18 October 2001, 11:05
Wildcatter
-Catter
Assuming that there are no other options, any US reloaders out there have any opinions on Bertam brass? Quality, delivery time, etc?
Thanks!
The 500 Jeffery is it's own animal; therefore, no parent case. Bertram brass is passable, but not outstanding. If you have access to a lathe you can buy 500 AHR brass and turn the rim diameter down. The 500 AHR is an improved 500 Jeffery with a longer neck and .600 diameter rim. The AHR brass is also made by Bertram, but it costs $2.25 apiece.
Todd E
I use Bertram brass in my Jeff. And it is to say the least very soft. I crunched the first three beyond repair, which gets a little costly at $5 each. I have not had any problems with Bertram as far as its functionality and they seem to last as long as any other brand. I got my brass from Midway and it took a week to get them. They are the only 500 Jeff cases I have found so I can't be too picky.
Hope this helps.
Sooner
As I don't have handy access to a lathe yet (maybe this winter, would be a nice XMas gift), it looks like I'll be using the Bertram brass from Midway!
Thanks again and safe shooting!
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Ray Atkinson
At any rate it works and seems to be as good as any brass, but does require care..I notice the primer holes are a little smaller than most, at least in my 10.75x68 and ONE CASE DIDN'T HAVE A PRIMER HOLE!! I had to drill it.
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Ray Atkinson
I suggest you go to the 505 Gibbs, as good brass is readily available.
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Ray Atkinson
What exactly were the problems that you experienced with the Bertram brass? I admit it is soft, but other than that I haven't had any issues with it. Obviously it isn't Lapua, but it is about as durable as Winchester or Remington brass.
Todd E
Being a patient, kindly person I said screw it and rechambered the sob....to a real gun...the 404 Jefferys or 416 Rem/423 whatever Ricks jumps on that will clean up the 10.75x68 chamber and that is really hard to do, almost nothing else will work...and maybe only the 404...don't want to set the barrel back as it will mess up some nice engraving that noone but me would notice, but I would always know it was there and we removed it, aint life a bitch and then you die....
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Ray Atkinson
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Ray Atkinson
The Bertram brass I have is NOT repeat NOT NOT NOT the quality of Remington or Winchester. It is extremely soft so that if I drop one on the floor it gets dented. Also, the case capacities vary considerably. I do not get great accuracy with it, but the rifle is not for long range work so it is OK.
In my life, I have never seen brass anywhere near as soft as BB. Even 1880's 45-70 cases are significantly harder.
As I understand it Bertram does have some quality issues. I guess the lot of brass I got was better than yours.
Ray,
I wonder if some of your brass/head separation issues were cartridge more than brass problems. I mean the 10.75X68 has little shoulder at all to headspace on. Furthermore, the striker force may indeed be sufficient to push the brass down the bore therefore creating excessive head space jsut as the cartridge's powder charge is ignited. That is by the way the major problem with the 400 Whelen (as I am sure you are aware). I did the right thing in my opinion by turning that ol'Mauser into the 10.75X73. The 585 Nyati suffers from this same issue as it has a little shoulder to resist the striker. Couple that with soft brass and I think 500Grains may have problems also.
Just my 0.5 cents worth.
Todd E
One thing that really concerned me was that when I fireformed cases, on many of the cases I could see indentions from the cornmeal from previous shots..I never had that happen before...then when I loaded down to 1700 FPS (from 2175 FPS) I still ruined the case and the shoulders went from crisp to funny, lending credence to your theory.
I finally just gave up...Anyway as a 404 Jefferys its worth bunches more money if I ever decide to sell it, which I doubt that I will...
I have always wanted a skinny light weight, long barreled, 404 to pack around just in case a client screws up, which they seldom do..It weighs about 7 pounds plus a little, and I will load it at a mild 2200 FPS...that combo has worked for Bell, Taylor and hundreds of others and even me in the past.
With the magazine filled with some of GS FN solids, it should even be better than ever...
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Ray Atkinson
Sorry, but I have no solution to the 500 jeffery brass dilemma. I know that Kynoch makes new 500 jeff factory ammo, but I have never heard of them selling brass.
I face the same problem with 585 nyati brass.
But we should both be grateful that we do not have 577 tyrannosaur rifles, as no one makes brass for that anymore.
The Horneber 585 Nyati stuff is already formed and ready to load. You don't have to make it from the 3-1/4" basic cylindrical stuff that Bertram sells for the 585 Nyati.
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RAB
If you find his email, please let me know. Thanks.
When are you going to become a member of the .585 club?
As for me and the .585? Maybe I am too timid for that. A .510 is big enough for me in a bolt action. Any bigger than that and I would have to put a muzzle brake on it and make it as heavy as a 600 Nitro double.
A double rifle is the madness that keeps troubling me lately. My "purse is not long enough" for that though.
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RAB
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RAB
He should advertise it here. With the accuracy that thing has produced, I would be shocked if he did not get a very pretty penny for it.
My 585 has a brake, so I do not know what it would be like without one. However, my gunsmith test fired it without the brake with a roughed in scrap stock and a un-contoured barrel (28 inches x 1.35" O.D.) at about 15 pounds and he said it kicked worse than anything he had ever shot. At 13 pounds with a brake it is not bad at all.
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Ray Atkinson