Just purchased a .510 barrel and am wondering what to do? Barrel is 27.5" long, 1:14" twist in a heavy sporter contour.
Here's the problem, I am not really familiar with .510 calibers and did a search and came up with some interesting info.
Caliber will more than likely be the 510 Wells which I think is essentially a 510/460 Weatherby.
Any other suggestions?
The 500 Jeffery is appealling but I read about the rebated rim, seems like a lot of extra work in order to make it feed.Brass is also more costly.
Again,any suggestions?
460 Weatherby brass is readily available in Canada and reasonably priced. Haven't researched prices on dies but assume will be in the $2-300 US mark, I believe bullets to be readily available, how are some of the bigger shops like Huntington's for stocking said bullets?

The donor rifle is a ZKK602 in 375.
I want this rifle to look like a classic big bore rifle ( Rigby, H&H), express sights, barrel band swivel, gorgeous wood tipped with an ebony forend.
I know this will be a costly project and gun will be assembled as funds permit.
Does anyone know of a Gunsmith in Canada who specializes in this type of work? Can't imagine a lot of .510 reamers in Canada.
I need to know what needs to be done to the action in order for it to function, ie, open up the bolt face, second recoil lug installed?
Have been reading a lot of posts regarding big bores but have absolutely no experience in the gunsmithing industry.
The 1:14: twist has me baffled, is there a certain bullet weight this barrel will NOT stabilize?

In light of all the "Axel" posts I realize this post might not be taken serious but I can assure you that I am!!

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for responding.

The 500 A-Square is a bit better design than the 510 wells, and it is standardized too. All you will need are some dies from CH4D and some 460 wby brass.

Then pick up a cz550 action set up for 416 rigby. Very little will be needed to make it feed.

Finally, a 2nd lug on the barrel and a good quality stock, steel bedded.

The other option is a 500 jeffery, but due to the potential for feeding problems with the rebated rim, I would choose the 500 A2.

Yukon,
If nostalgia isn't your goal, then the 500 a2 is just about perfect. Like 500gr said... get a 416 rigby, and just keep going, as the feeding will be easy. BUT, if you have the 375, .... I would suggest trading/selling it, and get a 470 capstick made up. This is the biggest a 375HH case can go, and would present the least feeding troubles
I have learned, from my WHOPPING one rifle build of a 500 jeffe, that there's lots more to the beast than I had planned. the level of recoil makes my 416's feel like 22s... well, 338s, but you get the point.
Further, looking back at this, I would have been pretty close to the same deal if I had built a 500a2 off a 416 rigby cz, and called it a slow-switch-barrel.

jeffe brass is ~3 bucks a case, and weatherby is about 1/2 that. Same projectiles, same powder cost, etc etc etc, and other than the belt, the Webby makes easier feedings

cheers
jeffe

There is not a whole lot of choices for the 510 caliber in a 550 or 602. The 500 Jeffery is problematic (brass, rebated design, feeding, etc.) while the 510 Gibbs is a little too big so the only choice left would be either the 510 Wells or 500 A-Square. I would opt for the 510 Wells just to be different but I am also creating my own version of this 510/460 variation. Good luck.

Yukon257,
The practical way to go is the 500 A-Square. The properly headstamped brass is more readily available, or you can make your own out of 460 Wby brass (as good as it gets by Norma) for $1.50 to $2.00 a pop.

I did what you are proposing with a BRNO(CZ)ZKK 602. It will require a PME 3-position safety to replace the bassackwards 602 safety, then you are in high cotton.

The twist I chose was 1 in 10" to handle the 700 to 750 grain milsurp and Target bullets at 2150 to 2250fps. Your 14" twist will be more than enough for the premium 570 to 600 grain hunting bullets at velocities around 2400 to 2500 fps.

I like wood, but fine wood is never going to be as rugged and weather resistant as a McMillan. So what do you want beauty or funtion?

IMNSHO, the ultimate expression of the .510 hunting rifle is shown in my 510 JAB (.510/460 Weatherby Improved Jenkins And Berry):


Kevin Jenkins was the gunsmith. Opening up the boltface and the rail and ramp work is simple for the 510/460 Wby, or just start with a CZ 550 set up for 416 Rigby. It will work great as is, as said above. And yes indeed, do get a secondary barrel recoil lug in that Walnut stock or a laminate (properly reinforced throughout) or a McMillan.

God bless you guys! I shoot a .470 Capstick, but I feel that is my upper limit.

How much more recoil does a .500/.510 generate?

George

George,
For comparison of two rifles weighing 10.75 lbs, with top loads:

470 Capstick, 500 grain bullet at 2400 fps
Recoil energy = 72 foot-pounds
Recoil velocity = 20 feet per second

510/460 Wby, 600 grain bullet at 2400 fps
109 ft-lbs
25 fps

My shoulder agrees with the above numbers, and that the 510/460 Wby is all I want to handle. That is why I don't go any bigger, because any rifle any heavier or with a muzzle brake is verboten for hunting.

Now, how about them 600 OverKill boys?

Hi Yukon257,
The CZ550 is the way to go. The 500 A-Square would be the choice that I would go for just because of the brass situation. Keep your rifle in the 10.5 to 10.75 lb range with a straight stock and a good recoil pad (Pachmayer triple Mag) if you want to shoot it and not just have it in the closet to show people. If you decide to go with the CZ550 action I'm looking for a 602 to go with a stock that I have. Actually the barreled action in 375 would work out well also. If you want to sell it send me an e-mail.

470 Mbogo

Is it right you could get an honest 2500 +fps with 570 gr. and 600's, depending upon the bullet, in .500 A-square( 27,5 " long),,anyone ?!