Hi, I went out to the range today to do continue load development, for the first time I'm actually considering a lead sled. I shot 5 3 shot groups using the Barnes 570g TSX with both H4895 (98 to 101 grains) and RL-15 (101 to 105 grains) ending at the recommended max for each in the Barnes Manual #4. Once I got close to the max (which showed no pressure signs at all) off of the bench to say it was painful would be an understatement. I did not develop a flinch, but I could see it happening if I continued (I shot 15 rounds from the bench (sitting), some just over 2300 fps. The difference in recoil between a 570g bullet at 2100 fps and 2300 fps is striking. That coupled with a the bench rest being too low tended to focus the recoil high up on the shoulder (ice bag on it now lol, pictures should it bruise up beautifully will follow)

I was shooting between 1.5" to just over 2" groups at 200 yards so accuracy was fine with all loads. I only have a 1.5 - 5x scope so a lot of the error was in sight picture as well as the shooter, the rifle is more accurate than me as is usually the case.

So all of you who recommended keeping the 500 Jeffrey load down to 500 NE levels, yes you were right of course. Shooting the 500 Jeffrey at relaxed 500 NE levels is fine (570g at 2100 fps), I'm sure off of sticks or offhand all of the loads I shot today would've been fine, but even though I intend to really limit any bench shooting, I want to be able to shoot a limited amount of rounds from the bench for load development and sight in without pain. I guess I've found my recoil tolerance level lol

Thanks all for all of your help, going to give the shoulder a few weeks to recover ...



Chuck

NEVER lock a big kicking rifle "down" .. lead sled with a 25# bag is fine .. but don't try to stop it .. it WILL break the stock

oh, yeah, shoo-for-brains says you must clean the rifle with JB bore paste PERFECTLY or it will break the stock

On a brighter note -- shoot the rifle 2-5 rounds in a week .,. JUST to harden the pocket and hit the target.

a 500 jeffe is a BEAST to shoot, and it willl eventually be mastered

Thanks Jeffesso, today was just part of getting acquainted, so I wouldn't take my baby for granted ... Treating my glorious shoulder bruise with ice and scotch (ice only on the shoulder)



Chuck

Buy a lead sled-you will love it.

Thanks wombat, I'm going out today to get one. Do you reommend the original or the DFT? As long as I keep the amount of lead to 25 lbs or less and don't "lock the rifle down" the stock should be fine right?

Thanks,

Chuck

Here is some information from my trip to the range yesterday. Brass is Horneber, F215M primers, RL-15, 1/2 Kynoch wad:

535 Grain Woodleigh RN SP/110 Grains RL-15:

Average Velocity: 2240 fps
Extreme Spread: 15 fps (over eight shots)

535 Grain Woodleigh Solid/108 Grains RL-15:

Average Velocity: 2239 fps
Extreme Spread: 21 fps (over four shots)

Mike:

When I first got my CZ that 110 grain load was running 2260 fps in my gun. However, it origianlly had a 25 inch barrel. CZ put a new barrel on it (something about the throat on the old one) and it now sports a 24 inch barrel. I am guessing it will chronograph right about where yours is. I picked up some 535 grain Barnes banded solids and I want to give those a try as well. They have a fairly flat meplat and, if I can get them to feed, I bet they would penetrate like crazy.

remember, I have a 500 jeffe, too .. and might do another one .. which could be a little interesting.

just as a comparison

my 500 AccRel, with a 23" barrel
535gr woodliegh
i4895 - 99gr, 2306 fps
h335 - 100gr 2390

570gr hornady DGx/s
h335 - 100gr, 2310 (average) and primers are VERY round edges

600gr woody
h335 93gr, 2150
h335 96gr 2318 .. there's room left to go/grow


Why is it different? smaller case, and faster powder, than I can load in my 500 jeffe

Jeff:

This 110 grain load of Reloder 15 is a very, very modest load. There is room to go way up. I seem to recall the Real Guns article about the .500 Jeffery where the author's starting load was 118 grains of Reloder 15 I think. A guy can go way hotter with a .500 Jeffery. I just can't take the recoil

I with you Dave, a 570g at 2300 fps exceeds my recoil threshold from the bench. Off hand it's not bad. I bought a lead sled yesterday, going to use it with a 25 lb weight.

My load data to date:

CZ 550 500 jeffrey, 24" McGowen Barrel 1 in 10" twist, 570g Barnes TSX, Jamison Brass, Rem 9 1/2M primers, OAL 3.73 (that puts me .1" from the lands and feeds great in my CZ 550).

95g H4895 2120 fps recoil not bad even from the bench sub MOA accuracy

98g H4895 2190 fps recoil ok off hand getting stiff off of the bench sub MOA accuracy

101g H4895 2270 fps unpleasant from the bench
sub MOA accuracy but ouch ouch

I tried RL-15 but got more recoil and worse accuracy in my gun for the same velocities, every gun is different.

By the way the Woodleigh 535g Soft points, Barnes 570g TSX and Barnes 570g Banded Solids all feed well in my CZ.

I'm going to try 91, 93 and 95g of H4895 next time out with the 570g TSX and settle on a hunting load.

Regards,

Chuck

Dave,
i entirely agree with the stipulation that 2300 is the upper limit of most people, bullets, and all practical use. Please remember, I have a 500 jeffe, as well .. and shot the @#$@#$ out of it, till i got my 550 express..

if 2300 is the top speed, then all I am saying is "me too"

Well finally made it back to the range, settled on the following load:

570g Barnes TSX, 93g H4895, Jamison Brass, Rem 9 1/2M primers, 3.73" OAL 2100 fps (500 NE speed)

Recoil is sweet with a lead sled with 10 lbs of sand bags, and absolutely no problem off hand. Three shot group all bullets cut the same hole from the lead sled. Now I just have to sight it in. Should be plenty for elk in two months ...

I also shot some reduced loads with 525g Cast Performance bullets and 55g of 5744 gave me 1660 fps. Great practice round but cleaning the rifle, ugly! Is it the lead bullets or the powder?

Thanks,

Chuck

chuck375,

Glad to hear you have found your load, but with a COL of 3.73" and only 93gr of powder you must have a lot of air in that case!

It is the lube on the lead bullets.

Sighted in my 500 Jeffrey for elk season (3 weeks away!), 93g H4895, Jamison Brass, 570g TSX's OAL 3.73 Rem 9 1/2M primers giving 2100 fps. Shot several 1 1/2" 3 shot groups at 100 yards today, sighted it in to be 3" high at 100 yards, 2" low at 200 yards. Recoil is nothing with a lead sled and nice shooting offhand wearing just a T-Shirt too! What a difference in recoil from the same bullet at 2350 fps!!!

Regards,

Chuck

Maybe Empire has a good idea with their 505 Empire cartridge....570 or 600gr at 500NE speeds. Big bullet but tolerable recoil. I think Elmer Keith would approve!!!