In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular big bore calibers out there. Most of the largest cartridges we cover are built for so-called stopping rifles – specialty firearms used to stop big, dangerous game – or classic big bore hunting rifles. We’ve also included a couple of standout cartridges that don’t quite fit those categories, just because they’re too interesting to leave out.
Table of Contents
.950 JDJ Fat Mac
At the absolute peak of shoulder-fired power, you’ll find the .950 JDJ. Developed by J.D. Jones of SSK Industries, this cartridge is less of a rifle round and more of a personal piece of artillery. Built on a modified 20×102mm Vulcan cannon case necked up to accept a massive 3,600-grain bullet, the cartridge launches it at 2,200 feet per second, generating 38,650 ft-lb of energy – an output comparable to the energy of a 20mm anti-aircraft cannon or a World War I tank shell.
The engineering challenges were immense. SSK Industries had to develop custom loading equipment, specialized brass cases, and bullets that weighed over half a pound each. The .950 Fat Mac rifle itself weighs between 85 and 120 pounds, requiring a dedicated shooting rest and specialized scope mounts with extreme eye relief. The muzzle brake alone weighs 18 pounds, and without it, the rifle would generate over 200 ft-lbs of free recoil (for comparison, .50 BMG generates 83 ft-lbs).
Only 3 rifles were ever manufactured, and ammunition production ceased in 2014. Each cartridge cost approximately $40. The .950 JDJ required a special sporting exemption from the ATF, as its bore diameter exceeds the 0.50-inch limit for civilian guns.
4 Bore, 8 Bore, and 2 Bore
Before smokeless powder revolutionized ballistics, African hunters relied on massive bore guns that fired projectiles measuring nearly an inch in diameter. The 4 bore represented the practical limit for dangerous game hunting, firing projectiles nominally 1.052 inches in diameter, though actual measurements typically ranged from 0.935 to 0.955 inches.
The traditional 4 bore load consisted of 14 drams of black powder behind an 1,882gr lead bullet, achieving velocities of 1,200-1,400 fps. Modern interpretations by gunmakers like Peter Hofer have pushed these limits dramatically. His 4 bore magnum fires 2,000-grain bullets at velocities up to 2,624 fps, generating over 30,000 ft-lbs of energy.
The 8 bore served as the more manageable option to tackle elephants, Cape buffalo, and even hippo. This cartridge used a 1250gr conical or 860gr ball projectile. Despite generating more than 155 ft-lbs of recoil energy in a 15-18-pound rifle, it proved more popular among professional hunters.
Period accounts describe laborious experimentation with bullet molds, cartridge sizing, and wadding recipes to achieve both accuracy and sufficient stopping power. The bullet itself was a true behemoth – nearly .83 caliber, cast from hardened lead, and designed to penetrate deeply without significant expansion. At “buffalo distance” (roughly 25 yards), users reported devastating wound channels, but also noted the primitive bullets’ limited terminal effects compared to later smokeless designs.
The 2 bore existed primarily as exhibition pieces rather than a practical hunting rifle. With bore diameters of 1.326 inches and projectiles weighing 3,500 grains, these rifles demonstrated the absolute limits of what could theoretically be shoulder-fired, though their 44+ pound weight made them impractical for actual hunting use.
.50 BMG
The .50 Browning Machine Gun cartridge brings military-grade ballistics to civilian shooters. Developed by John Moses Browning in 1918 for the M2 machine gun, this cartridge has proven remarkably versatile across multiple platforms and applications.
Standard military ball ammunition fires 660-grain bullets at approximately 2,900 fps, generating 12,000-15,000 ft-lbs of energy. Modern precision loadings push 750-grain bullets at slightly lower velocities, optimizing ballistic coefficients for extreme long-range accuracy. The cartridge holds multiple long-range shooting records, including confirmed kills beyond 3,800 yards.
The .50 BMG ballistic coefficient often exceeds 0.600, allowing for effective engagement beyond 2,000 yards. At 1,000 yards, it still delivers approximately 3,000 ft-lbs of energy – more than many cartridges produce at the muzzle. This exceptional retained energy, combined with its penetrating power, makes it effective against light armor and hardened targets at extreme distances.
BARRETT Model 99 50 BMG Single Shot Rifle
$4,445.10
Price accurate at time of writing
- Action: Bolt-Action
- Caliber: .50 BMG
- Barrel length: 32"
- Capacity: 1rd
- Weight: 25 lbs
.600 Nitro Express
The .600 Nitro Express stands as one of the most respected game cartridges ever developed. Created by W.J. Jeffery & Company around 1900, this massive round held the title of world’s most powerful hunting rifle cartridge until the late 20th century.
