The Accurate Reloading Forums
Can you build a .500 caliber model 70?
07 November 2009, 22:19
FAST996Can you build a .500 caliber model 70?
I have a small battery of mdl 70's,375HH,404J,and a 458WM. But I'm itching to build a 500 caliber. I have looked at the 470 capstick which I like. I don't want a 458 lott and I would rather not reload. Is there a 500 option available that I can buy factory ammo?
"A long life, and the good sense to live it." ...Quintis Arrius
375H&H,404J,416DAK,458AFR,416RIG,450RIG,505GIB
Avatar: Gregory Peck & Susan Hayward in Africa
NRA member
07 November 2009, 22:31
dirklawyer500 Jeffery would be a good choice and can be done on a Win M70 mag length action. Factory ammo supplied by Norma.
"An individual with experience is never at the mercies of an individual with an argument"
07 November 2009, 22:59
FAST996quote:
Originally posted by dirklawyer:
500 Jeffery would be a good choice and can be done on a Win M70 mag length action. Factory ammo supplied by Norma.
I was looking at that. The rim size on the Jeffery is .575 I think and the 70 mag bolt in a 300 rum is .534. Opening the bolt to accommodate the Jeffery case,is that a issue?
"A long life, and the good sense to live it." ...Quintis Arrius
375H&H,404J,416DAK,458AFR,416RIG,450RIG,505GIB
Avatar: Gregory Peck & Susan Hayward in Africa
NRA member
07 November 2009, 23:20
fourboreWould one of the A square 50's fit. Like the 495?
If unwilling to reload, then maybe only one choice unless you include some of the smaller outfits like superior. Those little guys still be way-way-way cheeper than Norma. Norma is OVER $200 per box of 10. Nearly $25 per shot. And those are not even silver bullets or gold plated cases. So; then if you do go to one of these small ammo houses, a 50 based on Weathery basic brass, going to cut your ammo cost by another 1/2, more or less, just a WAG.
No feeding hassles or rebated rim, if that matters to you.
BTW; I have some Norma 505 and it is real nice stuff. Nickel plated, yet just too darn expensive for any type of practice shooting.
Edit: Another nice thing about Superior and others, is they will load to your specification. More or less power, or cast bullets, what ever you desire. This is what I have heard about on the AR, no personal experience with these guys. Just the name is easy to remember, there are others.
08 November 2009, 00:58
capowardFast,
I’m a M98 Mauser wingnut so I fully understand that changing the rifle chambering to something other than a cartridge case closely related to the original factory cartridge will require gunsmithing work, perhaps major gunsmithing work inclusive of even a new one piece magazine floorplate assembly, to accommodate by desired chambering. The four things that drive whether it can be accomplished is: 1) rim diameter, 2) case base diameter, 3) and overall cartridge length of my desired chambering, and 4) whether I’m willing to spend the $$($$$) necessary to accommodate my desired cartridge in a standard length M98 Mauser action.
So understanding that I’m not a M70 wingnut, I see no reason why a post-64 CRF M70 could not be modified by a top level gunsmith/gun manufacturer – preferably a Win M70 specialist –into a safe properly functioning 50 caliber rifle. It’ll definitely not be just a simple re-barrel job…and only you and your pocketbook can determine whether you’ll embark upon the journey.
Jim
"Life's hard; it's harder if you're stupid"
John Wayne 08 November 2009, 01:24
jeffeosso500 AR - works fine
495 a2 (and ALL weatherby 460 brass) is rebated and belted .. no, REALLY, get your calipers out.
MM's 500 would work, for .500
08 November 2009, 01:40
FAST996quote:
Originally posted by jeffeosso:
500 AR - works fine
495 a2 (and ALL weatherby 460 brass) is rebated and belted .. no, REALLY, get your calipers out.
MM's 500 would work, for .500
Hi Jeffe,
What do you think of a 500 Jeff in the model 70?
Btw it would be the classic action.
I have a gunsmith that has done this conversion. I would like to have Sterling Davenport do it but I don't know if he's still working.
If it's not doable, I'll probably do the capstick. Thanks
"A long life, and the good sense to live it." ...Quintis Arrius
375H&H,404J,416DAK,458AFR,416RIG,450RIG,505GIB
Avatar: Gregory Peck & Susan Hayward in Africa
NRA member
08 November 2009, 03:05
jeffeosso500 jeffe in a m70? single stack it, and have NO problems .. try to stagger feed it, you best call duane and get bottom metal.
would work great, if it feeds
08 November 2009, 03:13
FAST996quote:
Originally posted by jeffeosso:
500 jeffe in a m70? single stack it, and have NO problems .. try to stagger feed it, you best call duane and get bottom metal.
would work great, if it feeds
Single stack is fine. Ok, I've got my next project.
"A long life, and the good sense to live it." ...Quintis Arrius
375H&H,404J,416DAK,458AFR,416RIG,450RIG,505GIB
Avatar: Gregory Peck & Susan Hayward in Africa
NRA member
08 November 2009, 03:42
tankhunterTheir was one built here in Australia about 20 plus years ago, pre 64 model 70 30-06 to a 500 jeffery ,with a single stack with clips, by Gunsmith Ron Webb worked well and took several elephant and a rhino from memory
08 November 2009, 03:59
fourborejeff,
Ha! the weatherby 460 "IS" rebated. I looked it up: 0.579 head, 0.603 belt, 0.582 forward of the belt. As you say, calipers required. Learned some gun trivia today.
The 500 Jeff is big time rebated. But if you really want to talk rebate, some yahoo invented a 50 caliber ctg with the head dia of the 223 !! For use in some black gun AR.
We need a scale of rebatedness, 1-10.
I have one of Ed, 585 rounds here. It is rebated in a similar manner as Weathery. Calipers needed. The same head as the 505 gibbs. Also, same as the 600 ok, but on the OK, I can see it easily.
If it is that slight as Wby, does it still pose a problem for those who build the guns with staggered magazine feed?
08 November 2009, 20:47
ScottSFourbore,
What cartridge is that! The Beowulf uses the 7.62X39 case head on a 0.500" bullet and the 499L-W uses the .308, I thought those two were the smallest. For the record, have never had any feeding issues with the Weatherby's rebated rim or belts.
Is using the 500 Jeffery on a M70 I would have the smith open up the receiver threads to increase the meat on the barrel tenon. A custom mag box and bottom metal would allow either single stack (very deep drop box to hold three down) or staggered. You will need to contract this job to an expert smith, IMHO.
08 November 2009, 21:10
chuck375Seems like Norma 500 Jeffrey Ammo is only running around $21 a cartridge. If you can afford that, please send your once fired cases to me!

