I just been reading about the 550 Magnum (460 wby to .550). I like this idea. But 550 bullets? Would that be a staggered magazine, 4 down? I want 4 down.

Can these be had from CZ custom shop. Or for 3k from a reputable maker? I would be looking for a 12 -14 pound rifle, no brake.

The 550 uses Wby brass. I think finding or casting bullets is less problem than seeking brass.

Two questions here really. Do you like the 550 on its own merit. And Second part, how does it stack up against the larger bore alternatives 577/585/600, given my personal desire for no brake and a 14 pound upper weight limit.

fourbore,

simple answer, any action that will take the parent 460 Wby round will work. Same magazine capacity. R Neal Shirley was the inventor, he had properly head stamped brass made about two years ago. Try PM'ing him here. His shop could, last I talked with him, build you a complete rifle.

I am the person who has the 550 Gibbs Magnum design. I like it due to the lower pressure and greater ME potential. Do a search here on 550 Gibbs.

As far as relative recoil; bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and rifle weight combine to determin ft/lbs of recoil. My 11 pound 550 Gibbs will shoot a 615gr solid over 2500fps.

Rich

Thanks Rich,

There are so many choices over 50, but each has its trade off. I saw some 550 Gibbs discussion here, the trade off would be brass. Otherwise it also looks good to me.

I was thinking more along lines of 700 grain bullets to try and approximate or beat the old 577 NE performance. Hoping to make a 'similar' size hole. Is 550 close nuff to 585 to cover that nitch?

if I could wave a wand, I would get CZ, Ruger and Hornady to introduce a magazine feed 577 3inch ctg. But reality is, that never will happen and this 550 looks pretty tempting.

Also wondering, Does the 550 mag have good taper for extraction?

Will the rifle go to Africa? If not, brass head stamp is no issue. I'll PM you the rest of the story. A dozen people shot my 550 Gibbs at the Houston shoot in 2008.

Rich
550 Gibbs

No, I wont hunt outside North American. If I did and it wont happen, buf if I did, I would not carry more than a 375 or maybe 416. What boomers, I own, I like to believe was DG capable. Over 416 its all just for fun.

I am saving my pennies and thinking ahead.

Like to hear thoughs, on .550 bore diameter concept. How about a 700 grain bullet at 2200 fps vs the traditonal 577NE ? A so-called stopper?

As the owner of a 550 Magnum, I'd have to say it's one of the easiest "dreadnaught" hammers to build and shoot (before folks jump on the 500 A2 bandwagon, .510 is really the end of the medium bores; the big bores start after that). Case capacity is such that low density loading and fillers don't apply to it. Even reduced velocity loads are easy because the case volume to bore ratio is so well balanced.

2350 with a 700 grain bullet is pretty much full throttle. I suppose one could get another 50 or 100 fps but if the need is for speed, Rich's 550 Gibbs is the way to go. And when the PH action is finally released, that will be an easy build too. But a 550 Mag in the PH ought to hold at least 5 down. My head hurts thinking about that drill! In my 10 lb rifle, 2350 is all the throttle I can stand, anyway. I think most folks who've shot it agree. It fills a gap between the 577 and 585 nicely. The sectional density is better weight fo weight , too. Not sure how much that matters in North America, lol.

Anthing over .510 and your bullet cost is high. Wayne Doudna made some really nice 615 and 715 grain cast bullets for it and for Jeff's 550 Express (same basic thing but slightly shorter case for a standard action). I lost track of Wayne's company and don't where to find them now. If you cast your own I guess its a non-issue.

Neal has jacketed and mono-metal bullets from several makers in several weights, both soft and solids. Feeding is easy to acheive and extraction has never been an issue.

You might also consider Dave's 470 M' Bogo or RIP's new 470. I hear they make for a fine whitetail rifle.

quote:

In my 10 lb rifle, 2350 is all the throttle I can stand, anyway. I think most folks who've shot it agree.

Keith

PS: A true "Recoil Junkies Rifle"

Brass Extrusion Labs sells 460 basic brass which is straight walled without any headstamp, which can be stamped/engraved/etched any way you want it, if they are still in business. Jeffe & Olcrip have some for sale.

the 550 magnum is the perfect, ease of build, monster, imho. Take a rigby cz, stuck a barrel with proper lugs, and away you go.

Old Crip has some left, unheadstamped BeLL .
Jamison brass "IS" BeLL, as Marc bought the commerical side.

The 550 Magnum has headstamped brass, if you need it, AND is BATFE recognized as a sporting round. AS are several of the other 550s.

