I can shoot well and consistently with any rifle up to and including the .416 Rigby and .450 Alaskan. I believe this .450 cartridge/rifle combohas about as much recoil as any rifle I've ever shot. ButI don't use them unless I'm hunting dangerous game. However, I DO shoot such critters at the range once in awhile, to keep them zeroed, to test new loads, and so I can remember how much fun they are to shoot!

I believe the MOST USEFUL cartridges are those little rounds in the class of the .270 Win., 7X57mm Mauser,.30/'06. 7mm Rem Mag., etc. For 99% of the hunting in North America, these are all about the same, and are plenty, the bigger magnums beingtotally unnecessary. But, if I thought there was much of a chance of encountering a really BIG BEAR like a coastal brownie or a polar, I'd be carrying at least a .375 if not a .416........

Back in the days when I had an opportunity to fish the coastal salmon streamsor the Middle Forks of the Gulkana River in Alaska, I used to carry a .450 Alaskan in a 7-pound Model 71 Winchester slung across my back just in case. It was better backup than a handgun.....