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500 Van Horn Express: Homage to Gil Van Horn and Load data for the 500 AR

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02 September 2007, 10:23
RIP
500 Van Horn Express: Homage to Gil Van Horn and Load data for the 500 AR
From the GUNS 1991 ANNUAL: Lessee how this works, or do I need to send it to Nickudu for the Nickudu Files?


02 September 2007, 10:25
RIP

02 September 2007, 10:25
RIP

02 September 2007, 10:26
RIP

02 September 2007, 10:27
RIP

02 September 2007, 10:28
RIP

02 September 2007, 10:28
RIP

02 September 2007, 10:39
RIP
Ken Howell
02 September 2007, 10:43
Charles_Helm
Interesting indeed, although the muzzle brake spoils the lines of the rifle a bit for me.

You can take a few days to hit 10K if you like. Wink

(Just kidding -- this is good stuff.)


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Some Pictures from Namibia

Some Pictures from Zimbabwe

An Elephant Story

02 September 2007, 10:45
boom stick
thanks for posting rip


577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375

*we band of 45-70ers* (Founder)
Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder)
02 September 2007, 11:27
RIP
quote:
Originally posted by Charles_Helm:
Interesting indeed, although the muzzle brake spoils the lines of the rifle a bit for me.


Charles,
I have to agree. What was Gil thinking when he made an integral brake for such a wonderful "little" rifle?! I have to hope his buddy was a recoil whimp and too frightened to ever take the brake off. Roll Eyes

I don't need no stinking integral brake on a 500 Mbogo, another "little" rifle according to some around here. thumb
02 September 2007, 19:34
Charles_Helm
Of course, I never said I could shoot one without a brake. I'm sure I'd try at least once.

That front sight ramp is pretty industrial-looking too. Would an H&H style banded front sight not work for some reason?

Oh well, I need not nit-pick as I am all thumbs myself. I would be proud to own it, although I would be tempted to de-brake it.


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Some Pictures from Namibia

Some Pictures from Zimbabwe

An Elephant Story

02 September 2007, 19:46
adrook
That was interesting article RIP. Thanks for posting it.

Cheers,
Andy
02 September 2007, 20:18
Idaho Sharpshooter
Thanks for bringing a very nice bit of big bore arcana back, and sharing it with us.

Great option in a 50.

Rich
DRSS
02 September 2007, 21:22
boom stick
That stock is gorgeous.

The 500 AR will be more popular for shure.


577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375

*we band of 45-70ers* (Founder)
Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder)
02 September 2007, 22:06
jeffeosso
?awesome Ron, Thanks!!!
my case is a bit larger, not a huge amount.. like 3 to 3.5% larger, due to longer and wider,... and I designed mine to NOT need to be reamed.. i HATE reaming necks, or just about anything other than fireforming and trimming..

the van horn is 2.575 long, the drawing says this, and 65.41mm, the first page says 2.75..

600 gr at 2300? while i am sure the 500 AR can do that, i don't plan to take it past 2200 as a looky-loo, and run it at 2150 as a normal load... and 535s at 2400 even.

hah, i'll leave that extra hundred fps for those that want to go that fast!!
jeffe


opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club

Information on Ammoguide about
the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR
What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR.
476AR,
http://www.weaponsmith.com
03 September 2007, 01:09
packrattusnongratus
I thought my CZ in 458 was almost too much. But my long gone Savage 458 was fine with the AMB. I think I just needed to shoot the bigger stuff, then the 500 would be OK. I may be a whimp but the 500 with proper weight, stock, and butt pad should be shootable. Even by a small guy like me. The one gun that sucks to shoot, for me, remains the Marlin 45-70 with max loaded bullets. That stock shape is lousy for recoil purposes and still too long for me. I just need a Ruger7mm mag converted to Jeffe's 500. Still looking but a box stock 1917 Enfield might do in a pinch.
Thanks for the article. Makes for good reading and some dreaming as well. Packy
03 September 2007, 02:13
RIP
Jeffe,
Yep, 2.5750" is the length of the 500VHE, not 2.750", typo in the article.

Interesting that Ryan Breeding did the barrel work and chambering of the picture 500VHE. Ryan apparently apprenticed under Gil Van Horn. The Ryan Breeding rifles show the Gil Van Horn influence.

Gil Van Horn said:
"This is my favorite wildcat big bore. It's a .505 Gibbs in a small, neat hand cannon."

That's the most speech I ever heard quoted from the reclusive Gil Van Horn who is still kicking out in a desert workshop somewhere, listening to classical music while he works 20 to 30 hour stretches building rifles. He has one plate, a bowl, a spoon, a knife and a fork, and a cup to drink from: that simplifies dishwashing time. Wink

Your 500AR:



And two 500AR dummies on the left and center, with a 500 Jeffery at the right:



Great cartridge you have there, better than the 500 Van Horn Express, your best yet, IMHO. thumb

The simultaneously conceived 500 Mbogo will be a little slower in getting a finished rifle, but I am committed to that one.

If I was not dedicated to the true Magnum actions (CZ, Dakota, Prechtl, Satterlee), I would want one of your 500AR's built on a Ruger Hawkeye or M77MkII, Winchester M70 Classic, or M98 standard Mauser ... your possibilities are vast, just about any standard length rifle action, and most of those come "less dear" than the true magnum length actions.

The 500AR ought to have legs. Hopefully it will find a place in every home someday, like a chicken in every pot. thumb
03 September 2007, 02:42
jwp475
quote:
Originally posted by RIP:
Ryan apparently apprenticed under Gil Van Horn. The Ryan Breeding rifles show the Gil Van Horn influence.

Gil Van Horn said:
"This is my favorite wildcat big bore. It's a .505 Gibbs in a small, neat hand cannon."

That's the most speech I ever heard quoted from the reclusive Gil Van Horn who is still kicking out in a desert workshop somewhere, listening to classical music while he works 20 to 30 hour stretches building rifles. He has one plate, a bowl, a spoon, a knife and a fork, and a cup to drink from: that simplifies dishwashing time. thumb


Sounds like you know GIL.....

Yes Ryan Breeding did in fact apprentince under Gil Van Horn..... Jack Huntington also learned much from Gil about building big bores and how to make them feed properly.....


_____________________________________________________


A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink

Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
- Winston Churchill
03 September 2007, 02:53
RIP
jwp475,
I talked to a close friend of Gil's once, by telephone, trying to learn a bit about him.
You probably know who.
Best wishes to Gil, may he Live Long and Prosper. salute
03 September 2007, 03:06
jwp475
He enjoyed the conversation.... thumb


_____________________________________________________


A 9mm may expand to a larger diameter, but a 45 ain't going to shrink

Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
- Winston Churchill
28 September 2007, 00:12
jeffeosso
<bump so i can print this at home>


opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club

Information on Ammoguide about
the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR
What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR.
476AR,
http://www.weaponsmith.com