I received my rifle yesteday which was advertised as a 500 A-Square. The barrel (30 inches with Pendleton integral brake) has no markings, however, and the C&H reloading dies and the box are marked 500-460. I believe my rifle was probably made in the 60's or 70's. I haven't had a chance to fireform a case yet. Are the two rounds identical or is the A-2 less tapered with a sharper shoulder?

My CH4D dies say 500 A2.

The 510 wells is also 510 x 460.

FLA3006, the 500 A2 has a small sharp shoulder that measures .568 the 460 measures .560. The 500 has a shorter neck and holds more powder.

The 500 A-Square reamer will clean up a 510 Wells chamber ... but why bother if that is what you have. It is enough! Some would say the Wells has more "class" than the A-Square.
Snob appeal. Not me, however.

If the barrel has no engraving, then have it engraved "510/460 Weatherby Improved" and your ammo headstamp with 460 brass will match the gun, whatever it is. No worries.

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Happiness is a warm double and a bloody spear.
RAB

Look at the cartridge dimensions given in the A-Squared manual. This should tell you the difference.My 500 A2 has the shoulder moved foreward about .100 from that of the 460WBY and is much sharper. I don't know exactly what the 510 wells dimensions are.-Rob

Gentlemen! This is one of the very rare occations when there is a use for the belt. If the cartridge fits in the chamber, just squeeze it off. It head spaces off the belt and will fireform nicely into whatever chamber. Without a belt it would be dangerous, bordering the suicidal.

Belts are for straight cases and likewise wildcatters. AKI

That's a good point about the headspacing advantage belted cases have in certain instances such as this. After trading emails with Dave Davison of CH4D, it is probable that my rifle is a necked up 460 Wea. which I believe is the same as a 510 Wells. Dave says my dies, and therefore my gun, were made before 1968. I'll know the chambering for sure after I fire form a case and when I get my A-Square manual. My A-Square manual was on backorder for awhile with Amazon but was just shipped. As someone else mentioned, if you want one of these, you better get your order in.