 26 inches, he’d not likely notice the recoil, and the noise level would have been more-or-less “normal”.

Several years ago I had a very good friend (a retired intermediate school principal) who hunted big game with me, and we often visited “gun shops” together. He loved pretty wood, and spied a short-barrelled bolt-action in 7mm Rem Mag and “fell in love” with it. I think it was a SAKO, but not absolutely sure of that. In any case, after debating and arguing, I finally persuaded him that it would be a VERY LOUD 7-08 Remington in ballistics!

Whatever the brand, gun companies cater to the whims of shooters, without conscience! That’s why lightweight rifles can be found everywhere in the market place, whether custom built or mass produced. So a generation of shooters/hunters tend towards lighter-handier rifles, either with less effective ballistics or more recoil – or both! As it concerns true Big Bores though, the trend is to call anything over a 7mm a “big-bore”. And it appears that’s conditioned by the recoil and noise factor of rifles like that lightweight .300 Win Mag mentioned above or the “want” of my friend for a too-short and light 7mm Rem Mag!

Of course, the deal is in marketing what hunters/shooters “think” they want! But the “thinking” part has little to do with it — it’s mostly an emotional response as with my friend who wanted that short-barrelled 7 Rem Mag because of it’s looks — which would have ultimately been left in the closet after one session at the range or a hunting trip where he squeezed the trigger without muffs on! I had a similar creation in the short-n-handy Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 with the infamous ports! It went “down-the-road” about ten months later! That thing would “blow your ears off” without muffs. But the short 18.5″ barrel with the multiple round “ports” was a most unwanted contraption! Thankfully, Marlin ditched the ports in it’s next run.

< The Ruger #1 in 450-400 NE looks identical to mine in .458 Win Mag.

The reality of it all comes home in the choice of a true BIG BORE: .40 cal to about .500. Ruger had produced a #1 in 450-400 NE a few years back, and Hornady made brass, bullets and loaded ammo for it. It is said to be mild in recoil but effective on large and dangerous game. And that’s not just theory, it has been effective in that department for many decades. In a video of a British hunter, he used the #1 Ruger and Hornady factory ammo on a Newfoundland black bear. It worked well for that hunt, but that same ammo is claimed sufficient for Cape Buff in good hands. The 400g Hornady DGX or DGS at about 2150 fps/4105 ft-lbs… that’s about the starting point for a true BIG BORE and factory ammo. And recoil? Around 48 ft-lbs max, if we accept the 2150 fps for Hornady’s 400g in their manual, and 9.5 lbs for the Ruger #1. If you add some weight to that in additional ammo in a stock holder and a scope, then the “kick” could be reduced to around 40 ft-lbs; at a relatively slow speed of recoil. Of course, loads don’t always need to be maximum, ’cause a Big Bore firing a heavy, well-constructed (read: “appropriate”) bullet will kill anything from rabbits to bison with an impact of not more than 1000 fps. That could be a hardcast lead bullet of around 400g from a .40-cal or a 450g to 550g from a .458-cal departing the muzzle around 1300 to1400 fps. Recoil from a 9. 5 lb to 10.5 lb rifle? Very modest, indeed… 16 ft-lbs from a 9.5 lb rifle shooting a 450g at 1350 fps from a relatively light .458 Win Mag such as the M77 Ruger that I owned as my first, with scope and some ammo.

MV= 1350 fps

50 = 1280 fps

100= 1217 fps

150= 1162 fps

200= 1113 fps

250= 1072 fps (That’s adequate for up to a 1 ton bison when hit broadside through lungs far enough forward to take out some major arteries. Yes, it’s been done multiple times!)

Ambient conditions: 1200 ft, 59*F and 62% RH. BC = .350

So, what about mindset and physical status? And experience? These will greatly influence our thinking on the acceptable weight and recoil of any big-bore rifle.

Then again, I sometimes make loads that more or less simulate a lever-action .45-70 or even a front-loader, black powder big-bore rifle. Those extra two pounds? I’m “at ease” with that.

More comin’ – next time: Being “at ease” with a rifle’s weight and recoil – what is that? To quote an Alaskan resident who has by times used a single big-bore rifle for all hunting, including many deer, and in self-protection:

“Trick is don’t flinch. I know easier said than done much of the time. The secret is to shoot the 458 a LOT. Not just going outside and blazing away till a box of ammo is gone and a guy wants nothing to do with the rifle.

“It also helps if the only rifle a guy owns is a 458 Winchester and he’s broke and actually needs to get meat. Plus it helps if on occasion a guy has to shoot for his life. That puts a little recoil into perspective.”

“Cold Trigger Finger” (CTF) has been a heavy machine operator related to mining in Alaska. In P3 I’ll make some observations based on CTF’s Alaskan experience, where he still lives, works and hunts. CTF is his “handle” on the 24hr campfire forum. The quote is from the “Express Rifles and Big Bores Only” section, and “The great .458 Winchester Magnum” thread.

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

The Ideal Weight of your BIG BORE Rifle – P1

Of course there isn’t an ideal weight for a particular big-bore rifle, or ALL big-bore rifles. There are many variables that we need to consider.

The FIRST among them is the individual who owns and shoots them. There are numerous distinctions among shooters of BIG BORES that make pontifical pronouncements as to what a particular BIG BORE should weigh impractical. Shooters come in different sizes, physical conditions, strength, experience, age, health, natural ability and temperament.

The SECOND consideration must be the rifle itself, and the cartridge it fires. There are nearly as many distinctions there as in the variety and conditions of shooters!

< My former CZ 550 in .458 Winchester Magnum. It had a full-length magnum action (permitting a 3.8″ COL) and a 25″ barrel. The scope was a fixed 4x by 21mm with a 5″ eye relief. The total package with four cartridges (it would hold five plus one in the chamber) was just over 11 and 1/4 lbs with extra metal in the forearm for strength. It’s overall (one word,not two) length was just over 46″. I never noticed the weight much, but the length was only noticed in travelling through alder patches where there was no trail. I was 74 years old at the time. < That particular moose hunt in 2009

But the first question to be answered is “What is a Big-Bore Rifle?” Thankfully, there are not as many credible answers to that question as in individuals who might shoot them. I’ve gone on record a couple of times in stating that in relatively recent history (since the introduction of smokeless gun powder), Big Bores normally start at .40-caliber, and on up from there to recognised/established calibers used on the African Big Five, ergo: the .577 NE. But also with a minimal muzzle KE of about 4000 ft-lbs. So I’ll stick with those parameters in these discussions. Obviously there is, and will be, significant distinctions between a Big Bore that produces little more than 4000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy from one that produces nearly 8000 ft-lbs of KE! And not just in the product of bullet impact on game, but the opposite and equal force of bullet momentum. Therefore, a rifle that “only” produces 40 ft-lbs of recoil will not have the same physical effect on the shooter as one that produces 100 ft-lbs of recoil! That is why the rifle producing 100 ft-lbs of recoil needs a muzzle brake and more weight, and/or a tough “nut behind the butt”! – to quote Phil Shoemaker.

So, having established some general parameters for the rifle itself, we go on from there to bring the individual shooter and suitable Big Bore together.

The SHOOTER

As it concerns true Big Bores, the shooter is NOT competing as a target shooter, but as a hunter or professional guide. (That’s NOT to say that a particular hunter using a Big Bore may not also engage in competitive shooting of firearms.) The physical conditions for using a Big Bore in hunting is rarely the same as in competitive shooting of a firearm. But competitive shooting may play a significant role in training for hunting with a big-bore rifle (If any of that makes sense to you.).

As mentioned, age, physical condition, mental state, experience and temperament all play roles in the ability to adequately manage a heavier rifle than “normal”, and endure without turbulence its recoil. That’s all very personal, and only the individual can decide (after some experience and use) their comfort level both physically and mentally. It’s NEVER a case of “one size fits all”.

Yet suggestions can be made, and that should be AFTER adequate trials and some experience. “Adequate trials and some experience” may simply be a single hunt on home turf. Or a few experiences at the range. On the other hand it could take a full season of hunting in which both ability and appreciation grows to the point of actually liking and accepting the rifle for multiple hunts, or turning away from it completely.< Developing loads for the CZ 550 and testing them in 2008.

When I bought my first 1895 Marlin in .45-70, I loved it for bear hunting, and later it became my primary rifle for whitetails also. Factory ammo was never used in that rifle and my hunting handloads were taken from Speer’s Manual # 11 – the top load of H322 behind their 400g. But 56 grains didn’t reach their book load, so I added one grain to 57 that nearly attained the book MV — just not quite at 1865 fps (instrumental). Back in those days I didn’t correct to MV. It turned out that 1865 fps was really 1882 fps when corrected to MV, which was very close to Speer’s results, but it took that 1-grain more than “the book”. The rifle plus ammo and scope was no “lightweight” at 8.6 lbs ready and with a recoil at 32.6 ft-lbs — all of which seemed “normal” to me at age 43 and 210 lbs, and in very good physical condition. Over the next twenty years I moved towards more powerful Big Bores with more recoil and weight. So I didn’t just jump into heavy hitters (at both ends) from the get go… It was a process over time, from which I’ve never looked back wishing for small bores or sub-mediums. Ergo, my “Blog about BIG BORES”.

< Age 43 and 210 lbs at 5′ – 9 1/4″ in bare feet.

Today, I’m within a month of 86 at 160 lbs and 5′- 8 1/2″ in bare feet! Despite that, my main rifle is the Ruger #1 in .458 Winchester Magnum, single-shot at 10.6 lbs with a Nikon 2 – 7 x 32mm scope, and four rounds of ammo attached: 1 in the chamber and 3 in a buttstock ammo holder. Recoil is, on average, about the same as the Marlin above. It is somewhat mitigated by the Mag-na-ports (15% is claimed) and much more by the overall weight. I’ve owned it since May, 2018, and fired more than 200 rounds at “full bore”, including 500s, 480’s, 450’s, 400’s, 350’s, and 300’s.

