A bore is only the diameter of the bullet, right? Not the thump of what it is capable of. At 50 yards, though, I would rather be shot by a .380 pistol than a 30-06 rifle. I mean, don't confuse bore with the 1/2" diameter brass shell full of explosives that push that .3" piece of lead & copper down the range. (And, for the record, I don't want to be shot by a BB gun let alone a real bullet!) Merry Christmas.
Is a 30.06 a Big Bore Rifle?
- Thread starter MCorps0311
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Well, for me, the 30-06 is a big bore. Why? It is the most powerful rifle that I can fire comfortably and with comfort comes accuracy. When you flinch with the thought of the oncoming recoil, who knows where the bullet is going. Personally I cannot take the punishment of the larger calibers and the belted magnums
500SNW
Member
Next define a "High Powered Rifle"
I'd also like to know the definition of "high caliber." I've heard the mainstream media clowns refer to 5.56 AR type rifles as a "high caliber" weapon. Is there a "low caliber.?"
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crstrode
Member
A rock or a pointy stick will also kill most anything - if you keep at it long enough.
My next door neighbor has a mounted Grizzly over 9 feet tall in his playroom. It took 5 solid hits from a .375 H&H to drop it.
And don't dare to suggest that the hits were not all kill-shots. He'll show you the bullet holes in the hide. The last shot was so close that Dave had ursine saliva and blood splattered on his face from the impact.
He no longer considers anything shy of a 415 Rigby to be "big bore".
I guess "big" animals down in Texas must be puny little critters.
italiansport
Member
The 30-06 has killed any and all of the big game on this planet at one time or another. Is it a good choice for large dangerous game? IMO it's not but in the right hands with someone who can control shot placement, it will drop anything. Please remember there was a great white hunter named Bell that killed hundreds of Elephants with a 7x57 Mauser rifle which is hardly in the powerhouse category.
Jim
What would the Brits call it.
I guess if what your hunting doesn't run away if you wound it but starts looking at you like its really pissed then maybe you might think the rifle your shooting should be bigger. Fortunately in the Americas there are only a few critters that fall in that category. The Brits however with their empire found a lot of them. I believe that's why they consider 400 and up to be big bore. Playing tag your dead with Cape Buffalo at 20 paces will give you a new perspective.
I guess if what your hunting doesn't run away if you wound it but starts looking at you like its really pissed then maybe you might think the rifle your shooting should be bigger. Fortunately in the Americas there are only a few critters that fall in that category. The Brits however with their empire found a lot of them. I believe that's why they consider 400 and up to be big bore. Playing tag your dead with Cape Buffalo at 20 paces will give you a new perspective.
I've heard the mainstream media clowns refer to 5.56 AR type rifles as "high caliber. Is there a "low caliber.?"
Yes. That is where the "Mainstream Media" is grouped.
500SNW
Member
Yes. That is where the "Mainstream Media" is grouped.
LOL good one.
REM 3200
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500SNW;140263619If you think about it said:One other use... to keep gun magazine writers employed.
Richard Simmons
Member
Jack O'Connor's wife Eleanor actually took an Elephant while on safari in Africa with her 30.06.
elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
At the LGS, I spotted what I thought was a shotgun in the rifle rack. My little finger went in the muzzle up to the second joint. When I went to pick it up, it took both hands. It was a CZ550 Safari Model in .585 Nyati. THAT is a "big bore."
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Jerry M
Member
To a Millennial who is experienced only with 5.56/.223 a .30-06 looks like a big bore...
But in reality it is not considered in most hunting circles.
Good luck
Jerry
But in reality it is not considered in most hunting circles.
Good luck
Jerry
grice
Member
I have two model 70s both in 06 and two 45-70 rifles , I think one could call a 45-70 a big bore , I also shoot 220 grain bullets in my two 06 rifles at about 2500 fps. Know what? I'll bet most guys shooting my 06 rifles would swear it was a big bore.
Way back when I was a rifle nut, we considered small bore to be up to 30 cal; medium bore was .33 to .375 and large bore was anything over 40 cal.
The smallest of a bigbore rifle cartridge readily available then, (1950-1960) was then the British .416 Rigby. Not sure what you are seeking in a rifle---bore size is only one factor to consider depending on what your application is.
The smallest of a bigbore rifle cartridge readily available then, (1950-1960) was then the British .416 Rigby. Not sure what you are seeking in a rifle---bore size is only one factor to consider depending on what your application is.
