A long long time ago when I was very young shooter, the local gunsmith arrived at the range with two scoped hunting rifles he was sighting in for a customer who was going on a safari in Africa.
One was a Weatherby in .460, the other one a Winchester in .458. He was kind enough to let a few of us youngsters have a go with them. Needless to say it was a blast and a kick. And I remember the 458 being a lighter rifle and kicking more than the 460.
And obviously dirty Harry Callahan used one (unsuccessfully though) against Scorpio.
Fast forward 25 years, I decided to see if I could find one, so I placed a WTB ad and within two weeks a gentleman offered me a new one for sale. Well new is relative since the serial number indicates it was built in 1967, just one year before I was born, and has a few tiny handling marks.
Price was $ 1700. It also came with NOS Burris rings and mount. I’m not sure I will put a scope on it. Firstly this is not a long-range rifle and the open sights are more than adequate up to one hundred metres. Secondly the scope kiss in the face is a very real hazard with a rifle like that, kicking like a mule.
Since I had recently bought some cheap ammo for it ($ 1 per round) I took it straight to the range.
The first three shots below the bull’s-eye were taken at 25 m just to get a feel for where the rifle hits. The last two shots above the bull’s-eye were taken at 50 m. In both case standing, as it is the best way to absorb the massive recoil.
Now I have dirty Harry’s revolver, semi auto pistol and bolt action rifle. If anyone has a nice harpoon for sale, hit me up.
Excellent!!
“ Now I have dirty Harry’s revolver, semi auto pistol and bolt action rifle. If anyone has a nice harpoon for sale, hit me up.”
But do you have his hair and mad “shoot house” skills?!?
Great old m70 and collection!
I have a .450 Alaskan built on an old m71 Winchester.
Load development with 400 gr. Barnes at 2300+ FPS were agony from the bench, but doable standing, as you mention.
So great…beautiful rifle. Im so damned sick of EVERYTHING “tactical” or plastic or modern as needed as they are.
NOTHING will ever be as gorgeous as wood & steel from the old days.
Beautiful rifle! (handguns too). I can take the kick of those big bores but what hurts is the kick from the cost per round. I’m guessing about $2-$3 per round?
A number of PH’s run low power, long(er) eye relief scopes (think 2X and even LPVs) and Aimpoint Dot Scopes on their Stopping Rifles/large bore bolt guns.
A lot to be said for massive FOV, forgiving eye relief and ability to “thread the needle” with a large bore.
I got to fire a few rounds through a twin to your rifle back in the day. I was maybe 12-13. Wow…
Thanks for sharing. You have a really nice collection! I had the pleasure of spending a few days in Switzerland for work before COVID…Beautiful country, and everyone was super friendly. I hope to get back one of these days…