Jess DO IT!!

quote:

.510 is really the end of the medium bores; the big bores start after that).

You beat me to it, boom stick. It's a quote well worth repeating.

The 505 Gibbs will lossen your bones in your shoulder unless you have some protection.

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:

quote:

.510 is really the end of the medium bores; the big bores start after that).

What??? I thought that was common knowledge...

quote:

Originally posted by jro45:
The 505 Gibbs will lossen your bones in your shoulder unless you have some protection.

quote:

You might also consider Dave's 470 M' Bogo or RIP's new 470. I hear they make for a fine whitetail rifle.

Ouch Ouch!



Chuck

They won't beat the 550MAG,I got one on Enfield,
longer 28" barrel and can get over 2500 with
a 600 gr bullet, at 60k psi. It really is the start
of the big bore spectrum.Ed

quote:

Originally posted by jro45:
The 505 Gibbs will lossen your bones in your shoulder unless you have some protection.

It was more pleasent than my 470. I only shot it once rich was running out of ammo.

JD

quote:

Originally posted by jro45:
The 505 Gibbs will lossen your bones in your shoulder unless you have some protection.

You almost had me there

I must be pretty loose by now, my round count is over 400 rounds over 2300fps. It looked pretty good in Africa last year as well.
Good stock design, Pachmayr DeCelerator Pad, and a recoil reducer in the stock keeps that eleven-pound bad boy off my nose! Although, I make no claims that it hasn't scrambled my brains.

Rich

Unnecessary.

I wouldn't like to carry a 11 or 12lb rifle. I guess 10lb would be my limit. Unless you have a person to carry your rifle. You know you gotta think about all this stuff.

Would I be correct to equate a 550 diameter 700 grain bullet at 2200 fps as practically speaking the equal of the old 577 NE 750 grain load at factory 2050 fps. In stopping, turning, killing whatever basis you would measure would apply.

As reader of these things, I would have thought the 550 at 2200 would be roughly equall to the old 577NE. I would also call the 458Win or Lott roughly the same as a 470 NE. Not saying the 458 filled a gap between the 470 and 416.

Am I right or is the 550 smaller? Would 150 fps offset the tiny diameter and weight difference? Maybe even give a tad better penetration than the old 577?

My 500 Jeff weighs 11.25 lbs without scope or sling, just over 12 lbs with. I wouldn't want it any lighter from a shooting perspective. I went elk hunting (or chasing) for a few days 40 miles north of Eagle (we camped at 10,600 feet) against doctor's orders with a bad sinus infection last month. It was the lack of being able to breathe due to the sinus infection/coupled with the altitude, not the rifle weight that slowed me down. A little light barbell lifting, some pushups, some aerobic conditioning and that 12 lb rifle isn't so bad. My son's 8 lb Rem 700 in 270 does feel like a pistol comparatively though...



Chuck

quote:

Originally posted by fourbore:
Would I be correct to equate a 550 diameter 700 grain bullet at 2200 fps as practically speaking the equal of the old 577 NE 750 grain load at factory 2050 fps. In stopping, turning, killing whatever basis you would measure would apply.

As reader of these things, I would have thought the 550 at 2200 would be roughly equall to the old 577NE. I would also call the 458Win or Lott roughly the same as a 470 NE. Not saying the 458 filled a gap between the 470 and 416.

Am I right or is the 550 smaller? Would 150 fps offset the tiny diameter and weight difference? Maybe even give a tad better penetration than the old 577?

In the practical sense one could say so, except you've slowed the velocity of the 550 by 150 fps to get there. If you slowed it down to 2150 I think you would be neck and neck with the 577 NE and have a rifle much more comfortable to shoot. I shoot my cast bullets between 1400 and 1800 depending on which powder and at either velocity, the gun is plain old fashioned fun to shoot.

OTOH, I think 700 grains at 2350 is much more gun than 750 grains at 2050. There are also 600 grain .550 softs that shoot even faster. Whether or not more gun is needed is a different discussion.

.550 700gr has a higher SD than a .585 750, AEBE

the 550 equals the 577 at 2130.

And the 550 in a bolt gun, at that velocity, is FAR easier than a 577NE double to shoot.

Ask those who have actualy shot both.

the 550 at 2350 is a cat of another color!

In my medium bore 500 Jeffrey, I shoot 535g Woodleigh softpoints at 2400 fps for deer and elk. I'm load 570g TSXs at a mild 2150 for bigger game. Probably work those up to 2300 fps this fall