I have run across a couple of used rifles that have me tempted. The first is an older 500AHR built by Ed Plummer. The other is an "Express" model 505 Empire from Empire Rifles. To be fair, the Empire model is twice the cost of the 500AHR and appears to be a much nicer finished "show piece" with the AHR rifle being a great working rifle with less flash to the casual observer. The 500AHR brass (Bertram) appears to be much lower quality then the 505 Empire brass (Weatherby). Both rifles seem to be essentially equal in terms of Safari use on large critters. The Empire rifle is Magnaported so, I generally view that as a negative but I am more neutral on this heavy recoiling rifle. Would I need to shorten the stocks (set a LOP of 13 3//4) since I normally use a 13.0 LOP?

What should I be looking at in rifles like this to ensure I am making a good purchase?

SID-Thats some old AHR brass. Much better stuff is available from Jamison etc. Make sure it feeds properly as some of the early guns had minor issues. Can't comment on the Empire gun as I've never shot one. Both will get the job done.-Rob

check with Wayne at AHR, he can give you the scoop.
Brass is cheap. Do you plan to hunt/shoot with the rifle, or just show it off? If you hunt very much, the finish will get dinged up. I got two small dings on my CZ 450 Dakota in Africa last year. Battle scars...

Rich
DRSS

I'm not into safe queens any more. I'm not looking to show off or impress friends either, only myself.

If I go to Africa, I expect my rifle to become my "trophy". A few marks of honest use will give the rifle character. Granted, I want something that looks nice when I go to the range but, it's not going into a glass case either. If I thought the wood stock would get trashed, I would most likely go to McMillan and get one of their stocks built up for really harsh use.

With the financial impacts going on right now, my desire to travel overseas has diminished. Instability in Africa specifically has caused me to delay my elephant hunt. African plains game would be nice but, I want to put the meat in my freezer so I have ruled that out. I'm thinking about spending lesser $$ amounts on North American hunts currently. This rifle would most likely be used on Russian Boar with a Bison being a distant second choice. I'm also considering Mountain Goats and Caribou, though not with this rifle.

Sid,

I would go with the 500 AHR if you like the way if feels and looks. I have one for almost 9 years with absolutely no issues. It has killed a few bison, buffalo, elk, etc. I would then use the money saved over the Empire rifle to go hunting.