Todd, try 105 gr. RL 15 with 650 gr. Woodleighs. I believe you will find it very pleasant to shoot.

I'd love to have a 577 NE Cal. D/R by Bailey Bradshaw.

Just a quick post from my phone. More later. I shot the new 577NE this morning. Awesome!!! Very manageable. I'll post target pictures later today.

Todd:

That's great. Now, be sure and hang on to it so I can shoot it.

What do you think about carrying it? One of my doubles weighs ll.5 pounds. We are all different but I wouldn't want to carry an 11.5 pound double very far. Physically, can you handle it or will you have a tracker carry it?

Dave, it is heavy. No denying that. On my last two trips, I struggled physically a bit. I've had back issues and allowed myself to get out of shape beyond what I really can do. As a result, I've had a tracker carry the 500 for some of the outings.

I made a decision early this year that I was going to improve my physical condition to the best of my ability. I'm in much better shape this year so we'll have to see how it goes this time. My PH for the last two trips had one speed which was WFO and that didn't help matters. I have a different PH this time around and we are going to hunt at my pace.

I was apprehensive about shooting this morning due to my recovering fingers. In all honesty I have to say that the rifle is very pleasant to shoot. No problem with the hands at all. I shot 10 rounds to begin getting familiar with the gun. Considering the straightness of the stock design compared to the Merkel with all that drop at the heel and the difference in weight of the two guns, I found the recoil to be about the same as the 500NE in a Merkel. Maybe even a bit more pleasant than the 500.

Two shots with the CEB Non-Cons at 25 yards. R on R and L on the L.



Then two more shots with the CEB BBW#13 Solids at 25 yards. R on R and L on L.



I think it's a keeper.

Nice shooting Todd - that is quite a bunduki! As Butch Searcy once said - "hell, even if the dinosaurs come back, you still have enough gun!"

I look forward to a report on how you do with in the field.

Mangwana

Great shooting Todd!

outstanding!!!.

I knew you would have no problem with it.

And you still have use of your pinky finger for tea with the ladies and the sub-375 crowd too!

Good going!

Now we just have to work on your son ...

quote:

Originally posted by CCMDoc:
outstanding!!!.

I knew you would have no problem with it.

And you still have use of your pinky finger for tea with the ladies and the sub-375 crowd too!

Good going!

Now we just have to work on your son ...

There is hope for him Doc. At 17, he prefers a 416 Rigby to the 375H&H. That's a huge step in the right direction. We just have to get that "need" vs "want" concept straightened out!!

Todd, I told ya! I found shooting the 577 to be more pleasant than the 470 and 500 rifles...just a nice big push to remind you that you're throwing a big piece of lead.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Todd, I told ya! I found shooting the 577 to be more pleasant than the 470 and 500 rifles...just a nice big push to remind you that you're throwing a big piece of lead.

And it really is addicting isn't it!! Love the big bores.

At this point, I'm thinking it isn't going to take much to get proficient with it prior to October.

Go git 'em :-)

quote:

And it really is addicting isn't it!! Love the big bores.

Sounds like a familiar story lol!!

Nicely done. What load are you using?

NN

quote:

Originally posted by NitroNut:

quote:

And it really is addicting isn't it!! Love the big bores.

Sounds like a familiar story lol!!

Nicely done. What load are you using?

NN

119grs of RL-15, Fed 215 Primer, Jamison Brass, CEB 750gr BBW#13 Solid and CEB 700gr Non-Con. I didn't chrono the rounds today as I was just checking out the rifle this time so I can't tell you what velocity I'm getting but it appears to be shooting fine as far as regulation is concerned.

Todd,

For a first round with that big "New Toy", I would say you nailed in well...great set-up to thump that Elephant...

Todd,

Congratulations on such a fine new DR. It is a truly beautiful and accurate gun. I hope your hunting with it is as good as it looks and shoots. That would be a great tribute to both you and the rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

A couple of things I notice just from handling it so far. It makes the 500NE Merkel at 10.5 lbs seem down right "svelte" by comparison especially swinging it, operating the action, and placing it into firing position from the carry position. It really has to be "manhandled" a bit as everything is just bigger. The grip is thicker as well as the fore-end. Not really a beavertail and not a splinter. Something in between and it's quite thick. I think a splinter would be a tremendous improvement considering the large profile of the barrels.

My 17 year old son came into the trophy room last night, saw the rifle, picked it up and declared: "Dad, this is ridiculous. Is this really necessary?". Clearly, the boy has been listening to his mother too much lately!

Todd:

I hate to say this but I think you have fallen in love with a fat girl!

