Definition of "Big Bore"

[w1mnk]

What is definition of "big bore" when applied to handgun caliber's? .357 and up? .400 and up? Any and all comments welcome. This is a similar topic to "what is a big block engine" in automotive circles. Thanks.

 

[HSMITH]

.429" and up.

 

[BigG]

HSMITH said it.

 

[tc300mag1]

i say .429 and up reading john taffins book say .357 mag and up

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Teddy Kennedy.

 

[w1mnk]

LOL, Vern. Being a refuge from MA, I always think a body opening whenever Ted the Bridge man comes up. Thanks for lightening up my Friday

 

[popbang]

.429 seems reasonable although I can see .410, as the .41 Mag may be included.

 

[foghornl]

Dang it Vern, I just got another "Diet Coke through the nose" sinus treatment....
And I'm still wiping down the monitor

 

[Ala Dan]

popbang nailed it, the .41 magnum must be included,
so therefore .410 defines "big bore".

Another thought, you can't include the .400 caliber cuz it
seems like everybody and his brother owns at least one
weapon chambered for the .40 S&W. Begining with .410
shooters are in an entirely different class!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[cratz2]

Different people have different definitions... My definition would probably be anything over .40" as I consider the 41 Magnum to be pretty formidable but the 40S&W does not leap to mind when pondering 'big bores'.

And why is it that the 10mm kinda creeps in there but not the 40S&W? Personal bias, I suppose.

So yeah, I guess .410 and up.

 

[OEF_VET]

Here's another vote for .410".

 

[mete]

Bore defines caliber, don't confuse this with power. For handguns and rifles, 40 caliber and above is big bore. This is important. Hunting dangerous game in africa , big bore is recommended because they have found it does make a difference. Handguns also, big bore makes a difference and that has been noted for over 100 years. On woodchucks and things I have found 40 S&W and 45 acp about the same, both are noticably better than the 9mm.

 

[Boats]

I think the "big bore" distinction is more important in rifles than in handguns. In a rifle the choice is really between momentum and trajectory flatness to a way greater degree than the spread of performance in most handguns 9mm to .44Mag or so.

In handguns normally employed in self defense roles, my distinction is more made along the lines of "power" rather than "bore." The .380, the .38 Super, the 9mm, the .38 Sp., the .357 Mag, and the .357 SIG all use the same bore, but I know which of those rounds I respect more than the others in terms of ballistic performance. The same goes for .40S&W and 10mm and others with overlapping bullet sizes/weights but wildly differing terminal performance numbers in terms of energy.

 

[Bill Hook]

10mm on up.

 

[surfinUSA]

Any caliber designation that begins wiith 4 or larger.

 

[schromf]

I think the FBI said it best anything that starts with 4

 

[caz223]

Think metric, 10mm+.

 

[Majic]

.40 cal and up which will include the 10mm.

 

[Intune]

If you're ever looking down one you'll recognize it.

 

[gulogulo1970]

.40cal and up in my opinion.

 

[agtman]

"Big Bore" defined ...

First, distinguish between revolvers and autoloaders:



- among revolvers, a "Big Bore" means 10mm AUTO & up (e.g., S&W 610);

- among autoloaders, a "Big Bore" means 10mm AUTO & up (e.g., Delta Elite).

 

[Wanderer]

I'd say .40

 

[New_comer]

If there's big bore, then there should be mid-bore and obviously the small bores

For me, the range would be:

small bores range in dia < 6.5 mm
mid-bores 6.5 mm< xx < = 10mm
big bores > 10 mm

41 mag is a big bore, 10mm/40SW mid bore

 

[Vern Humphrey]

To my way of thinking, a big bore is Colt .45, +P+ (that is, for Rugers and T/C only), and midbores are between that and .357.

 

[BluesBear]

Anything with a bore diameter greater than .4" I consider to be a big bore.