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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles
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N320AW
.224 member


Reged: 15/08/05
Posts: 27
Loc: Georgia USA
Weight of double .500 3" !
      #38802 - 06/10/05 01:54 PM

Sitting here admiring an old, but like new, .500 3" nitro with nickel jacketed soft-nose. (Kynoch). Cartridge . . . not RIFLE! Must be a great knockdown powerhouse with the 570 grain bullet.

Please advise on this. It is my understanding that most .500 DB's need to weigh in around 12 pounds. Is this so? Elmer Keith had a .500 Boswell on safari once. He stated a friend carried it and said to him " Damn that guns heavy!" John Taylor says that because of the typical weight of the .500 (12 lbs.) many went " the whole hog " and got themselves a .577 instead.

What IS the minimum weight for this cartridge, in a well balanced weapon, to retain it's managability as far as recoil is concerned? Also, does the .500 have significantly more recoil than something in the .470 group of cartridges?

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" Nature does not care whether the hunter slays the beast or the beast the hunter She will make good compost of them both and her ends are prospered whichever succeeds. "

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Weight of double .500 3" ! [Re: N320AW]
      #38813 - 06/10/05 09:14 PM


N320AW


Re "What IS the minimum weight for this cartridge, in a well balanced weapon,
to retain it's managability as far as recoil is concerned? "

Apart from weight, recoil is party related to fit and balance but I would suggest
that 10lbs 5 oz at the minimum.


Re Also, does the .500 have significantly more recoil than something
in the .470 group of cartridges?

Recoil is definately heavier from a 500 over a 470 Class

The effect on animals is also greater from a 500 over a 470 Class.


FYI, here is a list of the weights of 500 Nitro doubles I have
or have owned. Some are really well balanced, some more barrel
heavy.

A&N (Webley) Boxlock Ejector 12lbs 12oz 27" barrels
A&N (Webley) Boxlock Ejector 12lbs 8oz 27" barrels
Joseph Lang (Webley) Boxlock Ejector 11lb. 11oz 27" barrels
Watson Bros Boxlock 11lb. 5oz 26 or 27" barrels
Westley Richards Boxlock Ejector 11lbs 22" barrels


Hope this helps.

500 Nitro

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srose
.300 member


Reged: 30/09/05
Posts: 139
Loc: North Carolina
Re: Weight of double .500 3" ! [Re: N320AW]
      #38818 - 07/10/05 12:08 AM

N320AW

My 500 NE is a 9 lb 8 oz double by Griefelt. It is pretty darn light for a 500. However recoil is not that bad, especially if you are shooting at an animal. I shoot a 570 gr at about 2000 fps and a 450 gr cast at about the same speed. The 450 gr load is very pleasent to shoot and regulates perfect with the 570 gr.
I have carried a 10.5 lb gun for 15 to 20 miles a day with no problems. You just need to prepare for a trip and carry the gun on walks of a mile or more everyday. I'm not going to let someone carry my rifle while I'm hunting, never know when you may need it in a pinch.
A Limb Saverpad does wonders for recoil.

Sam

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bulldog563
.400 member


Reged: 21/10/05
Posts: 1153
Loc: California
Re: Weight of double .500 3" ! [Re: N320AW]
      #40796 - 06/11/05 01:10 PM

"John Taylor says that because of the typical weight of the .500 (12 lbs.) many went " the whole hog " and got themselves a .577 instead."

How much more should a 577 weigh then a 500?


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500grains
.416 member


Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Re: Weight of double .500 3" ! [Re: bulldog563]
      #40803 - 06/11/05 02:16 PM

12 pounds is too heavy for a .500.

I have one that is 10 pounds 3 oz, and it doesn't kick that bad. I have another that is 11 pounds and it's fine. I would not be interested in a 12 pound .500.

There were some .577's made at 11 pounds. 13-14 pounds was typical. There were some .600's made at 13 pounds but they were terrifying. 15-16 pounds was typical.

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mhb
.275 member


Reged: 20/09/05
Posts: 77
Loc: S.E. Arizona
Re: Weight of double .500 3" ! [Re: N320AW]
      #40834 - 07/11/05 04:36 AM

My Merkel .500 NE weighs 10lb. 4oz., and is not unmanageable. HOWEVER: I'd not have objected had the rifle weighed more - my .458 bolt gun weighs 10lb. 12oz., and is comfortable to shoot - I'd have happily put up with a weight of 11 1/2 to 12 lbs in the .500, which would, I think, have brought it into the same felt recoil league with the .458. Apparently the average weight of British DRs in .500 NE was around 12 lbs. - the Brits were pretty sensible about making their dangerous game rifles manageable, both in carry and shooting when the time came, and I don't think there is any need to improve on what worked for them, in this case. Lighter-than-standard weight heavy caliber rifles are specialized tools for the experienced shot who both knows what he wants and is willing to make the compromises such a rifle represents. Also, FWIW, it wouldn't have hurt (!) anything had Merkel put a good recoil pad on the .500 NE in the first place. I'll probably do that, eventually, and may experiment with a mercury recoil reducer, though I don't feel there is any good way to increase the overall weight of the rifle without possibly negatively impacting regulation. We'll see.
mhb - Mike

--------------------
Sancho! My armor!

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