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To get DG ballistics at 32,000 PSI or less, I'd be going .50 3 1/4". That will give you a 500gr. to 520gr. at 2,100fps, maybe 2,150fps. With a premium bullet, it would work just fine on about anything.

I would not go with the .45 3 1/4", unless there are some powders or loads I'm not familiar with or can't remember the loads. I am seeing loads in the 1,850fps range at 30,000psi with 500gr. lead bullets.

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I have a single shot Winchester 1885 in .50-140 (3 1/4") and it is a great cartridge, and a viable option if your gunsmith has still not fitted your barrels. However, it is somewhat debatable if 500 gr. at 2100 FPS in .50 caliber is really DG ballistics as the sectional density of a .510 bullet of this weight is considerably less than that of a .458 projectile of the same mass. You might be just as well off with a 500 gr .45 caliber bullet at 250 FPS lower velocity, or with the original DG standard 480 gr. pushed even faster; and with what i would assume is a relatively lightweight 20 gauge Baikal action, the recoil should be less punishing. Bigger is not always better, without adjusting other factors.

And again, the .450 No. 2 NE which uses, I believe essentially a .50 caliber case necked down to .45, would be an option if you want a bit more capacity than the straight .45-120 case would give you.

However, if your gunsmith has not yet even started on your barrels, and if it is a DG rifle you are after, I would still seriously consider taking a different route as per my post above. Just my $.02.

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