I had two 50BMGs (first a State Arms bolt gun then a M107), sold them both. I just wasn't shooting them enuf' and certainly not at any kind of range. I ended up putting a EoTech on the 107, in case I was close for the next KillDozer event (or that big rock in my back yard ever attacked)
I thought about a 45-120 Quigley Sharps for a while, even thought about having one of the Pedersoli 45-70 Double Rifles re-chambered to 45-120. I bought a 338 Win for Bear hunting but ended up selling it and bought a 375H&H as my One Planet One Gun rifle.
I had a .577Nitro built on a Ruger No1, by JD Jones (the Hand Cannon guy). I planned to take a Cape Buffalo and maybe a Elephant with it; but decided I really wanted a Double rifle. I went shopping for a 500Nitro double, then I met Craig Boddington at the Harrisburg Outdoor show and he talked me out of the 500. He strongly suggested 470 Nitro was better for a Dangerous Game rifle. His biggest argument that stuck in my head was the availability of ammo issue. THAT has certainly proven true.
Now Im looking for a 4 Bore (as in each projo weights 1/4pound). Finding 8 Bore guns is "easier" and in reality neither is better than the 470; but theres something cool about a bullet almost the size of a golfball . I found a gunsmith that will make 8 and 4 Bore rifles in single and double barrel versions. He makes them in cartridge and percussion versions. I really want the cartridge version but the price difference is SIGNIFICANT as in 20+K more (and the percussion version cost more than my 470 Merkle). The problem is getting black powder to Afrika is a major PIA plus the BP locally available in Afrika isn't usually up to the same level as US stuff, so that means load development after arrival in country.
I still toy with wanting a 45-70 lever Gun. I really wish somebody would make a SxS shotgun with double rifled barrels OR even one rifled barrel and one smooth bore. Making twin rifled barrels is complicated (hence the cost) BUT a single rifled with a smooth bore beside it (or under) would be cheap.
WHATs your BIG BORE?
I thought about a 45-120 Quigley Sharps for a while, even thought about having one of the Pedersoli 45-70 Double Rifles re-chambered to 45-120. I bought a 338 Win for Bear hunting but ended up selling it and bought a 375H&H as my One Planet One Gun rifle.
I had a .577Nitro built on a Ruger No1, by JD Jones (the Hand Cannon guy). I planned to take a Cape Buffalo and maybe a Elephant with it; but decided I really wanted a Double rifle. I went shopping for a 500Nitro double, then I met Craig Boddington at the Harrisburg Outdoor show and he talked me out of the 500. He strongly suggested 470 Nitro was better for a Dangerous Game rifle. His biggest argument that stuck in my head was the availability of ammo issue. THAT has certainly proven true.
Now Im looking for a 4 Bore (as in each projo weights 1/4pound). Finding 8 Bore guns is "easier" and in reality neither is better than the 470; but theres something cool about a bullet almost the size of a golfball . I found a gunsmith that will make 8 and 4 Bore rifles in single and double barrel versions. He makes them in cartridge and percussion versions. I really want the cartridge version but the price difference is SIGNIFICANT as in 20+K more (and the percussion version cost more than my 470 Merkle). The problem is getting black powder to Afrika is a major PIA plus the BP locally available in Afrika isn't usually up to the same level as US stuff, so that means load development after arrival in country.
I still toy with wanting a 45-70 lever Gun. I really wish somebody would make a SxS shotgun with double rifled barrels OR even one rifled barrel and one smooth bore. Making twin rifled barrels is complicated (hence the cost) BUT a single rifled with a smooth bore beside it (or under) would be cheap.
WHATs your BIG BORE?