Its 900-grain bullets at 1,850-2,050 fps generated 6,800-8,400 ft-lbs of energy, depending on the load. The combination of smokeless propellant and massive projectile delivered a big leap in terminal ballistics, making the .600 NE the definitive choice for stopping charging elephants in Africa during the height of the ivory hunting era.
Its fearsome reputation extended beyond the hunting grounds. During World War I, the British military used .600 Nitro rifles to punch through the steel plates protecting German snipers from the standard 303 British ball ammo.
.600 NE rifles were incredibly heavy, often tipping the scales at 16 pounds. Production numbers remained extremely limited, with only about 100 rifles ever manufactured in this caliber. The ammunition costs around $100 per round. The recoil is nearly four times that of a .45-70 Government.
.700 Nitro Express
Holland & Holland’s .700 Nitro Express emerged from an unusual circumstance. Its story starts in the 1980s with William Feldstein, a businessman and gun enthusiast who wanted Holland & Holland to make him a new .600 Nitro Express rifle. When the company refused, Feldstein challenged them to build something even bigger. The result was the creation of the .700 Nitro Express.
This massive round uses a 3.5-inch case and fires a 1,000gr bullet at about 2,000 fps and 9,000 ft-lbs of energy. The recoil from firing the .700 NE is extremely strong – 160 ft-lbs, which is about eight times as heavy as a typical .308 hunting rifle, so the rifles are heavy, weighing close to 18 pounds.
Testing the first rifles was a real challenge. Feldstein himself fired dozens of rounds to make sure both barrels of the double rifle would shoot to the same spot. Later, he proved how effective the .700 NE could be by using it during an elephant hunt in Africa.
Only 17-18 rifles have been produced as of 2024. With a price well over $400,000, they’re as much collector’s items as they are functional hunting guns. Individual cartridges cost approximately $100 each.
.577 Tyrannosaur
The .577 Tyrannosaur was developed in 1993 by A-Square for professional hunters and guides in Zimbabwe. The goal was to create a round with the stopping power to halt a charging elephant or Cape buffalo in its tracks. Only 24 A-Square bolt-action “Hannibal” rifles were ever produced in this chambering, with half sent to Africa and half remaining in the U.S., making examples extremely rare and sought after.
The cartridge pushes a 750gr solid bullet at 2,460 fps, generating over 10,000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. That’s nearly double the power of the .500 Nitro Express.
But what truly sets the .577 Tyrannosaur apart is its recoil. Firing this round delivers an unforgettable punch – about 170 ft-lbs of felt recoil – making most other “elephant guns” seem tame by comparison.
.458 Winchester Magnum
The .458 Winchester Magnum is America’s first serious entry into the dangerous game cartridge field. Introduced in 1956, this cartridge was designed to duplicate the performance of classic British rounds like the .450 and .470 Nitro Express while using readily available components.
Firing a 500gr bullet at 2,100-2,200 fps, the .458 Winchester Magnum generates approximately 5,000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. That might seem “slower” to some, but picture a half-ounce slug thundering downrange with the speed of a .22 Magnum, except at ten times the mass. The cartridge produces about 55 ft-lbs of free recoil energy, making it significantly more manageable than the ultra-powerful British rounds.
Despite its strengths, the .458’s reputation took a hit over the decades. In hot weather, some early factory loads suffered from powder clumping, leading to inconsistent ignition and reduced velocities in the field.
But over time, both ammo and rifle technology improved. Today, handloaders and manufacturers get excellent performance, often choosing slightly lighter 450-grain bullets for better velocity and reliable expansion. Many experienced hunters and reloaders report that with modern powders such as H322, H4895, or IMR 3031, the .458 Win Mag is not only reliable but exceptionally accurate, capable of tight groups at 100 yards from a well-tuned rifle. The cartridge thrives in Africa’s bushveld and Alaska’s bear country, and is offered in robust, affordable rifles like the Winchester Model 70 Safari Express and Remington’s stainless Safari KS.
Barnes 22022 VOR-TX 458 Winchester Magnum TSX Flat Base 450 GR 20Box
$144.94
Price accurate at time of writing
- Grain Weight: 450gr
- Bullet Style: TSX Flat Base
- Muzzle Velocity: 2240 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 5015 ft lbs
.45-70 Government
The .45-70 Government holds a special place in American firearms history, having served the U.S. military from 1873 through the early 1900s. Originally designed for single-shot Springfield rifles, this cartridge earned its reputation fighting in the Indian Wars and later proved devastating against Spanish forces in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.
