An Overview of 4-Bore Stopping Rifles

This video showcases the immense power of a .500 Nitro Express double-barrel elephant rifle through destructive testing. The rifle demonstrates significant recoil, especially when both barrels are fired simultaneously. Ammunition is expensive, highlighting the specialized nature of this big-bore firearm.

The .950 JDJ rifle, nicknamed 'Fat Mac', is a custom build by SSK Industries featuring the largest sporting purpose cartridge. Its 24.1mm cartridge, derived from a 20mm Vulcan case, fires a 2600-grain bullet at 2200 fps. Despite its caliber exceeding the .50 BMG limit for typical registration, it received an ATF sporting purpose exemption. The rifle's massive muzzle brake is highly effective, capable of generating significant muzzle blast.

This video tests the terminal ballistics of the 500 Nitro Express double barrel elephant rifle using 64 inches of ballistic gel. The Hornady DGX rounds showed massive damage but consistently over-penetrated. Federal Swift A-Frame rounds penetrated 38 inches and expanded well, while Nosler Brass Solids exhibited extreme penetration, stopping only after hitting armor and a cinder block.

This review of the Mossberg Patriot in .375 Ruger, dubbed the 'world's cheapest elephant rifle' at $349, highlights significant compromises in build quality and durability despite its powerful cartridge. The host, demonstrating high expertise through detailed ballistic and accuracy testing, found the rifle capable of decent groups but plagued by machining issues and a critical failure during disassembly. While the .375 Ruger cartridge shows impressive power, the rifle's construction raises serious concerns for reliability in demanding situations.

This video provides a comprehensive comparison of firearm recoil, ranging from .22LR to .50 BMG. It highlights how factors like bullet weight, cartridge load, and gun weight influence felt recoil. Notably, the AR-15's gas system makes it feel softer recoiling than some 9mm carbines, while the .50 BMG's weight and muzzle brake mitigate its recoil more than expected compared to the .500 Nitro Express.

This review of the CZ 550 in .375 H&H Magnum highlights its capability as a versatile 'elephant rifle' for dangerous game. The .375 H&H Magnum, introduced in 1912, is shown to be a legal minimum for many dangerous game scenarios. Ballistic tests demonstrate impressive penetration through cinder blocks and significant destructive power on soft targets, even causing a table to break from hydraulic shock via exploding nacho cheese cans.

This video details the unique 'French Finger Trap' issue with the MAS-36 rifle's bayonet, where two rifles can become unintentionally locked together. A 1951 French arsenal memorandum identified this problem, proposing a simple modification to the bayonet handle. Drilling a small hole allows a tool, like a firing pin, to depress the internal spring, enabling the separation of locked rifles.

The M134 Minigun is a scaled-down 7.62 NATO rotary cannon, requiring 24V DC power and consuming 1.5 kW. Its high rate of fire (3,000+ RPM) is essential for aircraft engagement windows. The complex delinker mechanism is critical for feeding ammunition, and practical hand-held use is impossible due to weight and recoil. Live fire demonstrates rapid ammunition consumption and the need for indirect aiming.

The H&K G11 is a revolutionary prototype assault rifle designed in the late 20th century, notable for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt mechanism. Despite advanced features like a 2000 RPM burst fire rate and integrated optics, its development was ultimately halted by geopolitical shifts and cost concerns.

This video demonstrates the assembly and live-fire of the German 1936 pattern light mortar (L.Gr.W.36). It highlights the mortar's leveling mechanism for accuracy and the difficulty in visually tracking its 50mm projectiles after firing. The content showcases historical military hardware and its operational use.