Right now, my hunting load for deer, bear and wolf is a 250gr Hornady MonoFlex at 2610 fps producing about 23 ft-lbs of recoil. Three shots at 50 yards made a ragged hole of sub-MOA. I hope to do some bear and wolf hunting til the end of November, and then to the end of the year for wolf. The rifle toted will be the 10.6 lb Ruger #1 in .458.

None of this is intended as boasting, but simply to emphasise once more that the weight of a rifle, and its recoil, is a personal thing. I have a much lighter medium-bore rifle suitable for any big game. It’s lighter by three pounds. Right now it’s in a shop for a muzzle break and will not be ready for a couple of months. I want to keep it at 7.7 lbs ready to hunt in deep snow. I use snow shoes, so lighter is better. But being “light”, I want to tone down it’s recoil without adding weight, so have decided on a “slim-line” muzzle brake. I’ll also be wearing electronic ear muffs.

All that to point out that there are ways and means of dealing with the weight and recoil of a BIG BORE. Muzzle brakes are common fare these days. So are less bulky electronic ear muffs. I recently bought some from Cabella’s at 40% off retail! My .458 also has the Mag-na-ports… in case you missed that! The electronic ear muffs will help nullify that feature while permitting amplified hearing of game. I’ve already tried “normal” muffs in my hunting area, that I use at the range, and that worked very well but they’re bulky and inhibit the hearing of any noises I might want to hear while hunting. I did own a set of electronic muffs many years ago, but they were very bulky and uncomfortable for hunting – and got “worn out”. These, recently acquired, are Walker Razor “slim-line” that appear ideal for my purposes – but yet to be tried in actual hunting scenarios.

God has been very good to me in permitting better health and physical strength than I ‘ve had for a couple of years – and much better than the vast majority of 86 year olds! And perhaps better than many 65 year olds! BUT! It’s also a temperament and mental attitude thing as well as physical. The one does greatly affect the other! I’ve mentioned this previously, but it does bear repeating:

I learned a great lesson from an 83 year old real estate salesman in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, just north of the Vermont border, in 1970 in my 36th year. Along with a 55 year old colleague, I was shopping for an old vacant farm where our mission could establish a Christian camp and conference center. The sales representative showed us several at which we explored a lot of grown over hilly acreage. We spent a full, long day at this in the heat of summer, and were exhausted! Our salesman was still fresh and wanted to show us more vacant farms! I asked “How are you able to keep doing this?” His reply was simple: “I’ve been doing it for 25 to 30 years!” My next question: “How long do you plan on doing it?” His reply, without hesitation: “I dunno, as long as I’m able, I guess!”

The weight of a rifle, whatever it is, seemingly becomes heavier as we age. That’s very simply because our physical strength has deteriorated along with a mindset of wanting to give up on anything that’s more and more of a physical challenge. Especially, is that true if there are chronic illnesses and/or pains. But the more we give in (a temperament thing) to those “feelings”, the worse it gets to the point of no return. We become housebound or, worse, bedridden! I know, because as a minister of God’s gospel, I counsel the partners of like situations – even today! A couple of years ago I could have become one of that number myself! But I refused to give up or give in – by the LORD’s help! And today I’m a happy camper!

I’ll be at the range, firing those unused .458 rounds at the end of the season or until it’s too treacherous to travel. I’ve already plans for the beginning of bear season on May 1st, 2022. And I hope that will be in baiting again! Of course, I know The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY well enough to be aware that it all depends on His will and sovereignty! That’s OK with me! But making plans over winter for spring hunting, gives life to the soul! I know where I’m going in the end, and I’m not troubled by that either. Nor do I assume the troubles of the world can be solved by my involvement or even anxieties. That’s God’s business — humanity has messed up and will only make matters worse! In the meantime, I’ll take life as I find it with joy and gladness til He comes or calls me home!

All of that having to do with my attitude toward life as I knew it would be temporary here – whatever might be involved, including hunting and shooting with rifles! And knowing God (NOT religion!) in a personal way, by trusting Him, adds hope, encouragement and strength that would not be experienced without Him!

Moses, in the Exodus, after crossing the Red Sea with about two million Israelites, at plus eighty years of age wrote a song to be sung and rehearsed by Israel for millennia to come: EXODUS ch 15: “I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.

“The LORD is my strength and my defence; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God and I will exalt him.” –vs 1 – 2.

Next time: The BIG BORE RIFLE – P2 (Determining a suitable weight)

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Comparing Cartridges – Making Evaluations

One rifle cartridge holds 94 grains H2O to case mouth, and another holds 98 grains of H20 to case mouth; which will be the most efficient, desirable or powerful? More information wanted? One being a .458 Win Mag case and the other a .340 Weatherby case. I’ve handloaded both. Not just once but literally thousands of times for each – and not always with the same load each time.

In general terms, a straight-wall cartridge case is more efficient than a “bottleneck” case, other matters more or less equal, such as psi and barrel length in using the overall best powders and bullets in each. Why then bother with bottleneck cartridges? The short answer is that they can shoot their comparatively smaller bore and lighter bullets faster and further. Of course, that answer needs more details, but the large straight-wall case has other advantages: more powerful from less propellant and more effective on really large and/or dangerous game. And, of course, that answer needs more details as well for clarification, most of which I’ve done in times past.

For an immediate example, I know that the .340 Weatherby from a 26″ barrel can make upwards of 5000 ft-lbs of kinetic energy at the muzzle, whereas the .458 Winchester Magnum can produce upwards of 6000 ft-lbs of kinetic energy at the muzzle from a 24″ barrel. That’s from 82 grains of propellant for the .458 and 90.5 grains of the appropriate propellant for the .340. And that’s for starters.

While I’ve previously written on this topic a few times, yet the main emphasis in today’s media is long-range shooting and hunting. The long-range shooting part is a spin-off from military applications no matter how far back in history we may want to go! There’s no legitimate argument that’s sustainable against the history of firearms applications – they evolved due to wars, and accuracy at increasingly longer ranges was mandated in consequence of the opposition (whomever they were) going smaller in caliber with lighter and faster bullets. This gave the advantage of surer hits at longer ranges, so they commenced firing earlier and at greater distances than those who were still using black powder and musket balls.

However, our subject hasn’t to do with long-range target shooting, but increasingly longer ranges for hunting! Or so our sporting magazines and videos would have us believe. And it is true that more bullets are both manufactured and fired at ground squirrels and pronghorn than any other live animal. So these same bullets are loaded in factory ammo and handloads for practice and “fun” at both public and private ranges than any other type. Ergo: that helps keep ammo companies in business. It they had to depend only on producing ammo or projectiles for large bores they’d shortly go out of business. That is for large rifle bores, not handguns. Of course, sometimes they are the same ammo for rifles and handguns, but I think you’re smart enough to understand the point of this conversation.

My point is to question any great need for emphasis on “extra” long-range hunting of big game. How far is “long range”? That would greatly vary according to area as well as the hunter. In some places 200 yards may be “extra long”, as where I do 85% of big game hunts. When I hunted in the “Far North”, clear-cut logging was a factor and there was always the potential for a shot on moose beyond 350 yards under less than ideal conditions. Either you take the shot or go home without a moose! It was not like there were moose in herds like elk

< There is a bull, cow and a calf moose in this pic (in a rain storm). Much like when I shot my bull much farther north in our province.

< New moose tracks in the recently logged out area where I was deer hunting this past week. There were three sets: a bull, cow and calf. I fully expected to see them. However, moose hunting season was done two weeks prior, and I didn’t have a license anyway. But it was good to see wildlife moving back into an area after two years of logging. But in season, with a tag for one of those three, the longest shot possible would have been no more than 200 yards.

< This huge, sheer cliff is 20 feet tall and the most prominent feature of the logged out area. My .458 Win in the #1 Ruger is resting against it at the bottom for perspective. Many deer tracks, especially those of a really big buck, and moose tracks, that appeared to be made the previous night, were in view of this photo.

But anything on the far side of 400 yards would be long-range for me, even on a large animal. I’ve shot groundhogs at about 350 with a .223 and 6.5, and they’re very small, so I had to “get the range” by firing a couple of shots before I had a range finder, or even a spotter. But three factors enter the picture here: 1) It’s one thing to be able to “get the range” on small game or varmints by firing a few range shots, but rarely will a big game animal stand around waiting to get hit in the vitals if wounded or even completely missed! 2) A large game animal, like a bull elk or moose, are comparatively easier to hit in the vitals (assuming a proper rifle and load) at 350 yards than a coyote, for example. 3) The real point is, however, that most big game, and especially large game, are shot, on average, much more closely than 350 yards – less than 250 would be “normal”. Yet, as Hagel used to emphasise, we need to be prepared for the unusual, and even extreme conditions, not just the “average”- which, by the way, includes any abnormal or extreme numbers, like 25 yards to 600. Personally, I like to be prepared for the unexpected. So in my treks toward the “Far North”, I toted rifles like a .338 Win Mag AND a .45-70, depending on the location that could dramatically change in a single day’s hunt. Since I’d hunted that same vast area four times, I came to know what to expect, but on the first try I didn’t. So I took two rifles on each trip: one fired a straightwall cartridge and the other a bottleneck cartridge – a 45-70 and a medium bore magnum, or a .458 Win and a .375 H&H (On that trip the .375 never came out of its case!). And, I’ve been known to tote a .300 Win as a backup to a .458, and it also never saw daylight as the .458 can fire a 350 grain TSX like a .30-06 can shoot a 180gr.

< My former CZ 550 in .458 Winchester Magnum. The moose load for “The Far North” of Ontario was a 350gr TSX at 2700 fps, like a 30-06 on steroids!

