500 Jeffery 535 Grain Load

[Aussie_Hunter]

For all you 500 Jeffery enthusiasts out there, I finally got around to trying a new load in my 500 Jeffery using a much faster burning powder with a significantly smaller powder charge. I am very happy with the results, this is definitely my favourite load for the 500 Jeffery and I will be zeroing the rifle for this load. Its still producing decent power, as well as good accuracy but with significantly less recoil. Load data listed below (projectile and powder charge is straight from the Woodleigh reloading manual)

535 grain Woodleigh RNSN projectiles
Norma Brass
Federal magnum rifle primers
100 grains of ADI AR2208 powder with an open cell foam filler
Average muzzle velocity of 2303fps from my Blaser R8 23.5" barrel
Producing right on 6300ft/lbs of muzzle energy
Taylor KO Factor of 89.7
3 shot group at 65 yards

Compared to previous loads I have used with 120 grains of RL17 or 119 grains of AR2209, the load above is providing similar performance with around 12-13% less recoil. Going from around 90.2ft/lbs of recoil energy down to around 78.7ft/lbs of recoil energy.

Also in the past I have done some penetration testing with the 535 grain Woodleigh RNSN and 600 grain Woodleigh PP, the 535 grain load used in that test was a higher velocity than the load listed above (80fps), provided nearly identical penetration to the 600 grain Woodleigh PP at 2200fps. So I'm very confident this new 535 grain load at 2303fps will provide very similar penetration and be perfect for buffalo.

 

[DWB]

Thank you! Following with interest! My 500 should be in my hands within the next month!

Mind sharing a photo of the fillers?

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Thank you! Following with interest! My 500 should be in my hands within the next month!

Mind sharing a photo of the fillers?

The foam is the same stuff thats used in gun hard cases, 535 grain projectile included in the photo for size comparison. I use the same for my 470 nitro express loads with faster burning powders as well.

I just use a small piece of steel rod to push the foam into the cases. And the foam doesn't melt or burn, you will find it a few yards in front of you on the range after firing a shot.

 

[DWB]

Awesome! Thank you!

 

[AZDAVE]

I have a similar load with AA2495. Just have to be careful with the faster burning powders, be extra watchful in load development.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Had some time over the weekend to do some penetration testing with this load. I feel the results show its at the max velocity you would want to run this projectile at. Massive expansion and energy transfer, slightly less penetration than I was expecting, I estimated it would be closer to 30 inches of penetration. However even at this velocity and with this amount of expansion, the weight retention was as close to perfect as you will get with an expanding lead core bonded projectile.

Distance 40 yards
Muzzle Velocity 2303fps
Estimated impact velocity 2200fps (This is right at the high end of the Woodleigh recommended impact velocity, 1800-2200fps)
Retained weight 513.7 grain, 96%
Expansion 1.1185 inches, more than 2 times original diameter
Penetration (water drums) 25 inches

 

[Certus]

Beautiful.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Very cool, it sounds like you’ve got your 500 Jeffery down to 458 Lott recoil levels with that load.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Very cool, it sounds like you’ve got your 500 Jeffery down to 458 Lott recoil levels with that load.

500 grain bullet with 84 grains of powder Vs 535 grain bullet with 100 grains of powder is still a fairly substantial difference in recoil............

 

[Northern Shooter]

You mentioned the 78.7lbs of recoil with this load.

That’s essentially bang on a 10lbs 458 Lott with 500 gr @ 2,300 fps using 84 grains (78.18 ft-lbs recoil).

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

You mentioned the 78.7lbs of recoil with this load.

That’s essentially bang on a 10lbs 458 Lott with 500 gr @ 2,300 fps using 84 grains (78.18 ft-lbs recoil).

Yeah so all things not being equal, lighter rifle.