A couple of years ago there was a flurry of interest in the 550 Magnum cartridge. I was wondering if anyone here has had one built and what his opinions on the cartridge are.

I seem to recall that the recipe to get started was a CZ 550 in 416 Rigby and off to the smith.

Who, if anyone, is making bullets for the 550 Magnum? And what is the exact diameter of the bullet? What about cases? Any info would be appreicated.

Thanks,

Landrum

http://www.custombrassandbulle.../550caliberpage.html



here's some data on the 550 express, the 2.65" version
http://weaponsmith.com/550-exp.html

bullet is .550
hawk, alaska bullet works, and barnes (on a special order via custombrassandbullets), and ch4d makes bullets -- cast bullets are available.

700gr at 2400 fps with the mag, 2130 with the express

its a pretty straight rebarrel of a cz550

There has been any number of .510 cal "550" magnums based on the Rigby case since at least the '80s, as well as at least two other full size .50 cal. a .505 and .510 based on the Rigby case more recently.

RIP's .510 Mbogo is well done on the .510/416.
Lots of info on it here on AR. I did something similar a decade ago with a .505 and built half dozen and am still shooting one of them.

If you are using a CZ 550 action might as well take advantage of all the room in the magazine.
More on mine below and a back ground little history on sveral .50s of various calibers.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...4711043/m/6191062731

http://pistolsmith.blogspot.co...10/07/505-burns.html

I still have my 550 on the Gibbs, with appropriate head stamp. A couple of people here have it and the 577 BME in process.
Hornady has dies for the 550 Gibbs.

Rich
the Hammer of Thor

quote:

Originally posted by RDB:
There has been any number of .510 cal "550" magnums based on the Rigby case since at least the '80s, as well as at least two other full size .50 cal. a .505 and .510 based on the Rigby case more recently.

RIP's .510 Mbogo is well done on the .510/416.
Lots of info on it here on AR. I did something similar a decade ago with a .505 and built half dozen and am still shooting one of them.

If you are using a CZ 550 action might as well take advantage of all the room in the magazine.
More on mine below and a back ground little history on sveral .50s of various calibers.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...4711043/m/6191062731

http://pistolsmith.blogspot.co...10/07/505-burns.html

Bwana Dane --
He's asking about a .550 bullet, not a .505 or .510 --

and these three -- .550 Magnum, Express, and Flanged are ATF designated as SPORTING ROUNDS.

There has never been a .550 bullet and groove exactly, before Neal invented it - Its a straight 460 weatherby case -- like a giant 470 capstick

Rich what dia. and weight bullets are you using in your .550 Gibbs?

quote:

Originally posted by RDB:
Rich what dia. and weight bullets are you using in your .550 Gibbs?

.550" 700 gr ---

I've shot it, Bwana... i even sighted it in for the bigbore shoot the next day!

Heck, i sent him his first BRASS for it ...

I am one of 2 people who have shot ALL the .550 caliber guns
550 gibbs
550 Mag
550 Express
550 Flanged
550 BPE


The SD of a .458 and the energy of a 577 NE, or MORE ...

an amazing thing

you can make cases from fireforming 460 weatherby or buying them from quality cartridge.

load data is on ammoguide, and ALL the load data on ammo guide for the 550 magnum was pressure tested at western labs.

you can buy all the stuff from custombrassandbullets.com

here's some from hawk, as well.. scroll down to .550
they even offer 800s .. which would work well in the 550 gibbs
http://www.hawkbullets.com/Pricelist.htm

RDB,

Macifej makes them.

Rich
Leviathon shooter

What do you think Jeffe, Is Pac Nor 20inch the way to go for the 550 mag. on the cz mag?

Frank

frank .. i think so .. Neal's first one is 23 .. and 20", about as thick as your wrist at the muzzle ... seriously, .900 or whatever NECG makes their largest front sight at .... she WILL lead when you dance -- don't fight it

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jeffeosso:
I am one of 2 people who have shot ALL the .550 caliber guns
550 gibbs
550 Mag
550 Express
550 Flanged
550 BPE
/QUOTE]

The other would be ME!

They will all lead, when you dance with them.

Keith

The 550 express is pretty sweet.
There should be a 577 BME Short too.

here's some food for thought on the 550s

I called Pac Nor this morning. $585 gets the barrel setup I want. Have to decide on a 23 inch or 25 inch barrel length. I know, not as handy but I think the extra barrel length and weight will help contain the dancing.
I plan to add my favorite HH banded front, $150, a rear peep instead of the standing leaf.
Don't know if I can handle 12 weeks wait once I pull the trigger. I may put down my deposit now and get in line while I decide.
Frank

Well, I am intrigued by the 550 Magnum. So, just how much hassle is there in putting one together?

For a little context, many times it has been written here that the 500 A2 is the easiest big bore (50 cal +) rifle to put together. Looking at everything: time to get the barrel ordered and put on the action of your choice, having the stock work done, ordering bullets and cases (plus the cost of them) and anything else I am leaving out: with all of that stated, how difficult is this project relative to other more popular big bores? "Difficult" might not be the right word but you know what I mean.

For example, what would 200 properly headstamped cases run you?

Bullets: is there a company that will supply them without having to wait five years for enough orders to come in to make it profitable for them?

What other pitfalls am I leaving out? If I sound like an amateur, well, I am. My experience with big bores is confined to owning and shooting a 460 Wby for the last 17 years. That's my largest rifle to date and it is a factory job so I have zero experience with custom big bore rifles.

As a side note, I am also very interested in the 470 M'bogo. I have two CZ rifles just waiting to be converted. I guess the same questions that apply to the 550 Magnum apply to the 470.

Landrum

The 550 is fairly easy. Send a check to pacnor and your choice of options. Bullets are in stock at custombrassandbullets.com. Dies as well. Brass is about 3.50 per, but weatherby brass is about the same. Neal can set you up with everything you need. The 470 mbogo is about identical in scope, and the same sources. In my opinion the mbogo is the best big bore there is.
Your choice of action can do both easily.

The mbogo has a slight edge in bullets being easier to get any day