Since I own one, the only thing wrong is it uses Bertram brass. It is a better cartridge IMHO than the original 500 Jeff for the reason stated above.,.-Rob
Posts: 6314 | Location: Las Vegas,NV | Registered: 10 January 2001
I'm surprised no one has comissioned MAST to make a run of the stuff. If you could find 6 people to go in for 50 pcs ea, not that much money for better brass. After all, what does Bertram cost by the time it makes it over here?
Posts: 2000 | Location: Beaverton OR | Registered: 19 December 2002
I have some Bertram 416 Rigby brass. I must disagree with PC; however . About 20% of my Bertram brass is as good as my Norma, 40% is soft and sticky with 'normal' Rigby loads, and 40% is soft as 'dog turds' <meaning you practically have to beat the bolt open with 'normal' loads>.
The biggest problem I had with my Bertram brass, at least to me it was the scariest problem, was the extractor groove was sssssoooooo out of spec that the cases would not fit down flat on my shell holder and I was setting shoulders back .02" - .04". I only did this a few times before I figured out the problem! Do you know how hard it is to set a Rigby shoulder back!!!!!
[ 11-02-2003, 17:09: Message edited by: Judy ]
Posts: 2404 | Location: A Blue State | Registered: 28 September 2002
quote:Originally posted by Judy: I have some Bertram 416 Rigby brass. I must disagree with PC; however . About 20% of my Bertram brass is as good as my Norma, 40% is soft and sticky with 'normal' Rigby loads, and 40% is soft as 'dog turds' <meaning you practically have to beat the bolt open with 'normal' loads>.
The biggest problem I had with my Bertram brass, at least to me it was the scariest problem, was the extractor groove was sssssoooooo out of spec that the cases would not fit down flat on my shell holder and I was setting shoulders back .02" - .04". I only did this a few times before I figured out the problem! Do you know how hard it is to set a Rigby shoulder back!!!!!
Hey, 'soft as a dog turd' is phraseology that I originated on this site, and I expect it to be used correctly.
Posts: 18352 | Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA | Registered: 20 April 2002
Sorry 500 I must get copyright off you before I go slinging off like that
Well now I know why all my .416 Bertram Rigby loads had there shoulders set back. My handloading experience is not that great to have even picked that up. I handload because it allows me to shoot bloody big guns at a reasonable price
If I could but .416's or .585's at the same price as a Brick of .22 lr thats what I'd do
Posts: 7505 | Location: Australia | Registered: 22 May 2002
More than half my 505Gibbs cases were loose in the shell holder, had to get my smith to find another that fitted and then the smith had to turn 40 odd cases for rim thickness and groove depth. One case had no flash hole, about 30 weighed 50 grns more than the rest. More than half the primer pocket was not deep enough and some not wide enough had to by one tool to do depth and another for width as I had found the depth problem first and the cutter jamed in some cases so had to get another cutter for width
Posts: 787 | Location: Melbourne, Australia | Registered: 15 January 2002
500grains - please accept my sincerest apology for 'copyright' infringement. It was done out of honest ignorance of your 'copyright' and won't happen again without your prior written permission.
I would like to say; however, with patience and money one can get the Bertram brass work hardened <through repeated firings and resizings> and it works well. Some remachining is also required if one wishes to utilize the cases with out of spec extractor grooves, primer pockets, etc.
I consider Bertram brass the brass of choice for the 'Advanced Big Bore Reloading Enthusiast'.
[ 11-05-2003, 18:38: Message edited by: Judy ]
Posts: 2404 | Location: A Blue State | Registered: 28 September 2002
My 500 NE cases made by Bertram need only some patience and a file to fit into the gun.
My 585 bertram brass is soft, but the cases have only stuck a couple of times. It's possible to test fire all the cases with moderate loads to figure out which ones are soft, then set them aside and use the rest. But when we are paying US$4.25 per case, it hurts to toss cases away.
I just got 50 new cases and a crimp die from Ed for my 500AHR and plenty happy with them. No prblems with sticking on the first 20 that I ran thru the gun. I just went and weighed 10 of them and they are all with in 5gr of each other, and the O.A.L. is with in .003of each other for these 10 cases.
Posts: 711 | Location: Michigan , USA | Registered: 03 June 2000
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. About 20% of my Bertram brass is as good as my Norma, 40% is soft and sticky with 'normal' Rigby loads, and 40% is soft as 'dog turds' <meaning you practically have to beat the bolt open with 'normal' loads>. 
