500ASQUARE,550MAGNUM or 585NYATI.Which of these three chamberings is the most practical for big game hunting and why?I'm only interested in bolt action rifles because doubles are way out of my budget.

500 A-Square and 550 magnum both uses weatherby brass .460 (.378)it cost less then the 585 Nyati.
The 500 A-Square would be my choice if I could turn back time (I have a 500 Jeffery - Problems)
the 500A-Square is a powerfull caliber that easyly could be loaded down to .500 jeffery specs. the selection in bullets are also bigger with the 500 (.510) caliber. 535 grn 570 grn 600 grn etc.
The barel is also cheeper in cal .500


Cheers,

Andr�

None. I have always been a big bore fanatic, however I would have to say none of those are "practical" just pick one you want first and build from there. Practical big bores are 416s and 404s, and most start loosing their practicality around 458.



Example... a 416 is practical because of many virtues... flat shooting, toleriable recoil fast enough for follow ups, good penetration etc... You pick a 416, because you want one and to cover successful hunts over a variety of spectrums. "Those" cartridges, 500a-2, 550, and 585, you pick because you want one........ and...... you want one.

The man wanted a big bore. 400 caliber is not big bore, it is small big bore. In my world bigbore is 500 and up. everybody has a 458 win mag. the worlds most boring big bore.
NO seriously you are right smallfry but their is no need to get the most expensive big bore of the tree posted.

Andr�

Smallfry,

We disagree. I can take 37 grains of XMP-5744 under a 575 grain bullet and it'll just barely make 1000fps. From there I can use various powders and take it up in whatever increments of velocity you desire until I max out around 2350fps.

Nitroman, I havent a clue what your point is.

NitroMan-A little off topic here but where do you get the XMP 5744 powder? I'm looking for some. Thanks, Mike

With these calibres you are making a statement.
If you are 90% of neophyte ultra bore owners you will have grand mental plans of using it for everything from african game, to deer, to Godzilla when you see him on the big screen.

And like 90% of bigbore owners your rifle once finally built will do most of its time in the safe.

So forget practical, learn as much as you can about all of them and go with the one that makes you hardest in the pants at the end of the day.


Personally I advise the 550 magnum.

You will create bigger holes than most Nyati guys on regular game by virtue of the better brass and higher velocities.



Karl.

Karl's right,

I have a Nyati and if I had my time again I would build a 550 and have been a happier camper I think.

The most practical of three is defintely the .500 A2.

Karl how are you mate ??

The word "practical" pretty much voids any of the calibers listed..They are toys and have no real value from a hunting standpoint IMO...Practical makes reference to the 416s, 404, 458 Lott and I suppose the 500 Jefferys and 505 Gibbs, but I have no use for the last two, but thats just a personal choice...

Ray,

The word "practical" does apply in the context of CAPSTICK's posting, that is, which toy is the most practical.

I think the 550 Magnum is the most "practical" and for a couple of reasons.

Brass and ease of rifle conversion (CZ 416 and Wby 30/378 Synthetic) put it way ahead of the 585. In terms of power either one can exceed what can be fired and in addition the smaller case capacity of the 550 will be offset by better brass and being able to use higher pressure. The smaller case capacity of the 550 will also make it much easier to work with very reduced loads than will be the case with the 585.

With the 500 A2, in my opinion it is caught in the middle. Easier to have a 460 and 500 Grain Hornadies and the various 45/70 bullets and it lacks all of the class of the 500 J and 505 Gibbs. It is not as "practical" as the 550 as it would make you wish you had a 460!! or something bigger.

Mike

Off topic... mike375 yes my 378 has a wby long throat, though it wasnt a disscusion when I had it done, and I am not sure if it was even an option presented to me at the time.

On Topic... I would realy like to see the 550 take off a bit, both in bolt guns and in a rimmed version.

smallfray,

nitroman is sying that he can load low recoil loads for big bores. I shoot a 1200 grain cast at over 1000 fps for fun practice in the .585. And it does not kick with that load either.

the 500 a2/510 wells is the cheapest, due to commmon bullets and brass

the 550 will be right behind it, with cheap brass and limited NOW available bullets

the 585 nyati is ONLY about 2.25 to pull the trigger with solids

jeffe

From a practical standpoint the 500 a2 is the best way to go because of bullet availability ( woodleighs to 750 gr A-max's). Next is the 550 mag due to case availability. The poorest choice is the 585 NYATI. Everyone including me who has built one has had problems with their chamber and brass. The recoil of a 500a2 is not that much worse than a full tilt 460 wby. Personally I think the 470 MBOGO is the best of this breed. -Rob

Another vote for the 500 A-square, you'll be able to get ahold of brass and bullets the easiest. With a long throat for the 50 bmg milsurp, you can launch cheap 600+ gr bullets. If you're afraid it won't be as "manly" to fire as the more powerful rounds, just have it built light

I guess it really depends on how much you plan to shot the gun. If you're looking for the biggest and baddest, the 500 falls short. If you're looking for something you think you'll shoot a fair bit, the cheaper bullets in the 50 cal make that possible. Me thinks 570-600 gr @ 2200 fps is more than enough for hunting.

Unless by 'big game' you mean elephant, hippo, rhino, and cape buffalo (as well as other large bovids), none are actually practical.

The guns chambered in these monsters are probably too heavy to carry for 20 miles in hot weather, kick too much to be practiced with extensively, or are too loud if brakes are used to reduce recoil.

Get yourself a nice little .458 Winchester Magnum and go hunting!

George

Thanks to everyone for responding to my post. I believe the 500 A2 to be the most "practical" of the 3 cartridges I listed. That being said, I really believe all the "practical" cartridges are produced by the major factories. I still am fascinated by all the power of these wildcat and proprietory cartridges. Realistically, I don't think there is any game you could'nt handle with a 30-06 Springfield and a 375 H&H.