Yes, I'm going to have to have one of these.
I have no idea "why" I've got to have one, so no need in asking. I've got DG rifles now, that will handle anything that breaths. I suppose it's simply because of how most fellow members on this site, including myself, have a certain gift, in that we can fully appreciate and hold the craft of the Dangerous Game Rifle dear to us, and can take joy in them, no matter if we actually "need" only one or not. If it were not for this, things could become rather boring.

So, I will be inquiring about them, and will be purchasing one, if I do "not" settle on a .600-OK from AHR first, as I have fallen in love with the one on their webpage picturing the buff with it. But, for the purpose of getting the ball rolling on the subject of the .700 AHR, I invite all here to share opinions, and information gained.
Everything is welcome in this thread, as long as it pertains to the .700-AHR.
So, let's get the 1000grn. bullets flying, with some discussion on this monster killer.

want to shoot a 550 express before you jump in that far?

jeffe

Can the 700 AHR be built on the MRC PH or is it a GMA proposition only?

GMA only.

what are the dimensions of the 700 AHR? I'm assuming the CZ 550 action will accomadate it if it has a rebated rim. Will this be close to 700 Nitro loadings and pressures, if not what are maximum chamber pressures for the 700 AHR. R.

If you're not too far from Jeffe, I'd take him up on his offer.

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
want to shoot a 550 express before you jump in that far?

jeffe

The most recoil that I'm used to, is the .577 N.E., so thats roughly .550 Express recoil, I guess, although I've never fired a .550, but am assuming.
I'm afraid the .700 would not actually be fired that much by me on a regular basis, as you can imagine. I'm not sure if I can handle it regularly, and that goes for the .600 OK also, if I opt for that route, which is becoming more and more a possibility, as I'm really in love with the one pictured with the buff on the website, and have inquired about a duplicate being made.
The .600 I can surely handle on a regular basis, "if" loaded to .600N.E. levels for the most part, "not" at full power, and I do my part and hold right every time, but I'll be honest and state that the .700 would be more of a unique "item" for me, of which there would be little use I think, which is why, after much thought I'm leaning toward the .600.
Anything above .510, and I think I am going to have the habit of loading to N.E. levels and leaving them at that, so as to keep the spinal-disks in my neck from un-lodging, of which I have to be careful, as I have a bad one.
So, to answer, I must definately say, that
it would simply be more of a "collectors" item for me, and definately would not see the use that my .458Lott "work" gun is put to on a weekly basis for hogs.lol
Now, with all of the recoil reducers and brakes "both of which I flat-out detest", they may not be as bad as I would first imagine.
Put simply: I just don't know if I "can" handle it on a regular basis, but what I do know, is that it would be fun to "have" anyway.
Strangely enough, personally, I'm more into studying and owning the meriad of different cartridges and rifles as "interesting items", and not into shooting them regularly. For all of the actual work, I use a Lott, because its the most, and all anyone needs, for anything...ever. I'll give all of this more thought. Right now, though, I've got to go install a new Silver's pad on an "about to be .500N.E."--hehe--crazy life I have here.
We should start a "Big-Bores Anonymous".

quote:

Originally posted by 475Guy:
If you're not too far from Jeffe, I'd take him up on his offer.

Not sure of actual distance. I'd love to shoot the .550.
I had in mind to make one on a mauser I had here, but I opted for the .495 A-2. It's still in the beginning stages, so I guess I could still do either one.

I am just north of houston, and going to sherve port in late july.

the 577 ne, in a double, kicks the snot out of me... the 550 express is managable, and TWO POUNDS lighter than a 577 should be, neither braked, neither with recoil tube.

I'll be completing a 500 AR, as well, probably this summer.

jeffe

Bitteroot-What is the barrel thread on
the big GMA Action.? Ed

Rodney H.,
700 AHR won't fit in a CZ. CZ bolt is .700 diameter. Pressures will be kept 40-45K.

Ed,
I don't have a GMA in the shop right now and I can't remember the TPI. I suffer from CRS.

I found it on their site later. It's
1.141", and the bolt listed as .750".
I thought bolt was bigger like PH.
Be kinda tight fit for .700 case.
A .700 bullet plus about 14 thousands
brass thickness at the mouth gives
.728" mouth(if brass at mouth
was .017-.018 better longevity).
Add belt of .016" gives .744" total
assuming no taper.........Ed

Re the 700 AHR:
Rebated rim?
Vertical stack magazine?

Rim is no problem, can be .060 - .080"
smaller, but need enough diameter
for belt or shoulder and some amount
of taper for DG cartridge and still have
clearance to get though the action..Ed

Ed, bullet dia. is .685. Single stack mag.

