In recent years, a noticeable shift has been taking place across the hunting and backcountry communities—one that’s hard to ignore. More and more hunters are trading in their light, flat-shooting cartridges for something bigger, bolder, and undeniably more powerful. Big-bore hunting is on the rise.
But this isn’t just about chasing more recoil or bragging rights at deer camp. The growing interest in big-bore calibers is rooted in practical needs, real-world performance, and a changing perspective on what’s truly necessary when venturing into the wild.
Big-Bore for the Big Game—and Bigger Consequences
Hunters across North America are facing environments that demand more from both the hunter and the rifle. Whether you’re trekking deep into grizzly country, calling elk in the timber, or protecting yourself from the unexpected, big-bore calibers offer something that lighter rounds simply can’t: immediate and unmistakable authority.
Calibers like the .500 S&W Magnum, .460 S&W Magnum, .454 Casull, .475 Linebaugh, and .500 Linebaugh were once seen as specialty rounds, often relegated to revolvers or niche firearms. But in recent years, their utility in rifles has gained serious traction—and for good reasons. These heavy-hitting cartridges deliver tremendous energy on target, making them ideal for hunting large or dangerous game in dense cover where follow-up shots need to count.
Why the Caliber Shift?
- One Shot Confidence
- Big-bore rounds offer something every hunter appreciates: the confidence that a well-placed shot will anchor the animal quickly and humanely. When you’re up against tough-bodied animals like moose, bear, or hogs, that kind of knockdown power matters.
- Versatility in the Field
- A large caliber lever-action rifle is as effective at dispatching a bull elk as it is providing peace of mind in bear country. For hunters who like to do it all with one rifle, big-bore offers flexibility without compromise.
- Increasing Interest in Close-Range Hunting
- Not every hunter is taking 400-yard shots across open terrain. Many are returning to the challenge and thrill of close-range pursuits—where brush, timber, and tight shooting lanes demand quick handling and serious stopping power. That’s where big-bore rifles, particularly those with shorter barrels and fast follow-up capability, shine.
- Practical Self-Defense in the Wild
- There’s a growing awareness of the need for backcountry defense—not just from four-legged predators, but from increasingly unpredictable wilderness encounters. Rifles chambered in big-bore calibers give peace of mind when venturing off-grid.
Where Big Horn Armory Fits In
At Big Horn Armory, we’ve built our rifles around these exact needs. We weren’t chasing trends when we began chambering lever guns in .500 S&W, .460 S&W, .454 Casull, .475 Linebaugh, and .500 Linebaugh—we were answering a call from hunters who knew they needed something more.
We’ve always believed that power, precision, and dependability should come standard. And as more hunters gravitate toward big-bore options, we’re proud to be among the few offering purpose-built rifles that deliver on all three fronts.
The Takeaway
The rise of big-bore hunting isn’t about recoil junkies or overkill—it’s about effectiveness, safety, and confidence in the field. Whether you’re tracking game deep in the backcountry or simply want a rifle that can handle anything thrown your way, big-bore is proving to be more than a passing trend—it’s a return to fundamentals.
Big-bore is back. And this time, it’s here to stay.
Ready to gear up? Explore our lineup of big-bore lever guns and find your ultimate hunting rifle: www.bighornarmory.com.
Live Inventory Price Checker
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Henry Big Boy Lever Action Rifle 41 Remington Magnum 20" Blued Barrel Brass Frame Walnut Straight Grip Stock | MidwayUSA | $ 913.99 |
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Henry Axe .410 Bore Lever Action Shotgun 15.14", Black - H018XAH-410 | Palmetto State Armory | $ 958.99 $ 870.99 |
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Henry Big Boy Lever Action Rifle 32 H&R Magnum 20" Blued Barrel Brass Frame Walnut Straight Grip Stock | MidwayUSA | $ 893.99 |
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Henry Big Boy Brass Deluxe Lever Action Rifle 357 Magnum 20" Blued Barrel Brass Frame Walnut Straight Grip Stock | MidwayUSA | $ 1786.99 |
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About Big Horn Armory:
Big Horn Armory was founded in 2008 with the expressed intention of designing a Browning-type lever-action gun chambered in 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum. The Big Horn Armory Model 89, made in America, closely follows the work of John Browning with refinements courtesy of modern metallurgy and machining capabilities. The first rifles began shipping in September of 2012 and since then, BHA has added to their big bore lineup with a Model 90 Carbine in 460 S&W, the Model 90A in 454 Casull, the Model 90B in .45 Colt, the Model 89A in 500 Linebaugh and the Model 89B in .475 Linebaugh. In 2017, Big Horn Armory took a departure from its lever-action series and developed the AR500 Auto Max, the most powerful short-range, semi-auto based on an AR .308 platform.
My wife asked me.
Why I needed a elephant gun.
I told her to keep the elephants out of the garden
She said we don’t have any elephants in the garden
I said see it is working
I enjoy shooting all types of calibers from 22LR to 375 H&H Magnum. I have no stated preferences because my decisions are driven by my needs and goals. For example, I keep an AR15 by the balcony to deal with coyotes that venture into my front pasture, but I keep a 45/70 lever action by the back patio door to deal with bears that venture too close.
Reads like (it is) a commercial for Big Horn Armory.
No mention of .45/70; .45/90; .444 Marlin; .450 Marlin.
Why?
These are “Big Bore”, yes?
Hard hitting at close range, yes?
Chambered in lever guns, yes?
Popular for the exact purposes described, yes?
All the calibers mentioned in the article/advertisement are big bore handgun rounds, chambered in rifles.
Have a Good Day
’06 will take anything in N America. People love to overcomplicate this stuff, spending more money, increasing recoil and gaining little. This advertisement isn’t compelling.
The higher end loads of most of these cartridges can eclipse the muzzle energy of the .30 30 Win. But They are at the floor of traditional bolt action cartridges like, 6.5×55, 7×57, 30 40 Kraig, .303 Brit., and far below. 30 06 and most other 20th century cartridges.
They will provide great short range performance, but versatile,they are not.
I originally wrote off Big Horn as pretty, big boy toys for those who can afford it. Then this article got me thinking about muzzle energy. The S&W loads carry far more energy than either 30-30 or 45-70 Gov.. Suddenly it makes more sense. Buffalo makes a 45-70 Magnum (same dimensions) that gives 3600+- ft.-lbs. or about 700 more than you can get out of .460 S&W but not all lever action rifles can handle it. Buffalo Bore’s website lists many that can. If you are an aficionado of these caliber handguns then a matching lever gun would be a… Read more »
I believe the shift to big bore cartridges, comes from many states allowing straight wall, short range firearms. Ohio being one, that in the past was plugged shotgun, or pistol for deer hunting. I’d love to own a Big Horn Armory, but I do think it’s a niche firearm. I think S&W missed the mark with theyre introduction of the lever action. They played it safe with 44 & 357 mag. offerings. Why not two of the biggest, baddest, pistol rounds with S&W??? Namely 500 & 460.
I’m always amazed to see something to do with Bison Big Game hunting. I can’t imagine the stealth, cunning and bravery to track and dispatch a bison.
I like a 454 Casull handgun but I went with a 450 Bushmaster in a AR 15 platform for a big bore rifle. I can use the same powder and bullets with just a little more energy at the muzzle from the 450 B
I’m not going to buy into the big bore guns, when the calibers I currently have will do the job when out hunting on anything I could possibly encounter.