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If I may call upon the expertise of the members, I would like to discuss the Tropical Rifle in more depth.

Where is the break from the C weight to the D weight barrel typically?

How many known factory iterations are there above .375 H&H? I realize SSK Industries has chambered many rifles much larger into the .600NE range. Please feel free to discuss any that you are aware of with the notation that it is a custom aftermarket creation.

How many variations of the 9.3x62 and 9.3x74R were produced? Are these considered Tropicals or no?

What is your favorite Tropical Rifle model and chambering?

My favorite Tropical Rifle chamberings are the .375 H&H and .458 Lott.

I enjoy the .375 for its elegant lines and proportions in the C weight barrel and its fine balance and heft. I find it manageable, but for the heaviest of loads when it becomes quite rude and abrupt in its conduct under recoil. In standard factory loadings one could easily make an afternoon of shooting without any regard other than the cooling of the barrel. It is though the rifle begs for another cartridge again and again in a beautiful display of power.

The .458 Lott is to me, my favorite rifle. I am truly blessed to be a caretaker of one of the thirteen walnut and stainless creations. I am uncertain what it is specifically about the Lott in a No. 1 that makes men scramble to own one, but here I am. With them being snapped up so rapidly on the market as if they might be a breath of air for the diver returning from the cold depths, it is a thing of wonder and desire. To shoot one is quite the experience. You feel alive in an instant as the adrenaline surges from both the report and the recoil which properly awakens the senses.

If I had to choose a third favorite caliber it would be the .416 Rigby. This caliber has called to me over the years in a Siren's song that's so far I have been able to resist. Her power is as remarkable her range. I can only surmise that already having the H&H and Lott are what has allowed me to elude her clutches thus far. I suppose it is only a matter of encountering one with the right character in the flesh to make me topple easily down a new rabbit hole.

The thing I enjoy the most about these rifles is introducing newcomers to the old and new safari cartridges. They all share that same amazed look when they are first handed a cartridge to examine. You can feel that same joy anew that you once felt when you found these calibers as the new inductee chambers their first round. One feels of the rush of emotion as the recoil reveals the power contained within those impressive cartridges. You can also feel the sorrow for those hunters who decline the experience. Whether it be through aging years or infirmity, there comes a time where the great rifles crash no more for all men. I can only hope the joyful experiences I have had will sustain me when it comes my time.

You asked about the 9.3x62. Mine is A 1-S not a 1-H The barrel seams heavy enough for the calibre. It shoots well with skinner peep sight or scope.

My 375 H&H is a 1-H and my 375 Ruger is a 1-S Lion Boddington. The 1-S Lion is easier to shoot because it is a more convenient size. I find the 1-H 375 H&H is a bit heavy and too long. It BTW the 375 1-S Lion is the most accurate firearm I own. It is dead on at 200 with sub MOA. Pretty good i figure given my scope is a 1.5x5.

i have 5 tropicals; 2 are early 130 S/N in 375 H&H and 458 Win. 2 are the bodington's in 450/400 NE and 450 NE, and my favorite is the Big Medicine 405 win. This particular 405 has left over Bodington circasion walnut on it. It shoots very well and niether whitetail deer nor black bear have taken a step after being pummeled with it.
As far as the the barrel weights only the 458 has the D weight barrel...

Off topic: the 375 Ruger No. 1 RSI rifles Lee Newton did are beauty in a small package!

zebra55 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 08, 2022 7:21 pm i have 5 tropicals; 2 are early 130 S/N in 375 H&H and 458 Win. 2 are the bodington's in 450/400 NE and 450 NE, and my favorite is the Big Medicine 405 win. This particular 405 has left over Bodington circasion walnut on it. It shoots very well and niether whitetail deer nor black bear have taken a step after being pummeled with it.
As far as the the barrel weights only the 458 has the D weight barrel...

I find it interesting that they chose a C weight barrel for the .450 NE. Perhaps a missed opportunity there.

RocDoc wrote: ↑Sat Oct 08, 2022 10:31 pm Off topic: the 375 Ruger No. 1 RSI rifles Lee Newton did are beauty in a small package!

Now there's an interesting idea. I wonder what a .458 would look like with a 16" barrel and perhaps a shortened forend. Would have to be a peep sight at that point to have any sight radius at all.

Yes the 375 Ruger No 1- RSI is nice. My business partner has one. Our company bought each of us a firearm he got that 375 Ruger RSI and I got a first year No 1-B with sights (BBS) in 243.

What ammo do people use in their No 1-H 405 wins.

I originally bought 3 boxes of the Hornady Teddy Roosevelt commeorative ammo, which are 300 gr FP bullets. They shot really well, so I chronographed and now handload to match...