Opinions on the real big boys? 500J, 505 Gibbs, .500 NE, 577NE, 600NE, 700NE etc.

[Flewis]

Sorry, yes it’s the brown bear. Thinking about paring it with the 404j for the next hunt.

 

[LimbNoMo]

@Flewis Wasn’t that @Backyardsniper’s rifle? If so, didn’t he have weight added and a recoil reducer installed?

 

[Flewis]

@Flewis Wasn’t that @Backyardsniper’s rifle? If so, didn’t he have weight added and a recoil reducer installed?

My postal scale says under 91/2 pounds. My gun smith said 9.5 but that was on a big scale. Mine actually says 9.2.

 

[Northern Shooter]

My postal scale says under 91/2 pounds. My gun smith said 9.5 but that was on a big scale. Mine actually says 9.2.

That sounds like a great weight for a 375HH haha.

 

[Jim Golden]

As for Mark Sullivan bloody finger, that is not uncommon when shooting rifles with strong recoil. You have to remember by shooting to hold tightly the pistol grip of the rifle to avoid slipping towards the trigger guard, but that is easier said than done, especially if you have to fire quickly and repeatedly. In hot climate when you sweat it is even more difficult, but it s not a big problem, it is part of big bore shooting.

One of the benefits of the ugly (but I like them, and am building my second rifle with one) A-Square Coil-Check stock is that the pistol grip has a cone shape to it. It's subtle, and not easy to see, but it works. It gets larger as you get closer to the trigger guard. The thought was that you unconsciously tense up when you fire, and your grip would need to expand to slide forward on the grip. So the slightly conically shaped grip keeps your rear hand in position when you clench unconsciously when you fire. The forearm also has a swell to it that does the same thing, so your other hand doesn't slide forward. Combine that with the massive butt stock, and your entire upper body has to move with the rifle's recoil....not just your shoulder. It actually works. I give Art Alphin great credit for this design. My souped up .375 Wby that I built has less felt recoil than my Remington 700 BDL .338 Win Mag, and it's got a lot more power. I've said on here before my chronograph results....2889 ft/s with 300gr. That's getting close to .378 Weatherby levels. And I've put 30 rounds out of it at a session and didn't get a headache. Can't say the same about some of my other rifles with trimmer more attractive stocks. My second one we're doing now is a .460 Weatherby, also on a P17 action with an A-Square stock. Hope to take them both to Africa some day. But the .460 is taking too long so might just bring only the .375 Roy and do a one gun safari. .375 H&H's out of it are very gentle as well....I've done about 60 rounds of those in it. I don't want a bloody finger

 

[colorado]

The coilcheck stock also has a very wide butt (Kardashian like) so it spread the recoil over a larger area.

 

[Daniel Cary]

One of the benefits of the ugly (but I like them, and am building my second rifle with one) A-Square Coil-Check stock is that the pistol grip has a cone shape to it. It's subtle, and not easy to see, but it works. It gets larger as you get closer to the trigger guard. The thought was that you unconsciously tense up when you fire, and your grip would need to expand to slide forward on the grip. So the slightly conically shaped grip keeps your rear hand in position when you clench unconsciously when you fire. The forearm also has a swell to it that does the same thing, so your other hand doesn't slide forward. Combine that with the massive butt stock, and your entire upper body has to move with the rifle's recoil....not just your shoulder. It actually works. I give Art Alphin great credit for this design. My souped up .375 Wby that I built has less felt recoil than my Remington 700 BDL .338 Win Mag, and it's got a lot more power. I've said on here before my chronograph results....2889 ft/s with 300gr. That's getting close to .378 Weatherby levels. And I've put 30 rounds out of it at a session and didn't get a headache. Can't say the same about some of my other rifles with trimmer more attractive stocks. My second one we're doing now is a .460 Weatherby, also on a P17 action with an A-Square stock. Hope to take them both to Africa some day. But the .460 is taking too long so might just bring only the .375 Roy and do a one gun safari. .375 H&H's out of it are very gentle as well....I've done about 60 rounds of those in it. I don't want a bloody finger

That's interesting

 

[colorado]

So my advice no matter which caliber you get is don't shoot too much from the bench. During load development I put a limbsaver slip on recoil pad over the regular one and I have aPast recoil pad sewn into my shooting vest. Once you're happy with your handload, and it's sighted in limit yourself to about 10 rounds per session and practice from normal hunting positions. (offhand, over sticks, etc.)

 

[Daniel Cary]

Everyone has a limit ..

If it "fits" & a lot of practice, within your range should be devastating. I've only hunt bear, but the business end is remarkable, even the divets in the ground!

 

[cajunchefray]

Wish I had a standing bench setup.

I built a standing bench when I had (past tense operative) my .500 Jeffery CZ 550. Weighed 10.8 pounds with sling. Never even thought of putting a scope on it.
My recoil limit was exceeded with Kynoch factory 535 grain loads at 2400 fps.
The "fun" factor of a classic African .50 rifle dropped logarithmically.
It just beat the crap out of me.