Aw heck, I gotta add my two cents; . Being mostly a lever gun guy when it comes to rifles, I consider my .41 magnum as a big bore. Same for those above, like the 44 mag, 444 and 45-70. It's hard for me to consider a .357 magnum as a "big bore", but I sure do love shooting it. The .308, 30-30's and even the 35 Remington are medium bore, to me at least. Then there's a 32-20 (312") that I consider a light rifle, but it's still a medium bore size.
I don't think I've really ever thought of my 40's (handguns) big bore, but I think I would when it comes to my 10mm. Weird when you really try to define what "big" is. This has got me to thinking I might ought to have me a 10mm lever gun.......
. Being mostly a lever gun guy when it comes to rifles, I consider my .41 magnum as a big bore. Same for those above, like the 44 mag, 444 and 45-70. It's hard for me to consider a .357 magnum as a "big bore", but I sure do love shooting it. The .308, 30-30's and even the 35 Remington are medium bore, to me at least. Then there's a 32-20 (312") that I consider a light rifle, but it's still a medium bore size.I don't think I've really ever thought of my 40's (handguns) big bore, but I think I would when it comes to my 10mm. Weird when you really try to define what "big" is. This has got me to thinking I might ought to have me a 10mm lever gun.......
14.5MM,20MM,30MM,40MM!
If you and your shoulder, have to think twice
about pulling the trigger AGAIN................
it's a BIG Bore.
about pulling the trigger AGAIN................
it's a BIG Bore.
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Hair-splitting triviality of the highest order; like something from a 1963 gun magazine...
If you selling it to the gun shop it's a small bore. If buying, its a big bore.
John
John
John Patrick
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The traditional definition from the British after the transition to cordite was up to and including 30 calibers was a small bore (303 included .318" to .375 was medium bore; 40 calibers were medium large bores and 45 caliber and up was large bores.
With the British experiences, particularly their hunting, in Africa and India considered for context, it makes sense.
.318" to .375 was medium bore; 40 calibers were medium large bores and 45 caliber and up was large bores.With the British experiences, particularly their hunting, in Africa and India considered for context, it makes sense.
All very interesting. Perspective is the key PLUS a legitimate determination of what the rifle is supposed to be for.
It might be relatively silly to bring a .30 caliber rifle to a prairie dog or squirrel hunt where everyone else is using assorted .22 caliber rifles or .17s but that does not make that rifle a "big bore" rifle. Just overkill for the event.
However, if you bring that same .30 caliber rifle to Africa you will not be permitted to use it to hunt dangerous game, where .375 is mandated, but it's good for all of the plains game that are there.
That's just a point of information with respect to how professional hunters and governments view rifles in Africa and what they deem "big bore".
Then there is the Dallas Safari Club - it holds an annual "big bore" shoot where the minimum caliber is .375. The usual presumption is .375 H&H but I happen to have a lever rifle called the Winchester Model 94 Big Bore in .375 Winchester and at one point they were going to permit me to use it but it so happened I had other plans so I didn't attend.
So, what makes a rifle a "big bore"? Anyone can have an opinion on this subject but I'd have to stick to .375 caliber and I think that's the case with the professionals in the field and in the gun magazines..
It might be relatively silly to bring a .30 caliber rifle to a prairie dog or squirrel hunt where everyone else is using assorted .22 caliber rifles or .17s but that does not make that rifle a "big bore" rifle. Just overkill for the event.
However, if you bring that same .30 caliber rifle to Africa you will not be permitted to use it to hunt dangerous game, where .375 is mandated, but it's good for all of the plains game that are there.
That's just a point of information with respect to how professional hunters and governments view rifles in Africa and what they deem "big bore".
Then there is the Dallas Safari Club - it holds an annual "big bore" shoot where the minimum caliber is .375. The usual presumption is .375 H&H but I happen to have a lever rifle called the Winchester Model 94 Big Bore in .375 Winchester and at one point they were going to permit me to use it but it so happened I had other plans so I didn't attend.
So, what makes a rifle a "big bore"? Anyone can have an opinion on this subject but I'd have to stick to .375 caliber and I think that's the case with the professionals in the field and in the gun magazines..
DTH
Member
If a .30 is a big bore for some of you the I guess your Prius is a muscle car!
THE PILGRIM
Member
^^^^^^^^^^
This
However, right or wrong, the 375 H&H is often lumped in with the big bores.
Patrick L
Member
Personally I consider a .30-06 to be NOT a big bore. But it is high powered for sure!
Just my way of seeing things!
Just my way of seeing things!
racoonbeast
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I agree that it is a nonsense term. If you want your 30-06 to be a big bore, then congratulations you have one. If you don't want it to be a big bore, you can go that way and be just as correct.