That’s to say that rarely is a bottleneck cartridge really called for if the intent is “average” hunting of big game. A 444 Marlin is more efficient than a .30-06, and fully capable of killing large game this side of 300 yards. And, it’s fully adequate with good handloads of taking the largest brown bear Alaska has to offer at ranges that most are taken. And I’m not speaking of Remington’s factory load of a 240gr, but a tough 300gr with a flat tip Buffalo Bore at 2200 fps. The case so loaded holds less than 60 grains of powder, at less psi than the .30-06, and much greater momentum. For a .30-06 to have the same momentum a 180gr would have to leave the muzzle at 3667 fps! That’s almost 1000 fps faster than possible! At 200 yards the 30-06 would need 2526 fps to match the momentum of the 444, but it only is making 2379 fps at that range when a 180gr NP is started at 2750 fps. So with less propellant and less PSI, the .444 Marlin has the potential of being more effective on large game than a .30-06 all the way past 200 yards!

The .45-70, from a 22″ Marlin, can make 4000 ft-lbs from a 400gr using 60 grains of AA2015 at 43,000 psi. That’s just over 2100 fps. The Ruger #1 in .45-70 can push a 400gr out the muzzle at nearly 2200 fps at about 32,000 CUP! That’s the older #1 Ruger before they shortened the throat. Mine, with the LT (long throat) would make 2400 fps from a 400gr at about 62,000 psi. All that from a .458″ bore and a straight-wall case of 2.105″, and 2.85″ COL. And the energy is equal to a .416 Rigby! And the Rigby case is enormous – 128 grains of H2O, and a COL of 3.75 Inches!

< Some loads for my former #1 Ruger in .45-70 LT

There’s a point beyond which cartridge case size and volume become redundant. That is in “small arms” for hunting purposes vs military arsenal for tank destruction! And we don’t need 50mm cannons for cow elk! Or even .50 caliber… .458″ is optimum; anything beyond that is superfluous, unless (maybe) in BP.

The .460 Weatherby? It burns 44% more powder, for 53% more recoil and 300 fps more velocity than the GREAT .458 Winchester Magnum! And it will do nothing more than the .458 Win Mag in harvesting the biggest and baddest except hurt you more! A muzzle break on the Weatherby? Yeah, mine has one too – oh, and that’s my Ruger #1 in .458 Win. My current load has 23 ft-lbs of push back… and is fully capable for a big moose at 250 yards, at about the same as a .30-06 in recoil – but with less PSI. Yet some say, “You carry more than you shoot”, so some prefer a rifle a couple pounds lighter? What are those sling swivels hanging fore and aft from a rifle for? Oh, a sling? We need to use them when “we carry more than we shoot”! It’s really a very neat tool that assists in accuracy as well! And, Ohhh… can a .30-06 also make 6000 ft-lbs of ME… about half that, eh? If that historic cartridge were a straight-wall case it would be more like the renowned .405 Winchester, a true big game cartridge that wasn’t simply adapted from military applications. It’s still a good BG cartridge, but not as good as the historic Teddy Roosevelt .405 Winchester for LG. Then, the .400 Whelen is nearly a straight-wall cartridge, and comes from the basic .30-06 case necked up to .411, and with an adequate shoulder for head-spacing, at modern pressure will exceed the ballistics of Teddy’s “Lion Medicine”.

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

The 9.3 x 62 Mauser – one of the best All Purpose Cartridges

It’s been awhile since I’ve dedicated an article to this great all-purpose cartridge. It’s time for some reminders of why it is still active and popular, lest we forget…

The 9.3 x 62 is quite a bit older than I am, so that’s OLD! Created for European settlers in East Africa, in 1905 the Berlin gunsmith, Otto Bock, came up with what could be in our time a modern concept for a cartridge powerful enough for all African fauna. And he chambered the relatively new, and now famous, 98 Mauser action rifle for it – what a stroke of genius! It was made available to any and all European settlers at a very reasonable cost – compared to typical British and other Euro big-bore sporting rifles – and it more than proved it’s worth in the hands of farmers, hunters and sportsmen alike throughout Africa until German factories were destroyed as a result of their war effort. Then in 1935 Winchester chambered their famed M70 bolt action in the .375 H&H! While the extant 9.3 x 62 Mauser was still in use, both in Europe and parts of Africa, yet few new rifles were being made, and factory ammo was scarce. Almost immediately after WW2, Americans were making good money and some wanted to go on an African Safari. They chose the readily available and affordable .375 H&H. The 9.3 x 62 was still unknown to the average North American hunter. That’s a very brief summary of those events.

Fast forward: While a few “gunwriters” produced short articles on the 9.3 x 62 in some rifle/hunter magazines, yet the vast majority of “the potential market” was still very unaware of it’s existence. And to make matters worse, those few articles didn’t begin to reveal the 9.3 x 62’s true capabilities. Adding insult to injury, nothing was available in the typical American handloader’s guides with one exception: Speer! In their Reloading Manual number 11, pages 298 and 299 provide a short introduction and loads for their one 9.3mm bullet, a 270gr “semi-spitzer”, with two loads near 2600 fps – 60 grains of H414 @ 2583 fps, and 55 grains of N201 @ 2609 fps. That’s 4000 ft-lbs from H414 and 4080 ft-lbs from N201. That caught my attention back in 1988, but the fact that no American rifles were chambered for that cartridge, and that Speer used reformed .30-06 brass and made the only 9.3 bullet in the USA — and that being a semi-spitzer… I lost interest and went with my first .338 Win Mag.

Nonetheless, while the market was becoming over-crowded with “new and wonderful” cartridges, many of which were repetitive of those gone before or merely competing with other manufacturers “creations”, there was a growing interest in the foreign market for something nostalgic and different, yet powerful enough for most North American hunting, if not under all conditions, that wouldn’t bruise your shoulder or ego when fired! Somehow this “growing interest” reached the ears of the management of the CZ factory in the Czech Republic. With the right contacts in North America, soon shipments of the CZ 550 was made, chambered in the famed 9.3 x 62. They were snatched up immediately! Word quickly spread. Soon Ruger was offering them, along with Sako and Sauer that were also shipping their products to North America, as was Zastava. The word was spreading quickly!

<My TIKKA T3 Lite has a 22.44″ barrel that is a SAKO match grade. Tikka is a product of Sako.

In the midst of that, I was looking for another 35 Whelen, which were nearly impossible to locate in any of the shops I dealt with, and that was several. But I noticed a couple of TIKA T3 Lites on sale at a large dealership I frequently visited. They were chambered in 9.3 x 62. I’d had a growing interest in that cartridge and through research I recognised it was similar to the 35 Whelen and 350 Rem Mag, both of which I’d had considerable experience with. So I went shopping at that gun emporium and came home with a Tikka T3 in 9.3 x 62. That was in May, 2011.

How good is it? A 35 Whelen plus! A Brown Whelen? Plus! A .338 Win Mag? Plus! A .375 H&H? About the same depending on how each is handloaded, barrel length and PSI.

“Depending on how each is handloaded”. Definitely! Neither will give their utmost from factory products considering the age of each: 1905 for the 9.3 x 62 and 1912 for the .375 H&H. But in newly manufactured rifles, at modern PSI for magnums, they both profit and shine! What the .375 H&H will do with a 300gr, the 9.3 x 62 will do from a 286gr, and both have the same SD. But the heavier you go the closer they get! A 300gr from the 9.3 x 62 in a 22.5″ modern rifle will do 2550 fps/ 4331 ft-lbs at 64,000 PSI. From a 320gr it will make 2460 fps/ 4300 ft-lbs at the muzzle. A 286gr NP from mine (22.4″ barrel) makes 2630 fps/4392 ft-lbs quite easily. RL-17 is used in all those loads.

Many experienced PH’s and hunters of each have testified that they have discerned no difference in their effect on mega fauna.

< That’s 7.7 lbs with 4 cartridges and scope.

But the beauty of the 9.3 x 62 is the smaller and lighter/ handier package! Plus, on average they are cheaper than a typical .375 H&H. The main lack is a common, made in the USA, good quality lighter bullet as is typically found in .338 caliber. Such would be ideal for lighter game such as pronghorn, wolf and smaller whitetails in particular parts of North America. However, I load the 250gr Nosler AccuBond at variable speeds depending on location and game. Just now, my load for local whitetails, coyote and wolf is that bullet at 2600 fps (It can easily make over 2700 fps). That’s relatively flat shooting and potent enough for even big game to +400 yards. And in my T3 Lite it’s relatively “light” in recoil.

Bullets are available from Hornady (Plus, they market cases in 9.3 x 62 which I use), Nosler, and Barnes, as well as the 270gr from Speer (For some inexplicable reason that 270gr has never been accurate from my rifle. The others are typically sub-MOA.). As well, some foreign bullets are available at some locations: Norma and Woodleigh in particular, but they are expensive. I’ve not yet tried any of the TSX’s, but favor the two Noslers: the 286gr Partition and 250gr AccuBond. The 286gr Hornady has proven itself on one bear, and I’ve sixteen left of the 320gr Woodleighs out of a box of 50. As well quite a few 232gr Oryx’s (non-bonded) remain of a box of 100, and still a few of the 270gr Speers. The 232gr Oryx’s have a poor BC and are not bonded, though very accurate. I’ve a good load at about 2450 fps that I intended for wolf or coyote, but I hate to keep changing scope settings! I like one load for that rifle for everything I hunt! That would currently be the 250gr – that will be 2600 fps — and I already have tried that load with success using RL-17.

