I came into possesion of a new .500 barrel blank, and was thinking of using it on a new single shot frame for .500 3", BUT, and here is the kicker:
it has a .500 bore and .508 grooves.
Is this pushing the limit of "tight", or should I just use it for a Blackpowder Express, with .002 larger .510 lead bullets?
I'm not even sure of the maker, but it is chrome moly 4140, and seems very good.
Has anyone come across any .500's with slightly tight bores like this?
I've heard of tight .470's, but not sure of any .500's that have been tight.
All things considered, if it is too tight, I know the BPE with lead pills would do well. There is a plus here I thought of with the BPE idea. With it's tight bore, I can still load .002 larger lead .510's and not have the unsightly case bulge at the mouth of the cartridge like when loading .512's.
Anyway, just considering everything, and trying to get opinions.
I picked this up at a near nothing price, and, although I can order a pac-nor, I just hate to see this one go to waste. If anything, I'll just use it for a BPE.
Any ideas?

What twist is it?

Walksfar,

the barrel dimensions are dead on for the .500NE 3" loaded round sitting on my monitor top. I miked the bullet at the casemouth and it measures .508". I had a Krieghoff in that chambering, and still have nineteen fired cases and the one loaded round left. I shot 600gr WW+1% tin cast GC bullets in it, and made the 2150fps factory load pretty easily with WCC-860 surplus powder. Check Woodleigh and see what diameter their bullets are.

Rich
DRSS

This one has a 1-19" twist.

Idaho, thank's. I'm going to check Woodleigh's site out in a minute and see what it says.
Woodleighs are the only bullets I ever shoot for game. For practice, I use cast bullets.
I measured some of my 570 grainer Woodleighs last night and they came out at something around .5085, but I'm not sure because my calipers are hard to read when they get to the triple decimals.

Sent them an email. I'll see what they say when I get a reply.

by time you get to be as old as me...you will spring for a set of digital 4-place readout dial calipers. I got a set at Harbor Freight for $20...so far they match my other mikes down to half a thou.

Rich
DRSS