What's the largest, most powerful cartridge/rifle you own?

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:45 pm

It just occured to me that this was a question I wanted to ask and I don't think I have seen it before. If you have a pic of said rifle and cartridge please post it. Mine is a CZ550 American Safari in 375 H&H Ackley Improved:

Here is a picture comparing standard 375 H&H with my A.I. seated long with a 350 grain Woodleigh protected soft point bullet. The muzzle velocity is about 2500 fps with this bullet. I can get very close to 2700 fps with a Barnes 300 grain TSX bullet. Mic McPherson helped me create the load data. The gun has the factory recoil pad which is a Pachmeyer Decelerator and it has one eight ounce merc tube in the buttstock. It is surprisingly easy to shoot.

My other cartridges in rifles are 454 Casull, 45 Colt, 358 Winchester, 303 Brit and 43 Mauser.

-Tutt

Doc Hudson · Post by **Doc Hudson** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:55 pm

At the moment, the biggest bore cartridge rifle I own is a Browning BLR in .358 Win/ But I keep dreaming of another .445-70.

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 6:58 pm

My "Louden boomer magnumosaurus" is a .300 Weatherby mag. Here it sits rather innocently sans optics. could almost pass for a .270

--- not as big as some of the stuff you guys fire --- but its enough for me

2nd pic is what feeds the beast posed on top of the test target and next to a rather pedestrian looking 45/70 cartridge -- really its a 45/70 !!! 300 mags are an extreme sport

(which is my 2nd most powerful rifle-- 3rd pic)

But seriously -- i think the .300 weatherby should have been the pinnacle of 300 mag performance -- the .30-378 and 300 Remington Ultra are just a bit on the overkill side --- but i didnt have a vote. 85 -90 grains of powder (depending on the powder) pushing a .30 bullet should have been enough

jhrosier · Post by **jhrosier** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:02 pm

State Arms Model 'M' - .50 BMG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... _scale.png

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:04 pm

Same platform I have for my 358 Winchester as well, Doc! This is a very compact, efficient and versitile cartridge and as we both know (along with Jeff Quinn I believe) a very accurate cartridge/rifle combo. You could search a long time, and not find such a sweet combo.

Streetstar, I spent a long time lusting for a Weatherby. I was looking at the 338-78 but decided the barrel erosion was just too much. Like a blow torch fired down a rifle barrel, the barrels don't last long.

JH, that 50 BMG is not one I've seen before. How much does that rifle weigh?

-Tutt

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:06 pm

jhrosier wrote:State Arms Model 'M' - .50 BMG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... _scale.png

OK --- you win

until somebody posts a lever action RPG

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:33 pm

This is NOT about braggin' rights as I know a number of forum members who have nitro express rifles. I'm just trying to understand our group a little better. I'd really like to know.

-Tutt

Brian in FL · Post by **Brian in FL** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:50 pm

Since I sold my .338 WinMag, the most powerful I've got left are my .45-70 converted Siamese Mauser and my Mark X Mauser in .300 Win Mag..

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:52 pm

Brian, those both sound like interesting custom rifles. I'd like to see pics of them if you have any!

-Tutt

hocbj23 · Post by **hocbj23** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:54 pm

.44-40.Plenty big enough for little ole me.BJ

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:55 pm

Nice CZ,CT. I've always wanted to get a 375 H&H.

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:58 pm

The biggest .50-95, most power .45-70 .
I have sold all my big boomers. Still have a .270 and a couple .308 win.`s though. I traded my 7mm Mag for a .30-30. and re barreled my .300Mag. Ruger #1 to a .32-40

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:00 pm

Kim, if you do, look at the CZ models. They have since "slimmed them down" in the stock area around the receiver which is too bad. Mine will hold 5 plus one in the chamber. What do you say to a "six shooter" in 375 H&H A.I.???? Not too many African guns with that much firepower! Most of all, the CZ line comes with a built-in set trigger as well as a normal trigger. Very, very nice feature. Even with the smaller guns now made, they are extremely competative.

-Tutt

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:06 pm

Chuck, I think its a normal progression to move to lighter calibers as we gain a lot of experience and do a whole lot of shooting. I'm still pretty new to the hobby (about 10 years?) and at 42 sort of young and stupid still. But I do enjoy the larger calibers and making them "shootable" with proper recoil pads and maybe a merc tube. Everyone needs at least one African belted magnum cartridge if you were to ask me. A lot of history with these cartridges, and some good African adventure stories (see books by Capstick and others if you don't already own any. You probably do!) I presume the 50-95 was a '76?