Bullet: 250 Accubond

SD = .267

BC = .493

MV = 2600 fps/ 3752 ft-lbs

50 = 2515 fps/ 3510 ft-lbs/ +0.86″

100=2431 fps/ 3281 ft-lbs/ +2.08″

150= 2349 fps/ 3063 ft-lbs/ +1.83″

200=2269 fps/ 2857 ft-lbs/ 0.0″

250=2190 fps/ 2662 ft-lbs/ -3.51″

300=2113 fps/ 2478 ft-lbs/ -8.84″

350=2037 fps/ 2303 ft-lbs/ -16.1″

400=1963 fps/ 2139 ft-lbs/ -25.5″

Personally, I like to use a rifle more than once! One good all-around rifle has more value to me than multiple rifles that rarely get used. That’s, as I said, personal, and from experience in owning several that basically did the same things. I’m not passing judgement on others who are collectors or own several of the same class or classes. But I like getting the most out of one rifle that’s possible at both ends of the velocity/accuracy spectrum. And I have two BG rifles, that are hugely different, but with those same goals. The other, of course, is the big-bore Ruger #1 in .458 Win Mag that is more challenging in regard to its full potential due to its bore size and the classes and number of projectiles available.

In recently reading a thread on 24hour campfire, the OP praised the .257 Roberts. In responses there were well over 200! And almost none were negative! But other cartridges that are similar in ballistics were also praised by the respondents, such as the .243 Winchester, .260 Rem, 6.5 x 55 Swede, .25-06 and even the 7-08 Rem. But the one most mentioned in addition to the Roberts was… could you imagine? Of course, the 6.5 Creedmoor!!! And in the process of applauding these carts, multiple pics of pronghorn were shown as proof of their excellence! And several of mule deer.

Now, all that’s well and good, but the last time I saw a live pronghorn or mule deer was NEVER! In fact, I’ve never laid eyes even on a dead one – in person! So what reason would I have for owning a sub-standard cartridge for 350 – 400 lb Northern whitetails that bound through timber like it was straw? At 30 mph?

I’m sure you get my drift…

< If you want to go fancy… and expensive!

From my perspective, from where I hunt and what I hunt, there’s little better than a Medium Bore, and nothing better than a Big Bore – in particular, a modern .45-70 or .458 Winchester Magnum.

As previously mentioned, if I wanted to go smaller and lighter it would very likely be in 7-08 Remington. It’s as good as its parent, the .308 Winchester or .270 Winchester, and better than the 6.5 Creedmoor in 162gr and 175gr. projectiles.

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

6.5s vs 7mms vs .458 Win?

Apparently the most popular blog I’ve written, of about five hundred, is one of the oldest: The .450 Marlin vs the .45-70. Why that is still so, I don’t have many clues except these two: 1) The 450 Marlin is a pretender for the crown worn by the .45-70 since 1972 at least, and 2) It claims some advantages that the old, worn out .45-70 only wishes it had – that is according to its promoters. But Marlin doesn’t offer the .450 anymore, and at my last count the .45-70 was outselling it 10 to 1. At least that’s so in this part of Canada. I’ll not debate that here again; you will find it somewhere in my meanderings after the 450 Marlin had been around for at least a half-dozen years. But I mention it to prepare you for another contest: the current 6.5 craze vs 7mm cartridges. One is .264 caliber and the other .284 caliber.

It seems we like to quibble over minutiae. What possible difference could 1/50th of an inch diameter (or.500 mm) make in bullet holes through the heart or lungs of an animal? Just from the average hunter’s perspective, it would be nearly impossible to discern which would be the .264″ or .284″ if they were approximately equal in weight and shape, and were laid side by side. For example: Without prior knowledge, if you were handed a single 140gr Nosler Partition, and asked if it were a .264 or a .284, would you know with certainty? You’d have a 50% chance of being correct in guessing, but would you be 100% sure? I wouldn’t, unless I was very familiar with the two from handloading dozens of each! I don’t believe any game animal could detect any distinction if hit correctly, and at the approximate same impact velocity between a 140gr NP in 6.5 mm(.264″) or a 140gr NP in .284″.

< Who would be able to tell what caliber bullets these are without some reference point? A clue? 4 calibers are represented, and I purposely presented them as they are, without neatness or cleaning, so as to make it a bit more challenging. Oh! So you want another clue? Three are in .308 caliber… but which three? If you think you know, there are yet another 3 calibers to be identified!

So why then all this hoopla over the rediscovery of 6.5 cartridges, the Creedmoor in particular? May I suggest some likely reasons?

Firstly: We get bored with what we have and know. We must try something new to us or different than the usual.

Secondly: Covetousness or jealousy! We love to have what someone else has lest we’d be missing out on something… and it always looks better in someone else’s hand. “If they can have that, so can I, they are no more deserving than I am! So then, I can declare ownership of one of those too!”

“That new cartridge or rifle will make me happier than I am now… I don’t want to miss out on anything that SEEMS to make others happy!” And that’s just what promoters, salesmen and panderers count on! You’r a sitting duck… And so am I until, from experience and conscience, I know that ultimately “things” can’t satisfy the deepest longings of “the heart” that was made for God! And that’s not to condemn owning many things, or nice things — I’m speaking to motive. There are proper motives for owning nice clothes, a good home, good vehicles or several rifles, but covetousness or jealousy should not be among them!

But if I did choose one over the other, which would be my preference?

I favor 7mm as it does have some advantage over a 6.5 (assuming a common cartridge – not a magnum) and is fully the equal of a .270 Winchester for larger game –that being a 7-08 Remington for which I already have reloading dies, and I have a spare scope. A Savage in 7-08 would more than suffice, and would fit within most budgets.

I’d give it one good, accurate load of a 160gr Partition or AccuBond at 2800 fps and call it a day – never looking back! That would fly fast and flat to 400 yards. Recoil would be a mere 17 – 18 ft-lbs.

Yet the 250gr Hornady MonoFlex in .458″ at 2600 fps is very tempting for any thing that could bite with big teeth and rip with nasty claws, within most practical ranges of up to 250 yards with a relatively modest recoil around 23 ft-lbs. Think I’ll go with that, saving a bundle, and be content with what I can have from my #1 Ruger in .458 Win! Hummm… there ya go, the .458 Win, wins again! I don’t need more or less of anything for contentment!

So I ordered a box of 250gr Monoflex in .458-caliber from my longtime supplier and picked them up a few days later. That’s a Hornady product and available in this area. Made for either the 450 Marlin or .45-70 in lever actions, it appears perfect for anything to a good size elk. The box cover says: “Monolithic copper alloy won’t separate, and retains 95% of its weight”, and continues: “Patented Flex Tip design is safe to use in tubular magazines”. And finally: “Ultra tough medium and big game choice” – nice promotions. The reality of that is, of course, verified in testing for accuracy and in hunting results.

< My “all-around” rifle “loaded for bear”. Those are 405gr Remingtons at 2100 fps. Pic taken Oct 13/21.

Come to think of it… that 250gr MonoFlex load could be “big bear medicine” too, or for those wild hogs to a couple hundred yards at least!

Let’s see now: I tested two of the loads I put together of the 250gr MonoFlex on Wednesday, 10- 27-21. I’d actually loaded four groups of three each: 1) 69 grains of H4198; 2) 73 grains of H322; 3) 75 grains of H322; and 65 grains of AA5744 (Thanks to Dr Ron Berry for suggesting that load.) Because Wednesday was the first dry day of the week, I decided to go despite knowing the range would be extra busy. I usually go on Mondays or Tuesdays. And the weekend is nearly hopeless in finding a free table until you wait for someone to leave! So I go early anyway to set up Chrony, targets and rifle. But on Wednesday I would have shooters at tables on each side of me and every time one of them squeezed off a shot my Chrony would register “ERROR”! However, I knew most of the guys, who were younger than I, but not young! So, they went into the club house for coffee and chat while I finished my shooting. But to save face, I didn’t shoot all four loads, but two that I was most interested in – and that went very well!

In the pic above, I mentioned the “bear load” at 2100 fps. I knew all of the 250gr MonoFlex loads were much faster and would shoot over the target (at 50 yards) if I aimed dead center, so the first shot of the 250 MonoFlex was from the first load of 69 grains of H4198 aimed at the bottom of the target exactly below center, and it hit exactly 10″ above POA at 2″ above dead center on the target! I almost shouted “Praise the LORD!”, but I did under my breath! That’s the hole in the target below at 2″ above center. I then adjusted the reticle to dead center and fired the remaining 2 of the 69 gr H4198 load into 0.57″ at about +1″. Perfect! That load recorded a corrected to muzzle of 2709 fps/ 4073 ft-lbs, and I could load up a bunch and go hunting with that!

But wait! I fired another load (“Riflecrank” Ron’s load – 24hr campfire/ ” The great 458 Winchester Magnum…”) using 65 grains of AA5744, without any scope adjustments, (Nikon 2 – 7 x 32mm) set at 4.75X, and voila!

< The pic says it all! 3 into 0.45″ (measured center to center). At a corrected to MV of 2610 fps/ 3781 ft-lbs. This will be my hunting load with the 250gr MonoFlex for the rest of the fall season! In fact to the end of 2021. I’ll load up another 10 or so for bear, deer or wolf.

Here’s the data on that load:

BC = .175

SD = .170

MV = 2610 fps/ 3781 ft-lbs. Recoil = 23 ft-lbs from my .458 Win Mag rifle.

Environment: +1200 ft; 42*F/ +5*C; RH @ 58%

Zero @ 150 yards

50 = 2363 fps/ 3099 ft-lbs/ +0.68″

100= 2130 fps/ 2519 ft-lbs/ +1.28″

150= 1911 fps/ 2027 ft-lbs/ +0.01″

200= 1707 fps/ 1618 ft-lbs/ -3.65″

250= 1521 fps/ 1284 ft-lbs/ -10.3″ (adequate for up to an approximate 800 lb soft-skinned animal with a hit to the vitals)

Hornady claims this 250gr will expand down to 1400 fps, so we’re good to 275 yds for critters that might bite! So, it looks like my .458 could qualify as a varmint rifle after all!