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

A couple of things I notice just from handling it so far. It makes the 500NE Merkel at 10.5 lbs seem down right "svelte" by comparison especially swinging it, operating the action, and placing it into firing position from the carry position. It really has to be "manhandled" a bit as everything is just bigger. The grip is thicker as well as the fore-end. Not really a beavertail and not a splinter. Something in between and it's quite thick. I think a splinter would be a tremendous improvement considering the large profile of the barrels.

My 17 year old son came into the trophy room last night, saw the rifle, picked it up and declared: "Dad, this is ridiculous. Is this really necessary?". Clearly, the boy has been listening to his mother too much lately!

Todd:

I hate to say this but I think you have fallen in love with a fat girl!

It wouldn't be the first time Dave!!

I originally thought I'd buy this gun, hunt with it in October for ele and buff, then trade it, just to say I'd had a chance to play with one of the ultra bore rifles. I also said that I'm not very good about staying detached from my rifles. Well, fat chance. I'm already hooked but good. For the deal Ken made, I'm sure I could turn it for a profit today but I'm hanging on to this one for the long term.

Now a question for you ultra bore owners. In the past, there were some issues with TSA and airlines not wanting to accept guns over .50 caliber for transport. IIRC, 505 Gibbs rifles were rejected while the 500NE although a .510 was OK because the idiots just saw 500. I know all that is complete BS because the actual limit is 20mm, but you how it is dealing with the lowest common denominator at the airport.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has carried their over .50 guns to Africa and get an idea of whether or not this still pops up from time to time and what is the best course of action to deal with it other than to print off the regulations. This "fat girl" is definitely going with in 7 weeks! I've taken the 500NE across the pond 4 times and never had it questioned but again, that appears to the monkeys as .50 or less.

Quite a few times over and always with at least one 620 and 585 caliber guns - bolts and doubles.
Never got a second look from anyone nor questioned.
Flew out of Newark or JFK every time.

Last time I read of something like this was 2006 when I got my first 600OK but even then no problems. Ed Plummer gave me a letter from the BATF stating the 600OK was a sporting arm but I was never asked for anything anywhere.

Doesn't mean it won't happen though for the reasons you state

quote:

Originally posted by CCMDoc:
Quite a few times over and always with at least one 620 and 585 caliber guns - bolts and doubles.
Never got a second look from anyone nor questioned.
Flew out of Newark or JFK every time.

Last time I read of something like this was 2006 when I got my first 600OK but even then no problems. Ed Plummer gave me a letter from the BATF stating the 600OK was a sporting arm but I was never asked for anything anywhere.

Doesn't mean it won't happen though for the reasons you state

Last time I heard of it was 08 but I thought maybe Cal Pappas had a temporary issue with it going to Oz this year? Maybe not but I remember him saying there were lots of hoops to jump through. Of course that could have just been the Oz gun regulations.

In any event, just trying to make sure all the bases are covered as well as possible.

I took the lead weights out of the butt stock today on the VC 577NE. It dropped the weight from an even 14 lbs to 12.4 lbs. Quite an improvement. It is just a bit muzzle heavy this way but feels much better for carrying.

Took the rifle out to the ranch and shot it 12 times prior to getting in a bit of Dove hunting this afternoon. Recoil with the reduced weight is about the same as before. Every bit of advice given by Sam and Paul has been spot on concerning the rifle's weight and ease of shooting. Thanks for the help guys!

Also Doc, I just received a panel of elephant skin from the tannery, through my "OLD" taxidermist. I wasn't too happy with it as it looked rough, wasn't very soft, and was not dyed. The taxidermist told me the leather guy would fix it. Wrong!! $1,300 wasted. I'm glad I didn't have the entire skin done yet. Took it to Dick Murray of Murray Custom Leather who lives about 20 miles from my home. He looked at it and refused to work with it. I'll be looking for a refund tomorrow on that. However, and this is the point, Dick makes a custom ammo belt called the C-8. He can make it to fit up to the 600NE. I had intended to get the Ele leather made into one of these belts. But since I don't have time to get another pannel tanned (properly this time), Dick showed me some 6 cartridge slides he has made up, including for the 577NE. They look just like the slides on Mark Sullivan's website which are more than twice the price. Purchased two of them at $80 each. They'll make the upcoming trip to Zim with me but I still plan on an ele ammo belt in the future. Dick is an African Safari veteran himself so he knows what works. Notice that the tips are exposed!!

If anyone is interested, I've included a picture of the slides as well as Dick Murray's contact info:

Murray Custom Leather
P.O. Box 373
Aledo, Texas 76008
Phone: 817-441-7480
Fax: 817-441-5690

Todd,

Did you notice any change in impact point or regulation when you removed the weights?

Thanks,

NN

NN,

I didn't think about that. I didn't shoot paper targets yesterday but rather clay pigeons (no not launched by a thrower! ). I shot 12 rounds and hit 9 of them so I'm going to say that all is well with the regulation and POI.

