.500 Jeffery
Encyclopedia
The .500 Jeffery is a caliber of rifles that first appeared around 1920, and was originally introduced by the August Schuler Company, a German firm, under the European designation "12,7x70 mm Schuler" or ".500 Schuler". When offered by the famed British outfitter Jeffery's Guns, Rifles [sic], it was renamed the .500 Jeffery so as to be more palatable to British hunters and sportsmen following World War One.
. Although the 505 Gibbs
was introduced before the .500 Jeffery in 1911, the Gibbs has only recently been loaded to the higher modern pressures at which it becomes more powerful than the Jeffery. Prior to WWII, the Jeffery was loaded to higher pressures than the Gibbs and was thus more powerful.
, the .500 Jeffery is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance among American shooters and African Big Game hunters in the early 21st century, almost 100 years after their introduction . As of 2009, Norma
, Kynoch
, Mauser
, Corbon
, and Westley Richards are offering loaded ammunition in 500 Jeffery. There may be other manufacturers as well. Ammunition can cost anywhere from $150 for a box of 20 or more depending on the manufacturer.
, CZ-USA
, and a few single shots including Ruger no1, and the Butch Searcy & Co..
Mauser offers its Model 98 magnum in the caliber. Its "Elephant" model is offered in 500 Jeffery exclusively. In 2011, Sako began offering the caliber in its Model 85 "Safari" rifle using a new XL size action.
. Also it has a small shoulder. This is not usually an issue but since the 500 Jeffery also has a rebated rim, it makes it rather difficult to extract in extreme conditions.
. With reloads the 460 weatherby can reach levels of power of about 8300 ft.lbf of muzzle energy. Also the .600 Nitro Express
exceeds the 500 Jeffery in muzzle energy
with 120 grains of cordite
. No doubt the 500 Jeffery is still a respected caliber all across the world.
History is silent as to the "design concept" behind this caliber. However, it seems safe to assume that it was intended to be just about the most powerful caliber that could be handled by a full size man who had experience shooting heavy rifles. Indeed, the less powerful 505 Gibbs and 500 Nitro Express were considered to be heavier than most men could handle. In light of this, modern, high pressure handloads that drive the muzzle energy to over 7,000, even 8000 feet (2,438.4 m) pounds would seem to push this caliber over the top and render it unusable. A 535 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2300 to 2400 ft/s (731.5 m/s) should be more than adequate for any shooting situation.
History
When introduced, the .500 Jeffery was the most powerful rifle cartridge in existence and remained so prior to World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Although the 505 Gibbs
505 Gibbs
The 505 Gibbs cartridge was designed by George Gibbs in 1911. The cartridge was originally known as the .505 Rimless Nitro Express or simply as the .505 Rimless. CIP refers to the cartridge as the 505 Mag. Gibbs in their publications...
was introduced before the .500 Jeffery in 1911, the Gibbs has only recently been loaded to the higher modern pressures at which it becomes more powerful than the Jeffery. Prior to WWII, the Jeffery was loaded to higher pressures than the Gibbs and was thus more powerful.
Ammunition availability
Like the 505 Gibbs505 Gibbs
The 505 Gibbs cartridge was designed by George Gibbs in 1911. The cartridge was originally known as the .505 Rimless Nitro Express or simply as the .505 Rimless. CIP refers to the cartridge as the 505 Mag. Gibbs in their publications...
, the .500 Jeffery is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance among American shooters and African Big Game hunters in the early 21st century, almost 100 years after their introduction . As of 2009, Norma
Norma (company)
Norma Precision is a Swedish manufacturer of ammunition located in Åmotfors, in the province of Värmland, just 20 km of the Norwegian border. It is commonly referred to as simply Norma.- History :...
, Kynoch
Kynoch
Kynoch was a manufacturer of ammunition, later incorporated into ICI but remaining as a brand name for sporting cartridges.-History:Kynoch was established in Witton in Birmingham in 1862 by Scottish entrepreneur George Kynoch when he opened a percussion cap factory in Witton. In 1895 he built an...
, Mauser
Mauser
Mauser was a German arms manufacturer of a line of bolt-action rifles and pistols from the 1870s to 1995. Mauser designs were built for the German armed forces...
, Corbon
Cor-Bon
Cor-Bon is a brand of small arms ammunition produced by Dakota Ammo Incorporated. The company, based in Sturgis, South Dakota, was founded in 1982 by Peter Pi....
, and Westley Richards are offering loaded ammunition in 500 Jeffery. There may be other manufacturers as well. Ammunition can cost anywhere from $150 for a box of 20 or more depending on the manufacturer.
Rifles
There have been a few rifles chambered in the 500 Jeffery including Jeffery, HeymHeym
Heym is the surname of:* Georg Heym , German author* Stefan Heym , German author-See also:* Chayyim, the basis for this name* Haim * Heim...
, CZ-USA
CZ-USA
CZ-USA is the US-based subsidiary of Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod, a Czech firearms manufacturer. CZ-USA, based in Kansas City, Kansas, is responsible for the importation and distribution of CZ products in the United States.- About CZ-USA :...
, and a few single shots including Ruger no1, and the Butch Searcy & Co..