It could be pushed out the muzzle of the 24″ barrel at 3000 fps/5000 ft-lbs, but I’ll use ’em for the critters mentioned so no need for anything like 3000 fps…. but just maybe… I might give that a try anyway as “a scientific research” project!

MV @ 3000 fps/4995 ft-lbs/ Recoil = 36 ft-lbs from my rifle at 10.5 lbs ready with Mag-na-ports.

*All matters considered, the 250gr at 2610 fps is the better load for my purpose in a light bullet load for smaller game to 250 yards or so. The same MV ballistics could be attained from a typical .35 Whelen, but a 250gr in .358″ is longer and thinner, therefore with a much higher BC that translates to longer effective ranges – with significantly greater recoil! There’s no pretence here in trying to make a .458 WM 250gr load into a .35 Whelen but, rather, to show its utility for most game that I hunt at practical ranges than thought “normal” for a Big Bore .458 WM.

In a discussion of this on the 24hr campfire forum, one poster said he uses the 250gr MonoFlex at 2000 fps from his 22″ M70 in .458 WM for deer in the Northeast! “Devastating” of deer was how he described that experience.

<This is the 250gr Hornady MonoFlex to the left of a 350gr Speer loaded for the #1 Ruger in .458 Win.

In terms of Hornady’s manual for that bullet, recoil would be about 29 ft-lbs from an 1895 Marlin load at 2500 fps (and as mentioned, the .458 Win Mag load at 2610 fps is 23 ft-lbs recoil in my #1 Ruger) and 31 ft-lbs for the 250gr Barnes’ load at 2609 fps for the 250gr TSX FN from an 1895 Marlin in .45-70.

The real point of this is, again, to show the .458 Win Mag’s adaptability. It can quite easily be handloaded to match ballistics of a BP front loader, a Marlin in .45-70, or even do most of the work of a 6.5 Creedmoor or 7-08 Rem. But the 250gr MonoFlex load in the Ruger would be relatively slow in recoil – like a push of 13 fps, about identical to the 6.5 and 7mm.

At this point I’d also like to acknowledge a longtime friend: Dan Schindler of Paragon School of Shooting. We’ve corresponded over the years since I’ve been a blog writer. Some of that correspondence has been intimate, some casual, and some instructional both ways. Over a decade ago, Dan asked my opinion on a .458 Win Mag load he intended to use on a black bear hunt in Alaska. I told him I didn’t think a 265gr Cutting Edge bullet was the best choice when heavier bullets were available and, in my opinion, would do a better job. With that 265gr CE bullet leaving the muzzle of his .458 at little more than my load of the 250gr MonoFlex, he killed a good size black bear with one shot at 90 yards! I did the math, and congratulated him! He was right in his choice to minimise recoil and at the same time achieve his goal with plenty to spare from the “great” .458 Winchester Magnum.

I’m still learning – though being the father of a son who is a grandfather himself!

Of course, I understand that not everyone likes, or even wishes, to carry a rifle of two extra pounds. Yet, it’s quite extraordinary what those insignificant couple of pounds can do. With field experience of only one season of hunting in challenging conditions they can transform our habitual attitudes, physical balance and strength to that of well conditioned outdoors men! I’m not kidding!

In just three day trips to my hunting grounds on Crown Land in the Haliburton Highlands – in consideration of minimal activity due to the Covid crisis and four months of a debilitating arthritic attack over last winter – and in addition to recently spending time away with our family in New Brunswick, where I got a good workout with my son in tramping through prime deer country, I progressed from a somewhat weak and stumbling 85 year old to a strong, well balanced hunter like I was at 65! And I consciously chose to use my 10.5 lb Ruger No.1 in .458 Win for that transformation! My 9.3 x 62 is a mere 7.7 lbs and ready with handloads, but I took the heavier rifle. The terrain was a newly logged out area with debris, mud, rocks, branches, tree tops and steep climbs everywhere! That first trip was with some trepidation as to where to place my feet without stumbling… The last trip was given to toting the 10.5 lb rifle (ready to shoot) in my right hand, gripped just forward of the action for perfect balance with one in the chamber and two in a stock holder. I could swing that rifle with one hand wherever and whenever needed to miss entanglement with branches, ledges, etc. Not boasting, just facts! And I intend, by God’s grace, to keep at it til the end of hunting seasons.

< And what did I find here on that third trip? Yes! A fresh deer track about two inches right of the sling! It wasn’t there a few days prior.

A heavier, more powerful rifle will indeed confront a timorous nature – it can become a very good workout means that gets us off the easy and customary ways and onto alternative thinking that challenge routine methods as well as muscles.

Speaking of hunting seasons… our eldest son, during the last week of October – the first week of deer season – took this nice buck not far from their new residence on Deer Island, N.B., with whom his Mom and I vacationed during the last week of September. For perspective, he’s 6′ tall, plus boots. The bullet was a 220gr Speer, .358 caliber at ~2200 fps from a .356 Winchester. Range was 75 yards. The buck was in top shape, he said.

The .356 Winchester

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Of Tales and Trails – P2

One time on a moose hunt to the far north of our province, I travelled in company with a much younger friend. He was driving his old Dodge mini-bus that he used in his trade as an electrician. Of course, the extra seats had been removed except for the front passenger seat. The rest of the bus was used to tote our gear, plus a recently acquired ATV, without a muffler, that took up most of the room back there. I wondered, but didn’t ask, “Where will we put the moose?” In addition, the old bus was pulling a well used, leaky RV.

In planning for the hunt, I wanted to know my share of gasoline expenses. The answer seemed fair at the time, as we both would share that cost plus groceries. But I had the bull moose tag! What neither of us counted on was the price of gasoline in “the far north”! Nor did I count on the fact that the old bus would stall it’s motor every time we came to a bridge that had only one-way traffic due to construction – and that seemed like dozens of them! Then the ritual began: The V8 motor was installed nearly between us with a cover. Each time the motor stalled when we were forced to stop bus, ATV, equipment and RV, off came the cover for the motor, out came wrenches, etc and *&+#! And I prayed… Yes, I did!

Then, it seemed that the old Dodge bus with its big V8 was exceptionally thirsty for gas, and at over one dollar per litre, that cost was quietly eating away at my comfort zone! I roughly calculated that it wasn’t the best means of getting us there at a best mpg of 8 or less. That worked out to $5 per Imperial gallon and 2000 miles/8 mpg… uh, well, by rough figuring that cost alone would mean a very expensive moose – if we got one! 250 gallons of fuel for transportation (there and back) x $5 = $1250. My share of that would be $625, when I was told “a couple hundred” would be fair and just! The cost of moose meat was getting pricey! Let’s see now… hummm… If we got a 1000 lb bull, about 50% would be edible. 500 lbs of good bull, shared would be 250 lbs each at a cost of (I figured on $400 for the trip, all in) about $800 for the trip = $3.20 per pound of edible moose meat! That was back in the mid ’90’s. No too bad for all the fun we’d had so far!

In spite of everything, we finally made it to a good place to set up camp, as I’d been there the previous year. That previous year was spent in becoming familiar with an area of hundreds of square miles of old and new logging operations and hundreds of miles of old and new logging roads. But I’d learned where and how to hunt there, which is another tale!

But my thoughts were still running like: “Where will we put the moose?” As it turned out we didn’t need a place! The weather was great for moose hunting, like it was bitter cold with snow off and on throughout the five or six days of actual hunting. But not so great in the cold, leaky RV! Every morning I was glad to crawl out of the bunk to get a fire going for warmth and food. Then snacks in the pockets, rifle in hand and I walked trails hours on end scouting for sign! My friend with the “new to him” ATV? He rode his muffflerless ATV hours on end, and I could hear “It” from miles away… and I’m sure any moose could hear “It” from many more miles away!

I toted my first Ruger No.1 in .45-70, loaded with the 500gr Hornady Interloc RNs at just over 2000 fps, as my backup rifle to a .340 Weatherby Magnum.

We travelled those same 1000 miles/1600 kms back home again without a moose, experiencing the same costs and rituals over the stalling motor, and my companion let me off the hook in not charging for half of the fuel cost.

But apart from the endurance test of living in the cold of that RV, and walking scores of miles over old and sometimes new logging roads, I came home with increased learning and knowledge: “Learning” – how to hunt in those very remote conditions, and how to be happy while doing so! “Knowledge” – I didn’t just walk trails, but scouted out areas of new growth that had been clearcut a decade before, especially in the region of a medium-size lake. And there I found a recent rut pit, made by what appeared to be a young bull. I took note of it in my memory bank, and the following year, with my son, shot a nice bull there. There was also a cow and calf nearby. It was apparent that the bull was not as immature as I’d thought on my first encounter with that “rut pit”!

So, when you think “This hunt is a waste of time and money!” , you could still learn something, and gain knowledge that could be stored in your memory for a later date with… what you didn’t experience on your first try.

New trails and experiences: Last time I mentioned some discoveries on a new logging road in my familiar hunting region of the Haliburton Highlands (Crown Land). Along with scouting out the area, and walking some of the trails, I found a recently fired cartridge in the mud on my second trip. After cleaning it up it retained the same blue streaks that indicated high pressure, heat and perhaps some oil residue in the chamber when the rifle was fired. I gave a challenge to identify it!

Here it is again after a cleaning

I was surprised to find this particular cartridge – or any cartridge for that matter – in such a remote area so soon after the end of logging operations. But I’d assume that this particular one would still be quite unfamiliar with hunters of this area — but I was wrong!