-Tutt

Don McDowell · Post by **Don McDowell** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:07 pm

405 winchester probably has the most upclose power.
45 2.3 sharps with 550 gr paper patch does a pretty good job.
But the ol 06 will do it further than either of those two.

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:10 pm

Don, I like all 3 of those calibers, particularly the Sharps and 405 Win which I'm still thinking about owning in a '95 some day.

-Tutt

Brian in FL · Post by **Brian in FL** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:13 pm

CowboyTutt wrote:Brian, those both sound like interesting custom rifles. I'd like to see pics of them if you have any!

-Tutt

The Siamese is a custom, but the Mark X is not. I haven't got any pictures of them, but, if I take some, I'll post them.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:14 pm

Savage ML-10

Gunblast wrote:(http://www.gunblast.com/SavageML10.htm) - The loads that proved to be amazing to me used the three listed bullets above with Hodgdon's Lil' Gun powder. This powder, which has already become one of my favorite pistol powders (see Jeff's article at Hodgdon Lil' Gun Powder), turned in good velocities with each bullet tested, and the spreads and deviations were some of the best I've ever seen. I was able to reach speeds approaching that of a .375 H&H Magnum with equal bullet weights. For example, the loads with the Hornady 250 and 300 grain bullets using Lil Gun averaged 2552 and 2432 fps, respectively. The Cast Performance 335 grain averaged 2370 fps with Lil Gun. This relates to around 4300 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. (Jeff does admit the manufacturer has yet to approve Lil' Gun, although they do approve of several similar powders.)

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:15 pm

My largest, most powerful cartridge rifle I own is the Marlin MR-7 in 30-06.
I've never fired a shot out of it as it was ruined by two gun butchers here in IL and I've yet to find a real gunsmith that can or will put it back to the condition it should be in.

Joe

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:16 pm

45-70

450 grain 1675 fps.

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:18 pm

Krieghoff 470 NE

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:26 pm

Ted, I knew I could count on you! I hate it when you post pics of that monster! One super-fine, beautiful rifle!

-Tutt (maybe I should say, "Lil' Tutt". Major shrinkage over here

)

Just kidding!

-Tutt

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:28 pm

The 45-70. No need to say what all it shoots

Ted, that rifle is maybe the most beautifully utile weapon I've ever seen.

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:55 pm

That would be my old model 70 in 300 H&H.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:06 pm

Andy - great topic!!!

Hmmm... mine is a toss up. Technical it would be the .45-120 Sharps in my Pedersoli Sharps 1874 reproduction. However, the Browning 1886 in .45-70 Government could probably be loaded to easily surpass what I would consider putting in the Sharps repro...

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:10 pm

348 Winchester in a Model 71 Deluxe.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:13 pm

it would be either be the 9.3 x 74R Chapius Double, the 457 Magnum, or the .475 Linebaugh.

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:17 pm

You guessed it CowboyTutt.

The .50-95 is a 76 . Big bun, big caliber! (just not a lot of power)

Ray Newman · Post by **Ray Newman** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:20 pm

A .45- 2 7/8" (AKA .45-110) in a Sharps-Borchardt.

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:25 pm

Hey Blaine, glad you made it back from "the void"!

Seriously, the 45-70 in a levergun is very, very hard to beat.

Bogus Bill, my best friend has an original Model 70 in 375 H&H. It is one BEAUtiful rifle! Yours is as well.

Chuck, I was thinking about a 76 in 50-95, but gave up on the idea. But I still like them. Teddy R. liked his '76 too.

Rangerider, the 348 needs no introduction and was a pretty good caliber in my book. Certainly a great platform for a rifle.

And RJohns, at the risk of sounding ignorant, I don't know much about the 457 Magnum. Care to enlighten me? I've heard it mentioned before.

Ray, I love the 45-110 and if I ever get a Sharps replica, that would be the cartridge.

Thanks guys.

-Tutt

brucew44guns · Post by **brucew44guns** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:32 pm

I have some .348's, a 300 win, several 45-70's. They all seem powerful to me, but the real surprise of all to me was my fairly new Marlin in 44 mag, a thumper to be sure.!!

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:39 pm

the .457 magnum is to the 45-70 what the .44 mag is to the .44 special. In the Wild West Gun, a takedown Marlin with an elongated chamber, it can do exactly what the 45-70 can do with just a bit more energy. It anchored my nilgai in hondo like lights out. In the Co-pilot package, its a perfect anywhere, any time rifle. Mine is a parkerized action and barrel, med size lever, kevlar stock, with leopold scout scope, take down. it is everything one could ever need.

