Best Sasquatch rifle- Baikal 45-70 dbl vs CZ550 .375H&H vs. CZ 550 .416 Rigby?
 

Not being able to afford a Heym Professional Hunter double rifle in .470 Nitro Express, the $20,000 price tag on a working gun being daunting, I have been forced to consider other options. Other options for what you may ask? Well other options for a rifle of sufficient caliber and type to be considered fit to take a Sasquatch of course. Utility for other tasks, and the ability to deal with any rogue elephants loose here in the American Southeast would be nice to have as well.

I have mostly settled on the choice of one of the three rifles listed above. Any of them can be had for around 1/20th the cost of a Heym. All three feature express sights and offer a follow up shot or shots. Primarily sold to those hunting the famous "big five", they also turn up in bear country, amongst those who hated the film "Dumbo", and in the cabinet of anyone who fears the future of genetically engineered dinosaurs.

The Baikal seems to be the least expensive of the three. It is a relatively inexpensive double rifle. The advantage of a double rifle is the rapid follow up shot. While the venerable .45-70 is not generally thought of as a big game chambering, the good folks at Garrett offer loads that they claim will surpass a .458 Winchester Magnum in penetration and stopping power. These specialty rounds are expensive, however presumably the Baikal can also handle more common and less expensive .45-70 fodder. A somewhat unusual means of registering the point of impact makes these rifles inexpensive, but possibly relatively inaccurate. I also wonder about Baikals quality control.

On the CZ550s there is a choice between a European style stock and an American style. I admit to being unsure which will offer better handling. Based on looks, the European style stock seems more eye catching. I do not wish to pay the premium for a kevlar stock, so in either case I would opt for wood.

The models in .375 H&H Magnum seem almost versatile. While I will likely retain the iron sights, they can take a scope if desired. The Mauser type action ought be reliable enough and the magazine offers follow up shots.

A classic case has been made over the years for the .375 H&H being a possible choice for a "just one rifle" option capable of taking all game in North America. Ammuntion is available starting at around $40 a box.

But...the .416 Rigby takes the power factor up a notch, or would seem to. Ammunition cost goes back up to $100 a box, but the result is a bigger and heavier bullet. The .416 Rigby seems to have a decent track record for dropping even the largest game such as elephants. General utility would seem to be less, though I suppose a guy could load some "mild" .416 rounds for deer. Still, while the extra "oomph" attracts me, the higher cost of ammunition and lack of secondary uses gives me pause.I wonder, could it use 41 magnum rounds with a chamber adapter?

As of this writing all three are in stock and availible for order from a well known gunshop with a large online presence.

Which do you, gentle reader, suppose to be the best choice? Said rifle will never visit Africa. It will be used as a walking around and handy to have rifle. I do need it to be a rifle capable of stopping the largest and most dangerous of furry creatures. Since a Sasquatch is an unproven target, one may wish to substitute Kodiak grizzly in their imagination.

375
Classic
Not sure about stick design. I have the same feelings as you do there

I'd go with the .375. Big enough for anything you're likely to find on this continent, and a trajectory like a .30-06.

If you don't load your own, ammo will be less expensive than the .416. If you do, you can tailor your loads for whatever you need to shoot.

I've never owned one. However, a friend of mine had a Rem. 700 in that caliber, and I loaded all his ammo, and I got to shoot it a bunch. If I ever move back to Alaska, I'll be getting one. I think it's one of the best cartridges of all time.

I have a Baikal 12 gauge double, and it's a decent enough gun. I'd rate CZ a couple notches higher, though.

Now, if you're just looking to impress your friends, you might want to go with the double .45-70, although any one of those have the ability to impress!

No, no, no, you got it all wrong! You want to TRAP Sasquatch! I understand that winter is the best time to try, too! There is a well known Sasquatch hunter from our area that has written about the best way to go about it. First, you have to find a frozen high mountain lake. The ice has to be thick enough so it would hold an animal weighing around 1000 pounds. Next, go to the middle of the lake and cut a 40 inch diameter hole in the ice. Then, take a can of sweet baby peas and carefully place them around the cut. Then hide and wait. It wont take long....and when Sasquatch goes out to take a pea, you kick him in the ice hole!



