To Bridge or Not to Bridge - That is the question....

[DWB]

So ever since I saw this image, I have been enamored with a big bore rifle with a single square bridge action:

So I am now in the daunting yet fortunate position to be having my very own 500 Jeffery built.

I was very fortunate to find a barrel with the exact profile I like already fitted with sights etc.
Then by pure luck I was able to find one of the few Vektor Double Square Bridge Magnum Mauser actions.

So now I am in two minds. do I round the front bridge to make is a Single Square bridge action the way I prefer it, or do I leave it?

The purpose of the bridges is to be able to mount a scope.

It is extremely unlikely that I will ever mount a scope, but it will receive a red dot of sorts (Mounted on the Quarter rib if we can figure it out)

Let me hear from your side?

Single or double square bridge?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

A bunch of extra metal (and weight!) that serves no purpose? I don't see the attraction. Why remove one bridge and keep the other?

 

[DWB]

Dear Mr @Ontario Hunter,

I cannot answer your question in a meaningful manner.
There is history behind these things.... if you don't know or care for it, it won't make sense.

I have 2 options only:
Keep it DSB or make it SSB.

Removing both bridges is simply NOT NEGOTIABLE

 

[Scott CWO]

If you don't mind the questions, what is your age? How's your eyesight? Might need a scope someday due to eyesight? Yes, the red dot will be easier to use than iron sights when vision starts to fail but if you ever sell the rifle, it might be worth more to someone if they have to option to mount a scope as well. If you're not worried about resale, then do what you prefer.

 

[DWB]

Turning 39 this year. 98% of the time I do not have a gun with a scope on, I use red dots extensively (kind of like choosing the way I want to hunt).

Idea is to build a gun with value that my wife can sell if I go one day
Can slap a scope on my 404 if I need to.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Keep it

Lon

 

[Scott CWO]

Turning 39 this year. 98% of the time I do not have a gun with a scope on, I use red dots extensively (kind of like choosing the way I want to hunt).

Idea is to build a gun with value that my wife can sell if I go one day
Can slap a scope on my 404 if I need to.

It is possible to mount a scope on a single bridge rifle with EAW mounts but it would probably be a bit expensive to find someone that can do it. Maybe @Redleg or @rookhawk will chime in? I am not sure if it could be done in SA or not.

As for eyesight, I would guess that in about 10 years, you could be limited to red dots and scopes only.

 

[PeteG]

Keep it and prep it to take the red dot.
Easier than trying to work a plan on the quarter rib.

 

[cmk]

Personally, I would do what @PeteG recommends. Even if you only hunt with iron sights right now, it gives you more options down the line. Unless you *really* think that the front square bridge is an abomination to the eye, you should keep it.

If I squint a little when looking at the first picture, and envision a front square bridge there, it is one helluva good-looking rifle.

 

[mark-hunter]

I would keep DSB.

 

[uplander01]

Keep it. As you age you may want to have Talley bases machined in. Had it done to my gma 416 rigby, looks great and easy to put scope on and off.

 

[DWB]

Keep it. As you age you may want to have Talley bases machined in. Had it done to my gma 416 rigby, looks great and easy to put scope on and off.

Thank you @uplander01 will you maybe post a photo?

 

[grand veneur]

I also would keep the DSB. I had my rifle caliber 500 Schüler built right away in the nineties with a scope. The Rigby style diopter is also of great help to me when shooting with open sights.

 

[VertigoBE]

Keep the DSB, have claw mounts or a pivot mount installed. Your red dot, using a front-pivot-mount-only attachment, you will be able to mount there, so you do not have to touch the quarter rib.

And if you ever need a scope, everything will be ready.

 

[saswart]

Deon, great project and interesting issue you have here! You want a SSB, then get a SSB. You do not want something on the rear bridge, neither the type mount on the then round "bridge" front receiver. However, this the position, the front bridge, where you have placed all your Aimpoints...

Why not go the route that Fred took, have a mount made you can to replace the rear sight, you may need to reconsider your love for aimpoint then. That way you do not need to drill anywhere on the rifle and still have your FA the way you want it.

My opinion though, if the FA per picture is what you fell in love, make your 500 Jeff exactly the same, no red dot. The red dot will not add to the "classic" rifle you want, it will rather remove the "classic" out of it. If you really want the red dot, then does it matter if it is SSB of DSB? You will in all likelihood place the red dot on the front part whether DSB or SSB.

 

[pjaln]

unless you have a plan to use it I would take it off , the problem is if you want to mount a scope later you may have to go with the holland style side mount that uses the rear bridge if there isn't enough space in front of the front ring for a base , tho that barrel looks like it have enough area behind the 1/4 rib if need be . if you are building a rigby clone then it would have to come off

 

[uplander01]

Requested pics of Talley Bases in sq bridges

 

[DWB]

unless you have a plan to use it I would take it off , the problem is if you want to mount a scope later you may have to go with the holland style side mount that uses the rear bridge if there isn't enough space in front of the front ring for a base , tho that barrel looks like it have enough area behind the 1/4 rib if need be . if you are building a rigby clone then it would have to come off

Rather a Jeffery clone
The few original Jeffery rifles were all single square bridge as well.

Thanks Gents,

Red dot will be mounted by having a new rear sight with provision for red dot to clamp onto if possible.

I am an Aimpoint guy, but not too sure how I am gonna make this work though!

 

[DWB]

Requested pics of Talley Bases in sq bridges

Much appreciated!

 

[Frederik]

You are asking a very difficult question and one answer I can give you is to make the plan first to have the Aimpoint mounted that will be the decider.

But that SSB look is eye catching.