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

[44 AMP]

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]

Big bores start at .44.

 

[RETG]

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]

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]

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

 

[tipoc]

+1 on 44 AMP's post above.

tipoc

 

[Forte S+W]

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.

Actually, there is no such error in this version of the poll. I didn't list .41 Remington Magnum as an example, I listed ".410 Bore" aka .410 Shotshells which indeed use .41 caliber Slugs, and .410 Shotguns are typically smooth bore.

Furthermore, it's worth noting that bullet/bore diameter is measured differently in certain nations, ergo while .41 Magnum bore diameter is less than .41 in nations which measure bore diameter by the lands, it is otherwise in nations which measure based on the grooves. (And vice-versa when it comes to bullets)
Lastly, I listed both Bullet Diameter and Bore Diameter interchangeably in the OP for that very reason, to avoid arguments over diameter based on the differing methodology of determining bullet/bore diameter between nations.

 

[dgang]

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

No so much bullet diameter as case capacity?

 

[CDW4ME]

.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.

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.

I know, I was just saying "in my head" (kinda wanna) not official.
Official - 40/10mm minimum - Happy now?

Preferred carry calibers for me: 357 Sig, 40S&W, 10mm, 45 acp - one of them is not official "big bore" I know. (But I give it a pass)

ETA: About the 380 .... I ain't betting my life on 380.

 

[badge851]

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.

I'm of the same persuasion:
.410" for handguns
.416" for rifles

 

[jimku]

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?

As you said, this is a handgun forum. The 7mm/.270 thing is regarding high-powered rifles and about as relevant to this discussion as a fresh gob of goose doo-doo on a pump handle.

 

[seanc]

jimku: As you said, this is a handgun forum. The 7mm/.270 thing is regarding high-powered rifles and about as relevant to this discussion as a fresh gob of goose doo-doo on a pump handle

The discussion is about bore size, not the energy behind the projectile. Those that argue lesser sized rounds like the .41 Mag are more POWERFUL than real big bore calibers like .44 Russian might as well be arguing about their favorite color. .357 Mag has more energy than .45 ACP or .44 Special, but .357 is SMALLER by bore size, just like .41 Mag.

 

[jimku]

The discussion is about bore size, not the energy behind the projectile. Those that argue lesser sized rounds like the .41 Mag are more POWERFUL than real big bore calibers like .44 Russian might as well be arguing about their favorite color. .357 Mag has more energy than .45 ACP or .44 Special, but .357 is SMALLER by bore size, just like .41 Mag.

OK, so let's compare my 50 caliber cork gun to my .41 magnum. With your "logic" the cork gun is superior.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

OK, so let's compare my 50 caliber cork gun to my .41 magnum. With your "logic" the cork gun is superior.

Reading comprehension is important. Neither the opening post nor the post you quoted said anything about "superior." The question asked is very simple, and it is based on size, not power. The question was (and still is):

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.

If you have no intention of answering the question -- why are you participating in the discussion? Do you understand that it's rude to hijack threads?

Suppose you asked whether people prefer nylon, kydex, or leather holsters. Somebody comes along and answers "PURPLE!". Is that helpful to you? Has it furthered the discussion? Does leave you feeling respected?

Think about it.

 

[gbclarkson]

Wider than my pointer finger.

 

[Forte S+W]

Thank you, Aguila Blanca.

@jimku
Neither the bullet nor the bore diameter of a .410 Shotgun are .45cal, unless you're thinking of a hybrid firearm which fires both .410 Bore Shotshells and .45 caliber bullets like the Taurus Judge or Smith & Wesson Governor, but those are chambered primarily for .45s with the .410 being a secondary option.

 

[RickB]

When the 10mm cartridge was being designed, they chose to go with large primers, so that it would be more likely to be grouped with the big bores.

 

[kenny53]

I picked 44 as big bore but does it really matter? It's a simple poll, choose one, choose wisely.

 

[jimku]

Thank you, Aguila Blanca.

@jimku
Neither the bullet nor the bore diameter of a .410 Shotgun are .45cal, unless you're thinking of a hybrid firearm which fires both .410 Bore Shotshells and .45 caliber bullets like the Taurus Judge or Smith & Wesson Governor, but those are chambered primarily for .45s with the .410 being a secondary option.

That is exactly what I was thinking of.
I am leaving this thread, no further interest in it.

 

[oprod]

Before the 10mm came out I’d have said .41 mag and up.
The 10mm is on the line between mid size and magnum. So much so that imho the .40 cal would be considered mid sized, so probably 10mm would be as well.however a 40-65 rifle is considered big bore, so Mabel is all 40 calls. 38, 357, 9mm, 8mm, 7mm, all medium bore.
22, 25, 32 all small bore? 17,s and 20’s tiny bores??
Lol