:D

I think this would do the job.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b6...lephantgun.jpg

You're right, the European stock is pretty. But I've only shot two 375s. This'un of mine, and a Weatherby of a friend's. Mine kicks more than his did. Maybe that prettier stock shape is the reason.

Is photobucket hosed again? That's a movie, but when I click on it it goes to a jpeg. :(

I would recommend any of those cartridges. However of three, 375 H&H has the proven record for being THE gun for everything. I own 1 375 currently and have loaded for it for years. The 3 or 4 round capacity has a definite advantage of a 2 shot double. 45-70 is a fine North American round, but factory ammo is a little anemic, and any double will be regulated to factory ammo. I fear you will never get the sights to be correct for a suitable round. 416 Rigby is everything the 375 is, but much more so! This includes; Recoil, ammo cost, and difficulty reloading and component acquisition. My best friend had a Wentworth Express in the mid 80's. It was made on a Magnum Mauser CZ action. The iron express sights were regulated for 270 grain factory ammo at 100, 200, &300 meters. The 300 meter sight was about 16" left and the was no way to adjust it. 300 grain RN ammo was very close to the sights at 100 and 200 meters. With a low powered scope 1-4 or 2-8 at the largest, you will have rapid second shot placement. Sierra and Hornady both make 300 grain SPBT projectiles. At 300 factory velocity BT's are 14" flatter and almost 1000 ft. lbs. more energy than factory RN's @ 200 meters. These are my choice for any thin skinned big game; bear, moose, Sasquatch, tiger, or whatever. The sights should be real close to 300 meters as factory 270 grain ammo, from my experience. Should you have a non-warranty problem, there are 1000's of qualified gunsmiths world wide for Mauser style actions, not so on any double; let alone a Russian made one. I'm on my 3rd 375 H&H rifle, upgrading over the years. I believe this is a rifle all balanced collections must have. I own 4 different 45-70 rifles and am very fond of the round, but it is not a 375! These are of course my observations, you can draw your own conclusions & buy what you desire. Have fun, Ivan

It will take some searching (which is half the fun) but years ago there were a couple GOOD gunsmiths converting Siamese Mausers into 45-70 bolt actions. These could be loaded up into the 458 range for serious work or factory type loads used for plinking. Otherwise I'd go with the 375 bolt gun and I doubt the Bakail will keep regulated.

375 H&H is the best all around choice, and will work with authority on ANY big game animal in North America. Mine was a CZ, and it was a nice rifle. European hump back stock handled the recoil well.

Never owned a 416 anything, but shot some ones once. A definite step up in recoil over a .375, and at least as much as a .458 win, in my opinion.

The 45/70 double.... I own one of the Remington Russian imports. They are actually nice rifles, and mine will place both barrels on target with maybe an inch or so spread between barrels at 50 yards. They are not a gun you would want to use for hunting at any distance though, hence the .375 recommendation. By the way, you can NOT use hot loads in the 45/70 SxS. They are limited to standard pressure loads, and printed as so right on the barrels. The Hornady 325 grain jacketed load at 2050 fps is the max factory load that meets these pressure limits. A good 375H&H load will push a 300 grain bullet to 2400 / 2500 fps, with better SD and BC. You might get a 350 - 400 grain hard cast up to 1800 fps or so, and stay in the proper pressure range with the 45/70, but that is a far cry from a full power .458 magnum load.

Larry

What about a 450 Marlin?

Ruger 10/22 loaded with Squatch .22lr HPs.

I own a 550 in .416 Rigby, American stock. It's not as bad a thumper as one might suspect. It's not featherweight and will get heavy on long days afield, believe it, but if I'm seeking a 'squatch I want some stopping power!

Anything in the lower 48 can be stopped with a good 30-06 load. Might be marginal on P.O.'d grizzly and moose. A 45-70 lever, a 348 (my pick) would all do as well and wouldn't be as tough on your shoulder.

I had the Remington (Baikal)-heavy gun.

Heck, my wife's 7x57 Mountain Rifle suffice (Mrs. Jack O'Connor took 17 head of African plains game with 19 shots)

years ago in a gun rag I read a story about a smith converting a 20ga BSS to a double barrel .30-30. I'd love to have one of those.

Why do you want to shoot a Sasquatch? They might be friendly.

