Ed Plummer will be delivering my new .500 A-Square bolt rifle in a few weeks and it's time for me to put some loads together.

Has anyone had any experience with the 600 gr. Woodleigh Protected Points and Solids in this caliber, or in another caliber at comparable velocities (from approximately 2,300 to 2,450 fps)?

I want to use Woodleigh 600 grain bullets, but I'm a little concerned as to whether they will hold up at such high velocity. I'd really like to know how they can be expected to perform on thick skinned, dangerous game such as buffalo, hippos and elephants.

I have used the 500 grain Woodleigh Weldcore softs and solids in my .458 Lott (at 2,300 fps) and have found them to shoot very accurately and work well on heavy game.

If anyone has tried the .510 diameter 600 grainers, especially at .500 A-Square velocities, I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks.

I have used the Woodleigh 0.510" diameter 570 grain soft points on buffalo, to velocities of 2370 fps. There seemed to be little difference in expansion going from 2280 to 2370 with impact ranges between 25 and 50 yards. The bullets expanded to 1.25" - 1.5" and tumbled. Penetration was approximately 28" to 32".

I would expect the 600 grains bullets to penetrate deeper/expand less due to their design. By the way, you really don't need 2400 fps with a jacketed bullet in the 500. It simply opens them up faster and results in less penetration. I was loading the 600 Woodleigh PP to 2240 fps, but have since reduced the velocity to 2180 fps. The reduction in velocity increased penetration in packed earth (which is a very good indicator of penetration in buffalo, believe it or not) by about 5". Final expansion was very close between the two velocities. I suspect that the increase in penetration is due to the slower bullet taking longer to fully expand, therefore going a bit deeper. Recoil is much more controllable as well.

600 Grains at 2450 f/s? Is this monster braked? Don't know about the bullet but will your shoulder handle it? My rotator cuff is acting up as I keyboard this.

Not me sorry in that calibre but the protected points in other calibres open up slower than the roundnoses.
Probably the toughest choice for woodleigh.

I would say since they recommend an impact velocity of 2200fps that a muzzle of 2400fps would be no problem.

Karl.

Are you having it built on a CZ 550 action? Can you post photos when you receive it, specifically the recoil lug and bedding? Thanks - KMule

Howdy,
600gr at 2150-2200 is what a human can stand, mebbe even 2250...

jeffe

500grains,

A 570 grain Woodleigh at 2540 fps is well above my practical limit in a 10.75 lb rifle. When I shot this load there was NO pain, my entire shoulder upper chest area went numb.

I hunt with 570 gr at 2300 fps and 600 gr at 2180 fps. Both loads are AWESOME killers.

My rifle is based on a CZ 550 action, will weigh about 11.5 pounds, be equipped with mercury recoil reducers in the English walnut stock and have a removable "X-Brake" muzzle brake on the end of its 25 inch barrel.



Art Alphin built the reputation of the .500 A-Square on its ability to shoot the 600 grain Triad of bullets at 2,450 fps from a 26 inch barrel. Pressures for these loads are at the high end of SAAMI specs for magnum cartridges generally--63,000 psi, I believe.



It is reportedly possible (see "Any Shot You Want") to achieve more than 2,450 fps with the 600 grain bullet using a load of 118 grains of RL-15. I will find out first hand whether this can be done and how much punishment it dishes out to the shooter--ME!



My sense is that 2,300-2,400 is about all I will want, though, since pressure will be lower, power more than sufficient and recoil lessened.



What I hoped to find out was whether anyone with direct experience could tell me if the 600 grain Woodleighs will be up to the job. The 500s in my .458 Lott were fine, although I used the standard round nosed Weldcore soft point and I was left with some doubt as to whether the Weldcore softs would have held together on heavy shoulder bones.



Both of the buffalo I took with it, I shot through the ribs just behind the shoulder. The Weldcores worked well on those heart shots, but mushrooming was huge and weight retention was only about 74-75%. It is good to hear that the Protected Point bullets are tougher.



I will be happy to post pictures when the rifle arrives and report on my load testing.



Thanks.

You had best be careful when attempting to reach 2450fps.

I have an A-Square built .500 A-Sq. My velocity adjusted for barrel length is 2420fps. I have a 23.25" barrel.

I started at 110 grains RL-15 and noticed I was darned near at the maximum velocity. I think it was 2275 or so. At 113 grains (the listed starting load), my average was 2405fps.

I have used 600 grain Triad. Expensive bullets. I noticed hardly any velocity variation with Lion Load and Dead Tough.

