500/.416 NE in a single shot

[Rimshot]

I'm dreaming about a rising block single-shot by Bailey Bradshaw. Something a bit odd and unique. Stock dimensions designed for scope use. Faster than standard twist to stabilize high BC copper bullets like the Cutting Edge 'single feed' for long range fun, but still fine with the 400 A-Frame or solid for DG (I know, single shot is controversial subject on DG).
Why? I like rimmed cartridges. I don't have any real heavy hitters besides 9.3, which is more medium hitter. I like single shots and combination guns. I like to reload and tinker, so a non-double gives a lot of flexibility in velocity and bullet choice. 500/.416 looks cool, isn't that reason enough?

Go ahead, tell me this is genius, or the dumbest idea since Winchester invented the .243

 

[Green Chile]

Why not? Bradshaw builds excellent rifles and the 500/416 should be more popular...great case capacity with a very common bullet diameter. In the doubles, it is getting 416 Rigby velocity instead of 2150-2200 but with a rimmed case. If needed, I have brass and some reloaded ammo that I'm not using.

 

[IvW]

416 Rigby No.2 or 450 No.2 NE 3 1/2 the latter would be great

 

[grand veneur]

I'm dreaming about a rising block single-shot by Bailey Bradshaw. Something a bit odd and unique. Stock dimensions designed for scope use. Faster than standard twist to stabilize high BC copper bullets like the Cutting Edge 'single feed' for long range fun, but still fine with the 400 A-Frame or solid for DG (I know, single shot is controversial subject on DG).
Why? I like rimmed cartridges. I don't have any real heavy hitters besides 9.3, which is more medium hitter. I like single shots and combination guns. I like to reload and tinker, so a non-double gives a lot of flexibility in velocity and bullet choice. 500/.416 looks cool, isn't that reason enough?

Go ahead, tell me this is genius, or the dumbest idea since Winchester invented the .243

In my opinion it would be a good idea.

This would take advantage of a lot of the potential of the cartridge 500/416 Nitro Express, as mentioned for shooting at longer range, which cannot be fully exploited with a double rifle of this caliber. When this cartridge was designed in the middle of the nineties, I can clearly remember that this topic was already controversial at the time.

As for using a single shot rifle for hunting big and dangerous game, we have already discussed this topic very controversially on the Forum, but whoever hunts with a PH for backup can use such kind of rifles.

 

[IvW]

The Rigby No.2 has a much stronger case.

500/416 has a very thin rim get the resizing a bit wrong and the rim pulls off. It is an old black powder case design. I would stick with more modern case designs designed for todays powders. Especially in a build like this.
The 450 No.2 3 1/2 has the biggest and strongest case of them all.....

 

[BeeMaa]

I believe it's a good idea, but with qualifiers. The biggest of which is the weight of the rifle. Single shot rifles are usually made to be considerably lighter than their bolt action cousins. The lack of a magazine, fewer metal parts and overall shorter length makes them quite handy companions on long treks in search of game.

Because you will only have one barrel the weight of the rifle is likely to be around 9 lbs with a scope. For reference, a Blaser S2 500/416NE weighs in at ~10.5 lbs without an optic.

A 500/416NE with a 400 grain bullet / 110 grains of powder / 2300 fps / 9 lb rifle - generates 76 lb-ft of recoil energy. This is much closer to the same felt recoil of a 470NE than a 416RIGBY. Maybe increase the weight to around 10 lbs to bring the recoil energy down to around 68 lb-ft.

Second is the balance/handling of the rifle. I really like a rifle that balances between the hands or as shotgun shooters say, "at the hinge pin". You may want to consider having the ability to add/remove weight (like shotgun balancing weights) from the stock as part of your build. Combine this with the barrel profile that you want to achieve the desired balance.

Having a rifle that fits properly will make a big difference in felt recoil. Normally this is an issue, but seeing as you are going with a full custom from BB...you will be fine.

What kind of scope were you thinking about using?