Well, I spent part of the day reading about the .375 Ruger and the rifles chambered for it. There is a stainless and synthetic short barrel gun (nominally 20") from Savage that can be had for a very attractive price. Ruger has a similar but more expensive offering. I hesitate on the Savage owing to my concern that the Accutrigger might not be a good thing on a dangerous game rifle and the low capacity (2 plus 1) seems less than ideal.

It would seem that the 375 Ruger has some support, whereas the 416
Ruger is very rare.

The niche guns from Ruger themselves seem to feature muzzle brakes. That ought reduce recoil, but I wondered the degree to which they acted as loudeners...

I also was not sure whether or not the Savage was a "push feed" design.

So I hemmed and hawed. Then I made an offer on a used Cz550 in 416 Rigby. I shall see whether that is accepted.

I had the impression that the European style stocks reduced perceived recoil. Though the one I made an offer on has the American style Kevlar stock.

.416 Rigby ammunition is actually easier to find online than one might think. Easier than .22 long rifle.

The CZ in question has a 23" bbl if I recall correctly.

I had not meant to ignore the Marlin Guide Guns. I have owned lever action rifles in 44 Mag, 30-30 and 375 Winchester. I even have a basic reloading set up for .45-70. BUT....while a lever gun is generally said to be faster handling than a bolt action, I find myself comfortable with bolt guns from having greater familiarity.

I previously had a Ruger No 1 in .458 Remington mag. I got it from a shop in Alaska online some yearsago. It did not cost much and I never did much with it, trading it eventually. When I lived in Virginia it served as my emergency elephant gun. Since I never had to deal with an elephant, I suppose it did its job via deterrence.

If I do not get the big CZ, I will like as not order the Savage in .375 Ruger. However...I could not help but notice that CZ offers a rifle in 505 Gibbs. Unfortunately... a box of ammunition for such costs as much as an entry level 30-06.

The 458 Lott is said to better the old .458 Win mag, but a bolt gun so chambered oddly lacks the appeal to me of the other choices, even the somewhat ugly Savage.


I had not been aware that the Baikals were limited in what they could handle. I suppose I fell into the trap of thinking anything Russian ought be tank like and durable.

I trust my remington 700 in 338win mag to stop anything in north America that breathes. It's good for thin skinned game in Africa too.
Why shoot a squatch? There's a lot of states that have laws protecting it now. Remember the DNA shows its half human and half ape. I believe they weren't interbred with humans apes I think our creators mixed the DNA up.

I like doubles and one of these days a double rifle will be mine. I find the idea of a .45-70 appealing. I'm already setup to load the that old standard. On the other hand a double rifle should be chambered in something Continental. I doubt I'll ever make it to Africa to chase truly dangerous games so something like a .470 NE is over kill.

I think a lighter double rifle chambered in .375 H&H Flanged or 9.3x74R would be just right. It would make a great brush rifle for elk, bear and moose along with old big foot.

Oh another possible caliber for a double rifle, how about .405 Winchester??

Is this a case of "the fingers are typing while the brain is thinking about lunch", or is this a round I've never heard of?

>I previously had a Ruger No 1 in .458 Remington mag. I got it from a shop in Alaska online some yearsago. It did not cost much and I never did much with it, trading it eventually. When I lived in Virginia it served as my emergency elephant gun. Since I never had to deal with an elephant, I suppose it did its job via deterrence.<

458 Winchester Magnum I know - but REMINGTON?

A guy up in I think Wash state says he shot 2, one apparently a juvenile. He was on A deer hunt with a scoped center fire rifle. I don't think I would shoot one. I will use my dog rule. If your dog is biting me on the leg, I will shoot it. If he's just standing there growling, I just growl back. But yes we do need to catch one.

Oh, c'mon, it's a monkey. Use a .30-30.

Make friends with it, it probably knows more about life and this planet than we do? It uses rivers and highways to migrate. Probably high tention electrical wires too.

I of course ought have typed .458 Winchester Magnum. Having the various .416s floating around like sugar plums in my head, I had the words Remington and Magnum stuck on the brain.

Anyway...I made a deal on a used CZ550 American with the Kevlar stock, getting it for about the cost of one of the woodstocked guns new. I theorized that it was relatively unlikely that a .416 Rigby rifle had seen enough rounds fired to sustain serious wear. The Kevlar stock will be uglier, but ought be durable.

I will have the rifle whenever Buds ships it. I am thus far not a fan of their shipping times, but it will get here when it gets here.

