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cheapest entry into the .510 club? Login/Join
 
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posted
Lothar Walther is selling their "drop-in" Mauser barrels in calibers up to and including .500 Nitro Express. I know that getting a Mauser to feed such a big, rimmed cartridge would require custom bottom metal and a tremendous amount of work by a very good gunsmith, but all I'm looking for is a "fun gun", something to lob surplus .50 BMG projectiles out to 5 or 600 yards; and for that a single shot would be just fine.

What do you guys think? $150 for the barrel, $200 for an action and $150 for a laminate stock; even after the gunsmith screws in the barrel, opens the bolt face and blues the whole package, I should be well under the $1000 mark.

Any recommendations for a good gunsmith in the St. Louis area?

 
Posts: 269 | Location: Missouri, USA | Registered: 11 March 2001Reply With Quote
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Cannon,
I don't think thats a good idea, and I'm not sure it can even be done...You can open a std. Mauser up to about 375 lenth and not any more. you could go with a rimless 505 or 500 Jefferys, but even then I doubt that you could use 50 cal. MGB bullets as they are so long...

I'd suggest a Ruger No. 1

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

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

 
Posts: 42322 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000Reply With Quote
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Thanks, Ray, I always appreciate your input. The references I have list max OAL for the 3" .500 NE at 3.75", so depending on the bullet, some hunting loads probably would fit in a .375 length magazine (making it feed might be another story). Loads with the .50 BMG bullets certainly wouldn't fit, so it would
effectively be a single shot. For that purpose, you're absolutely right, the No. 1 would be a much better platform. This project appeals to me for a couple of reasons: First, it seems like the least expensive (and quickest) route to a functional .510 caliber rifle, and second, if (when) I decide later that I want a bolt action .500 Jeffery, the only money I'll be out is dies and cases. Any bullets I have will work for the Jeffery, the same action will work, and the barrel can be set back and rechambered.

Cannon

 
Posts: 269 | Location: Missouri, USA | Registered: 11 March 2001Reply With Quote
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Picture of Paul H
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You must not have looked into the price of brass and dies for a 500 NE or 500 Jeffrey, they are not trivial expenses, figure $250 for a set of dies and 20 cases for the Jeffrey. You'd also have to factor in the cost of the re-chamber to changing over. Just get the 500 Jeffrey off the bat, you can have the bottom metal done later, thats the approach I'm taking on the one I'm having built.

If you want to build it on a Ruger #1, then go with the 500 NE, if you want it on a bolt gun, even a single shot, then go with the 500 Jeffrey or 500 AHR, which has cheaper brass.

I don't know the rim dia. of the 500 NE off hand, but would think it may be a bit large for a bolt gun. You would also have to have the bolt modified, or replaced when you go to the Jeffrey. I believe you can get a blued 50 caliber barrel blank from Pac Nor for $170, pre-chambered just means there is a bit less metal for the smith to remove, but really doesn't drop your cost.

Figure out what you want, and have it built right, seems like dropping $1000 on a 1/2 way there gun is false economy. You are also looking at a possible 4 month lead time on dies.

Considering what it costs the bring a 98 action up to snuff, you'd be way better off starting with a CZ 550 416 Rigby action for $500. Figure $150 to have it chambered and the bolt opened, and the pac nor blank, then the stock and bluing, you aren't much over your $1000 estimate. You might want to drop John Ricks a line star@olypen.com, that way he'll have another 500 to build, and will get to mine quicker! I'm expecting mine in the fall, so if you got him an action now, and ordered dies now, you'd get the parts back around then. I guess that means I should order some dies.

 
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001Reply With Quote
<Bill Tompkins>
posted
Cannon,
You could look into the .510 Wells Express. This is the .460 WBY brass necked up to .510 so it solves lots of the problems that you are being confronted with re: 500 NE.
If you would like more just use the e-mail.
Bill
 
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<R. A. Berry>
posted
The practical answer:

Cartridge: .510 Wells/.500 A-Square/.510 JAB/.50 Peacekeeper...your choice of one of these fraternal quadruplets.

Brass: Norma .460 Weatherby necked up and fireformed, or properly headstamped proprietary, or basic BELL with your own headstamp.

Action: Ruger No. 1, Ruger M77 Magnum, CZ 550 Magnum, BRNO ZKK 602, or BBK 02.

Barrel: McGowen stainless in 10 or 12 twist to handle the heaviest bullets at moderate velocity as well as to give best penetration with any hunting bullet at any velocity.

Stock: McMillan or a laminate full of steel bolts and pillar bedded.

Powder: RL 15 or IMR 4350

Bullet: Any .510 sporting, target, or milsurp you want, including depleted uranium, if you can find them, for any shot you want.

