What is your benchmark for a "big bore" bullet?

Forte S+W · July 29, 2020, 11:04 AM

I know that most folks consider .45 caliber bullets to be big bore, but I've seen folks refer to bullets as small in diameter as .40 caliber to be big bore bullets as well.

I'm curious to see what is the minimum caliber/bore diameter the majority considers worthy of the "big bore" designation.

NOTE: This poll is in regards to Bullet Diameter, not muzzle energy. Please answer accordingly.

Bob Willman · July 29, 2020, 12:20 PM

44 or larger.

Bob
WB8NQW

tipoc · July 29, 2020, 12:39 PM

It begins with 40 caliber/10mm.

tipoc

CDW4ME · July 29, 2020, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tipoc

It begins with 40 caliber/10mm.

This, but I kinda wanna include 357 Sig.

tipoc · July 29, 2020, 01:26 PM

357 Sig and 357 Magnum I purposely left them out as being mid bore with 38 caliber/9mm bullets. But of the two I'd chose the 357 Magnum as having the power to elevate it into big bore contention but with an asterisk.

For me, ya gotta have a cut off point or you begin to include a few necked down odd balls. Maybe nothing wrong with that though. Also why not the 9x23 Winchester? Big bore refers to bore size and not power I figure.

tipoc

seanc · July 29, 2020, 01:51 PM

.44 Special. The vote is on "big bore", not "big intentions"

jimku · July 29, 2020, 02:48 PM

I consider my .41 magnum to definitely be in the big bore category and I don't give a rip what the "majority" thinks. It is 90% as powerful as a .44 mag. and puts a .44 Special or .45ACP to shame.

Hal · July 29, 2020, 03:00 PM

4 or more = big
Under 4 but above 3 = medium
Under 3 = small

Forte S+W · July 29, 2020, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDW4ME

This, but I kinda wanna include 357 Sig.

.357 SIG is actually a .355"/9mm Bullet, no larger in diameter than .380 ACP, ergo if you consider .357 SIG to be Big Bore, then you also consider .380 ACP Big Bore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimku

I consider my .41 magnum to definitely be in the big bore category and I don't give a rip what the "majority" thinks. It is 90% as powerful as a .44 mag. and puts a .44 Special or .45ACP to shame.

Muzzle energy isn't a factor here, just the diameter lf the bullet/bore.

I attempted to illustrate this point by using typically non-magnum cartridges as examples after a similar poll on another forum received similar results, but it seems like I need to be more specific.

jimku · July 29, 2020, 03:16 PM

The .44 mag bullet diameter is .429 inches. The .41 mag is .410 inches. Difference is .019 inches. 19 hundredths of an inch is negligible at best.
The .41 mag is honestly named, the .44 mag isn't.
The .41 mag is an honest 41 caliber bullet, the .44 mag is actually closer to a 43 caliber.

**44 AMP** · July 29, 2020, 03:20 PM

Speaking only of bore diameter, in handguns, traditionally, "big bore" starts with .40 caliber and goes up.

.38-40 counts, despite the name, it uses a .40 caliber bullet.

.40, and even .41 is the "small end" and "full" big bore status are the .44s and .45s and above.

There are people who put 40/41 calibers in the "Medium bore" class and reserve "big bore" to 44s and up...

There's no set rule that I know of.

Quote:

The .41 mag is honestly named, the .44 mag isn't.
The .41 mag is an honest 41 caliber bullet, the .44 mag is actually closer to a 43 caliber.

yes, but do you know why??

dgang · July 29, 2020, 03:34 PM

If we are talking handguns .41+, rifles .405 but most would consider a .375 as big bore. I definitely consider my .45/70 as big bore. Tossing a 455 gr. cast bullet @ 1770 fps will make a believer out of you.

dgang · July 29, 2020, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimku

The .44 mag bullet diameter is .429 inches. The .41 mag is .410 inches. Difference is .019 inches. 19 hundredths of an inch is negligible at best.
The .41 mag is honestly named, the .44 mag isn't.
The .41 mag is an honest 41 caliber bullet, the .44 mag is actually closer to a 43 caliber.

Jimku, that is 19/1000th of an inch. Indeed negligible.

Crankylove · July 29, 2020, 06:06 PM

Big Bore, as in bore size, for me, starts with .44 (.429”)

Talking about Power, instead of caliber/diameter, is a whole different discussion.

TXAZ · July 29, 2020, 06:43 PM

.44
My next smaller caliber is .354 (9mm)

FrankenMauser · July 29, 2020, 08:39 PM

Quote:

The .44 mag bullet diameter is .429 inches.

Most are actually .430" nowadays. If you're going to split hairs, at least split them all.
And actual groove diameter in modern firearms has edged up to .430-432" for most .44 Special, .44 Mag, and .444 Marlin barrels.

jimku · July 29, 2020, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgang

Jimku, that is 19/1000th of an inch. Indeed negligible.

