I have just secured a deal with Sterling Davenport for a 500 Jeffery and a 9,3x62. Both on 1935 Mauser Banner actions. The 9,3x62 will be done sooner and I have a great deal of experience with that caliber. The 500 Jeffery is new to me. I have had a 505 Gibbs that kicked my butt as it was too light for caliber. Sterling says that the 500 Jeffery is a lot easier on the shoulder.
Where are loaders getting the brass from? I will probably use Woodleigh bullets as they are the most readily available bullets here.

Leonard,

Does this mean that you will have a surplus of 404 Jeffery rifles with these two new toys?

I have always used Bertram. What is your goal with the 500 Jeffery? By this I mean do you want heavy bullets that slightly beat the 500 NE 3" or do you want some more velocity for longer shots? I have load data primarily for the former, but I have some for the latter as well. Send me a PM if you are interested in any load data.

There is, to me anyway, no discernible difference in recoil between a 505 Gibbs and a 500 Jeffery when the two are shooting equivalent bullet weights and velocities. They will both get your utmost attention.

Scott

Here are a couple of MAX loads. I would start a few grains lower (I changed my mind about keeping it all private):

Mauser (Vz24 milsurp action)
25.5" barrel (shank diameter 1.195")
Bertram brass
CCI 250 primer (Fed 215 work too)
570 gr Woodleigh soft point (excellent hunting bullet)
118.5 gr of IMR 4350
Muzzle velocity - 2270 fps
Chamber pressure - 53000psi - 56000psi

Same rifle
Same brass
Same primer
600 gr Barnes solid
114 gr of IMR 4350
Muzzle velocity - 2190 fps
Chamber pressure - 53500psi - 56500 psi

As I said these are maximum loads, in the test rifle anyway. I would start out at around 10% lower and work up. Pressures were measures with strain gages on the barrel midway between the case head and shoulder. The range is due to inaccuracy of the measurement system. In other words, the real pressure should fall within that range.

Scott

my goal is to shoot the thing without getting a concussion or a detached retina. My rifle will have 22" barrel and iron sights only. I want to duplicate the 500 N.E. in velocity. Not much more. Rusty, You know I love the 404 Jeffery. I will have one surplus Jeffery for sale in Tulsa in April. After these two projects I have one last single square bridge commercial Orberndorf action left and for one more Jeffery====404 Jeffery.

Can't argue with that logic, as it is completely in-line with my own thoughts.



If you are after 2150 fps with the 570 gr Woodleigh, I would recomment this load:



Bertram brass

CCI 250 primer

116 gr of IMR4350

MV ~ 2150 fps with your 22" barrel.

Pressure - 47000 - 50000 psi (best guess)



Have bought brass from Midway, correct head stamp, and used 500 AHR brass (wrong head stamp but cheaper than 500 J from Midway).



Going with Rel 15 will reduce you powder charges by about 7%. So the 116 gr load of IMR4350 would be reduced to approximately 108 gr. of course pressure will be higher.



Scott