I ordered 2 boxes of .416 Rigby ammunition to get me started. Hopefully the Hornady offerings are of good quality. They sell for half or less per box than Federal and other loads, the Norma and Kynoch offerings being particularly expensive. At $5 a shot, the Hornady is not plinking fodder either....One box of full metal jackets and one of dangerous game expanding bullets.

The possum that lives in the ditch and the raccoon that sometimes is in the trash can will never know what hit them. If I get proper reloading equipment perhaps I can figure out some squirrel loads.

Minor complications are that I have absolutely no where nearby that I know of where I can shoot the rifle. I also need to find someone with an errant Sasquatch raiding the chickens who wants to be rid of it. Perhaps I will give the rifle a name and pitch a reality show... Ponders.

I actually have a theory...that one of the reasons no one shows up with a frwshly shot Sasquatch in tow is that no one who takes the shot ever survives, ending up either a trail snack or a forest bride.

There may be some validity to this, as in most parts of the country it is unlikely that anyone is wandering the woods with a rifle meant for large predators. It could be that bullets meant for deer or even worse for varmints simply disintegrate without reaching vitals. Thick pelt...likely a thick sloping skull, heavy bone structure, well muscled...shrug. Maybe even the .416 is a bad idea. Still, something that I have been meaning to get, so that is taken care of.

Now where can I get a shirt with shell loops and an Aussie bush hat?

I got two boxes of the Hornady 400-gr. DGS ammo when I got my .416 Rigby and it was really accurate and consistent over the chrony. I'm handloading it now and will test the first batch as soon as this snow ends.

Did not know they came in composite. Mine is wood, but either way, you'll have fun with this classic African cartridge!

It is my understanding that Sasquatch is a pretty large fellow, I would bet he could handle one of those 1918 Mauser 13 mm anti-tank rifles with a stock extension for his very long length of pull. Though it might be best to start him off with something like a .22. :)
http://i.imgur.com/8vQ9kOm.jpg

You'll probably never see a Saaquatch, but if you do need to kill one, I think a .270 or .30-06 loaded with Nosler Partition or similar controlled expansion bullets will do.

Remember the old Ruger ads where the guy shot gorillas with a Ruger .44 carbine and a Super Blackhawk? They sufficed. Shot placement matters.

More likely, you may need to shoot a bear. Or, an elk or moose. You don't know where your Navy wife may eventually be stationed.

Hands down, your choice of the items stated is the .375 H&H in the CZ. I think I'd get the US style stock.

Frankly, I'd try to buy a Winchester M-70 .375, but CZ and Sako are my options. Sako does not have controlled round feeding.

I handled a CZ .416 and was impressed. But recoil might eventually split the stock, recoil will be formidable, and it's much less versatile and far more expensive to shoot than a .375. Ammo is hard to find here.

I'd look for the Winchester or buy the CZ .375, which is a quite popular item among resident African hunters who DO use it on dangerous game. I have a book on lions with a photo of a CZ .375 that the reseacher carried for protection.

I hope that your finances have improved and that you can buy and retain this rifle.

I suggest a Euro reticle with heavier lower posts, for rapid sight acquisition. I have a Redfield with that reticle and had one from Swarovski that I wish I hadn't sold.

I know of one alleged Sasquatch attack on a man near the Texas-Arkansas border and there have been accounts of them throwing small boulders at houses.

I do not know of any lab that has declared any human origins in this species. Only read that an Army CID lab examined a hair and said that it was not from any known species.

You have a fun fantasy project, and a .375 H&H Magnum is a fine all-round rifle for one who likes power beyond what's normally needed in North America, beyond the big bears.

But a .375 might save your hide if you're ever charged by a domestic bull. And some feral pigs grow very large.

I think you are unwise to consider the Baikal rifle. I'd also avoid any other Eastern Bloc arms other than those by CZ.

P.S. This was typed while you were posting that you've bought a CZ .416 with synthetic stock. I hope what I said will be of help to anyone else here with similar considerations. Your rifle should also be useful on sharks.

If I was routinely in Sasquatch country, I'd carry a S&W M-629 .44 Magnum with six-inch barrel. I think I'd aim for the solar plexus or the nose, hoping for a brain shot. The most potent handgun I now own is a .357. But I think it may suffice on the brain shot, as the facial bones probably aren't massive. If I carried a rifle, it'd be something that would also work on grizzlies, if they were a local factor.