So it is ... a split hair indeed.
Anyway, since "big bore" supposedly starts at 44 caliber, and a .44 magnum is less that 44 caliber, I guess a .44 magnum isn't a "big bore" at all? And if it is, then so is a .41 mag.
But I don't have much truck with split hair nonsense (blonde or otherwise) so as far as I'm concerned they are both big bores.
For those of you who enjoy splitting hairs, I give you Bart Simpson.

And for those who discount power, and only look at bore diameter, I have a cork gun that is about 50 caliber that satisfies your definition of "big bore".
Never mind that it won't even put a hole in a paper plate. I could stick a firecracker in it and call it a "firearm".

**Aguila Blanca** · July 29, 2020, 10:45 PM

FWIW, the poll has an error in it. .41 Remington Magnum isn't a .410 bore. The bore is .399, and the grooves are .409.

**44 AMP** · July 29, 2020, 11:16 PM

The people who make a thing generally get to name it what ever they want. IF you look at the history of metallic cartridges over the last 150 years or so, it seems the only real constant is that the first DIGIT of the cartridge name has some relationship with the bore size.

After that, its all over the map, dependent on the maker's desire and what they believe to be a marketable name.

Earlier I asked if you knew why our .44s are "really" .43s. Our ".38s" are really ".36s" (round up)...

It has to do with history, and cartridge/bullet development, from the days of cap & ball revolvers on up through today, along with what the makers thought was catchy and would sell.

Look it up, its interesting stuff.

dgang · July 30, 2020, 12:20 AM

Don't know how important it is but a .38 spl. brass is about .38"

**44 AMP** · July 30, 2020, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Don't know how important it is but a .38 spl. brass is about .38"

that's a key part of the story. Early cartridges were loaded with "heel type" bullets (like the .22LR still is) where the wide part of the bullet was the same diameter as the case. So the early .38s" actually had .38 caliber bullets, the same size as the outside of the case. The .44s were the same way. Later on, when the bullets were changed to the inside lubricated type we use today, the bullet diameter was reduced to fit inside the case. SO the .38 bullets became .36s and the .44s became ,43s.

At first, the bores didn't change, as the now slightly undersized lead bullets used upset well enough to seal and be accurate.

Later on, bore sizes were reduced, as well. Cartridges developed later that never used heel type bullets always had the smaller bore and bullet size, but kept the old caliber names, because that was what people were familiar with and expected. That's the reason, in a nutshell, though I left out a lot of details.

In rifles, .40 caliber and above are big bores, so I think its a fair spot for pistols as well.

Hawg · July 30, 2020, 02:06 AM

Big bores start at .44.

RETG · July 30, 2020, 07:49 AM

Rifle, handgun, or muzzle loader?

Handgun - .44>
Rifle - .375>
Muzzle loader - .80>

Just my opinion....but they all will hurt on the receiving end.

TX Nimrod · July 30, 2020, 09:05 AM

Since this is a Handgun forum we can assume the poll is about handguns. All the nitpickers are trolling, it’s pretty clear what the OP wants to know.

If 0.019” doesn’t matter, then why the millions of words printed arguing that the 7mm is so much better that the .270?

.

Kreyzhorse · July 30, 2020, 11:09 AM

Big bore handguns start at .44, and a .44 Mag is about all I want in a handgun.

View Poll Results: What's the bare minimum for big bore?
.40 caliber (.40 S&W)	11	16.42%
.41 Caliber (.410 Bore)	15	22.39%
.429 Caliber (.44 Special)	32	47.76%
.45 Caliber (.45 ACP)	7	10.45%
.50 Caliber (.50AE)	2	2.99%
OVER FIFTY! It ain't big bore 'nless it leaves a big 'ol hole, boi!	0	0%
Voters: 67. You may not vote on this poll

July 29, 2020, 11:04 AM	#1
Forte S+W Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2019 Posts: 819	What is your benchmark for a "big bore" bullet? I know that most folks consider .45 caliber bullets to be big bore, but I've seen folks refer to bullets as small in diameter as .40 caliber to be big bore bullets as well. I'm curious to see what is the minimum caliber/bore diameter the majority considers worthy of the "big bore" designation. *NOTE: This poll is in regards to Bullet Diameter, not muzzle energy. Please answer accordingly.* __________________ Conspiracy theorists are the greatest political spin-doctors of all time. Only they can make the absolute worst political blunders sound like spectacular feats of ingenuity. Last edited by Forte S+W; July 29, 2020 at 03:09 PM. Reason: Added descriptive text in order to clarify the question.

July 29, 2020, 12:39 PM	#3
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	It begins with 40 caliber/10mm. tipoc __________________ 1. All guns are always loaded. 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger till you are ready to shoot. 4. Identify your target and know what is beyond it.

