The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores Is the .550 practical in the field?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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Is something like the .550 Magnum really a practical hunting round? I've watched the .550 videos and the .500 A2 videos, but can't really see much difference on film (unlike the .577 T-Rex; screw that). How bad is the reality of it? analog_peninsula ----------------------- It takes character to withstand the rigors of indolence. | ||
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Yes it is a practical hunting round. It's actually very shootable. I've shot Jeffe's and was quite impressed. To put it in perspective it's halfway between a .500a2 and a .585 Nyati. Kinda like a small block chevy with a Blower on it. All the power you can really use. Now the .600Ok now thats OVERKILL.-Rob Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012 Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise! | |||
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ASk Jimmy... He shot mine for the first time the other day, and it think it was his first excursion past 1/2" ... it's actually fairly shootable, if you train for it... the stock must fit you, though.. i wouldn't want to shoot that too short... but don't take me a the recoil footprint.. not bragging too much, but I am a spong jeffe opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
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It rolls you around a bit but it is very manageable if you pay attention to what you are doing. The shell looks more intimidating than it really is. Hey Jeffe, 416 WBY brass...that stuff is totally indestructable  | |||
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Neal Shirley designed a very practical DGR cartridge. I looked, slapped myself in the forehead and said "my gosh, why didn't I think of that?". Positioned squarely between the 50's and the ill-advised 577T-Rex and formidable 577NE and 600 cases; the 550M gives a better use of 600-720gr bullets than the 50's will. I believe a much better (read lower pressure)tropical climate big bore (every time you can take a bullet weight and make it a little bigger diameter you win, as long as the case can get you where you need to be for velocity and pressure) than anything else out there. People are building rifles, Ray recently placed an order for 5000 cases; that tells me all I would need to know. Rich | |||
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Reciol wise it is about the same as a magnum Turkey load 12ga so for what you are shooting it is very Manageable when you learn to shoot it right. Power wise you don't need all that power it is just nice to have it if you need it. Out of all the people at the range and hunting that have shot the 550 Magnum with a 700gr at 2150 fps and 2300 fps Only one person didn't want to shoot it again and only one person took a step backwords on his first shot but his second shot was solid. It is very shootable and controllable you won't have to track your game very far and it is fun to shoot. RNS RNS | |||
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Me thinks a certain P-14 should go on a steroid plan! 300 to 550, I like it! el jeffe, next winter or spring I 'll try to find away to get an action to you. | |||
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366, you might think about selling the P-14 and put the money toward a reasonable condition Remington Model 30S or 30 Express. Identical action already nicely sporterized and the whole rifle will be $500 to $600, less what you have in the P-14. The barrel and stock will sell quickly on eBay for reasonable money, too. In fact, Jeffe would love to buy or trade into a Rem 30 stock for a pattern (the stock butt is wholly inadequate for the recoil of a 550 Express or Magnum). It is "good to go" as far as the expensive action work, you'll still have to have the mag box and feed work sorted out but that is minor compared to turning a mil-surp P-14 into a thing of beauty. I just rebarrelled one to 400h&h, had the charger mortise removed and redrilled some scope holes for under $300, not including the barrel. There are a lot of them out there bubba'ed to some extent or another so you don't have to butcher a nice original gun. "Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson. | |||
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$500-600 for M30's? $375 and $400 for the last two I bought here. Rich | |||
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Can one of these be conveniently built on a CZ 550 .416 Rigby? I know the stock will need work, but is there more to the conversion than a barrel replacement? analog_peninsula ----------------------- It takes character to withstand the rigors of indolence. | |||
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AP, rebarrel, feed ramp, MUST have a barrel reoil lug, dual xbolts, a pin down the wrist, and bedded. The 550cz is better for the 550 magnum than the express. jeffe opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
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I'm not sure that I understand, Jeffe. Do you mean to say that it's easier to start with a normal 550, say a 9.3x62, than with the .416 Rigby express model? Thanks analog_peninsula ----------------------- It takes character to withstand the rigors of indolence. | |||
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To clarify: are you saying that CZ makes two models of the .416, one "express" and one normal or non-express? analog_peninsula ----------------------- It takes character to withstand the rigors of indolence. | |||
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opps, sorry.. there's a 550 mag and a 550 express ROUND!!! easier to start with a 416 rigby cz 550 action jeffe opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
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can a 550 express be fired in a 550 magnum??? kinda like the 458 win mag and 458 lott on steroids... just stick the bullet out more??? 577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375 *we band of 45-70ers* (Founder) Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder) | |||
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Yes, it is practical although you may need to get bullets custom made. As for effect on game, I have observed a difference on game between a 50 cal and a 58 cal (500 NE and 505 gibbs vs 585 nyati) and the 58 cal definitely has more authority. Whether it is worth the price you pay is another question. | |||
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Thanks tigger, however my P-14 needs only a cock on opening kit and to get rid of the dogleg handle to be fully sporterized. 400 H&H, is that a 375 necked up? Sort of a belted 450-400? Sounds like a slick feeder! | |||
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or not opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
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OOOOOWWWWWWWEEEEEE!!!! 800 grains launched at a huge island black bear!!!!! | |||
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One thing I think you have to keep in mind is gun weight. I don't know if a 10.5 lb 550 Magnum has been built to date. It would be interesting to see what the recoil is like at a practical hunting weight. Take good care, Dave | |||
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Harry, is your's 10.5? My express is more or less that weight. Hey Dave!! jeffe opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
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I carried mine on the last STC hunt for several days and it is 12.5 pounds and would take some pratice to carry it more than that. RNS RNS | |||
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12lbs is a little on the heavy side. With a scope, sling and a mag full of cartridges, my 470 Mbogo weighs just shy of 12lbs. I never had any problems packing it around, but a few times after I was tired from crawling and crabwalking, I recall quietly wishing it was a couple pounds lighter. If I built another, I think I'd target 9.5lbs "sans scope". Cheers, Canuck | |||
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Yes, their new name-brand 40 cal. It looks exactly like you would think H&H would do it; long neck and sloped shoulder. When I get a chance I'll post a picture. Jeff, right at 11 lbs. Dave, nothing interesting about it at all, LOL. "Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson. | |||
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Hi Jeff and Neal, I'm sure going to miss the STC hunt this year. I would really like to try Harry's 550 Magnum. Is it going to be ready for this years trip? I just had the barrel turned down on my black 470 Mbogo and a McMillan stock put on it. It weighs in at 9.5 lbs and has perfect balance. It feels like an 8lb rifle to carry and shoots well to boot. The recoil is still managable. Personally I think it is the perfect compromise between weight and recoil for practical hunting. Keep in mind that I'm 170 lbs. soaking wet. It takes two of me to make a Jeff or Neal. You guys have a great hunting trip and take good care, Dave | |||
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Dave, man, you'll be missed.. looking like a great hunt this year.. there's still TIME and I'll hunt with my 416, and you can borrow my 470!! Mike's 470 turned out to be about 9.5.. I thought it was a hoot to shoot at 2300.. I should have ordered a lighter contour for the 470 AR... would have loved about 9#. 170#? soaking wet, WITH a 10# rifle!!! jeffe opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
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Dave You and Chris will be missed this year as you both are exceptional hunters and Gentleman in my book as I am sure the rest of the STC will agree with me. I look forward to the next hunt with you. Harrys 550 Mag, Jeffe 550 Express and my 550 Mag should all make the Hunt. The 470 Mgobo will also be missed as it is a top design for power/weight/recoil. RNS RNS | |||
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