Hi, just got back from shooting at a friend's place. My 500 Jeff was very accurate shooting 570g TSX's, with 101g H4895, OAL at 3.73" (just under 0.10" from the lands). Problem is I'm only getting 2100 fps. My "Any Shot You Want" Manual shows 2303 fps with the same load shooting the A-Square Monolithic 570g Solid with an OAL of 3.45". My Barnes #4 Manual shows 2246 fps with 101g of IMR4895 (a little slower than H4895) shooting a 570g TSX with an OAL of 3.48". I'm thinking my load density is low due to my seating the bullet out so far. That concerns me, because when I first got the rifle and was shooting much lighter loads (91g H4895 with the same bullet), I got a hang fire. I'm thinking of seating the 570g TSX's deeper (2nd groove from the top instead of 3rd groove from the top) and see if it still shoots as well and I get a little more velocity. I'm also thinking of having Lee make me a factory crimp die to ensure consistent tension ...

Any ideas, suggestions welcome,

Regards,

Chuck

seating the bullet that much should raise pressure, and so velocity. How was extraction like, and how do the cases look.

Rich

Extraction is easy, no marks on the case head, primers indentations nice and round, no flattening or cratering. At 105g of H4895 the cases looked fine, but extraction was a teeny bit more difficult. I guess my choices are:

1) Leave well enough alone, as it feeds well and is very accurate, 2100 fps is enough ...

2) Seat the bullets one groove deeper, keep charge at 101g, check pressue, accuracy and velocity.

3) Increase powder charge, or switch powders. As H4895 is very accurate and I have 7 lbs of it, I don't plan to switch (see 1 or 2).


Thanks Rich, I read one of your posts about going through Ranger School. My oldest is in the 3rd Ranger Battalion. I have the greatest respect for you guys ...


Regards,

Chuck

I would vote for Number one.

Thanks Dave, my best 3 shot group was .75" center to center at 100 yards yesterday. Still very shootable.

Regards,

Chuck

If you want a bit more velocity, go to 535 gr Woodies.....and with your H4895 you should be able to get 2325 fps out of them. With the 570 gr Barnes, I side with the others....2100 is plenty.
I have found that Varget and RL 15 shoot the best with my 500 Jeff.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

I have gone to LEE several times for hard to get
stuff.

I would change powders. Varget works best in mine. Almost a bench gun in accuracy at 50 yds.

The barnes #3 shows the COL for 3.505" so you should be safe as long as your COL doesn't drop below that point. But #3 only lists IMR 4895.

John

Thanks John, I loaded up 3 different loads, 3 rounds of each: 101g H4895, 103g H4895 and 105g H4895. All seated one notch deeper (1/10") than my previous rounds with a COL of 3.63. If any of them shoot warm, I'll pull the bullets and drop back two grains. I hope to make it out to the range tomorrow if the weather is nice and shoot for groups and chronograph them.

I'll get to shoot my Springfield LongSlide V16 too, so it beats the hell out of watching TV. I may try to get in on a Bison meat hunt this month or next to try out the 500 Jeffery on something besides paper and water jugs.

Happy New Year All,

Chuck

quote:

Originally posted by chuck375:
Thanks John, I loaded up 3 different loads, 3 rounds of each: 101g H4895, 103g H4895 and 105g H4895. All seated one notch deeper (1/10") than my previous rounds with a COL of 3.63. If any of them shoot warm, I'll pull the bullets and drop back two grains. I hope to make it out to the range tomorrow if the weather is nice and shoot for groups and chronograph them.

I'll get to shoot my Springfield LongSlide V16 too, so it beats the hell out of watching TV. I may try to get in on a Bison meat hunt this month or next to try out the 500 Jeffery on something besides paper and water jugs.

Happy New Year All,

Chuck

Holes in paper are definitely better than holes in the couch! My wife wants to do a cow bison hunt, her choice, the 450/400 NE 3" in a Ruger #1.

Me I'm trying to talk myself into a bigger big bore, either a .510 round or the 600 overkill.

John

Hi all, I switched to Federal 215 primers at Jeffeosso's recommendation since even though my current load of 570g TSX, 103g H4895 is near max by my A-Square manual, case density is still kind of low. Velocity averaged out to 2250 fps (75 fps faster than the same powder charge with my Rem 9 1/2M primers!). I shot two consecutive 3 shot groups at 100 yards.
The first group measured 1.5" center to center including one "flyer" (I definitely pulled it a bit).



The second group measured just under an inch center to center.



The next time I go out, I'll put a 1/2" diameter bright stick on bullseye on the targets since I believe it's my lack of consistency of hold that's opening the groups up. I finished sighting in after shooting these groups and set it at 2" high at 100 yards which puts me dead on at 25 yards and 165 yards and 3" low at 200 yards. All in allI'm happy with this load as good enough to hunt with until North Fork comes out with their 570g and 600g Softpoints!

Regards,

Chuck