i like to plan ahead and want some ideas to help me settle on a cartridge for one of the next big bore bolt actions i'll be getting built after my 600 OK. i want something very powerful of at least 500 caliber. i'm thinking of cartridges like the 500 A2, 550 Express or 550 magnum, 577 T-rex. what are other cartridges around this power level(7,000 .ft lbs plus) that i could consider for another very powerful big bore bolt rifle? what are important things to consider when looking at cartridges in this class? things i think of is the availability of ammo and reloading components. i'm trying to think of every aspect of this so i appreciate any and all info i can get.

The Ultimate Short Magnum
The 50 Fat Mac

Cheers, John

quote:

things i think of is the availability of ammo and reloading components.

Well, you will not find any of the above round at Wal-Mart, or any mom/pop gunshops.

Of those you listed the 500A2 would be the easiest to feed. Not to mention you have mil-surp BMG bullet, cheap/fun to plink with.

Keith

I think you should focus on the .600OK first.

If you survive, THEN look for the next big bore.'

George

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
I think you should focus on the .600OK first.

If you survive, THEN look for the next big bore.'

George

Once you have a 600ok bolt anything smaller kinda makes you yawn. I'd recomend spending some quality time reloading the 600 first. There is almost nothing you can't load for a 600, especially if you cast your own. 650gr up through 1200gr bullets, unlimited nose profiles, paper-patched, HP or solids, black powder or smokeless, it goes on & on.

But if that's an itch that needs scratching---I love my 600JDJ single shot #1 style. A 577 Nitro in a single shot is a hoot & easy to find stuff for & it's somewhat traditional.

Good luck

Pez:

You are going in the wrong direction. Think a .458 B&M or a .500 AR. Why do you want to lug around that 11 pound gun when you can get something short, light and handy. With todays bullets from CEB, Barnes, Woodleigh (Hydros), and North Fork, and modern powders, these lighter handier guns will do all you need with a big bore.

I am having a ten-bore double rifle built. You could always go that direction...

!2 Gauge from Hell in an action capable of delivering everything its got. Just how much punishment can you take? You can load it to the point where you'll need reconstructive surgery.
As George and others said, master the .600ok before moving up. Past the .600Ok the only other place to go is a 4 or 2 bore with smokeless loads. After that its Artillery. I like Artillery!!!-Rob

everyone thanks very much for the information and advice! it may indeed be early to try and figure out what i want in my next rifle before the first one is finished but i just enjoy the planning and thought that goes into this and want to learn as much as i can about all the other ultra powerful big bores out there so i'll have something to daydream and think about because i've pretty much got all the details settled on the 600 OK. i love thinking about big bores and also love the ones that maybe aren't the most powerful like the .458 Lott and plan on getting something in that caliber also.

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
!2 Gauge from Hell in an action capable of delivering everything its got. Just how much punishment can you take? You can load it to the point where you'll need reconstructive surgery.
As George and others said, master the .600ok before moving up. Past the .600Ok the only other place to go is a 4 or 2 bore with smokeless loads. After that its Artillery. I like Artillery!!!-Rob

will the 600 OK recoil be that bad if my rifle weighs around 14lbs with a muzzlebrake? i want to make my rifle as ''shootable'' as possible. btw i have a 4 bore cartridge right here on my desk and have wondered if i could find someone to build a single barrel 4 bore that i could afford.

+1 for the 20MM... Or, go the SafariKid path and have that 600OK made into a 5# "goat rifle"

quote:

Originally posted by Pez:

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
!2 Gauge from Hell in an action capable of delivering everything its got. Just how much punishment can you take? You can load it to the point where you'll need reconstructive surgery.
As George and others said, master the .600ok before moving up. Past the .600Ok the only other place to go is a 4 or 2 bore with smokeless loads. After that its Artillery. I like Artillery!!!-Rob

will the 600 OK recoil be that bad if my rifle weighs around 14lbs with a muzzlebrake? i want to make my rifle as ''shootable'' as possible. btw i have a 4 bore cartridge right here on my desk and have wondered if i could find someone to build a single barrel 4 bore that i could afford.

Not at all.

I shoot mine all the time without the muzzlebrake and it weighs just around 12 pounds. Add a pound for the brake and it is relatively tame - until you get 900 grains flying at over 2,400fps.

Pez, you should have just bought mine - all the bells and whistles and you could have it in your hands today.

...like Doc says---a 14 pdr will be a pussycat ---mine only weighs 11 lbs
http://youtu.be/OpMUQ5Bz3ag

Pez,
Why not have a 577 BME built... IMO this cartridge needs more attention, wish more were around.

quote:

Originally posted by smallfry:
Pez,
Why not have a 577 BME built... IMO this cartridge needs more attention, wish more were around.

The belted 505 Gibs case to 577 Aka BME started by me with the help of people here is cool but has minimal taper so I would not run it hot. The design was to duplicate the 577 nitro and will do so at near 577 pressures. I like the idea of the traditional performance at traditional pressures.

I find the 550 Magnum intriguing and it can be made simply from 460 Wby brass, or so I recall. I don't know how easy it is to get bullets for that one but it is an interesting cartridge and damn powerful.

Another is the 500 AHR. That's the one I would really like to have if only I had the frogskins.

Landrum

The 550 Express is the one that amazes me. Just incredible power in a standard length action.

You might even be able to get one down to 7 pounds. Ouch..that hurt just typing it.

Cheers, John

If you build a 14lb .600Ok with a brake it will be a pussycat. Personally, I like to hunt and carrying a 14lb gun for 10 miles flat wears me out. For a hunting gun I'd put that lady on a diet and get it down to 9.5lbs. I can take nearly any amount of recoil for two shots and thats all you get on game anyway. I'd rather deal with the recoil than tote a heavy gun for miles. The other option is pick a big strong Gun Bearer and give him a nice tip.-Rob

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
I am having a ten-bore double rifle built. You could always go that direction...

that sounds very interesting! after i get a few bolt actions built i probably would get a double rifle. bolt actions are by far my favorite rifles but i would like to have at least one double and who knows after i have one i may fall in love with it and want more of them. i'd also like to find someone who'd build me a single barrel 4 bore.

quote:

Originally posted by Pez:
bolt actions are by far my favorite rifles

That's because you don't own a double yet! Nothing more, nothing less!

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

quote:

Originally posted by Pez:
bolt actions are by far my favorite rifles

That's because you don't own a double yet! Nothing more, nothing less!

no doubt, that's true. like i said if i get one it could turn into to my favorite.

Look up the 700WTF on Youtube.
I'd love to shoot that puppy just once.

Cheers, John

of all the extremely powerful big bores i know of besides the 600 Overkill, the .550 Magnum, 550 Express and 500 A2 are the most interesting to me.

You might want to step up to one of these big boys & be done with it. I don't think a human can stand anything bigger shoulder fired.

20mm Mag fed Bolt gun