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Hunting Ammunition Part III

Hunting Ammunition Part  III

For most of us the idea of a big cartridge stops at 300 Win Mag or even 30-06 Springfield. Truth is, species-wise and the sort of hunting we do; these and similar are more than enough if not a bit over the top… However, for those that want big game; a calibre commensurate with its size and vitality is essential. But as we shall see this group of high power, big bores offers their own problems…

Dawn of Time

The history of weapons and ammunition development is actually quite short. Muzzle-loading blackpowder arms held sway for possibly 300-400-years. But it was not until the self-contained cartridge appeared in the mid-1800s that things really started. However, this was still limited by the propellant (blackpowder) so to get the power calibres were still big with massive charges, as in truth BP is nowhere as efficient as modern smokeless/nitro powders. Likewise many professional big game hunters of the 1800s still considered the massive 4 to 8-bore, cap & ball elephant-type guns more reliable than the new fangled cartridge firearms.

It was not until the introduction of the more efficient smokeless powders in the 1900s that things really changed in terms of ammunition development. This for what we do today might be considered as year zero, however, the big bore/raw power thinking of the 1800s muzzle-loaders and blackpowder cartridge rifles (BPCRs) still persists even today. 100-years later not a lot has changed in terms of the mechanics of the delivery system. But developments in propellants, projectiles and even case design have produced more efficient calibres that give more than they take.


Transitional Calibres


A look through Cartridges of the World by Frank C Barnes shows a massive amount of calibres, with we British contributing more than our share of the big bore options. The majority of these seem to have been designed in the late 19th and the early 20th centuries and clearly show the massive interest in big game hunting of that time and the transition between blackpowder and smokeless propellants. Here are three examples – now obsolete the 600 Nitro Express fired a 900-grain bullet powered by 110-grains of cordite at a seemingly modest 1950 fps, but generated 7,600 ft/lbs of energy. It was considered in its day the most powerful of its type and the ultimate elephant stopper.


The 416 Rigby was designed by John Rigby and fires a 410-grain bullet at 2300 fps/4820 ft/lbs. Still in production today it’s rated as one of the great African cartridges. Likewise the 375 H&H Magnum, introduced in 1912 it’s still amazingly popular and able to throw a 300-grain bullet at 2500 fps/4250 ft/lbs. However it’s not just about energy as you have to consider the size of the game they are meant for. With a large and heavily constructed expanding or solid (monolithic) bullets being essential to have enough strength to punch through heavy hide, thick muscles and bone without self-destructing.


The Europeans too have their own bigger bore options with one classic being the 9.3x74mm R (rimmed). Considered primarily a boar cartridge for double rifles, it’s more than capable for many large and dangerous species, as it can push a 285-grain bullet at 2360 fps/3500 ft/lbs. The Americans too are no slouches in this area and one of the most successful, if not the most powerful is the old 45-70 Government. Introduced in 1874 it is I believe the oldest calibre still in production and in the right rifle it’s capable of firing up to 500-grain bullets at 1800 fps to produce 3500 ft/lbs. Similar and bigger is the well known 458 Win Mag running at 2200 fps/5500 ft/lbs with a 600-grain load. Calibres like the 458 Lott and 460 Weatherby Magnum offer even more impressive figures with bullets up to 600-grains giving in excess of 7000 ft/lbs.


Can You Afford It?

These powerful cartridges are aimed at the largest and most dangerous of game that is purely the premise of the rich and occasionally lucky. For example if you wanted to shoot an African water buffalo then it might cost £2000 for a cow. A real dagger boy buff hunt could set you back £5,000-£10,000, an elephant even more. Here we are also here getting into the morals of what is acceptable. Many shooters would not want to hunt elephant, rhino or even hippo; let alone a lion, tiger or bear.

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For most of us I think buffalo or eland (sort of big antelope that looks more like a cow) is probably in our price range; at least once in your life and for that 375 H&H Magnum is a great calibre. For Africa it’s considered entry level big enough and is often a great across the board cartridge for smaller plain’s game, especially with lighter bullets. I know a few regular African hunters who warm up in the UK on deer with their 375s with reduced loads just to get their eye in.


