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

stew71 · Post by **stew71** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:23 pm

That would be any of my 30-06's....a Rem 700, a 1956 H&R M1 Garand, and a 1942 1903A1 Springfield.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:36 pm

It's either my .45LC or the 12ga.

Rimfire McNutjob · Post by **Rimfire McNutjob** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:51 pm

Model 71 in 450 Alaskan. Probably seen here before but here's a link ...

71fan · Post by **71fan** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:23 pm

By "most powerful" I'll take it to mean a combination of TKO, momentum, sectional density, and energy (ala Robertson's Dangerous Game criteria)

It's close 3-way tie between:
348 / 71
358 Savage 99
30-06 Rem 700

But the 348 with a 270 gr Hawk at 2,250 fps comes closest to Robertson's criteria than the other two. Out beyond 200 yards I'd go with the '06.

I have several 45-70s but they are all antiques and thus loaded below the cartridge's full potential. A modern 45-70 kills the 348 wcf in terms of Robertson's criteria.

So for me...348 wcf (of course

)

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:25 pm

You said biggest and most most powerful... two competing concepts in my arsenal.

Biggest... that'd be a Hawken .53, with 100grains of 2F it's also pretty powerful... I wouldn't hesitate to hunt any NA game with it... (with back up of course!)

Most powerful... that depends, it could be a 700 Remington in 7mmRemMag or a Sharps in .40-90SBN, on attains higher velocity, but the other'n packs a lot of wallop!

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:10 pm

Rimfire McNutjob wrote:Model 71 in 450 Alaskan. Probably seen here before but here's a link ...

Im Drooling!!!!!!

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:53 pm

I'm guess'n that my .348 M71 and my '95 405 are pretty close, especially with 300 grain bullets. Then again I have a 450 Marlin that ain't a slouch either, I've gotten 2250 fps with a 400 grain bullet (jacketed of course), but darn that little thing kicks out of 18" barrel. I've loaded my .300 Win Mag with 220 grainers at 2750fps...suppose that'll work too. My .444 following Paco's formula's ain't for the weak kneed either.

Molasses · Post by **Molasses** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:53 pm

I've got a .50 BMG single shot rifle, but am embarassed to admit the mfg because they're widely decried as makers of junk and there's a lot of unsubstantiated talk about their guns being unsafe. I dunno, the bolt has three largish locking lugs and it's worked okay so far.

If we stick to rifles, I guess second place is a Shiloh Sharps made back when they were located in Farmingdale, NY: .50-140 (3&1/4"). If things were opened up to include shotguns, there's a 10 ga 3&1/2" magnum double barrel in the safe that's right up there....

samb · Post by **samb** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 2:53 pm

My largest rifle is a 1959 Bsa Monarch featherweight in 30-06.

Thunder50 · Post by **Thunder50** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 3:40 pm

How about these??

Do I win????!!!

Larger caliber would be my 58cal muzzleloader

Its only a semi!! Don't think I could afford to feed the real thing. This is bad enough. Seldom gets taken out. MG3 tripod to get it off the ground farther, as I am 6'4" and tall of body.

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:03 pm

35 Rem

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:06 pm

Nothin' fancy; in order of purchase, my "largest" cartridges/rifles are a lefty Winchester Model 70 in .375 H&H, a Ruger No. 1 in .375 H&H, and Ruger No. 1 in 45-70. I will leave it to the cartridge gurus to say which is the "larger" of the two cartridges.

I have no digital images of the Winchester or Ruger .375s, and the .45-70 Ruger's pics have too many pixies, or something like that. Pesky pixies.

Rexster · Post by **Rexster** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:18 pm

Hey, this closer-up pic had fewer pixies. Photo by the dealer, Collector's Firearms in Houston, Texas.

I love this rifle. Once I figure out which glass it will wear, and/or figure out a good iron sight combo, it may become my favorite rifle, the one I would keep if all the others have to go away for some reason.

Warhawk · Post by **Warhawk** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:22 pm

If you're a believer in kinetic energy, it would be my .338 Win Mag.

If you believe in the TKO theory, one of my 45/70's would be the most powerful.

rhead · Post by **rhead** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:03 pm

Ruger #1 in 45 70 and a Marlin 95 in the same. Both great guns.

pokey · Post by **pokey** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:14 pm

30wcf all anybody needs.

pokey · Post by **pokey** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 5:16 pm

Rimfire McNutjob wrote:Model 71 in 450 Alaskan. Probably seen here before but here's a link ...

WOW! now that's my kinda gun. WOW

tman · Post by **tman** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:24 pm

45-70 springfield. can be loaded hot close to the .458w.c.f.

