a "Weatherby" from Granddads Grandaddy...

[Rigbymauser]

..and my newest Magnum. Always a magnum....

Holland & Holland´s .577/500 magnum.





Here a loaded .338Rum flanking a .577/500 case





Original loading was 167grain Black Powder to a 440grain expressbullet(Hollowpoint). In comparison a Sharps .50cal. (90grain blackpowder and a 435grain leadbullet) the british express round was a big boom. Often a Sharps in .50cal were made to weight 11-12ibs where the british double in similar caliber with heavier charges weight 8½-9ibs.

A modern load suggest about 1800-1900 ft/sec to a 440-480grain bullets. I have a load from someone who load a 475grain to turn the 1875 ft/sec mark.
II haven´t recieved the rifle yet, but all paper work is done, money weired etc...so it´s only waiting now.

 

[Hegland]

A whole lot of thump there, RM. Very nice!

 

[ScreaminEagle]

Beautiful!

 

[JD338]

RM,
Congratulations on an awesome rifle.
Looking forward to seeing/hearing more about it.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

Yes, I do believe that would put a whole lot of "whomp" on about anything hunted with that cartridge.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I almost bought a .577 NE while living in Paris in the 1970's. It was a double rifle but I do not remember the provenance of the gun, it was a boxlock. Looked like a Greener.

Nice looking double, Rigby Mauser, long barrels on that one! Beside the fact that my Grandfather's, Grandfather would be shooting something resembling an 1805 Harper's Ferry musket variation. My Great-grandfather was born 3 years before the American Civil War. His father would have been born before 1820.

 

[pre6422hornet]

that is a work of art.

Talk about opening a can o' Whoop Azz......... twice.

 

[salmonchaser]

Dang,

 

[sask boy]

That is Some rifle :wink: a real interesting piece!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Rigbymauser]

Thanks Guys!.

I have Always had a weakness for English back action doubles with Jones underlever. It seems the perfect way to make a break action strongest possible. I have ordered a bulletmold at Steve Brooks.
I have a few PP bullets from a friend who happens also to shoot a H&H .500express double.
The interesting part of such project is to develop a load that will regulate. This gun will become to play an active role in my hunting if it gets to work. It will not become a safe queen. Plan is destined for Africa.....

 

[Elkman]

RM
It is beautiful, is that a recent manufacture or from long ago? I am fasinated with the double rifle, they are so clean and effecient. Most probably kick like a mule, as I am sure that this one will.

 

[SJB358]

Beautiful rifle and one heck of a cartridge!

 

[Guy Miner]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing that RM!

I find the ballistics fascinating.

A .50 cal, 440 gr bullet at about 1800 fps...

The .500 S&W revolver I've been using moves a .50 cal, 440 gr bullet at 1400 fps with my loads and there are loads avail taking it to over 1600 fps.

I thought I was reading some familiar ballistics when I looked through your post! Cool.

What an amazing old rifle. Please do share with us the results of your loading, range time and field time. I'll bet the old beast has some hunting left in it! Wow, what a rifle!

Regards, Guy

 

[Rigbymauser]

RM
It is beautiful, is that a recent manufacture or from long ago? I am fasinated with the double rifle, they are so clean and effecient. Most probably kick like a mule, as I am sure that this one will.

Thanks Elkman.

This gun is made in the 1890s. I don´t think it will become that bad to shoot it. Recoil would be like a hard loaded 45-70..no worse. That is the good part also. It´s just a big vintage cartridge from the blackpowder era that can do a job when asked :mrgreen:

Here is a bulletmold I drew on Autodesk(Revit) here the other day Steve Brooks will do for me.
It´s the hollow Point I want..:

 

[Elkman]

It is truly a fine piece! I look forward to hearing how the load testing and shooting goes.

 

[Rigbymauser]

Heading for the range tomorrow. It will become interesting to see if the doublerifle will shoot in all four World corners.. :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

Very cool rounds. Can't wait to hear about range day.

 

[Rigbymauser]

Very cool rounds. Can't wait to hear about range day.

Thanks!.

Went to the range today and fired dat thing...

My load consisted of 68grain Norma 201(equivalent to IMR 3031) and 490grain leadbullets.
Primer was Fed 215. Filler was toilet tissues.

The two shots I fired was hangfires..very very unpleasent..pssst...booom. I will never get use to it :shock:
So I will disasemble the other rounds and use a fasterburning powder.

I have unburned powder residue in the barrels indicating compression was unable to build up for any consistancy.