July 29, 2020, 01:26 PM	#5
tipoc Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2004 Location: Redwood City, Ca. Posts: 4,114	357 Sig and 357 Magnum I purposely left them out as being mid bore with 38 caliber/9mm bullets. But of the two I'd chose the 357 Magnum as having the power to elevate it into big bore contention but with an asterisk. For me, ya gotta have a cut off point or you begin to include a few necked down odd balls. Maybe nothing wrong with that though. Also why not the 9x23 Winchester? Big bore refers to bore size and not power I figure. tipoc __________________ 1. All guns are always loaded. 2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. 3. Keep your finger off the trigger till you are ready to shoot. 4. Identify your target and know what is beyond it.

July 29, 2020, 03:16 PM	#10
jimku Junior member Join Date: January 2, 2017 Posts: 291	The .44 mag bullet diameter is .429 inches. The .41 mag is .410 inches. Difference is .019 inches. 19 hundredths of an inch is negligible at best. The .41 mag is honestly named, the .44 mag isn't. The .41 mag is an honest 41 caliber bullet, the .44 mag is actually closer to a 43 caliber. Last edited by jimku; July 29, 2020 at 03:28 PM.

July 29, 2020, 12:20 PM	#2
Bob Willman Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2018 Location: Bowling Green, Ohio Posts: 110	44 or larger. Bob WB8NQW

July 29, 2020, 01:51 PM	#6
seanc Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 1998 Posts: 590	.44 Special. The vote is on "big bore", not "big intentions"

July 29, 2020, 02:48 PM	#7
jimku Junior member Join Date: January 2, 2017 Posts: 291	I consider my .41 magnum to definitely be in the big bore category and I don't give a rip what the "majority" thinks. It is 90% as powerful as a .44 mag. and puts a .44 Special or .45ACP to shame.

July 29, 2020, 03:00 PM	#8
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	4 or more = big Under 4 but above 3 = medium Under 3 = small

July 29, 2020, 03:34 PM	#12
dgang Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 204	If we are talking handguns .41+, rifles .405 but most would consider a .375 as big bore. I definitely consider my .45/70 as big bore. Tossing a 455 gr. cast bullet @ 1770 fps will make a believer out of you. __________________ I shoot, therefore I am. Last edited by dgang; July 29, 2020 at 03:39 PM.

July 29, 2020, 06:06 PM	#14
Crankylove Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2008 Location: 8B ID Posts: 1,753	Big Bore, as in bore size, for me, starts with .44 (.429”) Talking about Power, instead of caliber/diameter, is a whole different discussion. __________________ The answer to 1984 is 1776

July 29, 2020, 06:43 PM	#15
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	.44 My next smaller caliber is .354 (9mm) __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

July 29, 2020, 10:45 PM	#18
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,460	FWIW, the poll has an error in it. .41 Remington Magnum isn't a .410 bore. The bore is .399, and the grooves are .409. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

July 29, 2020, 11:16 PM	#19
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,820	The people who make a thing generally get to name it what ever they want. IF you look at the history of metallic cartridges over the last 150 years or so, it seems the only real constant is that the first DIGIT of the cartridge name has some relationship with the bore size. After that, its all over the map, dependent on the maker's desire and what they believe to be a marketable name. Earlier I asked if you knew why our .44s are "really" .43s. Our ".38s" are really ".36s" (round up)... It has to do with history, and cartridge/bullet development, from the days of cap & ball revolvers on up through today, along with what the makers thought was catchy and would sell. Look it up, its interesting stuff. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

July 30, 2020, 12:20 AM	#20
dgang Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 204	Don't know how important it is but a .38 spl. brass is about .38" __________________ I shoot, therefore I am.

July 30, 2020, 02:06 AM	#22
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Big bores start at .44.

July 30, 2020, 07:49 AM	#23
RETG Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2009 Location: Somewhere in Idaho, near WY Posts: 507	Rifle, handgun, or muzzle loader? Handgun - .44> Rifle - .375> Muzzle loader - .80> Just my opinion....but they all will hurt on the receiving end. __________________ I give MY OPINION (not often) based on many years shooting at, other than paper targets. I will not debate my experience vs. your experience based on dreams and "what ifs." I'm 73; I'm too damn old to care.

July 30, 2020, 09:05 AM	#24
TX Nimrod Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2009 Location: Zona Posts: 423	Since this is a Handgun forum we can assume the poll is about handguns. All the nitpickers are trolling, it’s pretty clear what the OP wants to know. If 0.019” doesn’t matter, then why the millions of words printed arguing that the 7mm is so much better that the .270? . __________________ .22LR - .223 - .22-250 - .243 - 6mm REM - .25-20 - .25-35 - .25 BB - .250/3000 - .257 WBY - .260 - .30 M1 - .300 BO - .30 Herrett - .300 Savage - .32 H&R - .303 - .338-06 - .338 WM - .35 REM - .38-55 - .45 LC - .45-70 - .50-70

July 30, 2020, 11:09 AM	#25
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Big bore handguns start at .44, and a .44 Mag is about all I want in a handgun. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson