I don't want to start a firestorm about the merits of a 500 Jeffery vs any other calibre. I have a friend in Zambia that has asked me to build a 500 Jeffery for him. Nothing else will do so don't post your opinions about how much better other cartridges might be. I'm trying to keep this project cost effective. I am planning on the use of a CZ550 action (.416 Rigby size), Pacnor or Krieger barrel, laminated stock, NECG sights. This will be a working rifle that he will carry daily as a PH in Zambia. My question is how much work am I looking at to get the Jeffery to feed properly. I had thought about building it on a Mauser but by the time I get it to handle the 500 Jeffery etc. The CZ looks to be the most cost effective way to get him his rifle. What are some other potential problems I may encounter? I have made dozens of custom rifles of "normal size" to include 3 different .458 Lotts but nothing in the 50 calibre or larger. Appreciate any helpful comments

Shooter Boy
I have a question. Does he want to shoot the traditional 535 grain bullets, or is he planning on shooting the heavier 570 grain bullets used in the 500 Nitro?

yes and no...

if you really are going to build a 500 jeffe, this is probably the best place to start from.

i will strongly suggest, ONCE, that you make this a 510 wells or 500 Asquare... your friend can fire form 416 or 460 weatherby...

and it will feed FAR much better.


then I'll tell you a 550 magnum or express is a BETTER choice for a DGR off a CZ


Now, to your original question, if you are building a 500 jeffe on a cz, we'll have to assume you have done difficult rounds to feed in the past. This is THE hardest round to get to feed properly.. I aint the best in the world, but this one kicked my @#$@!#$

you'll need a new magbox, that will essentially invert the cz.. the front and rear will go in, the sides, out, and then a profounf understandinf of feeding.

the next part you'll need is a RUGER 416 Rigby follower from brownells... trust me. This thing is hard as woodpeckerlips and you'll have to GRIND a groove in it

you shouldn't have to cut the SIDES much... in this case, less is FAR more ... notice i didn't say side RAILS I said sides... Not to be rude, but if you don't get that part this one will be a long term frustration for you.

you'll then have the normal ramp issues, though this should be few...


You MUST double crossbolt the stock, pin the wrist, and put a recoil lug on the barrel.


Now that we've said all this, you can buy a brand new cz550 is 505 gibbs for 1400-1500....

and they'll build you a 550 magnum for like 2200 bucks, INCLUDING the action.

www.550magnum.com


the 500 jeffe, even though a 1/2" bore and my namesake, aint worth the trouble over the .510x460 weatherby cases, in that brass is more money, it's generally softer, and it's far harder to come by...

and seriously, if he needs factory ammo, he can order 510 wells from superior ammo

jeffe

Buy a CZ550 single stack mag for the 500AHR from AHR. Pay whatever it costs! Do the rubberband trick with three 500 jeffery rounds and then measure the cz550 mag box, you'll then understand why it won't work double stack. Mill a relief in the rear action bridge for reliable extraction Other than that it's no big deal.-Rob

I used a heym 500jeffery property of jeffery denmark of this forum ,we hunted big feral hogs with it ,and we shooted it extensively ,i can only said that is just perfect ,but if you sen a pm to jefferydenmark he can told you a lot about this rifle and caliber he even makes his own bullets solids with cnc machines .Juan

I appreciate the help. I agree there are several choices that make more sense, at least to me but how do you argue logic to someone who is very determined to make his own mistakes. I'm ordering a .505 Gibbs for his brother in law. Which seems to be the most expediant course of action for obtaining rifle of that class. Tell me more about the single stack magazine. Thanks again for the help

You might want to PM poster WVFred. He has a custom 500 Jeff Mauser barreled action for sale for $1750. It has a 3 down singlestack magazine and has a square rear bridge. It needs final polish and stocking. It will make a nice gun.

AHR makes a single stack drop in mag specifically for the .500AHR, .505 Gibbs and .600Ok in the CZ550. The .500AHR is just a Jeffery without the rebatted rim. It's pricey but worth every penny in the grief (GRIEF) you will avoid experiencing. Big fat rebatted rim cartridges are a disaster to attempt to make feed reliably in a cz550. The single stack is a drop in unit. Hog out the rails to fit and your in buisness. BY the way, the one CZ550 I played with in .505 gibbs from the factory would not feed worth a damn. Porpoise city! Wonder why? You can always make your own ss mag, but its a ton of work. IMHO there is no caliber more difficult to get to feed reliably than the .500 Jeffery. The reasons are very very clear. However, It's a neat round once you get it to work and worth major bragging rights though!-Rob