Ben there, done that, happy as a clam.

For my nostalgia fix I resort to a .416 Rigby or a .375 H&H.

If I want to stop anything that moves or score bullseyes at 1000 yards, I use the .510 JAB. No BS, just fact.

------------------
Good huntin' and shootin',
RAB

 
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Thanks for the replies, gentlemen. I know you're giving me good advice. Back to the intent of my original post: I still think, if the only thing a shooter was looking for was the least expensive route into a .510-bore, and he would be satisfied with a single shot, this could be the way to go. There are no costs here you don't have with the other alternatives; the barrel is cheaper; as far as brass cost, the sources I looked at actually have .500 NE brass a little cheaper than the big Weatherby case, and both of those for around half the cost of Jeffery brass; and CH4D has the .500 NE dies for less than either the .500 Jeffery or A-square. However, if the shooter isn't going to be satisfied with a single shot in the long run, or just needs the nostalgia of the Jeffery, I agree with Paul -- building the NE first is not the most economical plan.

Paul, rim diameter on the .500 NE is just a few thousandths bigger than the Gibbs, so although tight, it should be possible. It would however be too big to work for the Jeffery, something I hadn't considered. Where can the big CZ action be had for $500?

Ron, do you have contact information for McGowen? Even if I go the Jeffery route, I still want the option of shooting BMG bullets, and the fastest twist rate Pac-Nor offers is 1-14".

 
Posts: 269 | Location: Missouri, USA | Registered: 11 March 2001Reply With Quote
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Cannon,

For what you want I think you are on the right track and should avoid the Ruger.

However, brass for the 500 Nitro may be suspect as to quality when compared to the Wby case.

Mike

 
Posts: 7206 | Location: Sydney, Australia | Registered: 22 May 2002Reply With Quote
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Picture of Paul H
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If ruger didn't drill the holes for the pins and screws so deep on the quarter rib of a #1, I would think having a 458 tropical bored out and chambered to 500 NE would be the least exspensive route, the stock is already there, already blued, all ready has sights and a scope base.

Seriously, don't try and go cheap, figure out what you want, and spend the extra couple bucks to get it. I can't see dishing out $1000 for something that may not be what I was after. The rim diameter is an issue, as not many bolts can take such a massive rim. If you go with a rimmed case, then you are basically stuck with a single shot, or a very exspensive future conversion. If you want a single shot, then get it on a Ruger #1. If you want a bolt gun, then I agree with Ron, the 460 based 50's are the least exspensive way to go.

 
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001Reply With Quote
<R. A. Berry>
posted
Cannon,
Good ol' Harry McGowen will always give you the time of day, especially if you have ordered 4 or 5 barrels already and you have had excellent results with all of them like I have. Just call him at the number below:

McGowen Rifle Barrels
5961 Spruce Lane
St. Anne, IL 60964-5332
(815) 937-9816

------------------
Good huntin' and shootin',
RAB

 
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<BMG>
posted
Another source of .510 barrels is Lothar-Walther. Woody Woodall is the head honcho in sales and I have dealt with him before. He is a wealth of info and the barrels are quality and inexpensive. The .510 sporting barrels should be ready in about two weeks. I already have one on order and will let you know when they are available. Give'm a call if you're interested. Woody Woodall at Lothar-Walther 770-889-9998. They will be available in chrome-moly and stainless, your choice.
 
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Twice in this thread I saw reference to lamanated Stocks. Cannon referenced 200.00 bucks for a laminated stock.

I'm nearly complete in the decisions on my 458Lott but still need a stock and I want a Laminated stock for this rifle's recoil. Where are some locations to buy Laminated stocks? I am using a blued Mod 70 classic Action and a Pac Nor barrel. Thanksjj

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The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have.

 
Posts: 1261 | Location: Rural Wa. St. & Ellisras RSA | Registered: 06 March 2001Reply With Quote
<R. A. Berry>
posted
JJHACK,
I think my gunsmith got mine from Boyds. Surely someone else will post in with more info. I have one on a .460 WBY, and it has all the reinforcing cross bolts (3: barrel lug, receiver lug, and behind the magazine well) and an axial threaded rod hidden in epoxy through the grip into the butt. It is also pillar bedded with a bit of relief behind the rear of the receiver. If you do these things, I'm sure your Lott stock will last "forever."

------------------
Good huntin' and shootin',
RAB

 
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<Bill Tompkins>
posted
Friends,
If you go to www.benchrest.com/sst there is a list of stockmakers and stock manufacturers, many of whom make laminated stocks. It is the best/easiest way to locate lots of sites.
Bill
 
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