Bitteroot, Any word on my 2400 ft/sec 900 grain solids yet? timeframe? thanks

bigdoggy, PM sent.

My CZ 550 has been fired now about 400 rounds with the .600OK at 2250fps( 900 gr bullet). There is no doubt the action can hold up to it. I still have my issues with the GMA ACTION. STILL NOT SURE ITS WORTH THE FREIGHT.-ROB

Rob, most people think the GMA action is well worth the extra money. Obviously you are not one of them. Why?? Not argueing, just asking. thanks

Bigdoggy 700- I have a .600OK on both a CZ and a GMA action. When I bought the GMA I learned that I had to do one heck of alot of machine work on it to get it to feed and eject. The advantage is it held 3 rounds down vs 2 in the CZ. Then Ed came up with the single stack maqg and solved the CZ problem. The GMA action required way more tricky machine work than I expected and was a bit intimidating hogging lotsa metal out of a 3K action. I did all the machine work on both my guns and then had AHR stock them for me. They did a great job! Since I own the reamers and am very particular about machine work I chose to go that route. remember when my first gun was built we were using turned brass cases not the great HORNEBER stuff we now take for granted.
It's interesting that I invented the .600Ok in response to all the issues I had with the .585 NYATI. I liked the straight wall and .620 bullets at 900 grs readily available and the case life has been excellent. I did neck the .600OK case down to .585, .500.416 and .375 as did fritz 454. It works just fine, but still ironic to come full circle. I hope AHR sells a million of them but the .600Ok is still the king in my book. I hope the .700 is better though!-Rob

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
turned brass cases not the great HORNEBER stuff we now take for granted.

RGB & Bitterroot, are all of AHR's brass made by Horneber?

Thanks Rob for the feed back. I have a 700 AHR ordered, but the 600 OK will still be on top as for as ft.lbs go. 900 grain bullets at 2400 ft/sec is an awsome power load. Going to be hard to beat any time soon.

quote:

Originally posted by Bitterroot:
SAFARIKID, if I had to choose between the 585 and the 600, I'd go for the 585. I've got to work out some loads, but it ought to shoot pretty flat. That x bullet wil be devastating. The ones I made for the 600 really blew things up also. It just looks cool too. I'm building one now on a GMA that will look just like the one in the picture. Can't wait to break it in.

Bitterroot:

I came across this old thread on the .585. Safarikid notwithstanding, what is the conventional wisdom about what a .585 or .600 should weigh and do you have load data that would allow a guy to load them a little slower, say 2150 fps?

Dave

Dave, the weight of the rifle depends on a few things.
1.What is going to be the primary use of the rifle?
If you plan on hunting with it a lot and your hunts will require a lot of walking then you will want to keep the weight down to 11 to 12 lbs.
If you will use it primarily at the range or busting water jugs with a little bit of hunting thrown in then up the weight to 14 to 15 lbs.
2.What is your physical stature? Generally if you are a big strapping guy then you can handle some more recoil than someone smaller and can go lighter on the rifle.
3. What is your recoil tolerance? More weight, less perceived recoil.

The lightest 600 that I've built is 9-1/2 lbs. ( guess who? ) and the heaviest is 15 lbs.You can't really get heavier than 15 and still have the rifle balance properly. My personal 600 OK weighs 12lbs. with a 21" barrel and is a joy to shoot. When the rifle is balanced correctly you don't notice the extra weight when shooting, but you do when packing it up the mountain.

2,150 fps is right in the middle of the 600's working range of velocities and in fact is ideal for hunting. I use loads down to 1,750 fps when I plan on shooting 30 or so rounds at a Big Bore match or just plinking. All of the above is pretty much the same for the .585.

Thanks guy!

I will call you towards the end of this month and we can get started on my .450 Dakota. Once I get that built, I am going to have to take a hard look at one of these ultra large bores. It will probably never see anything more dangerous than a bison but I think I would really like to have one.

Dave

My 2 cents....."Go For IT"!

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Thanks guy!

I will call you towards the end of this month and we can get started on my .450 Dakota. Once I get that built, I am going to have to take a hard look at one of these ultra large bores. It will probably never see anything more dangerous than a bison but I think I would really like to have one.

Dave

Dave,
I think Bitterroot's advice is right on target. Frankly, if I had to do it again for myself, I'd have mine made 12 pounds even. I am wondering it I can get mine lightened up to that at some point.