Mauser offers its Model 98 magnum in the caliber. Its "Elephant" model is offered in 500 Jeffery exclusively. In 2011, Sako began offering the caliber in its Model 85 "Safari" rifle using a new XL size action.
Criticism
The 500 Jeffery has had a few issues since its introduction. It has a rather short neck length and can make it rather difficult to seat bullets in the case that have a rather large sectional densitySectional density
Sectional density is the ratio of an object's mass to its cross-sectional area. It conveys how well an object's mass is distributed to overcome resistance. For illustration, a needle can penetrate a target medium with less force than a coin of the same mass...
. Also it has a small shoulder. This is not usually an issue but since the 500 Jeffery also has a rebated rim, it makes it rather difficult to extract in extreme conditions.
Ballistics
When the 500 Jeffery was first introduced it was loaded to a velocity of 2350 feet per second (716.3 m/s) topped off with a 535 grain bullet generating 6560 ft.lbf of muzzle energy, which makes it a pretty good hunting caliber generally where thick skinned dangerous game occurs. Since then reloading capabilities have advanced being able to launch heavier bullets at higher velocities. Now with modern reloads the 500 Jeffery can launch a 600 grain bullet at a muzzle velocity ranging at about 2450 to 2500 ft/s (746.8 to 762 m/s). max. generating 7995 ft.lbf to 8100 ft.lbf With newer reloads it made the 500 Jeffery the most powerful production cartridge in the world until the introduction of the .460 Weatherby Magnum.460 Weatherby Magnum
The .460 Weatherby Magnum is a belted, bottlenecked rifle cartridge, developed by Roy Weatherby in 1957. The cartridge is based on the .378 Weatherby Magnum necked up to accept the bullet. The original .378 Weatherby Magnum parent case was inspired by the .416 Rigby...
. With reloads the 460 weatherby can reach levels of power of about 8300 ft.lbf of muzzle energy. Also the .600 Nitro Express
.600 Nitro Express
The .600 Nitro Express is a round in the Nitro Express series which was introduced in 1903. It is the second largest calibre in the Nitro Express line, exceeded only by Holland & Holland's .700 Nitro Express round.-Overview:...
exceeds the 500 Jeffery in muzzle energy
Muzzle energy
Muzzle energy is the kinetic energy of a bullet as it is expelled from the muzzle of a firearm. It is often used as a rough indication of the destructive potential of a given firearm or load...
with 120 grains of cordite
Cordite
Cordite is a family of smokeless propellants developed and produced in the United Kingdom from 1889 to replace gunpowder as a military propellant. Like gunpowder, cordite is classified as a low explosive because of its slow burning rates and consequently low brisance...
. No doubt the 500 Jeffery is still a respected caliber all across the world.
History is silent as to the "design concept" behind this caliber. However, it seems safe to assume that it was intended to be just about the most powerful caliber that could be handled by a full size man who had experience shooting heavy rifles. Indeed, the less powerful 505 Gibbs and 500 Nitro Express were considered to be heavier than most men could handle. In light of this, modern, high pressure handloads that drive the muzzle energy to over 7,000, even 8000 feet (2,438.4 m) pounds would seem to push this caliber over the top and render it unusable. A 535 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2300 to 2400 ft/s (731.5 m/s) should be more than adequate for any shooting situation.
See also
- .460 Weatherby Magnum.460 Weatherby MagnumThe .460 Weatherby Magnum is a belted, bottlenecked rifle cartridge, developed by Roy Weatherby in 1957. The cartridge is based on the .378 Weatherby Magnum necked up to accept the bullet. The original .378 Weatherby Magnum parent case was inspired by the .416 Rigby...
- .700 Nitro Express.700 Nitro ExpressThe .700 Nitro Express is a big game rifle cartridge made by Holland & Holland, London, England. It was developed in 1988 by Jim Bell and William Feldstein and built by H&H. Feldstein had tried unsuccessfully to get H&H to build a .600 Nitro Express for him, but they had already ceased production...
- .505 Gibbs
- .500 Nitro Express.500 Nitro ExpressThe .500 Nitro Express is a .510 caliber big bore hunting cartridge. It was designed for use in single shot and double rifles. The cartridge is available in two lengths: a and a version...
- .600 Nitro Express.600 Nitro ExpressThe .600 Nitro Express is a round in the Nitro Express series which was introduced in 1903. It is the second largest calibre in the Nitro Express line, exceeded only by Holland & Holland's .700 Nitro Express round.-Overview:...
- .577 Nitro Express.577 Nitro ExpressThe .577 Nitro Express is a rimmed cartridge in the Nitro Express series of big-game hunting ammunition. It is also known as the .577 Nitro Express 3" and there is a variant called the .577 Nitro Express 2.75"...
- .577 Tyrannosaur.577 TyrannosaurThe .577 Tyrannosaur or .577 T-rex is a type of cartridge developed by A-Square in 1993 for big game hunting in Africa. The .577 contains a diameter Monolithic Solid Projectile which when fired moves at producing of muzzle energy. The production model from A-square is based on their Hannibal...
- .50 BMG.50 BMGThe .50 Browning Machine Gun or 12.7×99mm NATO is a cartridge developed for the Browning .50 caliber machine gun in the late 1910s. Entering service officially in 1921, the round is based on a greatly scaled-up .30-06 cartridge...
- List of rifle cartridges