ArcticGoose · Post by **ArcticGoose** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:35 pm

Thanks Tutt. A friend of mine built it for me and Turnbull did the action work and case colors. The 50EX is one of my favorite calibers. Would like to have gone as far as Rimfire did on his, but just don't have the funds to pull that off. Rimfire's is one of the most beautiful guns I've ever seen!

Shasta · Post by **Shasta** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:11 pm

I am in possession of several muzzleloading rifles built by my late brother. He enjoyed the novelty of really big bore flintlocks. This is a picture of him holding his 2 bore.

Maybe one of these days I'll get busy and cast some ball so I can do a little shooting report for you fellas.

SHASTA

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 8:52 pm

I recond at this time it's my old Winchester 71, in 450 alaskan, however I also own a couple of 45/70s that could probably loaded up to about the same.

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:12 pm

Shasta, when you get ready to shoot that thing, I'll come up to Shasta County (your not that far from me) and watch you shoot it. I'll even help you off the ground afterwards!

-Tutt

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:16 pm

CowboyTutt wrote:Shasta, when you get ready to shoot that thing, I'll come up to Shasta County (your not that far from me) and watch you shoot it. I'll even help you off the ground afterwards!

-Tutt

It's a farther drive for me... but, DITTO!!!

Neil Casper · Post by **Neil Casper** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:17 am

I have never needed a very powerful rifle for varmints and rabbits, but I do have an '03-A3 in .30-06 for fun shooting and a Marlin 1895 in .45-70 for more fun shooting.

the telegraphist · Post by **the telegraphist** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 6:24 am

Gday all
I no longer own the piece, financial circumstances at the time and all, but I did own a custom Ruger No.1 in 500 nitro express. One day I will buy it back or get another one built. I sure miss it. Total fun gun. Should never have let it go.

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:01 pm

Molasses wrote:I've got a .50 BMG single shot rifle, but am embarassed to admit the mfg because they're widely decried as makers of junk and there's a lot of unsubstantiated talk about their guns being unsafe. I dunno, the bolt has three largish locking lugs and it's worked okay so far.

If we stick to rifles, I guess second place is a Shiloh Sharps made back when they were located in Farmingdale, NY: .50-140 (3&1/4"). If things were opened up to include shotguns, there's a 10 ga 3&1/2" magnum double barrel in the safe that's right up there....

Would that be the ALS .50, or the vulcan ? There were a couple of incidents with an ALS at some long range competitions i hear. I am considering a BOHICA myself --- but the ALS incidents have caused my .50 cal lust to die down

blackhawk44 · Post by **blackhawk44** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 6:13 pm

Sold my .404 a couple of years ago. For now I'm down to a couple of .58 front stuffers, a 24" .444 Marlin, a Pedersoli .45-70 roller, a Browning 1886 full rifle and a .458 Winchester Grand African.

A boy I work with likes to use 2400fps, 350gr loads in his .458 Mauser for deer. That seems a bit much, even for campfire braggin' in Texas.

L_Kilkenny · Post by **L_Kilkenny** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 6:32 pm

Does my 12ga smoothbore slug gun count? Other than that 30/30 is it.

LK

Thunder50 · Post by **Thunder50** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:26 pm

Streetstar, kinda figure the Hesse(Vulcan).

Still wonder what happened with the ALS. If you look at the hammer and rear of the bolt, I don't see how the hammer could contact the firing pin until the bolt is maybe 15degrees from fully locked up, max. With that much lockup, don't see how what happened, happened. Maybe if the firing pin channed was dirty, and with a floating firing pin (like the AR15), and when bolt shoved forward, the pin was still protruding and set off the round. Can't fathom any other scenario.

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:43 pm

Blackhawk44, you sound like a magnum freak like me!!!!

Actually I probably don't qualify as I do have the 303 Brit and 358 Win which are not magnum cartridges. But you've got a very nice sounding collection to me. The 50 BMG rifles are just too large to be practical to me, yet they need the weight to be shootable. I'd sure like to shoot one though!

-Tutt

moodyholler · Post by **moodyholler** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:36 pm

50-90 sharps with 600 grain slugs and 100 grains GOEX cartridge. moodyholler

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:06 pm

Moody, what is the twist rate of your barrel? My friend's tried such 600 grain bullets out of their 50-90's at the Billy Dixon range, but the rifle's twist rate did not support it. It was too unstable to be accurate at long range. I love the 50-90 and have been considering such a rifle, but the twist rates in the rifles I have seen on Gunbroker are not optimal. They were too slow if I remember right. I'd like to know what yours is if it works for you.