Doc, I was thinking a .585 at 11 pounds. Rings and a 2.5 Leupold would add close to another pound. Then, put a brake on it and load it to around 2100 fps just like the DB .577 NE. There have been reports of the .577 750 grain at 2050 fps shooting length wise through and elephant. What do you think?

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Doc, I was thinking a .585 at 11 pounds. Rings and a 2.5 Leupold would add close to another pound. Then, put a brake on it and load it to around 2100 fps just like the DB .577 NE. There have been reports of the .577 750 grain at 2050 fps shooting length wise through and elephant. What do you think?

Dave

Bitterroot and Ed are building me a 585AHR as I type this - should have it in a few weeks. It will be a bit heavier than that, but I will let you know once it is in my hands.

Doc, what weight are shooting for without a scope with your 585.... twelve pounds?

Dave

Another question for 550 Mag/585AHR/600AHR/OK owners...

Are all you using a brake on them?
How heavy would they have to be shootable WITHOUT a brake? (don't want any such thing on a hunting rifle unless it was a specialized long-range gun)

I use a Muzzel break on everything period. A well designed muzzel breal can reduce recoil by nearly 50% and I never bought into the increased noise objections.These guns were specifically designed for use with muzzel breaks to make the recoil livable. Without one you have the choice of rediculous weight probably 18lbs or more or reduced loads. In a 12lb gun without the break even the std load 900gr bullet at 2150fps is a painfull handfull. Do the math you'll see why.
The 730 gr bullets can really reduce the recoil and if you deceided to fire just those routinely you'd probably be OK without a break. In the field with a 12-14lb gun without a break you could probably get off one or two 900gr bullets before your retina separated or color bone broke or the rifle went into low earth orbit.-Rob

Thx, Rob.

I guess that will mean I won't have to worry about finding a reason for getting one in order to satisfy the police for being allowed to buy one.
I have used an owned guns with brakes and in my opinion while they make the gun recoil much less, the noise and blast is much worse. Shooting any shots without muffs would be unthinkable...

The only "muzzle brake" I would consider, are a sound suppressor. The problem is of course finding a suitable one for such large calibers. Above 458 they tend to be too big and heavy.

I never used muffs in the field and I could never hear any difference between a braked or unbraked gun( anthing above a .22Lr) while shooting at game. Only place it seems to matter is at the range. Didnt mean to turn you off. The 730gr bullets really tame the recoil and essentially turn the .600OK into a hotroded 585 Nyati. Add a threded on brake and take it off if you want to. To each his own. Same issue with all these guns. Make-em light so you can carry them along way and just learn to deal with the recoil. Thats my advice. If its a range queen, then make it heavy as hell.-Rob

Still one of my favorites.



Will load up a bushel with some TrailBoss for some plinking fun for dad, my daughter and me.

Too cool!!! I wish I still had some of that brass.

How is Pops?

He's doing great Wayne, thanks for asking.

I was hoping to take him back to Africa one more time so he could give that another workout. You might remember the 585AHR you built was my present to him for his 70th birthday. Used it on his first Cape buffalo in 2009.

Thanks Wayne for great rifles and this excellent round.

Stay well,
Paul

Sounds like a hoot with trail boss! What kind of velocities are you getting, Doc? Projectile?

Haven't yet shot it with TrailBoss but I'll let you know when we do.

I've used it in my 600NE and though I don't remember velocities, I laughed my butt off after the first round since recoil was ridiculously slight.

I'll load the 585AHR up with some Woodleighs, CEB and GSC bullets and turn dad and daughter lose on oranges, watermelons and Tannerite targets.

Some fun loads for the kids and pop.





I'll also load a handful of rounds with some 4350 to get maximum velocity just for effect

Looks like a line up for a fun day blasting. Any pics of the rifle, Doc?

quote:

Originally posted by FFemtRN5287:
Looks like a line up for a fun day blasting. Any pics of the rifle, Doc?

Bottom rifle in this one:


In Zimbabwe, 2009

One thing bad about reviving old posts is that it reminds us of friends/members who are no longer with us. Both Dave Bush and Ken Greenlee responded to this thread, and now both are in a better place. Life is not a given :-(

Great looking rifle, Doc.

Yes, gorgeous. But that whole thing about it being a push rather than a sharp recoil is like "the check's in the mail", "I'll call you in the morning" etc ...