Small Bores Versus Big Bores

posted on December 2, 2010
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
201012210395-smallborebigbore_f.jpg

Original date of publication: December 1954

I suppose there are few more hotly contested subjects than that of the caliber of rifles for use against large game, especially against that considered to be dangerous. Ever since man began to walk erect-even before that, I expect-this controversy probably raged as freely as it does now, if not about rifles then about clubs, bludgeons, battle axes, and bows. It may in fact be stated, with fair reason, that bored of all kinds have existed in great numbers since the word go.

It will be observed that it is almost invariably the Big Bore who attacks the Small Bore. Why this should be so is at first not apparent. It can be stated with very fair accuracy that the Small Bore does not usually bear any ill will towards the Big Bore. I should say that, on the contrary, the Small Bore rather commiserates with his brother Bore for having to burden himself with his heavy equipment.

On the other hand, the Big Bore will take every opportunity to attack the Small Bore. He will perjure his soul by declaring the smallbore rifle to be unsporting. He will even go so far as to declare that the use of smallbores should be made illegal. Why should the Big Bore get so hot under the collar about the number of thousandths of an inch that constitutes the difference between, say, a .270 and a .375?

Latest

Gotw Marlin 1894 Trapper 10Mm 1
Gotw Marlin 1894 Trapper 10Mm 1

Gun of the Week: Marlin Firearms Model 1894 Trapper 10 mm

One of the latest Marlin lever-action rifles on the market is the Model 1894 Trapper, and the company now offers the platform in a 10 mm Auto chambering.

Scout Rifle World Shoot Recap

There’s lot to learn about the Scout Rifle, and we tested one at the inaugural Scout Rifle World Shoot.

The Armed Citizen® Nov. 6, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

The Six-Hour Gun: Saving a Family Heirloom

Simple math would have told anyone it wasn't worth fixing a $150 revolver. But to one family, this simple, common revolver meant everything.

Idaho Voters Choose the Winchester Model 1873 for their Official State Firearm

On November 3, Idaho voters picked the Winchester Model 1873 rifle (nicknamed the “Gun that Won the West,” in .44-40 cal.) as the leading candidate to be their state firearm.

PROOF Research Opens New Montana Facility

PROOF Research held a grand opening of its new manufacturing facility in Columbia Falls, Mont. at the end of October.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.