Developed as the “.45-70-405” (meaning .45 caliber, 70 grains of black powder, 405 grain lead bullet), it features a rimmed, straight-walled brass case and a .458-inch bullet diameter. Modern commercial loads typically range between 300gr and 500gr bullets, and, at standard factory pressures, the .45-70 can drive a 300-grain bullet at approximately 1,880 fps, creating muzzle energy around 2,355 ft-lbs. While these figures might seem modest compared to modern magnums, the large-diameter, heavy bullets deliver impressive penetration and stopping power. The cartridge’s effectiveness stems from momentum rather than raw energy.
The round, its heavier loads in particular, is known for its “rainbow” trajectory. With a 200-yard sight-in, drop can exceed 30 inches at 300 yards. Despite this, it’s very effective on large and dangerous game. The .45-70 rifle is a favorite for hunting bison, bear, and other tough game, particularly from lever-action rifles or specialty single-shot and even revolver platforms. Handloaders with modern, strong rifles can push its performance even further, but factory ammunition is kept mild to ensure safety in legacy firearms.
* Prices accurate at time of writing
.50 Action Express
While most big bores are rifle cartridges, the .50 Action Express brings massive power to the semi-automatic handgun platform. Famously chambered in the Desert Eagle pistol, the .50 AE was designed to deliver rifle-like energy from a handgun. The .50 AE typically fires 300 to 350gr bullets at velocities ranging from 1,400 to 1,800 fps, generating between 1,400 and 1,800 ft-lbs of energy. The .50 AE cartridge cases are based on a lengthened and necked-down .44 Magnum case.
* Prices accurate at time of writing
Despite its fearsome reputation, the sheer weight of a Desert Eagle pistol – approximately 4.4 pounds – and gas-operated action help make the recoil more manageable than one might expect. The cartridge excels at hunting medium to large game and serves collectors seeking the ultimate expression of handgun power.
MAGNUM RESEARCH Desert Eagle 50AE Pistol
$1,599.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Action: Single-Action
- Caliber: .50 Action Express
- Barrel length: 6"
- Capacity: 7rd
- Weight: 4 lbs. 5.8 oz.
.500 Smith & Wesson Magnum
The .500 Smith & Wesson Magnum stands as the most powerful production revolver cartridge ever manufactured. Introduced in 2003, this massive round pushes handgun ballistics into rifle territory, generating from 2,200 to 2,850 ft-lbs of energy with 300-500gr bullets at velocities ranging from 1,600 to 2,050 fps. The muzzle energy can reach over 3,400 ft-lbs when fired from a rifle-length barrel.
Interestingly, the .500 S&W Magnum can be loaded with very heavy bullets (up to 700 grains), giving it versatile terminal performance – from flatter-shooting lighter loads for long range, to deep-penetrating heavy bullets for dangerous or thick-skinned game.
The cartridge requires Smith & Wesson’s massive X-Frame revolvers to contain its pressures and manage the tremendous recoil forces. These revolvers weigh between 4 and 5 pounds depending on barrel length, and their substantial mass helps absorb the punishing recoil. Even so, firing the .500 S&W Magnum remains a memorable experience.
The .500 S&W Magnum serves hunters pursuing large game where handgun hunting is legal, and its impressive ballistics make it effective on animals up to and including brown bear. Additionally, it remains the benchmark for commercial handgun cartridge power.
S&W 500 S&W Magnum 8.4in 5rd Satin Stainless Revolver
$1,445.99
Price accurate at time of writing
- Action: Double-Action
- Caliber: .500 S&W Mag
- Barrel length: 8.4"
- Capacity: 5rd
- Weight: 71.9 oz
Other Notable Big Bores
12 Gauge from Hell: Custom shotgun shells using modified .50 BMG cases, launching 700+ grain projectiles at 1,000-2,500 fps depending on the action’s pressure capability.
.416 Rigby: A classic dangerous game cartridge firing 400-grain bullets at 2,400 fps for 5,100 foot-pounds of energy, trusted by legendary hunters like Harry Selby.
.50 Beowulf: An AR-15 cartridge firing 300-400 grain bullets at 1,650-1,775 fps, providing 2,400+ foot-pounds of stopping power in a familiar platform.
20mm Anzio: Anti-materiel rifles firing 20×102mm Vulcan cartridges with 48,000 foot-pounds of muzzle energy – nearly four times that of .50 BMG.
Leave a Reply