-Tutt

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 12:20 am

Thunder50 wrote:Streetstar, kinda figure the Hesse(Vulcan).

Still wonder what happened with the ALS. If you look at the hammer and rear of the bolt, I don't see how the hammer could contact the firing pin until the bolt is maybe 15degrees from fully locked up, max. With that much lockup, don't see how what happened, happened. Maybe if the firing pin channed was dirty, and with a floating firing pin (like the AR15), and when bolt shoved forward, the pin was still protruding and set off the round. Can't fathom any other scenario.

I dont think the Vulcan has been accused of putting anyone's eye out and causing other more graphic amounts of bodily harm yet unless i am mistaken. Gun snobs are crazy Just be careful shooting any .50 , even a Barrett -

Heck, on this forum , at least we recognize the utility and fun factor of price point rifles like the little Henry .22 and Rossi carbines, as well as any number of SA Colt copies. Although they may never command collector dollars, they fill an important need for folks who dont need to sink the cash in a Marlin 39 or Winny 1892, (myself included-- i am a shooter more than a collector)

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:00 am

Maybe one of these days I'll get busy and cast some ball so I can do a little shooting report for you fellas.

SHASTA

looks like all you have to do is buy a set of balls for a pool table and start shootin'

Saz · Post by **Saz** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 3:38 am

Kind of a toss up between the "most powerful". For a cartridge rifle it is my Ruger K1-A in 35 whelen. When loaded right she will take anything I need her to. The other is my Pedersoli Kodiak SxS in .58. Stoked with a pair of 560gr conicals on top of 115gr of FFG, she doesnt have much for range but if a big bear or moose showed himself within 100 yds look out!

Tom Richardson · Post by **Tom Richardson** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 8:42 am

Cowboytutt,
You keep hanging with McPherson, Williamson, and Torkelson (SP), there is no telling what you may be shooting next.

Mine are:
375 H&H
.338 win Mag
Several 45/70 rifles
Son got the 458 Lott

76/444 · Post by **76/444** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:31 pm

Marlin 444.

dirtcowboy · Post by **dirtcowboy** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 4:38 pm

.458 Winchester mag "african" & .375 HH mag "alaskan"

Bogie35 · Post by **Bogie35** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:58 pm

My 35 Remington. It's a BEAST, I tell you!

bogie

scarville · Post by **scarville** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:17 pm

Biggest I own is a 308.

Thunder50 · Post by **Thunder50** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:38 pm

CowboyTutt, next time you are at the Billy Dixon shoot, let me know you are coming to it and I can either bring my 50bmg there, or you can come to a range about 30 miles away from Stengels and shoot it.

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:16 pm

Depends I guess. One is a Savage in 338 Win Mag, the other is my 1895SS in 45-70. I suppose in a pinch, either one would do.

Remington40x · Post by **Remington40x** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:45 am

Laugh if you want: It's a .300 Savage. Second is a .270 Winchester. Goes downhill quickly from there. My philosophy is that if I can't kill it with one of those two and a controlled expansion bullet, I need artillery support. Needless to say, I don't live in the land of large bears or other man-eaters.

BigSky56 · Post by **BigSky56** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:29 pm

348. danny

moodyholler · Post by **moodyholler** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:56 pm

Tutt, I want to say 1-24 but will have to check it out for you. It is a super gun to shoot, and the natives eyes really bug out when you hand them a cartridge. moodyholler

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:05 pm

Well my biggest bore is a Rem Roller in 45-70. If you are looking for speed and thump it is my 308 followed by .303 Brit. Although my 45colt trapper is no chump either.

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 1:15 am

Factory Remy M700 XCR chambered for 375 H&H

.

Bucks Owin · Post by **Bucks Owin** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:54 am

Since my M-70s in .300 and .338 are history, it'd be my .45/70 Handy Rifle. Seems when my age passed the half century mark I started "looking back" in regard to what calibers I play with. (Or maybe my recoil tolerance has diminished!

) These days I'm into the .45 LC, .30/30 and .45/70. All old timers like me!

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:12 pm

Are you the same Bucks Owin that got banned from CastBoolits for not following through on trades and sales. If so, then you own me for a set of RCBS 45-70 dies I sent well over three years ago. You were supposed to send me a Redfield Mauser receiver sight.

If you are some other Bucks Owin, then welcome to the board. If you are the same Bucks Owin, then you need to go to CastBoolits and make things right some some people.

handyrandyrc · Post by **handyrandyrc** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:45 pm

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthr ... Bucks+Owin

Howdy, Bucks! I thought I remembered you from somewhere! Good eye, Charles.