I think JD Jones came up with this for use in handguns. I've been thinking of doing a 50 Alaskan in a levergun, now that marlin is coming out with a ss guide gun, but the conversions are a bit pricey, and quite a bit of work. Somebody had mentioned building a lever gun in 450 marlin, and it got the wheels turning in my head. Why not get a short action ss bold gun, and have it re-barreled to 50 caliber? Yeah, I suppose I should be content with the 500 jeffrey, whenever it gets done, but, I like the idea of a light short barreled ss gun to toss around. I also am only after 450 gr @ 2000 fps, so don't need the cavernous 500 Jeffrey to achieve that. So, whatcha think?

I would think that the .458 Win. necked up to .510 should work quite good. Also, you might consider the .458 x 2" American necked up to .510. We've been doing this for many, many years. You should see the way it performs on Deer and Elk.
Bill

Bill,

The 458 case is too small in diameter to neck up to 50 caliber, the biggest you can go is .475" You need a case that is at least .540" at the head, and the belted case isn't even that big at the belt. The only suitable cases are the .348 winchester, large weatherby, ie belted 416 rigby, 500 Jeffrey and 505 gibbs.

The problem with the .348 case is its rimmed, so not a good option in a bolt gun. There is the new winchester 300 short mag, which they claim is an entirely new case, but in reality is a rimless .348 but you'd have to headspace on the case mouth, not something I'd be willing to do. The 500 Jeffrey and 505 gibbs are very exspensive cases, and I wouldn't be willing to spend $5 a case, then cut them down. The other issue with the 500 Jeffrey and 505 gibbs is the cases are too large in diameter for most actions. So, you are basically stuck with a shortened weatherby case.

I gave the project a few more thoughts at lunch, and got to thinking any savings on the gun would be offset by custom form and re-loading dies. I've also heard the 50 Alaskan may become a commercial round from one of the boutique ammo shops.

Paul H,
J D Jones came up with one in the 80's that was the .378 WBY case cut to 2" and necked to .50. He turned the case head down to .473 to be able to put it in a single shot pistol. My gunsmith had it doing some testing & let me shoot it. I was a handful but a great way to make crushed ice when shooting a frozen gallon jug. If you are interested in one on a lever action you might want to call him to see if it can be done. I don't know of any of thye balistics of this round.

Paul,
Give Jim Brockmon a call. That is his specialty...208-934-5050..and he does excellent work. He advertises on HA...

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Yep, you're right, we were using .378 WBY cut down. I lost my brains for a few minutes.
Sorry!
Bill

My dad just had a Ruger M77 built up on the .450 Marlin.

He's shot it a few times and has been very happy with it.

Paul, isn't there a guy making what he calls American Hunting Rifles, or Alaskan Hunting Rifles, that uses .348 cases for his wildcats with the rims turned off and an extractor groove cut in? Is it Z-Hat???? I disremember, but there's someone out there doing this.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Paul H
Hi Paul,
Have you seen the Wild West Guns. They have the 50 Alaskan in a take down lever action. Their website is www.wildwestguns.com. I saw them at their booth at the SCI convention and they look real nice. 470 Mbogo

Blackwater,

You are thinking of heavy express magnum, that came out with a bunch of rimless 348 based rounds, now Winchester comes out with the 300 WSM, "a totally new case, not based on existing designs" what a bunch of bs, its a 300 HEM with a few minor changes. Anyhow, the rimless 348 wouldn't do the trick, as it would be like an oversize version of the 50 AE.

470,

I've been in WWG's shop several times, they have some neat guns. There prices are also very high, IMHO a bit higher then the quality of their work warrents.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Paul H:

Hi Paul I didn't look at your home ground before I mentioned Wild West Guns. Their based in Alaska. What area of Alaska are you in. I might be in Kenai in August.I hope the Halibut fishing is good then. 470 Mbogo

470,

I'm just outside Anchorage. The buts should be good in August, will you be going out of Deep Creek, or Homer?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Paul H:
Paul,
I'm going to be working for three weeks aprox and when that's over I plan on burning a deep hole in my Visa card to see a bunch of the State. It's one of the places I've always wanted to look around. I love northern B.C. but my wife has an allergy to cold and bugs. Can't afford to trade her in. 470 Mbogo