I doubt the existance of some cryptozoolical animals, like the Nandi bear. But Bigfoot/Sasquatch and some lake monsters are more possible.

Sasquatch.....hmmmmmm......

I'd use a water pistol with vinegar and water........it's been known to clean up a lot of things in the past, and I'm sure a Bigfoot would probably succumb just as those other "things" have..........

A fair number of the big bores get taken to Africa, but I suspect just as many are Walter Mitty guns. They are purchased for novelty, machismo, midlife crisis etc and live their lives in a safe, in a closet or on the mantle after firing a few shots on the range. Thus the .416 rifle found for about 2/3 of retail when lightly used. In a way, I can consider it an investment. I do not see it further depreciating in value so long as cared for. Thus if I get bored with, or find it excessive for various and sundry small furry things, I ought be able to get back what I paid for it.

In theory shooting a sasquatch can be sold as a very granola and Birkenstock idea. The theory being that the body makes for positive proof allowing recognition and protection as an endangered species. Though I am sure it was coming right for me regardless.

My reasoning is simply that if I had the chance I would take the shot simply to do what no one has provably done before. I was not entirely convinced by the claims of juvenile ones being shot and the bodies buried. I would think a dead Sasquatch to easily be worth a million dollars, and I can not see burying a million dollars and leaving it to rot.

Extrapolating size, weight, etc from what is claimed and we get something like a Kodiak grizzly but smarter. While old timers killed very large bears with the .30-06 and even the old .30-40 Krag, I allow myself to think that more might be better when something may eat me.

My wife is retiring from the Navy this summer after 20 years. Perhaps we will move to Alaska and the big bore will at least be of theoretical utility. I hope to end up back in Washington or Oregon, where perhaps I will get my chance after all.

I do not know if it was a common problem, but I do remember hearing in the past that the big bore CZs cracked stocks at times. The Kevlar stock should take care of this issue.

I plan to keep the iron sights for now both for economy and to keep the lines cleaner.

Hopefully I can find a chance to shoot a large carnivorous feral pig or two to see what the rifle, when loaded with expanding bullets, is like as a stopper.

Every now and again someone just turns their pet lion or tiger loose in the woods, so I suppose I am set for that too.

I have owned many larger bore rifles over the years. the 375 h&h is easier for most people to shoot due to less recoil, however still considerable. have owned 2 different 416 rigby chambered guns. if you practice with as you should, they are not unmanageable. more recoil for sure than most guns but heavyweight makes them usable. norma makes great empties for the rigby. your practice loads should not be full up speed at first. load some to around 2000fps to get used to the gun. pm me for more info on big rifles if you want.

Winchester M-70 375 H&H with Nikon African 1-4X scope with German #4 reticle, Leupold quick release mount.

Here's your ideal Sasquatch rifle. It is a custom Mosin-Nagant that has been rebarreled and converted to .45-70. It was built by Jim Green, he's the gunsmith from the National Geographic show "Lords of War". Considering the 7.62x54 had a max pressure of 52k you can load your .45-70 as heavy as you like, this gun can take it. Jim milled out a picatinny rail and mounted it scout-style for a long eye relief scope. Perfect for those close encounters in the heavy forests that Sasquatch are known to frequent.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y...o/SDC10390.JPG

A "Bubbaed" mil-surp?!?!?!?!?!? :eek: :eek: Oooohh Nooooo!

Shame on you for suggesting such a thing.

Bubba-ed? Hardly. Jim Green is a lot of things, but a Bubba isn't one of them.

I cannot speak for the other calibers you are speaking of but I can talk the 416 Rigby.

I have owned my Ruger Safari Magnum well over 10 years. The only thing that is disheartening, when using 95 to 105 grains of powder, you only get give or take 70 loaded rounds per pound of powder. When I bought the rifle I also bought a bunch of 400 grain Hornady bullets and can load them for a dollar a round using Federal large magnum primers and existing powder that I have on hand I do not know what it would cost by todays standards to load for it, quite a bit more I would guess. Since you don’t shoot it in volumes like a .22 it is affordable. I bought the rifle with nearly 80 rounds of dangerous game solids and tend not to shoot them as I feel they would enhance the sale of the rifle if I were to decide to sell it.

