I use a RockChucker press to load my 505. It is just about as much case as you can stuff in the press.

The Redding Ultra Mag press would be my choice if I had to do it again.

I use RCBS dies to load my ammo. I had to make a file case die to trim the overall length. This was before Forster came out with the big 50 case trimmer.
I also made up a 30 degree taper crimp die to crimp the necks rather than try the roll crimp and ruin the shoulders and necks.

The bullets I load is a 325 GR hp, The 525 gr A Sq Lion load bullet, 525 gr Barnes solids, 525 gr Woodliegh soft points, 600 gr RN hard cast bullet with a gas check.

I have used A Sq, HDS, and Bertram cases over the years. They each have their own special set of problems.

FYI, The hardest bullet to get to feed in any action is the A Sq Lion Load soft point, If you can get this one to feed then any thing will feed in your gun. Any solid will be the easiest ones to make feed because they just slide thru the ramp.

Most of the soft points, and solids I load up to 2200, 2300 FPS.

The 600 gr cast I load to 1800 fps because it recoils like a 300 Mag and you can shoot it all day if you want to. This is the bullet that I sell to Huntingtons.

I do have one 525 gr soft point load that will cronograph at 2550 fps from my gun, belive me this one will make you think about checking for broken bones after you shoot it from a bench.

Jim Wisner
Custom Metalsmith

I use my old RCBS Jr press for everything, including Lott & 416Rigby. First insert the bullet up into the die then slide the case into the shell holder. CH4 dies work fine for me, at least in 10.75x68 & 510/460. I use 458Win dies for my Lott, just like using 38Special dies for 357Mag.

HI,


"The Redding Ultra Mag press would be my choice if I had to do it again"
J Wisner


I am glad to hear alot of good things about this press as I got this press before I moved, for my 416 Rigby, I hope Redding dies are also good as I just order them today for my 416, but a 505 would be nice to have. I just want to many rifles,but not enough cash,oh well,Kev

I use the RCBS Ammo Master press, which is pushed for the 50 BMG but works real nice for the long cartridges like the 505. I find the extra room over the cartridge when I�m seating bullets is helpful and also helps prevent pinched fingers. I use RCBS dies exclusively, though they are way too expensive on the oddball cartridges, as I just don�t like using crude equipment.
Huntingtons (Jim�s I guess) 600 gr lead gaschecked bullets work nice for me as well. I run them full house and they deliver 1� groups. They do lead a little but it�s no more work to clean than the copper from the Barnes solids I use too. For a recent buffalo hunt in Tanzania I used Woodleigh PP and Barnes solids both loaded with 115grs of RL-15 which gives me 2250 fps. Surprisingly the Barnes solids shoot closer to the Woodleigh soft points than Woodleigh solids do- FOR ME.
I use both Horneber and Bertram brass and can�t see any difference. Both have given me extremely long case life and both shoot in the same group.
As a side note: I�ve noticed chamber dimensions vary with the reamer makers on this old cartridge, especially in the throat area. Watch for bullets sticking in the rifling, especially with Woodleigh�s. I bought a throater reamer to fix the problem.
You will have fun with your 505 as it is a real attention getter and about the coolest cartridge on the firing line. The recoil is substantial but hey we just have to get tough.
Good shooting, Marshall Jones