The headstamp (which I tried to clearly photograph, but was unsuccessful) was smeared with dirt and the strange blue streaks across the primer, but when cleaned enough I could make out 28 Nosler, with NOS stamped clearly next to the primer – which, incidentally, was normal in appearance for a fired primer. But the case neck will not accept a 7mm bullet unless seated by a press as was the same for my former BAR in 7 Rem Mag!

According to Nosler their 160gr NP factory load is 3250 fps/ 3752 ft-lbs at the muzzle and 2446 fps/ 2126 ft-lbs at 400 yards. Of course, I don’t know what factory load was fired (assuming it was a factory load), but the 160 NP load IS hot! That would be an excellent load for a good size bull elk at 400 yards, but for a big bull moose I’d opt for a 175gr NP at about 3000 fps MV, and at 400 yds that should be adequate. For more range, I’d choose at least a 300 mag.

But there’s nothing like a good workout in preparation for a big game hunt!

And that must include great food! Home made coconut cream pie as an example, especially on vacation which prepares one for an exciting adventure!

And one mustn’t neglect getting machinery ready!

Along with shooting at the range … using the latest in bench rest style!

And walking trails to discover something we didn’t see before Ain’t vacations great!

Till the next…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Of Tales and Trails – P1

As told many times, a major reason for all my hunts has been the outdoor’s aspect. And I’m quite sure that’s also true of a majority of hunters. I’ve hunted both private land and public (Crown Land). In this Province of Ontario, public land technically belongs to the Queen of England, under the guardianship of The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, allowing residents the privilege of pursuing fish and game within strict guidelines and licences. Mostly, I prefer the Queen’s Land because as I go further north there is more of it, meaning less human habitation and more natural wildernesses. I like wandering on the Queen’s Land as there is discovered many trails created for logging and other legitimate activities. I like walking, so have never owned an ATV, and likely never will. That allows me to wander off a trail whenever the need or impulse leads me to do so. Plus, ATVs disturb the tranquillity and seriously damage old trails. Nonetheless, I can appreciate their practical use over solid trails in getting back to a camp for hunting on foot or retrieving big game. But for “pleasure riding” and tearing up the Queen’s Land? I think that should be banned! My most fond memories of hunting such areas has been the naturalness and tranquillity of it all – not in shooting a game animal!

If truth be told, on many Crown Land trails I’ve toted loaded rifles with a big game license in my pocket for protection against bears or an angry moose! Ontario hunting laws are such that if you are in possession of a shotgun or rifle on such ventures it is assumed by an officer (if you meet up with one) that you’re hunting, and no excuse prevails! You will likely end up in court defending your activities unless you have an in season license that corresponds with the weapon you’re carrying. So sometimes I purchase a license because I want to investigate a new area or simply walk some trails. And it provides protection against wild game, that could hurt an unwary explorer, by the legal right to carry a firearm (shotgun or rifle) or archery tackle. And you never know what you might see on such ventures, such as this:

< Recently taken with an I-phone at over 200 yards. No weapons and no season (yet) in New Brunswick, my native province, guided by my son.

One of my favorite trails takes me here on Crown Land:< A very good area for any legal game, including ducks.

The discovery of tracks, scat and other sign gives a history of activity by wildlife that can be discerned by a savvy explorer/hunter.

< Very fresh! Of all places, this pic was taken on Deer Island, New Brunswick, Canada during our recent visit there, which is a sister Island to Campobello Island where my wife and I grew up and I was born. And there were lots of piles of deer poop like that one.

< And how about these at 40 yards from the residence of our son and his wife where we were vacationing on Deer Island, N.B.

Where we were hosted Looking out the main window of the second floor at the back of the house. The deer were feeding not more than 40 yards away.

Their home on the side of a “mountain” Deer play here

The following is of Eastport, Maine, taken during our recent trip to New Brunswick, from the ferry that crosses between Campobello Island and Deer Island which are on the Canadian side of the border. Before, during and after WW2, Eastport was called “The most eastern port city of the USA”. It was a bustling place. With my parents, along with some other citizens of Campobello, fishing boat trips were made each Saturday to Eastport for shopping, and my dad would visit fishing gear shops along the waterfront. My wife was born there, her mom, and my grandmother. During the 4th of July celebrations, huge warships would anchor about where this ferry is, and shoot their cannons over Campobello… it was the greatest fireworks display I’ve ever witnessed! Today, it is a mere shadow of what it was then when several fish plants dotted the waterfront along with a canning factory – that blew up one morning with barrels of flaming oil going sky high! I sat out on the headland of our property, three and one-half miles away, watching a fireworks display that challenged that of the US warships! It continued for several hours… But Eastport is still a nice place for a vacation.

But, hey, there are new trails in my Crown Land hunting areas left behind by recent logging. That has opened up a lot of new territory for deer, bear and moose, not even to mention lesser game. I visited there shortly after our return from vacation in New Brunswick. Those new trails lead to some clear cuts with great potential. But I’m certain that others will have discovered that by now as well.

< I pulled into this new trail, and the boulder that blocks the trail (good thing) is over 4 ft high!. This logging road leads into a clearing and then continues as a bulldozed trail down, down and down into one of Haliburton Highlands deep gorges. Should be good for big game or small game hunting.

And this was a pic I took in there with my cell phone. I’m still getting used to it as I’ve never before used one. My digital camera gives better pics.

< That’s the muzzle of my .458 and the toe of my boot. Oh yeah, what else do we see? A big track that’s not from a moose, human or elephant! What then could it possibly be other than a big bruin! It looks about a couple weeks old… maybe more. And I had a bear tag in my pocket… still do – it’s good till November 15.

And look what else I found there on my latest trip, Tuesday, Oct. 12. I missed it on my first trip on the 8th:

< The logging is apparently done. A bulldozer had done its work here and this cartridge had been fired and tramped into the mud later — dry mud filled the mouth of the case. But you can discern some of the blue streaks which were permanent when it was cleaned up.

<That was caused due to heat on firing, and perhaps a residue of oil left in the chamber. I’ve cleaned it up and next time will reveal it’s identification. A clue: I’ts a late model hot cartridge – see if you can guess what it is. No, it’s obviously not a .458 Win, but the cartridge is slightly larger than a .458, but not the caliber.

More comin’ folks, ’bout Tales and Trails!

Since they tell us that a pic is worth a thousand words, there are more than 10,000 words in this week’s blog!

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Visual Impression of Bullets – P2

The pic of the bullets below was presented in P1 with identification of each along with a general description:

< A commentary on six of these, starting from the left, was also made in P1. They are a 175gr/ 7mm Nosler Partition, a 165gr/ .30-cal Nosler Partition, a 200gr/ .30-cal Nosler AccuBond, a 250gr/ 9.3mm Nosler AccuBond, and two 286gr Nosler Partitions – one with a damaged tip simulating recoil results in a magazine.

This time we begin with the seventh in line – a 286gr/ 9.3mm Hornady RP – and continue to the last, a 480gr Hornady DGX in .458″.

The 286gr/ 9.3mm Hornady RP: I finished off a bear with one of these that had been wounded by a young friend. In fact, these were the first bullets purchased and loaded for my new TIKKA T3 Lite in 9.3 x 62. After some minor initial work I settled on 58 grains of RL-15 for an MV of 2414 fps and sub-MOA. That became my hunting load for the bear hunt.

I’ve previously described that hunt in some detail, but it amounts to a young friend wounding a bear on his first shot at 130 yards and then wounding it again at 35 yards as the crippled bear ran toward us, rather than away, in its attempt to escape. I caught up, and it was finally killed going away with one shot to the short ribs that made exit taking out several vertebrae behind the neck. Bullet impact would have been more than 2300 fps, and not only did the bullet survive but it survived intact! That is, no pieces were left behind. It survived whole, probably retaining +90%. All from box no.1 were used up in developing a suitable load, and in practice and hunting. I count seventeen remaining of the fifty from box no.2, and I’d be more than happy to use them on big game.

As you can see from the pic, they have a “Recoil Proof” (RP) point that measures a mere 0.13″. They are not bonded, nor do they have a “partition” but they do have the Hornady INTERLOCK near the heel. From that “bear experience”, I’d feel confident in using them on moose or elk. And with a .400 BC they will fly flat enough for +90% of soft-skinned BG hunting when pushed out the muzzle between 2400 and 2600 fps. My current load is right at 2600 fps/ 4293 ft-lbs, and plenty accurate. That’s booted out the muzzle by 68 grains of RL-17, ignited by WLRM primers in Hornady cases at 3.37″ COL.

The 320gr Woodleigh Weldcore PP: This has a pure lead bonded core to a heavy guilding metal jacket (90% copper, 10% zinc). The lead point is “protected”. With a .457 BC it retains velocity and energy very well, but Woodleigh recommends a minimum impact velocity of 2000 fps for expansion and best performance. That means it should leave the muzzle around 2450 fps for adequate impact velocity around 250 yards. Starting at 2250 fps would mean a limit of about 150 yards for adequate expansion. I use an MV limit of 2460 fps/4300 ft-lbs That should be good enough for adequate expansion at 250 yards. And I’ve gone over 2500 fps without any signs of undue pressure but the accuracy is not what I want. The propellant is always RL-17. Having yet to shoot game with it, I’d have no concerns as to its positive effect on the largest of North American game as well as all soft-skinned African fauna. Typically, it shoots MOA from my rifle when COL doesn’t exceed 3.30″ and MV doesn’t surpass 2460 fps. At about 2425 it shoots sub-MOA, but I work for the best hunting load not the best target load. Based on Woodleigh’s recommendation of a 2000 fps impact limit for adequate expansion, it’s not really a long range bullet to begin with. Some others are much better for that purpose – the 286 Hornady and both the 250gr AB Nosler with a 493 BC and 286gr Partition with a .482 BC, as examples. And their recommended limit for expansion is 1800 fps. In my rifle, based on Nosler’s recommendation, either of those two would work well enough at 500 yards/ 457 metres for large game.