Seriously, I do recommend taking the weights out. The rifle feels MUCH better now, not that it was a problem before. But it was very heavy.

I'm sorry but I've forgotten what rifle you have. Is it a VC as well? If so, I wasn't sure how to get the weights out at first. Sam, Doc, and Ken helped. The weights will have a threaded hole drilled in them. Just screw in a matching screw and pull with pliers. The larger one had some glue on it as well and took a bit of effort. The smaller came out with a sharp rap into the palm of the hand. No kidding though, 1.5 lbs of lead.

Let us know how your rifle shoots if you take the weight out.

The ammo carriers are just beautiful. I have the Murray ammo belt for 458 Lott which was sent to me in very short order from Mr.Murray to Germany before I left to ZW this April. Outstanding operation.

Lovely rifle. You can not go wrong with the CEB #13's, in my opinion.


Dutch

Todd-

This thread started as I was leaving Zim at the conclusion of my August DG safari. Consequently I never saw it until today.

Very nice looking rifle and you're shooting it well. I know you will enjoy it on your October Ele hunt.

A comment on leather cartridge belts and slides. I designed and found a custom leathermaker to produce culling belts and slides for the B&M cartridges. Everyone who has purchased one is very pleased, including Michael458 who contracted with Henry to make a bunch for re-sale. I'm wearing the 15 round culling belt made from my Ele hide in the pics Michael posted on the B&M rifle & cartridge thread (back a page or two). Something to think about when you return.

BTW, the 500 NE rounds also fit my culling belt.

quote:

I didn't think about that. I didn't shoot paper targets yesterday but rather clay pigeons (no not launched by a thrower! ). I shot 12 rounds and hit 9 of them so I'm going to say that all is well with the regulation and POI.

Sure sounds like you’re good to go!!

My 577 is a V-C as well that has both a small and large weight installed. I took the large weight out on the advise of the gentlemen here, but found it a bit muzzle heavy for me.The rods are steel and it wouldn't take much to shorten one or both of them to get it the way I want it. This I will do when I have some time. I have a motorcycle trip to Baja Mexico coming up and won’t have much time to play with my new baby. Good to hear that the
POI or regulation has not been effected.

BTW, any idea when your 500 will be ready? It’s funny...I’m excited and it’s not even for me!! The 500NE seems to make a lot of sense to me for a modern stopper rifle.


NN

quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
Todd-

This thread started as I was leaving Zim at the conclusion of my August DG safari. Consequently I never saw it until today.

Very nice looking rifle and you're shooting it well. I know you will enjoy it on your October Ele hunt.

A comment on leather cartridge belts and slides. I designed and found a custom leathermaker to produce culling belts and slides for the B&M cartridges. Everyone who has purchased one is very pleased, including Michael458 who contracted with Henry to make a bunch for re-sale. I'm wearing the 15 round culling belt made from my Ele hide in the pics Michael posted on the B&M rifle & cartridge thread (back a page or two). Something to think about when you return.

BTW, the 500 NE rounds also fit my culling belt.

Mike,

I remember the belts and slides you designed. They are really nice and I would have purchased a couple were it not for all the ele skin I have on hand. Unfortunately, that first panel got ruined but the taxidermist did agree to refund my money. That's something but I did loose a panel of ele skin!!

Good thing the 500NE rounds fit your belt as you'll be needing it shortly!!

NN,

I think the 500NE should be ready in late October or November. Ordered it at the SCI show in Feb. I'm looking forward to getting it. I agree with you about the 500NE. Personally, I think it's the best round for hunting the big stuff up close. There really is no compromise as it provides the best combination of energy and frontal area while at the same time not being overly heavy to carry nor unmanageable in the recoil department.

The 577NE is just outright fun however!!

Mike,

Why don't you put a link to your cartridge belts and slides here on this thread. Some of the guys may have missed them and they really are nice. I don't have any deal going with Mr. Murray so feel free to link in here. Just trying to get info out there to what is available as it can be tough finding quality leather ammo belts for the big bore rounds!

quote:

The 577NE is just outright fun however!!

Amen!!

I thought long and hard about the 500 before I bought my 577.I have no regrets as to me there is something special about the big rounds (557/600) ... I just had to own one. Having said that, I think my next purchase will be the 500 in a V-C round body – 26” barrels and extra nice wood!!

You're right about it being hard to find accessories in the big calibers. Those slides look really nice.

NN

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:

The 577NE is just outright fun however!!

+1

Todd, That double will make a great prarie dog gun.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:
Todd, That double will make a great prarie dog gun.

Mike

Yep, just line em up and let er fly!!

I really envy you guys. The 577 is just so much a part of African hunting history. I would love to own one too.