After reading about the several big bores and trying to get an idea about what I can handle as far as recoil goes, I finally got around to trying one out. I was on a vacation and took a side trip to visit with a friend who has a large selection of loud-and-boomers. We took two 500 Jefferies to the range as well as a 9.3x64. I was expecting to be kicked on my butt and/or have the rifle go flying out of my hands, neither of which happened. I didn't find the 500's to be that bad to shoot (from bench or standing), it wasn't my choice for plinking, but recoil was not that bad. The 9.3x64, although not quite a big bore, was very mild in recoil. It was like shooting my 30-06. In the hills behind the range, metal targets were positioned in locations you might find animals at 200-500 yards. I took a few shots at them with the 9.3x64 and built up some confidence for those longer shots at sheep and ibex. I had a great time killing some paper targets, but now I think I will have to get one for myself so I can take it hunting. A 416 rem mag seems to be a nice choice.

Sevens

Welcome to the Asylum. Those of us with a few unrattled brain cells left know you will forever be changed and nothing under 9.3 will now satisfy you. Even the thought of going shooting with that first Big Bore OF YOUR VERY OWN will start your heart all-a-twitter.
Congratulation, you are on the threshold of great bliss.
Frank

Sevens,

People who tell you of "great and vicious recoil" are mostly morons.

At least, that's my experience. People tend to over-exaggerate the recoil a whole lot, or they're just used to firing their 308 Win about three shots a year.

Of course there is such a thing as great and vicious recoil, but not until you get above the 458 Win Mag.

That's my very "humble" opinion anyway.

Go Rigby with your .416 it is a classic and looks way cooler then the Rem. JMO

Welcome to the world of BIG fun

Cheers,

Andr�

I totally agree with Andr� - Rigby is the way to go in 416!!!

Sevens,

What load were you shooting in the 500 Jeffs? Was the 500's recoil much greater than the 9.3X64? How much did those 500's weigh? Thanks for the info.

ASS_CLOWN

Dont overlook the .404 Jeff. its everything the 416 is but with a .423 bore and even more clasic! IMOH

AC, I'm not sure what bullet we were using, but I think they were solids. I asked him for his elephant load and that's what he brought. I was having such a good time, I forgot to get the details, but I'll try and find them out. I do know that they were loaded to 6,800 foot pounds of energy. The rifles varied greatly in size. The Schueler was much larger in size and I didn't fire it that much. His working rifle, built on a 30S action, was around 12-13 pounds and very easy to handle. The 500 did recoil much more than the 9.3x64. The 9.3x64 was friendly and much like a 30-06. The 500 gave my finger a nice cut and a good shove to my shoulder. The recoil was great enough I needed a few seconds to shake it off, but it wasn't great enough that I lost control of the rifle. I can say I had a love/hate relationship with the recoil. I looked forward to that big kick that was coming, but I was also dreading that big kick. I am happy to say I didn't flinch nore develope one. I did see the post about CZ is coming out with a 450 rigby. That is a caliber that greatly appeals to me. I may get one of those instead. I don't think I'd ever buy a 500 Jeffery, the recoil is just a little too much to be a plinking gun, but in the event of a charging elephant, I'm sure I'd be happy I had one.

Sevens

Jeffery, it is an original Sch�ler rifle. Very classical looking rifles.

Sevens

WOW not many was made in the 12,7x70 Sch�ler. ALF will know how many they made I would guess.
Do you have pictures of the rifle or could you get some I would be very interested in seeing it.
You lucky SOB your first big bore experience with a gem of a rifle.


Cheers,

Andr�

Jeffery,

I am afraid I don't have a picture of the rifle. It really was a classical looking rifle. I have talked to ALF about it and he informed me of the history behind the rifle. I can't say there was anything that made it stand out, his working rifle was much prettier than the Schueler, but everything on the Schueler screamed Africa. I was happy to be able to shoot such a classical rifle because I very much like the traditional styled big bores (There is no finer a rifle). I will see what I can do to get you the pictures, but I'm unsure of how computer/camera literate he is.

Sevens

Thank you for giving it a try.

Cheers,

Andr