<Recorded at 15 ft from the muzzle of my 9.3 x 62 from the 320gr Woodleigh.

The 400gr Barnes X-Bullet: No longer in production, and not having been replaced by a 400gr TSX, it’s a moot point for the average .458-cal shooter. Nevertheless, I still have a few so will here discuss it with the motive of making Barnes feel guilty for abandoning their best .458-cal bullet in the cause of their bottom line! Their excuse was “We didn’t sell enough of those 400s”. Apparently, the saving of a few pennies matters more than the free promotions they received, and would get, from the likes of big name outfitters and writers such as Phil Shoemaker and other users on the .458 thread of the 24hour campfire forum! Instead, they’ve done a special run of a 400gr TSX for a proprietary outfit, ignoring pleas from individual users who would buy them by the thousands for handloading! Personally, I think they should hire a new financial manager, as the current one doesn’t seem aware of what .458 Win Mag users really want or need.

Excuse the rant, please! Back to the bullet in the photo: It had a great reputation on really big game, and part of that was due to an excellent BC of .457. I’ve pushed it to 2590 fps/ 5957 ft-lbs. If that BC is correct, that would mean 2744 ft-lbs at 500 yards! And at 1758 fps impact would suggest being adequate on BG up to about 2600 lbs… all else being right as in correctly placing the shot. Of course… 500 yards requires a steady hold, and in holding a 10 – 11 lb .458 steady when it’s booting you to the tune of 58 ft-lbs recoil (or in mine at 49 ft-lbs) requires fearlessness and physical strength… let’s not kid ourselves! So my practical advise would be to slow it down to around 2400 fps/ 5115 ft-lbs and limit range to about 300 yards. If I were to use it on a moose hunt next week, I’d limit MV to somewhere between 2350 and 2400 fps. Recoil would be very manageable at around 40 ft-lbs from my Ruger #1 in .458 WM with the Mag-na-ports.

< I could have used some of those 400gr X-Bullets on this trip to the far north of our province back in October, 2009. I was on a moose hunt with a friend 1000 miles/ 1600 kms from home. But I had about as many 400gr Xs as I have today in .458″ – I count eight in a lonely box every time I open it – no more, no less. So I wasn’t about to head that far NNW with five loaded cartridges — it would have taken two or three for sight-in. Yeah, I know that would have been enough, but you know how it is with us, we want more than ample. But still, they would have been better than the 350gr TSX’s I did take at 2700 fps. That would have been ample to 400 yards. But in returning home without a moose, I fired some of those 350s and they’d lost nearly 100 fps from the time I’d left till I returned. Why? Because the powder was RL-7 and the temperature had dropped by 10 – 12*C, about what it was in the far north. I immediately switched to H4198 with an increase of 50 fps to 2750. And that was maintained through several years to the present, whatever the season. And I did shoot a bear with that load from the same CZ 550 in .458 Win Mag the following year.

However, had I taken those 400gr X-Bullets on the 2009 moose hunt, at 2500 fps they would still have had plenty at 500 yards for expansion and about 2500 ft-lbs of energy. Let’s see, hmm… My “new” new formula makes that adequate for a REALLY BIG moose… but I only found tracks and scat – it doesn’t take much power to kill those!

The 450gr SWIFT A-Frame: This bullet has an excellent reputation from hunting large African fauna, such as Cape Buffalo. It has a bonded dual core separated by a wall of jacket material. Swift claims it will give some expansion down to 1650 fps impact. With a .325 BC and an MV of 2400 fps, that’s adequate for large soft-skinned game to around 375 yards/343 metres for expansion purposes in African temps of about 120*. For North America, in northern hemispheric conditions of the Fall, reduce the African limit by about 50 yards/45 metres.

A box of 50 was purchased at a sports store many years ago – at least a couple decades. And it seemed the price was astronomical at over $70 including tax… but I wanted to give them a try in my .45-70s, especially my first Ruger #1 in .45-70 (unmodified). But I also worked at reducing the weight to 440 grains for my 1895 Marlin by cutting of some of the nose. That worked quite well so I cut off more of the “nose”, down to about 400 grains, which worked better giving decent accuracy and good velocity. But the jacket was very heavy at that point, and getting nil expansion at around 1900 fps I abandoned that project. No record exists of ever firing any in my first Ruger No.1 in .45-70, but I did in my second (new) Ruger No.1 in .45-70 LT after the throat was lengthened by a very competent gunsmith. They were loaded over 75.5 graains of H335 at 3.2″ COL for +2300 fps.

Since then, I’ve fired a bunch in my Ruger #1 in .458 Winchester Magnum. I’m impressed with those results around 2400 fps. The propellant used was the same as in my former Ruger #1 in .45-70 LT, only more of it for about a 100 fps increase.

Due to the comparatively soft lead and jacket, I’d not hesitate to use it on any big game from about 2250 fps to “whatever”. But I think if I were to use it for my hunting conditions, it would leave the barrel around 2100 fps, and that would be adequate for expansion purposes to a little over 200 yards/ 190 metres. And I’ve yet to shoot big game beyond that. Energy at 200 yds is around 2750 ft-lbs and 1660 fps. That’s more than enough for a big bull moose and anything more or less. Recoil from my Ruger in .458 Win would be a “middle-of-the-road” very manageable 37 ft-lbs.

The 450 grain Barnes X and TSX: Since the 450gr X is no longer in production, and has been replaced by the 450gr TSX, I’ll focus on the latter while mentioning that the BC has changed rather dramatically from a high of .488 for the “X” down to a very modest .369 for the TSX! That’s due to a number of factors: a more honest evaluation and the fact of a larger cavity in the TSX as well as adding four grooves. But the various grooves (or cannelures) do provide alternate places for crimping making it possible to seat the bullet further out of the case allowing space for more propellant. That’s possible due to the long throat of all .458 Winchester Magnums. I don’t need to crimp loads for the single-shot Ruger #1, but I could for a possible more consistent start pressure. When that bullet is crimped into the bottom cannelure (groove), farthest from the nose, it allows a 3.68″ COL which is greater than the .458 Lott. If I don’t crimp in that cannelure, I can seat the bullet even longer to a COL of 3.75″ as in the pic below. The .458 Lott can’t begin to match that. The only constraint to COL in either the CZ550 or the Ruger #1 in .458 is bullet length. Regardless of bullet weight or length, all were seated (as in my Ruger #1 in .45-70 LT) in the CZ550 to 1/4″, and also now in my #1 Ruger in .458. Some bolt actions will not allow that without some modifications, but all do have the long throat unless they are custom made for a client who want’s a shorter throat, not knowing the benefits of the original Winchester (and SAAMI) design.

Barnes advertises expansion capabilities down to an impact of 1600 fps. If so, that means expansion (which is important for destruction of tissue and vital organs) to 400 yards/ 375 metres when started at 2400 fps. That’s enough for very large North American game of one and one-half tons (3000 lbs)! In African heat that range may be increased by about 50 yards/ 45 metres. Since no one is likely to shoot at large or dangerous game at 400 yards, the load could be tempered to around 2200 fps for less recoil and adequate effect to 300 yards/ 275 metres. In my rifle, recoil would be about 42 ft-lbs. If I were to use that bullet for hunting, that’s what I’d do, ~ 2200 fps.

The Hornady 480gr DGX: Though this bullet was made by Hornady for the historic 450 Nitro Express 3 1/4″, it works great in my Ruger #1 in .458. A box was originally bought for my Ruger #1 in .45-70 LT, and I tested that bullet in tough media in 2017. Eight bullets in .458″ were tested and the 480gr came through with flying colours! I was impressed to put it mildly! It went completely through the test media and left a .458″ impression on a granite ledge behind! To put that in perspective: A 500gr Speer GS with a duel core was defeated at 6 inches penetration and lost its front core, retaining 62% of initial weight. At approximately the same MV as the 500gr Speer, the 480gr DGX penetrated 15.5″ of very tough media, made exit, impacted a granite ledge behind leaving a clear .458″ imprint! And it was lost! Never found! Should I be impressed? I would use that bullet on ANYTHING, including whitetails to Cape buff! With it’s flat tip of 1/4″ it will kill any deer or bear even if it never expands. Eight remain of the box of fifty, and when or where they can be found for sale on this side of the border, another box or two will be on my shelf! If I could have only one bullet for my .458 Win Mag, this one could well suffice from 1300 fps to 2350 fps. My “best” load to date in MV was on June 11, 2019 at a corrected to muzzle of 2353 fps/ 5900 ft-lbs.

This chronograph result was at fifteen feet from the muzzle, but not of the 480gr DGX, which recorded 2338 fps (I didn’t take a pic of it but it was recorded in my journal). This was from a 400gr Barnes SP for illustration purposes.

Visual impressions? Though I never retrieved that 480 DGX, I was very impressed with the visual results!

That’s all for this time…

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL

Visual Impressions of Bullets – P1

I’ve recently written that one of the ways we can evaluate the appropriateness of a bullet for a specific hunt is by its visual appearance. That combined with it’s known structure, and side by side with others that could be used for the same hunt, will give an impression that’s not completely wrong, and should be incorporated into any assessment.

A lineup is presented here that, with a description of each, could inform us as to their suitability for certain classes of big game at particular ranges. They go from 7mm (.284-cal) and .308-cal for general BG hunting to a couple of medium bores in 9.3mm (.366 – cal), and on to large bores in .458-cal. These are presented as examples of how analysis in part could take place before going afield. This is NOT to be interpreted as the only or main source of any evaluation, but as a part of that assessment, and perhaps a significant one.