Bitterroot- That computes better. It will
work with a .750 bolt. A .685 AHR
in reality, a tenth of an inch more
than your 585. Neat idea, even
better than 600 SSK.Ed

WALKSFAR..I Have the first one coming.I told Ed at AHR build me a 700 and I will buy it,a year later,we are getting close!I need it for Sept as I will be taking it to Tanzania for testing on 4 Cape Buffs.I am having it built light(I carry more than I shoot),it should come in at 10 1/2 pds the way we figured,loaded with a Killer English Blank Ed got me,qrt rib,etc,etc on a 20" SS Barrel,NO Brake...That all being said,you mention Recoil..These bolt guns Kick much less than my Big Doubles that weigh 3 or more pounds heavier?!Guess its stock design or something?....The 600OK on the AHR site is mine as is the dead buff next to it(Tanz last Oct,1 of 3 taken)....I have that gun loaded with options and features and I think I am going to sell it this summer as I wont be taking it with the 700 coming.I also just had a new glass stock(Black) made for it if one wants to protect the Gorgeous Wood one.I have the gun,both stocks,scope,mnts,ammo and case.It does have the Very Effective removable "Howitzer"Brake too!It Works!Email me if you want more details...DAQRIDUDE@AOL.com

quote:

Originally posted by walksfar:
Yes, I'm going to have to have one of these.
I have no idea "why" I've got to have one, so no need in asking. I've got DG rifles now, that will handle anything that breaths. I suppose it's simply because of how most fellow members on this site, including myself, have a certain gift, in that we can fully appreciate and hold the craft of the Dangerous Game Rifle dear to us, and can take joy in them, no matter if we actually "need" only one or not. If it were not for this, things could become rather boring.

So, I will be inquiring about them, and will be purchasing one, if I do "not" settle on a .600-OK from AHR first, as I have fallen in love with the one on their webpage picturing the buff with it. But, for the purpose of getting the ball rolling on the subject of the .700 AHR, I invite all here to share opinions, and information gained.
Everything is welcome in this thread, as long as it pertains to the .700-AHR.
So, let's get the 1000grn. bullets flying, with some discussion on this monster killer.

quote:

Originally posted by SAFARIKID:
...That all being said,you mention Recoil..These bolt guns Kick much less than my Big Doubles that weigh 3 or more pounds heavier?!Guess its stock design or something?....

I entirely agree.. Rob's 585 nyati at 10.5 and 2300fps kicks VERY much less than a 577 at 14#.. okay, that's not fair, it's got a break... Neal's 550 magnum at 12# with 700gr at 2350, no break, is rather less than a 577 NE at 2050.. (searcy's new load data for bertram brass DOES make book, finally.. chrono your loads)..

my 550 express, at 10.5, feels FAR less recoil than the 577 at 14...

and my 500 jeffe is just pleasant compared to a merkel in 500 NE

jeffe

At .685" it is a nominal .700 then, this will preclude use of Woodleigh bullets for the .700 N.E. Who is to make the bullets and what will the anticipated bullet weight be, possibly 1200 grains?

Jonathan,

We will have the bullets made. Weight is to be 1,000 grains to start.

I think my 700 AHR is second, right behind Toms. Mine will have a left handed GMA action,lite grey gunkote finish,a semi forward mounted silver scope on it, and a light grey fiberglass stock.I am glad to hear that everything is on schedule. Bitterroot, where are the barrels coming from? and are they going to be a nine groove barrel like the 600 O.K.?

SAFARIKID,
I asked Ed, to make an exact duplicate of yours then.lol
He quoted me a price of a little more than 8k.
If you are selling yours this summer,,,well, I'd love to have it.
Then again, I can get Ed to go ahead with the duplicate.
It is no big matter. Just a thought.
Ed mentioned that he just got back from wood buying, and has some "really" good bastogne and english walnut ready.

As all of you can tell by now-I've settled on the .600-OK.
I've given it much thought, and this is best. I can use Woodleighs, and load to .600N.E. preformance, as that is what I actually wanted--a .600N.E. in a bolt gun.
The .700, which is .685 dia. is going to be hell on components, at least for the time-being.
That, and I'd like to first try my stamina with the .600 at full loads before jumping the gun to the .700---although it was a good thought at the beginning.

Jeffeosso,
wow, thats close to me. I'm close to Nacogdoches. I mean, close, as being "not" clean across the state.
I'm 60 miles from Shreveport---I go to the gun show in Bossier all the time, even though they never have anything there worth buying.
I frequent "Clark's" most of the time. Just picked up a CZ Ringneck in 12-gauge there which I'm going to try my hand at making a double in .500 BPE out of. These have the greener cross-bolt and are tighter than all get-out.
I'm not up to making full-nitro's out of shotguns, but the nitro-for-blacks should be fun to do with these, and be in safe pressure ranges. Woody, at Lothar Walther is making the barrels for the stubs or the liners--whichever route will be taken.

But, to the subject matter---I've decided its best for the moment anyway to go with the .600 in the duplicate of SAFARIKID's rifle.
I sure did not know that was yours, SAFARIKID.
Very nice photo of it and the buff, by the way.