Chuck
Regards,
Chuck
"There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit"
Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness"
09 November 2009, 03:07
fourboreScott,
I think I saw a picture of the Beowulf!
Chuck,
I checked Superior Ammo. The 500J lists at $18 each. The 505Gibbs $16. The 495A2 is under $10. all with the same Barnes solid. One more data point.
The value of the dollar is dropping and copper rising on a daily basis, so I would not be surprised to see the cost go way up for loaded ammo or components.
09 November 2009, 04:45
SAFARIKIDTo Answer the Question...YES! I had 2 built on Win 70 Actions and took Cape Buff and a Brownie with one of them!

Function and Feed is perfect,just needs to be done right at the start.

Top is a .600 Overkill CZ and the bottom one is a matching .500 Jeffery Win 70
This is the Killin Version(6.5pds w/16" barrel!)

And the almost 9ft Blonde/Brownie

"That's not a knife..THIS is a KNIFE" !
09 November 2009, 04:52
BitterrootI'm building a 500 Jefferey on a left-hand MRC 99 action. Basically the same as the Mod. 70.
I'm using the single stack mag box that we use on our 600 OK in the CZ with minor modifications and also using a different bottom metal. It started as a pipe dream, as I had this LH action lying around and I was wondering what to do with it. The whole thing is turning out to be easier than I thought it would be.
09 November 2009, 06:22
ScottSBitterroot,
Are you remachining the M70 for a larger barrel thread or using the stock 1" 16TPI?
09 November 2009, 09:15
dellorosafarikid, those are beautiful. pure functional beauty.