As an example of an aspect of that analysis, do we think that the BC of Nosler Partitions stacked in a rifle magazine will remain in tact as advertised after one has been fired from a BG rifle? That’s assumed by Nosler and writers in both ads and articles found in outdoor magazines, and in promotional videos. In truth, however, the BC of those remaining in the magazine will have had their BCs altered by uncertain degrees due to a flattening effect caused by recoil as the front wall of the clip or magazine slams into their tips! The amount of that flattening will depend on the speed of recoil, which is magnified in magnums unless rifle weight is impractical for field use.

But by how much, is the question. In comparing the “regular” Nosler 180gr Partition in .30-cal with their “Protected Point” in BC will inform us that a given .474 for the “Spitzer” (pointed one) and .361 for the more blunt “Protected Point” does affect BC. So when the point of the “spitzer” is damaged to a certain degree in the magazine under recoil, what difference would that make at 350 yards with the MV at 3100 fps? Of course, there’s no way of knowing apart from testing the undamaged spitzer alongside a damaged one. But the Nosler 180gr Spitzer would be going 2450 fps with 2400 ft-lbs of KE at 350 yards in the ambient conditions of my hunting area by mid-fall, and the 180gr “Protected Point” would be going 2285 fps and 2050 ft-lbs at 350 yards.That’s a loss of 185 fps and 350 ft-lbs in replacing the “Spitzer” with the “Protected Point”! And the trajectory is also negatively affected somewhat, but perhaps not enough to make a big difference on a BG animal. But, certainly, a loss of 350 ft-lbs could, under certain particulars, sway the outcome!

But could that “Spitzer” actually be reduced in BC in the magazine under recoil to a “Protected Point” in BC? Perhaps not, but it still should be a consideration. I know from experience that the 286gr NPs that remained in the clip magazine of my 9.3 x 62 didn’t appear nearly as “pointed” after firing one shot (one shot and done) into a black bear! In fact, I decided NOT to use them in hunting again because of uncertainty of where they might hit at long range. Later on I did fire most at 100 yards at the range and was unimpressed with their accuracy! Previously they shot into sub-moa! In a later hunt I went with the 250gr AccuBond with the white plastic tips, and it appeared they worked at least equally well as the Partitions, and perhaps even better! So visual impressions do matter along with knowledge of the bullet’s structure. I still have over a full box of the 286gr NPs and they will not remain “forever” in their boxes! But nearly a full box of the 250gr AccuBonds will give assurance of consistent results downrange. I find it more than interesting that most bullet companies are going, or have gone over to PPs (protected points) for lead filled jacketed softs, or hollow points for monolithic expanding bullets (some with plastic tips). No doubt that’s the future for all manufactured bullets to avoid damaging the tips that can spoil long range shooting of game or targets. At relatively short ranges, BC numbers have limited meaning… even a flat point may be a better choice if range is known to be short, as in 100 yards or less.

< This is an interesting lineup of bullets from 7mm to .458″. A few have the older typical pointed lead tips, a couple have Nosler’s sharp pointed white plastic tips, and the rest have “protected points” or hollow cavities. (Right click on image for “open in new tab”; left click on that and then left click on “new tab” for a larger image.)

Apart from knowledge based on experience, what could we possibly learn from a visual inspection in combination with information on structure?

From left to right: a 175gr 7mm Partition; 165gr Partition in .308″; 200gr Nosler AccuBond (bonded core) in .308″; 250gr AccuBond (bonded core) in 9.3mm (.366″); 286gr Partition in 9.3mm; 286gr Partition in 9.3mm with damaged lead point; 286gr Hornady in 9.3mm with a protected tip; 320gr Woodleigh in 9.3mm with a protected point and bonded core; 400gr Barnes X-Bullet in .458″ all copper with hollow cavity; 450gr Swift A-Frame in .458″ with a semi-protected tip, bonded front core with a partition separating it from a rear core; 450gr Barnes X-Bullet all copper with hollow cavity in .458″; 450gr Barnes TSX all copper with hollow cavity (larger cavity than the original 450gr X-Bullet) in .458″; and a 480gr Hornady DGX with a thin copper “layer” (for protection of the rifling) over a thick steel jacket that holds a “hardened” lead core. The tip is flat and 1/4″ wide with lead exposed. The one pictured isn’t bonded though later editions of the same bullet has a bonded core.

Some information and data: Knowledge of sectional densities (SD) and ballistic coefficients (BC) of each bullet would also be helpful, and they are listed in handloading manuals.

175gr, 7mm (SD = .310, BC = .519). I’ve used that bullet in two 7mm magnums, a Ruger #1 with a 26″ barrel in 7 Rem Mag, and also in my 7mm Wby Mag Rem 700 bolt action with a 24″ barrel. It shot very well in each at about 3000 fps. From the 7mm Weatherby Mag I killed a black bear at 65 yards with a single shot. The bear was not large and the bullet went completely through from a hit between neck and right shoulder while making exit in offside flank in front of the hip. I had no doubts of the outcome though the bear raised its head once. I’d gladly use the same load on an adult moose to 350 yards depending on physical conditions, size of moose and angle of shot. Bullet velocity at 350 yards should be about 2415 fps, or 2266 ft-lbs. My original TE formula (forget the “reworked” one) grants a maximum of 1106 lbs, which I think is a good enough guide.

165gr, .308″ (SD = .248, BC = .410). From a recent review of past handloads, I discovered I’d fired a lot of these from .300 magnums, but never killed any game with one. For some inexplicable reason, I never got the accuracy from them (or any 165s) as 180s, so 180s and 190s became the go-to bullets for my 300 magnums at around 3000 to 3200 fps. In contrast, 165s became my favorites from .30-06’s.

200gr, .308″ (SD = .301, BC = .588). This is a bonded core, very sleek bullet with a plastic tip to enhance the BC number and aid in expansion at long ranges. If my experience with the 250gr, 9.3mm AccuBond means anything in regard to this 200gr in .308″, I’d say it’s a super bullet for .308 calibers, starting at .30-06 speeds. If you do a ballistic profile for a magnum .300 starting at around 3000 fps, you’d be very impressed with results at 500 yards! I was, so a box was bought for my young “Big Ben” friend’s .300 Win Mag as well as for my own. The 9.3, 250gr from my 9.3 x 62 at +2700 fps went completely through a good black bear leaving a massive blood trail!

250gr, 9.3mm (.366″) (SD = .267, BC = .493). This has a good reputation on big dangerous grizzly. That’s enough for me, to say nothing about my own limited experience. But it flies fast and flat when started around 2700 fps, all the way to 500 yards for moose size game. I might like to choose the 286 Partition, or even the 320gr Woodleigh, if confronting a Brown Bear at relatively close range, but I wouldn’t back down if all I had loaded were some of these 250gr AccuBonds.

286gr, 9.3mm Partitions (SD = .307, BC = .482). Nosler says the SD is .307, so that’s what I quote here, but despite the math they used, it would be normal to say a 286gr/ .366″ has an SD of .305. A good bullet it is for whatever might be hunted, except the pachyderms that normally require solids. I have two that were retrieved after firing: One from test media and the other from a black bear. Both retained 73% of initial weight at 209 grains from media and 210 grains from the bear. It looks like that could be counted on no matter what it hits (or what hits it!). The mangled looking one went through very tough media about 8 inches and then was “punched” by a 300gr TSX from my former Ruger #1 in .45-70 LT at an impact of “whatever” after leaving the muzzle at 2650 fps. See the pic of that 300gr TSX after punching the 286gr Nosler Partition and still showing a normal look for expansion! The 300 TSX/.458 cal also did more damage to the media than the 286 NP!

<From left to right: The 286gr NP “punched” by the 300gr TSX on far right. The front end of the 286gr is on the left, and the “punch” is obvious by the dimple on the side. The middle bullet is the 286gr NP retrieved from a bear in skinning. And, of course, the 300gr TSX on far right is obvious. It retained 300 grains! (The wood strip backing was for focusing purposes.)

A great deal has been learned about those bullets from a visual impression and inspection! I’ve mentioned that the 300gr TSX in .458 caliber is one of my favorite bullets for the .458 Win Mag. That assessment came in part from what that bullet did in the very tough media, and what it did to the 286 NP, as well as it’s accuracy from both Rugers #1 in .45-70 LT and .458 Win Mag. From the LT it could make +2700 fps but its accuracy node was 2650 fps. And in the .458 it has gone to 2980 fps with fine accuracy, as well as 2775 fps which is my hunting load for that bullet. In fact, I don’t know of any animal in North America I wouldn’t hunt with that bullet — including a Brown Bear! For caribou or moose at long range it does loose velocity more quickly than heavier TSX’s in .458″ due to a BC of only .234. But at 2980 fps MV it should still expand at 1645 fps (according to Barnes) and 1802 ft-lbs at 400 yards giving a TE of 60.6 (original TE formula which I’ll stick with until something better evolves). That should be good enough for a big old bull moose of about 1200 lbs if hit through the lungs. Recoil from that load in my .458 would be around 45 ft-lbs. In comparison. The 350 TSX at 2780 fps would recoil at about 47 ft-lbs — a modest amount more for a bit more effect at 400 yards. They too are very accurate from my Ruger #1 in .458. And I do have some of the 350 TSXs, but not the 300s on hand- I’ve exhausted my supply in developing, testing and hunting loads from the two #1 Rugers in .45-70 LT and .458 Win Mag.

So a collection of retrieved bullets from both carcasses and media can impress us visually as to their worthiness in hunting activities. So get out there and do some testing for yourself! I hope and intend to do more of that, no doubt shooting more into media than animals. There’s planning and work involved but, hey, anything worthwhile doin’ involves work! Just think… you might become one of those Xperts!

Til the next: Comments on the rest of the lineup from the 286gr Hornady to the 480gr DGX. And that should be on October 9, if God is willing and all goes as planned (St James Epistle ch 4: verses 13 to 17).

Shalom

BOB MITCHELL