What caliber in .500 is the best to choose on a bolt gun?
Is it possible to reach 2300 fp/s with a 535 grain bullet in a 500 Nitro Express 3" built on a Ruger no 1 without to high pressure?

Kalle

Define 'best'. To make it easy on yourself, go to the CZ .505 Gibbs. To complicate matters and squander buckets of money you would better spend on hunting, there are no limits to nonsense. Why insist on making the .500 NE into something other than what it is when it has performed perfectly for a century already? Velocity is not God. If it works, don't fix it.

I have just been through this process and for me the most practical and useful option was the .500 A-Square built on a CZ 550 Magnum action.

I can achieve 2,400+ fps with 600 grain bullets in my rifle with ease.

Cases are not a problem--in a pinch any of the .378, .416 or .460 Weatherby can be resized.

.510" bullets in many weights, from 525 grains to 600+, can be had from several sources.

quote:

Originally posted by Kalle:
What caliber in .500 is the best to choose on a bolt gun?
Is it possible to reach 2300 fp/s with a 535 grain bullet in a 500 Nitro Express 3" built on a Ruger no 1 without to high pressure?

Kalle

Depends on your budget.

CZ550 in .505 Gibbs for $1850
500 A-Square conversion on CZ550 by AHR or others: $3K or so
500 Jeffery beautifully done by Ryan Breeding: $11,000 www.rbbigbores.com

THe Ruger No. 1 should not cost more than $1500 total, but it's definitely the bastard child of dangerous game rifles.

cz in 416 rigby
750 usd
pacnor rebarrel,blue and chamber to 500 a2/510wells
450

sights
you call, i say call it 200 usd

1400 bucks, and dies and brass, no feeding issues,
done

from the man that's built 3 500 jeffe', never again

jeffe

The 500NE should have plenty of capacity for enough modern powder to get 570grains up to 2300fps w/o undue pressure in a Ruger #1.

The new CZ550 in 505Gibbs is the quickest and most expedient way to a moderately priced 50cal bolt gun. Or rebarrel a CZ550 or ZKK602 to 500A2 and have a broader selection of bullets (510 diameter).

I own 4 magnum Mausers including one in 510Wells but am more intrigued these days with handier rifles built on standard length actions. The 500Jeff & 495A2 offer tremendous power and can be built on inexpensive, easier-to-handle standard length Mausers. Configuring the magazines and getting one to feed properly requires expertise but there are people who can do it.

.505 Gibbs by CZ or a .500 AHR from AHR. The best IMHO is the .500 A2 but that strictly custom. Hope you know how to shoot one of these! If you develop a flinch your shooting will suffer for years to come.-Rob