I dropped down to circa 500 NE loads, 570 grains at 2150.
Much better.

Then I got real with myself, and compared my ability to place 4 shots, working the bolt proficiently, but nowhere near competition speed at 40 yards.

CZ 550 .500 Jeffery, 570 grain versus, Whitworth .458, 500 grain loads.

2 shots, then a 30 second pause, recharge magazine, then 2 more shots.

Clearly, my 3rd and 4th shots with the 500 Jeff were opening a 2"-3" group to more like 10" group. By the 4th shot, I was experiencing a bit of numbness in my shoulder and slowed down the bolt cycling.

With the 458, able to maintain a 4" group at 40 yards, centered on target.

Lesson learned.

I sold the 500 Jeffery, dies, bullets to a fellow AH member, was used to successfully take a Cape Buff with a bad attitude in close quarters. Nice that it was used for what it was built for, and no one got hurt.

Following the suggestions of many others, shoot a .50+ caliber rifle before you buy one.

Still, I would but a .500 NE Heym Model 89 when the right timing comes along.

 

[AimSmall]

The 500J @ 12lbs proves to be 'within reasonable recoil limits' shooting 570gr bullets. Note that it is never fired off the bench, only standing off sticks. Accuracy is just fine with a RMR sight.

 

[Daniel Cary]

I built a standing bench when I had (past tense operative) my .500 Jeffery CZ 550. Weighed 10.8 pounds with sling. Never even thought of putting a scope on it.
My recoil limit was exceeded with Kynoch factory 535 grain loads at 2400 fps.
The "fun" factor of a classic African .50 rifle dropped logarithmically.
It just beat the crap out of me.

I dropped down to circa 500 NE loads, 570 grains at 2150.
Much better.

Then I got real with myself, and compared my ability to place 4 shots, working the bolt proficiently, but nowhere near competition speed at 40 yards.

CZ 550 .500 Jeffery, 570 grain versus, Whitworth .458, 500 grain loads.

2 shots, then a 30 second pause, recharge magazine, then 2 more shots.

Clearly, my 3rd and 4th shots with the 500 Jeff were opening a 2"-3" group to more like 10" group. By the 4th shot, I was experiencing a bit of numbness in my shoulder and slowed down the bolt cycling.

With the 458, able to maintain a 4" group at 40 yards, centered on target.

Lesson learned.

I sold the 500 Jeffery, dies, bullets to a fellow AH member, was used to successfully take a Cape Buff with a bad attitude in close quarters. Nice that it was used for what it was built for, and no one got hurt.

Following the suggestions of many others, shoot a .50+ caliber rifle before you buy one.

Still, I would but a .500 NE Heym Model 89 when the right timing comes along.

The lighter, faster projectiles do seem harsh in contrast to 2100fps .. but not by much @ times.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

I know that some really want to go with light weight rifles but that's not my preference. My 505 Gibbs weighs 13.5 pounds with a scope and my 458 Lott is 12.5 lbs. with scope. I have no problems shooting either one.
My Heym 577 Nitro Express is being finished as I type this and will be 13.5 lbs.

HH

 

[Daniel Cary]

Kynoch, 4th shot.

I know that some really want to go with light weight rifles but that's not my preference. My 505 Gibbs weighs 13.5 pounds with a scope and my 458 Lott is 12.5 lbs. with scope. I have no problems shooting either one.
My Heym 577 Nitro Express is being finished as I type this and will be 13.5 lbs.

HH

12.5lbs & anything over 14" LOP .. would be a world of difference .. if it was priority, right now.
You're suggested stance, helped significantly,

Respectfully, Dan.

 

[Green Chile]

Curious to hear what the recoil is like with the 13.5# 577. I'm sure it will carry well.

 

[rookhawk]

Curious to hear what the recoil is like with the 13.5# 577. I'm sure it will carry well.

Roughly 108lbs of recoil. You may be able to game it with 3031 and get it under 100lbs of recoil. (assuming 750gr bullet at 2150fps)

 

[rookhawk]

Roughly 108lbs of recoil. You may be able to game it with 3031 and get it under 100lbs of recoil. (assuming 750gr bullet at 2150fps)

Postscript: 114gr of Varget with a 750gr bullet at 2018fps from 13.5lb gun = 102 foot pounds of recoil. It could definitely be loaded with 3031 and be under 95lbs of recoil if it would regulate.

 

[Green Chile]

I knew it was over 100 but didn't have time to run the formula. At least it isn't 120+. It just seemed like the gun was 1/2 to 1 pound lighter than "normal".

 

[Jim Golden]

I know it's a "Small Bore," but my .375 Wby weighs 13.5 lbs loaded. I work out, and carry it (or a dumbell) through the woods. It is heavy, but that helps me manage it. The .460 will be about a pound lighter. The .375 does have a 16 ounce mercury recoil reducer in the stock. The .460 has a 16 and a 12 ounce in the stock. It will be open sights only. At least at first. The .375 is a pussy cat and I really want to rock a dagga boy or two with it. I need to stop building guns.....gotta get to Africa!