Forums.NitroExpress.com

New Addition - 500 SRE - aka 500 A-Square Short

Hello All,

After posting about my Buhmiller 416 Brevex Mauser with its Buhmiller Muzzle Brake, xausa told of a 500 cal. rifle that he had built back in the early 70s that also had a Buhmiller Barrel with a Buhmiller Muzzle Brake.

He designed a wildcat 500 cal cartridge in about 1971 and called it the 500 SRE. (Short Range Express) It is also known as the 500 A-Square Short, which came much later.

Although he had sold the rifle long ago, he indicated that the rifle may be available for purchase - and it turns out it was.

And .. the 500 SRE finally arrived today .... It took over a month to put this together .....

The 500 SRE is a 460 Weatherby Mag case shortened to 2-1/2" and opened up for the 500 Nitro Express bullet. (.510 dia) It has the same ballistics as the 500 NE which was loaded with a 570g bullet at 2150 ft/sec. But this cartridge was designed for use in a more affordable "standard length" bolt action rifle instead of a Magnum Length, or a Double Rifle.

While I was waiting for the rifle, I searched high and low for reloading dies. Nothing was found and both RCBS and C4 quoted $350-$500 and 6-9 months delivery. Surprisingly, I found a set of RCBS dies for sale on ebay for $195. They were listed as 12.9x63.8 JDJ dies. Phone calls to RCBS identified them as experimental dies for JD Jones. They said they were based on a 460 Weatherby Case shorted and opened to .510 dia. I took a $195 gamble and purchased the dies. I was pleased to find they were an "exact" match for the 500 SRE. Looks like yet another shooter came up with the same idea albeit 20 years later.

The rifle was built by "Harry W. Creighton" (Master Gunsmith, Nashville, Tennessee ) in 1971 on a customized Winchester P-14 Enfield action - Built especially for xausa. Brithish Inspction stamps and Proof Marks show that this rifle originally went to England, and came back.

The rifle specs are as follows: 24" Buhmiller Barrel with Buhmiller Muzzle Brake - Sourdough Front Site - Forward Under-Barrel Secondary Recoil Lug - DT Cock on Opening Upgrade - Timney Trigger - Lyman 48 Receiver Sight - weight= 9 lbs 14.7 oz - 13-3/4" L.O.P.

And it fits me like a glove.

Its so very nice to have a rifle where all its History in known.

I'm hoping the Buhmiller Muzzle Brake works as well on this rifle as it does on my 416 Buhmiller Brevex. This weekend is the first time our Wisconsin temperatures will be above freezing in about a month. I plan on taking for a test run. I'll let you know how it does.

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"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."