Since you have had other big rifles you will find that the Rigby recoil is firm but very manageable not for the faint of heart mind you but hold her tight, squeeze the trigger and hang on and all is well.

terry

That is beautifully executed! Did he open up the bolt face or is the rim on the Russian round comparable to the 45-70?

Intriguing project.....

Gator congratulations on your wife putting in her 20-it goes faster than one thinks! Honest to gawd I can see you in Alaska-:D either there or for some reason South Texas :rolleyes:

I can only offer what you already have gleaned. The .375 isn't required on this continent. The CZ will be better quality though the jack screw double, from what I've read, is capable of 2" groups evah so roughly at 100 yds.

How fast is Bullwinkle gonna close in on you after you touch off the first round?

The 45-70 ammo in medium weight/velocity can be had for around a buck & half a round for plinking/exploding milk jugs. The closest I'll ever get to shooting a Cape Buffalo is a picture cut from National Geographic taped to the aforementioned jug filled w/water.

Plus, several affordable options are available in lever action 45-70 should you wish to add to the collection.


Looks good & naturally I'm curious what one might ballpark for in that condition.

I would suggest the ceramic Glock we hear so much about.

A non-existing gun for a non-existing target. :D

The bolt face had to be opened up a bit. Jim posted a video on his website that chronicles the build - Jim shows viewers how he converted a Mosin Nagant to .45-70 Govt. (Government) and then test-fires the converted rifle. - it isn't too long and he covers pretty much everything he did.

This is the first one of these he built, and it's been a couple of years. I'm not sure if he has done anymore so I can't say what he would charge. I am going to be putting several custom guns up for sale, including this one, in the classifieds here later this weekend. If you're interested in it PM me and we can talk.

You apparently missed the thread about "sporterizing military surplus firearms", and the opinions express that, "no matter what was done to that grand old war horse - no matter how beautiful or 'better fitted as a sporting rifle" Pachmyar or Griffen and Howe did it - it was still BUBBAED".

I was making a sarcastic comment/joke, and actually expected a :D:D-type response.

"416 Rigby Elephant Rifle Explodes onto the Little Screen" - Product Review with Ron Spomer - YouTube

For those who haven't seen a REAL Rigby .416, here's one in use by well known outdoor writer Ron Spomer.
The rifle was made by Rigby in the 1930's and is beautifully preserved.

Note the substantial recoil. This was not a rifle designed for plinking or for extended sessions of benchrest shooting. It is intended to be sighted-in and thereafter used mainly on large, dangerous game. So ammo cost wouldn't be much of a factor, especially for those who could afford a Rigby rifle! Nonetheless, professional hunter John A. Hunter mentiond the expense of some heavy rifle cartridges. He made that up by selling ivory of some of the elephants he shot.

The main animals the .416 would be used on are Cape buffalo, lion, elephant, and rhino.

The firm offered .275 (7X57mm) and .350 Magnum rifles for smaller game. Doubtless, mamy of you know that users of the .275 Rigby have included Queen Elizabeth II, Jim Corbett, and W.D.M. Bell.

Their .350 Magnum was sort of a British version of the .35 Whelen, but not interchangeable. In factory loads, it threw a 225 grain bullet at some 2600-2650 FPS.

Jack O'Connor had a couple of .416's built for him on 1917 Enfield actions, which are long enough for the big ctg. They were not Bubba'd sporters, as you may well imagine if you read Jack's columns. They were very high grade sporters, on par with his famous .270's. In fact, I think Al Biesen stocked his .416's as well as his favorite .270's.

Lest someone think that I am particularly affluent, the CZs in base wood trim go for about what a Colt 6920 sells for. While not per se a blue collar gun, they are not necessarily out of reach either. I am losing interest in black guns and moving on to big bore ones I suppose.

I had to pay $5 a round for the "inexpensive" Hornady ammunition. Most brands seem to run $10 to $15 a round. This is not quite as prohibitive as it seems given that it is not a platform for high volume shooting. I think something under 150 original Rigby (made by Rigby) .416s were sold over the span of decades. It is thus likely a more popular caliber now than ever as it celebrates 103 years of its existence.

