quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
You wanted a big gun so treat it like a big gun, load it to max with a 750 gr. bullet at 2200 FPS or whatever. sounds like you might like a 450-400 better?? I sure would..

quote:

Originally posted by Bitterroot:
I think you are spot-on with the 600 grain bullet at 2100 to 2150 fps. 570 grains would be fine also if the bullet selection is better, like a TSX.

H-4350 would be my choice for powder. You get a full burn, it fills the case, and you should have access to it in AUS.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Bwana_500, I have shot and hunted with an AHR-built .500 A-Square for many years. I have used Qual-Cart head-stamped BeLL brass and Barnes 570 grain and Woodleigh 600 grain expanding bullets and solids.

Lately I have settled on the Barnes monolithics because they are just unbeatable.

For powders, I have used RL-15, RL-17 and H4350SC. IMHO, these powders are ideal for the .500 A-Square. They fill the case, allow for some compression and deliver the highest velocities. I have always used Federal 215 Large Rifle Magnum primers.

I don't load mine down. I keep velocities at 2,400 to 2,500 fps.

You can get lower velocities by knocking 5-10% off of the hotter loads published in "Any Shot You Want." It's an excellent book for big bore handloaders, and for owners of .500 A-Square rifles in particular.

I did some load development work last year and with 116 grains of the lot of RL-17 powder I was using, I was getting 2,450 fps at the muzzle. If you can get Alliant Reloder powders, RL-15 and RL-17 are ideal. H4350SC is not quite as efficient but also works very well. Norma 203B should also work well, since it is generally equivalent to RL-15.

Lane, those bullets look a lot like Barnes Banded Solids.

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by Brian Canada:
I agree that velocity is your friend when hunting buffalo, But I load my 577NE and 500-110 moderately for the sake of recoil at my tender old age. (Under 2000fps for the 500 and under 1900 for the 577.)
Like you, I use first class bullets so I have gotten used to one shot kills on cape buffalo. Even with my lower velocities I get mostly DRT results. I like Peregrine BushMasters and Cutting Bullets, Raptors and Solids.

Also, you have an awesome rifle there. Brian

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Bwana_500, I have shot and hunted with an AHR-built .500 A-Square for many years. I have used Qual-Cart head-stamped BeLL brass and Barnes 570 grain and Woodleigh 600 grain expanding bullets and solids.

Lately I have settled on the Barnes monolithics because they are just unbeatable.

For powders, I have used RL-15, RL-17 and H4350SC. IMHO, these powders are ideal for the .500 A-Square. They fill the case, allow for some compression and deliver the highest velocities. I have always used Federal 215 Large Rifle Magnum primers.

I don't load mine down. I keep velocities at 2,400 to 2,500 fps.

You can get lower velocities by knocking 5-10% off of the hotter loads published in "Any Shot You Want." It's an excellent book for big bore handloaders, and for owners of .500 A-Square rifles in particular.

I did some load development work last year and with 116 grains of the lot of RL-17 powder I was using, I was getting 2,450 fps at the muzzle. If you can get Alliant Reloder powders, RL-15 and RL-17 are ideal. H4350SC is not quite as efficient but also works very well. Norma 203B should also work well, since it is generally equivalent to RL-15.

Lane, those bullets look a lot like Barnes Banded Solids.

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by Robertcat:
I had one on a CZ550 about ten years ago [getting another built ATM [on a CZ550] I used woodleigh 600 gr solid with Ar2206H 100 gr ,which got about 2200 ,535s at 2300 fps ,with a removable muzzle brake you could shoot it all day [even Ray could shoot it without moaning with his OCD about big bores and people who shoot them] 2450,2500 is evidently the KILLER velocity ,but more than I needed for one ele I shot with it,too much for my shoulder [or Rays]