Price and morals aside, one aspect of these larger calibres is that they produce massive recoil that can be prohibitive even in reasonably heavy guns. I had an unpleasant experience with a 375 H&H Musgrave Mauser 98, as it kicked the hell out of me even standing up. So much that I developed a flinch and was actually shutting my eyes and tensing up before I pulled the trigger, which does nothing for accuracy. OK in the heat of the moment you tend to feel very little, but if you can’t shoot straight then what’s the point? Plus you’ve got to zero the thing, which is probably the worst part of the exercise. Though I have some pretty serious calibres; I have never gone into the field with a gun I’m frightened of!

More Efficient

Admittedly some recoil problems are caused by the shape/dimensions of the stock, as to how it transmits the energy from the cartridge. This can be counteracted by a proper recoil pad or even devices that counteract its effects (kick stops). This brings me nicely on to my previous comments about improvements in the design of ammunition.

Let’s take the 375 H&H; not my favourite cartridge as you know… However, I shoot the new 375 Ruger in their Hawkeye African model and at 7 ¾ lb weight it’s far better behaved and offers more power than the original H&H chambering to the tune of 300 ft/lbs +. So much so I can shoot it prone, now it’s even further improved with a better recoil pad and mercury recoil reducer in the butt, that 20-rounds straight is not an issue.

However and 375 aside, what else does this super class of calibres offer we mere mortals? Two very useful numbers; certainly for boar and bear in lever-action rifles are the old 45-70 Government and newer Hornady-designed 450 Marlin. Both use straight-walled cases with the former being rimmed and the latter showing a belted head like the old 375 H&H. In the Marlin 1895 or their newer MXLR guns you get some serious power, though once again advances in case and projectile design offer better performance and shootability.

The 450 gives 2250 fps/3572 ft/lbs with 325-grain bullet. The 45-70 in the same weight produces 2050 fps/3032 ft/lbs and through the same rifle is certainly more noticeable. Plus Hornady developed a more ballistically efficient, pointed, polymer-tipped bullet (Leverevolution) especially for the tube magazines of these rifles that increases effective range/accuracy. If you don’t like lever-actions then Steyr Mannlicher offers their ProHunter bolt-action in the Big Bore model chambered in 450 Marlin. In a gun like that it would make a great plain’s game cartridge.

Slug

Rounding up these big bores we have slug. A clever concept for shotguns in that it offers a single, bore-sized projectile that essentially turns a smoothbore into a rifle, giving it a point target ability out to 100-yards-ish. It comes in different calibres and types that include a pre-rifled projectile that is not primarily done to impart a spin, though it does, but allow the projectile to squeeze down in a tight choke. There’s also round ball, steel and brass, some with fins on the back for stability. There’s even a 12-gauge sabot load that fires a modern, expanding .50” calibre rifle bullet in a plastic, bore diameter spacer (sabot) that falls way as it leaves the barrel.
Though a short range option, with 50-yards being more realistic for effective accuracy it allows the shotgunner to change ammo-types and therefore the game they can hunt. It’s a good bet for wild boar, but in the UK it’s generally disliked by the licensing authorities. For example one constabulary I know will not grant it for boar even if the land owners have the animals on their ground. Instead they are offering a free variation for a fullbore rifle for the same task. Go figure? Other and more enlightened forces are saying yes providing you can meet the criteria. Slug is not a primary choice as a real rifle will offer more, but if you want a big bore on the cheap for the occasional wild boar it’s a cost effective option.

So where does this leave us? Any of these big bore calibres is going to cause palpitations amongst your FEO initially, as they are far from the norm. Bigger and more powerful; the question of how much land you have to shoot over is a major issue and the species you have on the ground too. If you have aspirations for Africa for the larger plains game or buff then a 375 is a good bet and justifiable too, though be prepared for restrictions on usage in the UK as to zeroing etc. My 375 is for Africa and also boar in UK and Europe.

Next month; hybrids, Ackley Improved and is there such a thing as the perfect calibre?

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