When I was a younger man and still in college, it was easy to find Remington and Winchester (under its then owners) products in .375, .458 and a few .416 Remington magnums. They were a niche market in Michigan at the time. Some took them to Africa, but just as many owners bought them to mess around with. I came very close to getting either a .416 Remington Mag or .458 Win Mag bolt action then and having it fit with a muzzle brake. I forget why I wanted one then.

Interestingly back in the 70s when a "survival" column ran in Guns and Ammo and even Jeff Cooper wrote on the topic (they were called "survivalists" rather than "preppers" back then), it was commonly suggested that one ought consider including a big game rifle in their battery. The Barrett not existing at the time, I believe the rationale was that these rifles could be used to good effect against vehicles.

When legislation was eventually put into effect in the United States to limit sales of so called "armor piercing" ammunition, dangerous game rounds for rifles were specifically exempted. Thus solid bronze...steel core....tungsten carbide...have remained options over the years. These were classically meant to penetrate an elephant skull. Various expanding bullets are sold traditionally as lion stoppers.

Those unfamiliar with such may want to google "big five", "dangerous game rifle", or a term of that nature. Craig Bodington is probably one of more familiar modern gun writers on the topic.

A part of me hopes to poularize the generic term of "Sasquatch rifle" as a generic term for purchasing a large bore rifle, to replace the "zombie gun" as a fad. It would break the monotony.

I already find myself thinking that at some point I ought get one of those Savage carbines in .375 Ruger and a Marlin Guide Gun afterall at some later point. The Savage carbines can also be had in .338 Win Mag. Possibly a handy choice if fishing where large bears dwell...if not quite in Sasquatch rifle territory. (As I envision the term it encompasses .375 and up, things formerly often called "elephant guns" even though some countries had a .41 caliber and up rule.)

Cape buffalo are likely the most common target today, rather than elephants. But "buffalo rifle" has a different historical connotation, another reason I coin the term Sasquatch rifle. While I mean it partially literally, the idea is a big bore rifle one buys that is really good only to harvest animals they are somewhat unlikely to run across...yet purchased anyway.

Oh yeah... I remember building that rifle. I've done a few others since then. "Bubba'ed" ? OK... First time I've been accused of that one. Well... If that's the case, then I've also butchered a few surplus Mausers that were dogged out as well. Opened up,the magazines to accept .35 Whelen, rebarreled to that caliber, installed double set triggers too. Oh.... And recently was given a surplus 1903 action... No barrel. Engraved it, new barrel in .30-06 with flip up 3 leaf express sights, slapped a new stock made of fancy Claro walnut and carved a new buttplate from moose antler.

Horror of horrors ! I'm in the process of converting a double barrel 12 gauge SXS shotgun into a rifle chambered for either .45-90 or .450 Express #2..... I kind of like those older sporterized classic custom hunting rifles built on old surplus actions. Like the ones by Griffin and Howe, H and H, and Ludwig Wundhammer, etc, etc, etc

I'd like to know the barrel length and what it'll do off a bench. Not that I could duplicate the groupings.

Watched the video and went to your website. Though I didn't see a price on the conversion.

Are inserts still available for the threaded choke SXS in 45-70?

There might be somewhere. But actually I'm scrapping the barrels and reusing the monoblock from the shotgun. Ream and thread the monoblock, then screw a new pair of barrels down into that. Solder in new ribs, rework the extractors, bush the firing pins. The only SXS shotguns strong enough to do this with have two lugs on the underside of the barrel and a 3rd locking point on top in the form of a Greener style crossbolt. Even then you got to use lower pressure cartridges.

I like the sound of that better than the inserts. Not to hi-jack the thread, but what length brls & roughly what would a conversion run?

It's DNA says it's half human and half ape?

Your going to shoot the ape half or the human half. They have families like us. If you shoot one run forest run.

I think you should stick with the .375, and work up some custom +P+ loads especially for 'Squatch. Load max +20%, work your way higher, and back off 5% when you get some signs like case bulging and blown primers...

I can't believe in this day and age of Zombie loads, there isn't an off the shelf "Squatch" load....

Maybe so.....
 

But for a brown or grizzly sasquatch you'd better have something bigger. And remember that NO pistol is equal to a rifle.

And if you shoot one in your home, you'd better make darn sure it was self defense.

"Best Sasquatch rifle-"

This maybe over-kill!!??

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Toy_popgun.jpg