For years I've been wanting to try "the big one." Finally, one came up on Gunbroker for a price I was willing to pay. It's obvious it has been used but treated fairly well. Whoever had it before had installed a screw in the floor plate so, unless the screw is removed, it will never come open. It's also likely there was a crack in the floor plate at one time, but it has been nicely repaired, blued, etc. and doesn't look bad.

I had a bunch of old Hornady 500 gr. FMJ bullets I bought 2 or 3 years ago from someone on Accuratereloading.com; from Will if my memory serves me correctly. I got some Norma brass at somewhat less than highway robbery prices and loaded up 118 grains of H4831SC over Federal 215M primers.



This is my first group shot with the rifle shot standing off hand at 50 yards with iron sights. The orange dot is 1.25 inches in diameter and was put there for scale. The group size was about 1.5 inches. The rifle actually shoots very low and to the left so some sight adjustment is in order.

Recoil wise, I think I'll not ever try something with more. I'll also see if the iron sights can be adjusted enough to bring the groups to were I'm aiming at. I might even put a scope on it and shoot it from the bench.

Good for you I shot one round of 460 and killed a hog with it.

Some people enjoy large and powerful guns with lots of recoil.

I decide that I am not one of them.

Looking good. Does it have the Pendleton brake or Accubrake?

It has the Pendelton brake. I really don't like the look of the Accubrake.

Same as mine. I have fired the old elephant ammo in mine from the bench, and it wasn't too bad...lol

Wow! Very nice shooting for off hand!

I'll say! That is very nice shooting - especially with a new rifle, and one of that size! Those things are real monsters. Good trigger (and nerve) management.

I believe I saw that same rifle and thought someone should rescue the old girl and give her a new home and lease on life. I'm glad you did.

Did you get a chance to chrono this load?

No, I didn't chrono the load; maybe I will some time.

With the brass/bullet I'm using, the powder is compressed with 118 grains and with 122 grains it becomes difficult seating the bullet to the cannelure for crimping. I believe some sources say you can used up to 124 or 126 grains of H4831 but I would never be able to get that much H4831SC into a case and still crimp in the cannelure.

Did you use a drop tube? Even SC will settle and allow a few more grains to be added.....in lesser cases at least.



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I didn't use a drop tube but did gently shake the case in an attempt to get the powder to settle.

I bought mine from the store in Southgate, CA in 1990. They were about $1500 at the time, ammo was $62 a box. The credit card was on the counter when the salesman told me to wait so he could check something.

He came back with a brand new M.K.V in the box that had minor checking in the high gloss finish on the fore end. He offered it to me for $695 (their cost, he said). Done deal, of course.

I had Williams sights installed during the 10 day waiting period (Kalifornia you know). To this day the power still amazes me. So do the accounts I read here of bigger and more powerful rifles.