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:41 pm

I got rid of my magnums. I just found I never shot them. But if I bought another one I would like to try a CZ in 416 rigby. So my biggest thumpers right now are the 444,356 BB and 338 MX . I have a 45-70 single shot , but I keep it loaded at trapdoor levels for shooting.

Kansas Ed · Post by **Kansas Ed** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:46 pm

Depends on range, and of course if you are using Ft-lbs, or TKO or other defining measure, but it's probably a toss up between my .405 and my 1947ish Mod 70 in .300 Magnum (H&H designation when there were no other magnums in 30 caliber). Now ask which one I believe is most powerful, and the .405 gets the vote always.

Ed

model55 · Post by **model55** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:57 pm

45-70 but I've found blackpowder for it.264 magnum-was Dad's.In the project pile I have a 338-06 barrel but I think that may not come about.My mother's old friend arthritis is visiting me so I imagine calibers will get smaller just for that reason.Have a few that get your attention just because the rifles are light for the caliber.32 ws in a martini cadet.7mm mauser at about 6lbs.No5mk1 enfield-nasty little kicker.

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:06 pm

CowboyTutt wrote:Ted, I knew I could count on you! I hate it when you post pics of that monster! One super-fine, beautiful rifle!

-Tutt (maybe I should say, "Lil' Tutt". Major shrinkage over here )

Just kidding!

-Tutt

Anyone that want's to shoot it is welcome to. I've had several friends and family members shoot it. Most of them quit after two shots, but last Christmas I had one Uncle that wanted to reload and shoot two more. He forgot to take his glove back off his trigger hand and the recoil from the first shot slipped his hand back and he yanked the rear trigger about half way up the recoil arc from the first shot. Gave him a nasty punch on the cheek. He quit after that and took a handful of aspirin with a shot of vodka and retired to his rocking chair by the fireplace.

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:09 pm

I reckon for me it would be my 45-70 or how you look at it, my M1 Garand 30-06.

BAGTIC · Post by **BAGTIC** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:20 pm

Ruger No. 1 in .50 Alaskan

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:25 pm

You guys are just cracking me up!

-Tutt

ArcticGoose · Post by **ArcticGoose** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:08 pm

That would have to be my Winchester 1886 in 50-110.

waz · Post by **waz** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:38 am

Only have 2 and they're about the same, but different. 30-30 and 243win.

If I can't do the job with either of these, I have to ask if it's really worth doing.

Waz

dbateman · Post by **dbateman** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:58 am

wow some nice rifles here
the bigest I own is a 375win followed by 308win

and my win 94 45colt trapper....don't think i have posted it before

garyhan · Post by **garyhan** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:16 am

A Ruger #1 Tropical in .450/400 Nitro Express. Beautiful rifle. Groups 1 1/2" at 100 with Leupold 2 1/2x scope, Hornady ammo. Kicks not too bad.

gary

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:28 am

'06 and 38-55
Our big game down here aint that big....
except for a few hogs....

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:24 am

It would be my Win. 94 in 444 Marlin.

Pathfinder09 · Post by **Pathfinder09** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:48 am

I've got two, 1895 Winchester in .405 Win, and Winchester 71 in .348 Win..

86er · Post by **86er** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:53 am

I have artificial parts in my right shoulder. The 450 NE is as big as I can tolerate with recoil. It shoots 480, 500 or 525 gr bullets at 2200, 2175 and 2150 fps respectively. However, the 30-378 and the 460 Weatherby that I have shot actually kick way more than the ole 450 and as much or more than the 500 NE.

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:50 am

Probably would be my 1969 Ruger Number 1 in 45-70, with my max handloads (that baby throws the 400 grainers pretty good!)

But,being a shotgun lover got to mention my Ithaca Mag 10 (10 Gauge 3.5") ROADBLOCKER with 1000grs of 000 buck or my Mossberg 3.5" 835 Slugster with the The Lightfield Commander a 600gr sabot slug at 1890fps. All depends what you shooting/stopping (game/cars??) I am not sure

19112TAP · Post by **19112TAP** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:54 am

.358 Norma Mag on a Mauser 98 action.

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:55 am

Artic, that is one fine looking rifle in one of my most desired calibers! Drool, drool!

-Tutt