 

[grand veneur]

I looked at the homepage of Bailey Bradshaw. He builds nice rifles, but his block action was unknown to me.

 

[Altitude sickness]

If you can fund it. I think it’s a great idea.

If that doesn’t work out find a 500/416 DR

 

[BeeMaa]

If you can fund it. I think it’s a great idea.

If that doesn’t work out find a 500/416 DR

GB Blaser S2 500/416NW

 

[AZDAVE]

I really enjoy my 500/416 double and think your plan for a Bradshaw single is a very valid one.

 

[Rimshot]

The Rigby No.2 has a much stronger case.

500/416 has a very thin rim get the resizing a bit wrong and the rim pulls off. It is an old black powder case design. I would stick with more modern case designs designed for todays powders. Especially in a build like this.
The 450 No.2 3 1/2 has the biggest and strongest case of them all.....

The 416 Rigby no.2 looks very interesting. After a couple of searches I'm not finding any source for brass. Too new?

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

The Rigby No.2 has a much stronger case.

500/416 has a very thin rim get the resizing a bit wrong and the rim pulls off. It is an old black powder case design. I would stick with more modern case designs designed for todays powders. Especially in a build like this.
The 450 No.2 3 1/2 has the biggest and strongest case of them all.....

I agree!
I have a Krieghoff Classic in 500/416 and load using Nosler brass.
I have loaded 400 gr bullets from 2200 to 2450 fps, all within the pressure limits of the cartridge and rifle.
At higher velocities, the cases do not last. I have had one case head separation and after that started measuring case wall thickness just ahead of the case head.

The case in the above photo shows a visible pre-separation ring. Not all do.
The solution for the 500/416 is to keep 400 gr bullet loads at no more than 2325 fps and cases last for many loadings.

If one desires the equivalent of what's available in today's .416 Rigby or Remington ammunition of 400 gr bullets at 2400 fps, the best alternative would be as @IvW recommended, 416 Rigby no.2. Or, just buy a very fine bolt action magazine rifle in .416 Rigby, Remington, or Taylor.

Or as many have wisely advised, no animal is going to know the difference from the same bullet shot at muzzle velocities of 2300 or 2400... Dead is dead

Alternatively, as @BeeMaa suggested, GB Blaser S2 500/416NW

I own a Blaser S2 in .375 H&H and it's definately an accurate rifle! I would love a set of barrels for mine in 500/416!

 

[Rimshot]

I believe it's a good idea, but with qualifiers. The biggest of which is the weight of the rifle. Single shot rifles are usually made to be considerably lighter than their bolt action cousins. The lack of a magazine, fewer metal parts and overall shorter length makes them quite handy companions on long treks in search of game.

Because you will only have one barrel the weight of the rifle is likely to be around 9 lbs with a scope. For reference, a Blaser S2 500/416NE weighs in at ~10.5 lbs without an optic.

A 500/416NE with a 400 grain bullet / 110 grains of powder / 2300 fps / 9 lb rifle - generates 76 lb-ft of recoil energy. This is much closer to the same felt recoil of a 470NE than a 416RIGBY. Maybe increase the weight to around 10 lbs to bring the recoil energy down to around 68 lb-ft.

Second is the balance/handling of the rifle. I really like a rifle that balances between the hands or as shotgun shooters say, "at the hinge pin". You may want to consider having the ability to add/remove weight (like shotgun balancing weights) from the stock as part of your build. Combine this with the barrel profile that you want to achieve the desired balance.

Having a rifle that fits properly will make a big difference in felt recoil. Normally this is an issue, but seeing as you are going with a full custom from BB...you will be fine.

What kind of scope were you thinking about using?

Thank you for those insights. I've thought a lot about the weight. Denser wood like Bastogne walnut maybe. I think 8-8.5# bare gun would get me 10+ pounds with scope. Having a provision to add weight would give the flexibility of swapping a lighter scope or reflex sight. Maybe even the forend could be a bit beefy and have a hidden weight holder, facilitating fine tuning of balance. Kind of like Zoli does with their competition shotguns. With plenty of weight budget to play with, it opens up interesting possibilities.

