458 Winchester Magnum, best I remember.
Dirty Harry's Rifle
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
IIRC, post '64 Win Supergrade in .458
Thanks, that's what I thought it was but couldn't find any info on it. I was just watch a video of a guy shooting one of those yesterday, what a gun.
That is a good movie from late 60's or early 70's. Was a 458 Winchester chambered Winchester M-70 for certain in my memory. Pre or post 64, I have no idea?
The bad-guy was sure "impressed" acting-wise!
I also remember "dissecting" that movie once on a VHS player/recorder. Frame by frame when a bank is being robbed. I think he (Harry) was eating lunch while in a fire fight with armed bank robbers?
He lights up his 429 magnum at the camera, and you can see the "flinch" on his face (don't blame him with no hearing or eyeball protection)!
Remember showing that to my buds back then. Sure enough!
I don't recall drilling down into the 458 Winchester shooting. Let somebody else check that out.
I liked Rowdy Yates better than Harry.
Is probably good a 458 Winchester was not on the set of that block-buster rust movie (coming to a theater near you)!
The bad-guy was sure "impressed" acting-wise!
I also remember "dissecting" that movie once on a VHS player/recorder. Frame by frame when a bank is being robbed. I think he (Harry) was eating lunch while in a fire fight with armed bank robbers?
He lights up his 429 magnum at the camera, and you can see the "flinch" on his face (don't blame him with no hearing or eyeball protection)!
Remember showing that to my buds back then. Sure enough!
I don't recall drilling down into the 458 Winchester shooting. Let somebody else check that out.
I liked Rowdy Yates better than Harry.
Is probably good a 458 Winchester was not on the set of that block-buster rust movie (coming to a theater near you)!
Clink seems to have a fondness for the big guns, 44 mag, 458 Win. It's funny he would use an "elephant gun" on a bad guy.
What is the name of that movie ?. I will watch it. Thanks. MD
The movie is "Dirty Harry". Did you grow up in a cave? 😜What is the name of that movie ?. I will watch it. Thanks. MD
Realistically though, the .458 Win Mag was a poor choice for a Sniping Rifle. The cartridge was developed for Thick Skinned Dangerous Game and its optimal range is inside 110 yards.
A .300, .338 Win Mag or a .375 H&H Magnum would have been a much better choice. Judging by the camera and binocular images used in the film, the distance appears to be between 200 to 300 yards between the two buildings.
I suspect the size of the .458 WM cartridge impressed the writers, but they didn't take the time to research the .458's ballistics or intended uses.
I do have to give the Production Team credit though, as the Dirty Harry movies were some of the first movies to simulate recoil, and the round count was pivotal to the plot. All scenes of Harry reloading his Modek 29 were again firsts.
At least with Dirty Harry, you didn't have the miraculous never run out Hollywood Clipazines.
A .300, .338 Win Mag or a .375 H&H Magnum would have been a much better choice. Judging by the camera and binocular images used in the film, the distance appears to be between 200 to 300 yards between the two buildings.
I suspect the size of the .458 WM cartridge impressed the writers, but they didn't take the time to research the .458's ballistics or intended uses.
I do have to give the Production Team credit though, as the Dirty Harry movies were some of the first movies to simulate recoil, and the round count was pivotal to the plot. All scenes of Harry reloading his Modek 29 were again firsts.
At least with Dirty Harry, you didn't have the miraculous never run out Hollywood Clipazines.
Read of Billy Dixon in regard to anti-personnel usage of 45 caliber rifle bullets at distance.
Yup, seen all his movies at my local theater, he used a 458 magnum....that way he could....MAKE MY DAYDoes anyone here know what the rifle is that Dirty Harry uses in the first film where he is standing on the top of the building waiting for the bad guy? Not the rifle the bad guy
uses.
Thanks
View attachment 108067
That movie sold a boatload of 6” model 29s. I still have my dads. First time he shot it he pitched the bottom of his hand between the butt and the fence post he rested on. Not a fun sight.
Ah yes. I recall getting a 375 H&H for my first rifle in AK. Affordable from Wal-Mart (which I no longer have reason to frequent). The 300 H&H offers great possibilities for reloaders though this was back in the day before I had my Dillon 550 or Rockchucker. It was a different time; pre-SHTF; not like today when everything for guns is expensive and severely limit quantities: primers, brass and ammo. Prices were ok back then, but high prices today overall. Loved watching Dirty Harry, but loved my next AK rifle even more: accumark 300 Weatherbee which (to quote a silly voice from the past) I stupidly traded for a lower 48 rifle. Can’t afford to replace her and can’t stop thinking of how the 300 Wearherbee was like a perfect rifle to shoot. Thank you for letting me onto such a great forum. I doubt I will ever get enough tweets out to buy or sell anything. But the wealth of experience and knowledge in this forum is so helpful. Sorry for going on so much. The Lever GuyRealistically though, the .458 Win Mag was a poor choice for a Sniping Rifle. The cartridge was developed for Thick Skinned Dangerous Game and its optimal range is inside 110 yards.
A .300, .338 Win Mag or a .375 H&H Magnum would have been a much better choice. Judging by the camera and binocular images used in the film, the distance appears to be between 200 to 300 yards between the two buildings.
I suspect the size of the .458 WM cartridge impressed the writers, but they didn't take the time to research the .458's ballistics or intended uses.
I do have to give the Production Team credit though, as the Dirty Harry movies were some of the first movies to simulate recoil, and the round count was pivotal to the plot. All scenes of Harry reloading his Modek 29 were again firsts.
At least with Dirty Harry, you didn't have the miraculous never run out Hollywood Clipazines.
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
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