Jeffeosso,
as for the double .577's, it really depends on how they are built and fit a person. I had to add a new thicker pad to mine in order to bring LOP up to snuff. I don't like getting hit in the nose with my thumb----you know what I'm talking about. My thumb alone has bloodied my nose before.
No longer in my greedy possession, the .577 WR, and a Rigby .450(which was my first intro to big-bores at the age of 9), were my uncles, but now reside in Savannah, GA. with people in the so-called family who don't even know what they have. It makes one sick.
Also gone now are the zebra rugs, and all of my uncles better taxidermy, including a lion full-body mount, and some brass mounted ivory, and last but not least the elephant foot I used to play with when I was a child. These were all taken in the 50's and 60's. I often wonder who his PH was. I loved that elephant foot. I really did.
I do still have a few boxes of .450 Kynochs from right before they quit production laying here. We had enough on hand to hunt whitetails with for a while. Sad reminder.
Now, I'm having to make do with falling blocks, and bolt guns. Not bad though.
I know the Searcy's are good, but I can't see myself ever buying one. Once a person has used a Westley Richards, it seems as though your giving something up when ordering a Searcy. It simply will not be the same, and then I'd be stuck with it until I sold it.
I'd rather stick with bolt guns for DG, until I can afford a WR or Jeffery's of my "own". They -the bolt guns- are more "practical".
A funny thing though---I'll be ordering one of those Pedersoli Kodiaks in .45-70 to play with next month. The bug must leave my system for this year---it's a funny thing when your orders from Midway alone make the UPS man know all of the routes to your house by heart.

walksfar,
i know all about "wiping your nose" on a short double!!

jeffe

Bigdoggy,

The barrels will have nine grooves.

YES,I WILL SELL IT (DUE TO THE 700'S ARRIVAL IN AUGUST)..AND I HOPE THE BLANK ED AND I PICKED OUT WILL LOOK AS GOOD AS THE 600'S AS IT IS GORGOEUS.I PAID ANOTHER $800 FOR THE KEVLAR STOCK THAT IS NEW AND UNUSED,PLUS I WILL INCLUDE AMMO AND LEUPOLD 2.5 AND TALLY QD MOUNTS. CALL ME AT 912 484 4700 ANYTIME FOR MORE DETAILS AND PICS,IF YOU LIKE....(TOM)

quote:

Originally posted by walksfar:
SAFARIKID,
I asked Ed, to make an exact duplicate of yours then.lol
He quoted me a price of a little more than 8k.
If you are selling yours this summer,,,well, I'd love to have it.
Then again, I can get Ed to go ahead with the duplicate.
It is no big matter. Just a thought.
Ed mentioned that he just got back from wood buying, and has some "really" good bastogne and english walnut ready.

As all of you can tell by now-I've settled on the .600-OK.
I've given it much thought, and this is best. I can use Woodleighs, and load to .600N.E. preformance, as that is what I actually wanted--a .600N.E. in a bolt gun.
The .700, which is .685 dia. is going to be hell on components, at least for the time-being.
That, and I'd like to first try my stamina with the .600 at full loads before jumping the gun to the .700---although it was a good thought at the beginning.

Jeffeosso,
wow, thats close to me. I'm close to Nacogdoches. I mean, close, as being "not" clean across the state.
I'm 60 miles from Shreveport---I go to the gun show in Bossier all the time, even though they never have anything there worth buying.
I frequent "Clark's" most of the time. Just picked up a CZ Ringneck in 12-gauge there which I'm going to try my hand at making a double in .500 BPE out of. These have the greener cross-bolt and are tighter than all get-out.
I'm not up to making full-nitro's out of shotguns, but the nitro-for-blacks should be fun to do with these, and be in safe pressure ranges. Woody, at Lothar Walther is making the barrels for the stubs or the liners--whichever route will be taken.

But, to the subject matter---I've decided its best for the moment anyway to go with the .600 in the duplicate of SAFARIKID's rifle.
I sure did not know that was yours, SAFARIKID.
Very nice photo of it and the buff, by the way.

Why drive thumbtacks with a sledgehammer?

Not needed. Not no way, and not no how.

mrlexma,

Need has nothing to do with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Bitterroot:
mrlexma,

Need has nothing to do with it.

I can respect that. I was only speaking for myself . . .

Either the 600 OK or the 585 AHR are great choices in the ultra-large bores. Rifles up to 15-16 lbs are still useful in hunting, but I work draw the line at anything heavier for a full day of carrying. The 700 AHR would be great to own if it could be made reasonable to shoot at 16 lbs and 2250 fps.

Dak

As a Hunter and a guy who loves to hunt I must say that anybody that can carry a 16 pd rifle on loooong treks in Africa and Alaska is more man than me!I am 6ft,235 and in good shape and my 17pd 700 double and my 14 pd 577 wore my azz out in Africa and Wyoming on Buff N Bison hunts in recent years past!...I have decided since then to go Light and deal with a lil more recoil and have NO regrets in doing so.My 600OK weighs 10-1/2pds scoped(a joy to carry) and my 700 will be about a pound more if it comes out as ordered this August (hear that Bitteroot?!) I also have elected to take advantage of the paid gunbearers in Africa to "Lug" around my lil 26 pd(28 loaded) 4 bore Double,while I whistle down the trails with my LW lil 6-700's in 90+degree heat!...Recoil is there,but you do not feel it looking down at DG and at home,use a Lead Sled and all will be well,no headaches or detached retinas!As they say,to each his own,but put me down for the lighter Mega Bores!