I don't know if it's practical for a cartridge this size, but I wonder if it could have cartridge holders inside the bottom of the butt with hinged plate like some German guns have. Perhaps you could reinforce with glass or carbon fiber/resin. 3 or 4 cartridges in there and the one in the gun probably adds 1/2#. If I wanted more weight I could fill empty cases with lead in order to go topless/scopeless.

Do you see any benefit to muzzle threading for suppressor? I usually don't use one hunting, and it might make the front sight look goofy moved back. Maybe a thread protector could be made that looks seamless and polished, almost invisible.

 

[BeeMaa]

Thank you for those insights. I've thought a lot about the weight. Denser wood like Bastogne walnut maybe. I think 8-8.5# bare gun would get me 10+ pounds with scope. Having a provision to add weight would give the flexibility of swapping a lighter scope or reflex sight. Maybe even the forend could be a bit beefy and have a hidden weight holder, facilitating fine tuning of balance. Kind of like Zoli does with their competition shotguns. With plenty of weight budget to play with, it opens up interesting possibilities.

I don't know if it's practical for a cartridge this size, but I wonder if it could have cartridge holders inside the bottom of the butt with hinged plate like some German guns have. Perhaps you could reinforce with glass or carbon fiber/resin. 3 or 4 cartridges in there and the one in the gun probably adds 1/2#. If I wanted more weight I could fill empty cases with lead in order to go topless/scopeless.

Do you see any benefit to muzzle threading for suppressor? I usually don't use one hunting, and it might make the front sight look goofy moved back. Maybe a thread protector could be made that looks seamless and polished, almost invisible.

I have a shotgun with balancing weights for the stock and barrel. However, I’ve yet to use any of them as I find the shotgun extremely well balanced. In your case, the forend weights would need to be attached to the forend wood unless provisions were made for attaching to the underside of the barrel. Could be a big ask but I’m not sure.

I’ve often wanted to have cartridges in the stock, but fail to see the overall utility of such things. Having a cartridge slide on my belt makes them much more accessible, especially for DG hunting.

Barrel threading…a controversial subject to say the least. It’s surely the way of the future if you listen to the gun writers under age 35. I’m a fan of them for certain situations like stationary hunting from a blind or a home defense rifle. I suppose your decision would need to take into account the intended purpose of the rifle and your vision of it. Personally, for this particular cartridge, action type and the fact that it’s being made to BB…I’d pass on it.

I’d even go a step further and make it an octagonal or fluted barrel. This would raise or lower the barrel weight as necessary to obtain proper balance and swing.

 

[rookhawk]

I'm dreaming about a rising block single-shot by Bailey Bradshaw. Something a bit odd and unique. Stock dimensions designed for scope use. Faster than standard twist to stabilize high BC copper bullets like the Cutting Edge 'single feed' for long range fun, but still fine with the 400 A-Frame or solid for DG (I know, single shot is controversial subject on DG).
Why? I like rimmed cartridges. I don't have any real heavy hitters besides 9.3, which is more medium hitter. I like single shots and combination guns. I like to reload and tinker, so a non-double gives a lot of flexibility in velocity and bullet choice. 500/.416 looks cool, isn't that reason enough?

Go ahead, tell me this is genius, or the dumbest idea since Winchester invented the .243

I'm not a fan of modern cartridges. You cannot predict the survivors from the flops. Necking down a 500NE to .416 doesn't seem like a great idea to me.

For a rising bite single shot, you're talking about a stalking rifle. The ideal caliber to balance recoil and utility would be 375 H&H Flanged. If you want more giddy-up, a 450-400 3" NE would be a painful recoil in a light rifle, but would be about as far as you ought to go.

Other calibers that would have lots of versatility in a single shot stalking rifle: 303 Brit, 7x65R, 7x57R.

Since its a single shot, you're not terribly worried about regulation. A 375 Flanged would let you shoot 225gr bullets for deer and what not, and a 350gr solid with a proper load will kill DG.