Hi my CZ Safari Classic is at Ed Plummer's (AHR) shop, so now decision time. If I have Ed rebarrel it to 500 Jeffery should I go with a larger contour? Otherwise it's going to be lighter than my 375 H&H (which was on the heavy side). I was thinking of a 24" barrel is that too long? Any help appreciated.

Chuck

Chuck,
Most of what you are asking are personal likes and depending on the primary use of this rifle.
I would go with the larger contour 24" barrel. I would add a recoil reduced in the butt to help the balance and help with the recoil. I would hope it heavier than your 375 H&H “(which was on the heavy side).†The recoil on the 500 Jeffery is a defiant step up from .375 H&H.
Bill

Chuck:

I will have a Heym Express in 500 Jeff in a few weeks. Weight is anticipated to be around 11.5#. I would go with the heavier contour....the first time you touch one off you'll truely be glad you did. The 500 Jeff is at least 2 or 3 notches in recoil above the 375....more like the 500 NE double actually. Weight will be your friend....trust me. That is, of course, unless you like to get beat around .

Good luck.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

Thanks all, I will definitely go with a heavier contour. My rifle already has a mercury recoil reducer in the butt (I was planning on going up in caliber), and has room for one more.

Regards,
Chuck

Chuck:

I have a CZ in .500 Jeffery. The 25 inch barrel mics right around .823 at the muzzle right in front of the front sight, .825 right behind the front sight. I am guessing here because I have never weighed mine but I think that with a set of Talley QD rings and a Leupold ultra light 2.5 power scope it weighs in at about 11 pounds. It's a handful from the bench but it is not bad to shoot from sticks or a standing position with 535 grain bullets Your not going to have any trouble as long as you keep your handloads sane. As with the .505 Gibbs, .500 A2, etc., if you start shooting 570 grain and 600 grain bullets, you will notice a marked increase in recoil. You are going to love this cartridge.

Dave

Make it as light as reasonable. 10# is the prefect weight for a LOADED 500 jeffe. the recoil is some more than a 458 lott, at classic loads, and the LOP should be at least 1/4" longer than "you measure"...

In fact, length is more important, to a point and reasonableness, than weight.. an 8.5# jeffe that fits is going to feel ALOT better than a 9.5 that is too short.

jeffe

Thanks Jeffe, my CZ weighs in at 10.25 lbs right now naked (iron sights only), being a wuss I was going to go heavier. I'd like to extend LOP another inch, not sure how to do that, it already has a Pachmayer declerator pad on it (spacer?)...

Chuck

Dave, Krieger barrels specifies a heavy sporter contour #6 for the 500 Jeffery 500 NE. Here's a link ...

http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/Contours-c1246-wp3382.htm

How much heavier do you think that will be than my current 375 barrel?

Chuck

Chuck:

I agree with Jeff about the weight. I think the loaded gun, without scope and rings should weigh in at around ten pounds. Your selection of 10.25 pounds is right in the ballpark. I would recommend the Leupold Ultra Light scope if you decide to scope it. That will keep your weight right near eleven pounds. That's plenty heavy.

Dave

Thanks Dave, I can always use a lead sled from the bench with a minimum (10 lbs?) of lead on it. I'm not sure if I'm going to scope it or go with some type of red dot sight. If I don't scope it I'll have a nice Leupold 1.5 -5x with Talley QD rings for sale ...

Chuck