I voted on your pole,but wonder why your longest barrel length was only 21 inches? I don't think you would be handicaped in handling with a 23 or 24 inch barrel and would get significantly more ballistically.
Jim

Thank you for voting Jim.

I need a rifle than must handle very quickly in thick bush, reeds and long grass.

I think a barrel longer than 21 or 22 inches will then be a disadvantage when a wounded animal charges from close by like what happened in Ethiopia were the lion charged from very close by.

Gerhard

...why don't you cut it to 18"? Now you can really move around.

Gerhard, I was in a similiar situation a few years ago when building my 458 Lott. I knew I could reduce my recoil with a lighter load that would still develop high velocity using a 24" barrel. However after crawling through the bush in Natal I soon realized that anything over 20" was a bugger in that thick bush. I settled on the original 22" length Jack Lott designed into his own rifle.

Two of my previous employeers used the 500 Jeffery, One had a 24" and the other a 22" barrel. Neither of them struggled to knock down the problems which came up now and then. I guess that the 22" barrel in the Jeffery would be the longest I would use, unless you're like 6'3" tall or so. Then the longer barrel is no big deal. For my 5'10" frame anything over 22" was going to be too big in that natal jungle habitat.

I cut my .416 Rem down to 22 inches and couldn't be happier. Cases that are staight wall or nearly so don't really gain much from another 2 inches of barrel length (we use fast powders in these, not slow ones) and to me, the tradeoff is worth it. That rifle whacked 3 buffalo after it was cut down, two at pretty long ranges for a buff; it didn't suffer anything ballistically.

Have a 375 H&H Brno and a 416Rigby CZ and both are 21". Particularly handy getting in and out of a truck also. Handling is excellent. I have a PH friend in Zim and his Sabi built 500Jefferies is also 20". Reason for 21" which is an odd length. Just to be different, no particular real reason. Could just as easily be 20".

I also prfer a 22" length on a DGR.

465H&H

Never used the 500s. Have played around with several 400 lengths, from 19 to 24. I think 20 is the best compromise for handeling, velocity, balance (damn good looking too). Anywhwere from 19-21 will put you in a good place, IMO.

Jakkals,

ARe you building a single shot, double rifle or magazine (bolt action) rifle?

I voted for the longest choice given, but I would probably go 21.75" for a bolt gun and longer for the other actions.

thanks...jim

My first DGR, a .458 WinMag sported a 25" bbl. Awesome precision from a rest on the bench, etc.
I took Buff and Elephant with it, in open country with no issues at all. My current .458 WM has a 21" bbl. One of my very dear friends, an experienced PH looked at my long bbl. and simply advised..."you're not carrying THAT thing in the thick stuff with me". Message received...I've been a short bbl. fan ever since.

Muzzle blast and muzzle rise will be reduced with a longer barrel.

I am a little guy, 5'6", 160 and I have always preffered short barrels. In .30-06 or .308 etc, 20"or less has been great, but I went 22" on my .416R because of muzzle lift and blast issues that 500grains describes.

Thank you for the response.

I will build the 500 Jeffery with a 22 inch barrel.

Gerhard