Next Caliber to Step Up From a .338??

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I already have .338 bolt action and I'm kind of getting an itch for something larger---no Africa trips planned---just wanting to try something new and different.

Which would be a good step up from a .338?? A .375----.416-----or .458 and why?? ------- Please no 50BMG---I'm looking for something that can actually be used for hunting---not a 30-pound monster.

Sort of thinking a .375 in a bolt action and a .416 or .458 in a Ruger #1---to keep costs somewhat reasonable.

Which would be your choice??

Thanks

OBG

 

[mtnbkr]

Keep in mind the biggest gun I've shot is a 338WinMag, so my opinion isn't based on experience...

If you're going to spend the money to go bigger, why not go bigger ? I'd start looking at the 416 calibers. Winchester makes a nice looking Mod70 in 416 Remington. Last time I saw one, it was $995, so it's not too expensive. The only problem is ammo is about $100 a box!!

Chris

 

[cratz2]

Yeah, there is a considerable difference in cost of 375 ammo vs. 416 ammo. You can get 458 Winchester soft point ammo for about $40 a box but the least I think I've ever seen for 416 is in the $80 price range, mostly more than that. Something to think about. If I were looking for something in this range, I'd need pretty serious convincing to get something other than the 375 H&H.

I also kind of like the idea of the Teddy's favorite the 1895 in 405. no idea on ammo costs - Natchez doesn't list any, Midway doesn't list any and I know that my local shop doesn't carry it. Last time they had a used one, it came with 5 boxes of ammo and the owner made a reference to that being about $200 worth of ammo. Just as a guideline.

 

[BigG]

Most of the 458 Win Mag I bought ran closer to $60 a box than $40. Maybe there is mail order? Keep in mind 416 is also a big round so it probly only holds two in a std Rem/Rug/Win magazine unless you get a big roly poly monster like the CZ which holds about FIVE (IIRC).

I think 375 H&H is a good choice. Ammo can be had for $25 a box and recoil is probaly 1.5X the 338s so you know you pulled the trigger. Just for reference the 458 is around 1.5 or 2X the 375. It really lets you know you pulled the trigger. These seat of the pants calculations refer to factory ammo.

 

[BusMaster007]

...rambling right on in to this one...

My own twisted logic makes me want a .375 H&H to replace my .338 Win.Mag. (...mostly to satiate a desire and to befuddle an aquaintance who is a .338 fanatic ).

BUT, I have an excellent rifle in .338, a Remington 700 BDL-DM that will take enhanced power ammo to approximate the base level of energy the .375 H&H offers, so, I'm gonna keep it!

WHAT THEN, did I do to get the BIG BORE niche filled?
I bought a Marlin 1895 full size rifle in .45-70 Govt., that's what!

WHY?
Because it shoots:
BIG BULLETS;
Blackpowder loads;
300-535 gr. STOKED ammo by Garrett and Buffalo;
in a lever action.

Versatility. Romantic type action... Wood & Blue. BIG BULLETS.

Great choice! ( get a scope with some eye relief! )

 

[EJ]

I love my WW 70 458-- (Besides it's a "Dirty Harry" gun )
and bullets are redily available for handloading light loads cheaply--
and the ammo is still cheaper than comparable "new" stuff--

Also-- you have a Classic 338 and not something obscure--
Why not stick with the classic--

Go with a 458 or 375 H&H

 

[Leadbutt]

Your best bet is to look at the CZ rifles great price and several large bores.338 isn't that much different than the 375,go ahead and jump to the 416 or 458, but you have to look into reloading for the most use of these caliberes

 

[dakotasin]

i think the 375 is a small jump up...probably be best to jump to 416 rigby (if you handload), 416 rem mag (if you don't handload). the 416 rigby is a classic, but the factories come up short on ther ammo...

good luck to ya.

 

[BigG]

338 vs. 375? Not all that much different (on paper)...

Believe me, whenever I've pulled out my 375, the 338 wannabes slink into the nearest corner. They just ain't the same.

 

[BigG]

The 416 Rigby is intentionally not loaded up to the max. The HUGE case was designed for African conditions with temps in the low 100s continuously. With the hot burning cordite available at the time the pressures would rapidly mount were a more efficient sized case used. That's why most of the classic African cartridges run oversize compared to their "more efficient" brethren designed for the frozen north, i.e., USA.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I am a huge .375H&H fan and the majority of my time in the field is with my .375 in hand. However, the .375 and the .338 are close enough in ability that I'd not own both they basically do the same thing.

If you want a flat shooting utility type big rifle the .416 is it. It's flat shooting hard hitting and ammo is easily available.

If you just gotta have a heavy for romantic reasons .458 just has a ring to it....

Of course if your like me and just have to have a .375H&H (talk about romance) then go and get one you'll not be disapointed with it's capabilities and knock down is pretty darn adequate as well.

When in dangerous game situations I always have my .375H&H along with my .458Lott because it's as capable of shooting a hundred pound gazelle at 350yards as it is dropping a Buff at 10yards. What a perfect combo to have on a hunt.

I can't say enough good stuff about the .375H&H. And I feel the same way about the .338.

 

[tex_n_cal]

Well....I have a .300 & a .375, and hanker for a .338

Then again, maybe I'll go get a .358 STA

The CZ's in .416 Rigby are BIG rifles, but pretty reasonable in price. I am thinking of getting one just to have that magnum Mauser action.

If you're not taking the Rigby to Africa or other places with 110+ degree heat, you can of course crank up powder charges - The case capacity is similar to a .460 Weatherby. Recoil, of course, starts to get just as bad as a Weatherby.

Neither the Rugers nor the Marlin .45-70's are very heavy, and yes they do kick with full power loads. At short ranges, they will wallop anything on this side of the Atlantic.

 

[cheygriz]

The all time classic world wide hunting rifle is the Winchester Model 70 in .375 H&H.

Works well on everything from Whitetails to elephant and cape buffalo.

This was **THE** gun of the golden age of African hunting.

When you discuss "glamour" and "romance" in relation to guns, you're refering to this rifle.

300 grain solids at 2600 fps for the big stuff, 235 grain Speer at 2950 for deer, 235 Barnes "X" at 2950 for elk and moose.

With the .375, ya got it covered, regardless of what "it" is.