Opinions on the real big boys? 500J, 505 Gibbs, .500 NE, 577NE, 600NE, 700NE etc.

[Jack Stevens]

Here is what I have learned: Some people love collecting not so much for an investment sake but for their personal enjoyment given they just don’t have the time to hunt in Africa, my good friend @krish comes to mind given I don’t know a caliber he doesn’t own. Then there are those who want to shoot the biggest bore as long as they can make the first shot count. Last there are those who just enjoy shooting big bores for their own enjoyment as long as it does not cross over into pain to shoot. I know for myself I am somewhere in between given I hunt Africa every year and am a very old Africa nostalgic person.

That was well-said. …. If I may ask, how old are you?

 

[Rare Breed]

That was well-said. …. If I may ask, how old are you?

A very young 65!!!! lol!!!

 

[BeeMaa]

Anyone have footage of a 577 T-Rex or 600 Overkill being used in the field? Particularly on game?

Not the 577T-REX, but the 577NE used by J. Alain Smith on Cape buffalo. Personally, I thought his first shot was more than a little off, but with the second barrel it was enough to get it done quickly. Much to be said about having a bigger cartridge to push a bigger bullet and give some margin of error on such dangerous game.

And then a VC 577NE used by Richard Eales of African Sportsman Channel on elephant.

 

[grand veneur]

Dislike this videos. It are not very convincing regarding the working of big bores on dangerous game. I have shot more than one buffalo and a few elephants with cartridges like the 460 Weatherby Magnum and 500 Schüler. I know how they go down after a good shot placement. Every one can have problems by shooting game, despite the cartridge used, but documenting it by videos for self-realization is not necessary.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Not the 577T-REX, but the 577NE used by J. Alain Smith on Cape buffalo. Personally, I thought his first shot was more than a little off, but with the second barrel it was enough to get it done quickly. Much to be said about having a bigger cartridge to push a bigger bullet and give some margin of error on such dangerous game.

And then a VC 577NE used by Richard Eales of African Sportsman Channel on elephant.

The 577NE seems like a downright sensible choice compared to those other two, also the uppermost cartridge threshold that is "reasonable" to be used by hunters or PH's according to Dr. Robertson.

 

[BeeMaa]

The 577NE seems like a downright sensible choice compared to those other two, also the uppermost cartridge threshold that is "reasonable" to be used by hunters or PH's according to Dr. Robertson.

The term "reasonable" or "sensible choice" would depend greatly on the point of view.

By most accounts, stopping cartridges for a PH start at 458WM/458LOTT/450RIGBY for a bolt action or 450NE/470NE for a double. Of course the 500J, 500GIBBS, 500NE would all be better choices provided the operator is capable of maintaining a competent level of accuracy.

As a client there is very little NEED for such shoulder mounted artillery. Is it good to have? Sure, again...as long as the client is capable of maintaining a competent level of accuracy. The problem is that most clients are not.

The lines between PH and client are very distinct, and at the same time the cartridges they use can get blurred right around the .423" to .600" just as easily. If you feel that a 577NE is your cup of tea, I'd be very happy for you...and probably help you find one! I'd just ask that you are adequately prepared when you arrive in camp.

 

[Foxi]

Not the 577T-REX, but the 577NE used by J. Alain Smith on Cape buffalo. Personally, I thought his first shot was more than a little off, but with the second barrel it was enough to get it done quickly. Much to be said about having a bigger cartridge to push a bigger bullet and give some margin of error on such dangerous game.

And then a VC 577NE used by Richard Eales of African Sportsman Channel on elephant.

They all show off with big calibers and nothing stays in the fire.
It often feels like a cock comparison between men, I have the biggest one (but their result is no better )

 

[Northern Shooter]

The term "reasonable" or "sensible choice" would depend greatly on the point of view.

By most accounts, stopping cartridges for a PH start at 458WM/458LOTT/450RIGBY for a bolt action or 450NE/470NE for a double. Of course the 500J, 500GIBBS, 500NE would all be better choices provided the operator is capable of maintaining a competent level of accuracy.

As a client there is very little NEED for such shoulder mounted artillery. Is it good to have? Sure, again...as long as the client is capable of maintaining a competent level of accuracy. The problem is that most clients are not.

The lines between PH and client are very distinct, and at the same time the cartridges they use can get blurred right around the .423" to .600" just as easily. If you feel that a 577NE is your cup of tea, I'd be very happy for you...and probably help you find one! I'd just ask that you are adequately prepared when you arrive in camp.

Just repeating what I've heard stated by several of the Pros now that the 577NE is the upper limit of what is still usable in a hunting rifle to carry. The idea is that the 600NE, 700NE, 577 T-REX, 600 Overkill etc. are beyond that limit and are purely exercises in exuberance.

I have a cursory interest in these exotic cartridges, no interest in actually owning one. If I ever step up beyond my current offerings it would be either a 500NE or 500 Jeffery.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Just repeating what I've heard stated by several of the Pros now that the 577NE is the upper limit of what is still usable in a hunting rifle to carry. The idea is that the 600NE, 700NE, 577 T-REX, 600 Overkill etc. are beyond that limit and are purely exercises in exuberance.

I have a cursory interest in these exotic cartridges, no interest in actually owning one. If I ever step up beyond my current offerings it would be either a 500NE or 500 Jeffery.

Don't forget considering the .550 Triceratops.

 

[grand veneur]

Just repeating what I've heard stated by several of the Pros now that the 577NE is the upper limit of what is still usable in a hunting rifle to carry. The idea is that the 600NE, 700NE, 577 T-REX, 600 Overkill etc. are beyond that limit and are purely exercises in exuberance.

I have a cursory interest in these exotic cartridges, no interest in actually owning one. If I ever step up beyond my current offerings it would be either a 500NE or 500 Jeffery.

I would rather say the cartridge 600 Nitro Express represents the upper limit, because anyone who can handle a DR caliber 577 Nitro Express will also be able to handle a DR caliber 600 Nitro Express. The rifles are comparable in terms of handling and the recoil of a DR caliber 600 Nitro Express is only a little stronger than that of a DR caliber 577 Nitro Express. However, it remains a hard work to shoot accurately with such rifles and also to carry them a longer time in the field. But it is also the same hard work with a lighter bolt action rifle caliber 500 Jeffery if you use the full original load.

One have to think carefully about purchasing such rifles. You buy big bore rifles to benefit from the advantages of this cartridges, but not to have one that is bigger than that of your neighbor and after to brag with it by hunting. Anyone who starts discussing at length on a Forum about recoil and how to reduce it, has perhaps a problem with big bore rifles. When hunting with such rifles, you need to be completely free of any thoughts about recoil and its side effects. You must be able to concentrate on an accurate shot placement and also to repeat it immediately. Many videos give unfortunately a different impression and the statistics regarding wounded game proves it.