Be careful when starting. I recommend starting at 110 grains and begin up from there. A 25# bag of lead shot between the rifle butt and your shoulder will help tremendously. Do not be concerned with accuracy.

http://www.accuratereloading.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB16&Number=530774&Forum=,f16,&Words=&Searchpage=1&Limit=25&Main=530774&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=1268&daterange=1&newerval=1&newertype=y&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post530774

I REALLY like the 600gr in my .510/460 Long (JAB). Mine is built on a Ruger #1, has a 28" SS barrel, and has a brake. These are definately my hunting bullets of choice, you won't be disappointed.

BMG

Nitroman, I always back off at least 10% from max loads in any manual and will in this case too. I work up to expected velocity using a chronograph.

Hey, BMG, it's good to see that you've been down this path before and are happy with the Woodleighs.

Thanks for the info.

It is your shoulder, but in all honesty you won't need 2450 fps, and 2200 fps will almost certainly perform better terminally! You need to ask yourself what it is you wish to destroy, the outer rib cage or the whole width of the chest cavity? Besides that a 500 A Square loaded to 2450 fps will almost certainly get sticky in African heat, that is a 63000 psi + load. Your CZ550 is only proofed to 55000 psi, in case you did not know .

I do ask for advice sometimes. And I'll even put up with unsolicited advice once in a while--as long as I think it's well-informed, as opposed to just flat-out wrong.

Rather than belabor this, though, let me just say that you did get one thing right: it is, in fact, my shoulder.

mrlexma,

With all due respect, you asked for advise on a public forum, and I gave you advise. Advise, I might add, which was gleaned from REAL field experience with the bullets in question on the game in question. IF you do not like the truth, and want to live some BS fantasy about having some super duper bad boy magnum spitting death at ludicrous velocities, I am sorry.

Also, if you want to accept the data provided by a gentleman, who admittedly uses this load only for deer, so be it. I really do not care. I have owned a 500 A Square and wasn't overly impressed by it. Personally, I find you an immature, insecure, potential imbecile. One simply doesn't shoot DG with soft pointed bullets driven to self destructive velocities, the reason is OBVIOUS, it is self defeating and potentially DEADLY! So don't blame Woodleigh, or any othe soft point bullet manufaturer, if you shoot a big buff with an overdriven bullet and something bad happens. It is YOUR fault NOT theirs!

By the way, the Barnes "X" hitting buffalo bone at the muzzle velocity you site will shed it's petals and become a ~ 400 grain solid. Not the bestest penetrator in the world. Slow it down to 2300 fps and it will penetrate to no end. I suggest you grow-up a bit and quit being a yuppie wannabe posier moron.

Have a nice weekend.


Arguing with the ignorant, what has happened to me????

Poseur, indeed--you are at least aptly named.

What I asked for was not "advise" [sic] but reports from those with actual field experience using the bullets and loads in question.

You provided none of that. Instead, you posted unsolicited and misinformed rubbish.

You obviously feel the need to puff out your chest and rant, and I frankly have no time for it.

The Ignore button was made for your type.

I see he is ignoring me, and the rest of reality I believe, but in the off chance he has learned to read (and retain what he has read) I will quote my first post on this thread.

Quote:

---

I have used the Woodleigh 0.510" diameter 570 grain soft points on buffalo, to velocities of 2370 fps. There seemed to be little difference in expansion going from 2280 to 2370 with impact ranges between 25 and 50 yards. The bullets expanded to 1.25" - 1.5" and tumbled. Penetration was approximately 28" to 32".

I would expect the 600 grains bullets to penetrate deeper/expand less due to their design. By the way, you really don't need 2400 fps with a jacketed bullet in the 500. It simply opens them up faster and results in less penetration. I was loading the 600 Woodleigh PP to 2240 fps, but have since reduced the velocity to 2180 fps. The reduction in velocity increased penetration in packed earth (which is a very good indicator of penetration in buffalo, believe it or not) by about 5". Final expansion was very close between the two velocities. I suspect that the increase in penetration is due to the slower bullet taking longer to fully expand, therefore going a bit deeper. Recoil is much more controllable as well.

---

No first had statements there! It isn't like I quoted expansion diameters, depths of penetration in living buffalo flesh or anything like that!

mrlexma . . . I repeat myself, GROW-UP little boy.

By the way, I am glad this buffoon is ignoring me. I tire easily you know.

Wait!!?? Did someone say anything intelligent????

***You are ignoring this ignoramus.***

Of course not.

I've been tipped to your trolling. Knock yourself out, Scotty boy.

No trolling done by me on this thread, or any others that I can think of off hand. I thought you were "ignoring" me.

You learn how to read, and more importantly, how to retain what you read, yet?

I know about you tipster, I love a good puppet. You are pathetic, I hope your do realize that.