Anyone looking for a 500 Jeffrey......

[sandman0921]

Just putting a little temptation out there for those who love the big bores.......

I don't know anything about the rifle, but I know of the maker's reputation. Mr. Weibe's rifles are as solid as they come I hear. Of course they command a premium price as well. The neat thing about this one is it's brand new.

The only thing I would change would be the traditional Mauser safety in the event I wanted to use a scope. But for this who like to shoot irons only on a big bore....

http://www.hallowellco.com/weibe 500 jeffrey.htm

 

[matt85]

things to note:

1. this rifle is much too light for its chambering! 10 pounds 3 ounces is going to punish anyone using full power (570gr and 2300fps) loads from this gun. heck id say its even on the light side for NE loadings (570gr at 2100fps). I shoot 570gr Swift A-frames at 2300fps from my 505 Gibbs and its a bit of a handful at 11 pounds 4 ounces (hold on tight).

2. the price seems awful high for a gun built on a surplus action. if it was built on a new magnum action then id understand, but im betting the builder bought that action for around $100-$150.

3. the stock is a little plain for a $10k gun.

other then those three gripes it looks like a decent hunting rifle (with weight added).

-matt

 

[tarbe]

I think it is a beautiful rifle...and I agree wholeheartedly on the weight. That thing is only 10 ounces heavier than my 300 H&H! omg

 

[CTDolan]

It's an absolutely gorgeous rifle and the 1909 Argentine Mauser is one of the most highly desirable actions for such work (of which the maker only used the action proper, the bottom metal and all being newly-made for this rifle alone).

As for the weight, yeah, she'd be lively! The geometry of the stock looks good, though (decent drop...cannot speak as to cast).

As for price, considering what it is, all that went into making the rifle, to me it seems fair.

 

[sierraone]

Gorgeous rifle, but too much oomph for me! Don't know if it is fairly priced, but with a new Rigby Big Game DSB at $15000, it probably is. With is being a single square bridge, I imagine it would be very expensive to mount a scope. With that large a caliber, do most owners mount scopes?

 

[CTDolan]

With Dakota rifles bringing just as much (around $10k), it definitely is (if you're into such things).

 

[sandman0921]

I agree with the weight concession, but being relatively new to the big bore "game", do most of the experienced dangerous game rifle shooters, especially those with "stopping caliber" rifles such as the 500 Jeffrey, 505 Gibbs, etc., look at empty weight of the rifle, or instead try and target a particular weight with a full magazine and scope mounted (if so desired)?

While I agree it would be "lively" in the hands, at what point is too much weight a factor when considering a rifle that one might be carrying miles a day during, say a sub-Saharan elephant safari. Lugging a rifle that weighs in at 12-14 lbs fully loaded and scoped over several miles, day after day, in 100+ degree F heat seems like it would get tedious to say the least. I'm not saying I would want to shoot this rifle day after day like a target or plinking rifle, but in the heat of battle, would one realize the recoil of a little bit lighter than usual rifle? Certainly in practicing with the rifle and getting ready for the safari, I'm sure it would be noticed.

As far as the wood goes, I don't know. It's such a subjective thing. I agree though Matt, it certainly doesn't have the marbling and striations that I personally think of when looking at an exhibition grade piece of English walnut.

Value in a rifle is also a very subjective thing as well. I think with this rifle, you're paying for the rifle maker's reputation as much as anything. I've never owned, shot, or even handled Mr. Weibe's rifles, but I know he has a stellar reputation as a builder of functionally solid and aesthetically stunning rifles. For me personally, I wouldn't spend this much money on a rifle like this when I can get Wayne Jacobson at AHR to build a rock solid rifle that is very pleasing to the eye, and shoots very well, for 2/3 the cost of this one.

The real reason I shared this link is that it was in a caliber I haven't seen as much of. With the big "500's", you hear a lot about the 505 Gibbs, not so much with the 500 Jeffrey.....


I will say that this dealer, Hallowell and Co., have some stunning rifles for sale......

 

[CTDolan]

Sandman, there's a lot of considerations (fit, stock geometry, recoil tolerance, recovery time) but ultimately hunting weight is what matters to most (scoped and loaded).

 

[matt85]

in order of importance:

1. balance
2. design
3. weight

however at some point you just cant compensate for weight with balance and design. 10 pounds 3 ounces is as light or lighter then many 416s which makes it MUCH too light for a 500 Jeffery. with full house loads the term "lively" would be a gross understatement. my 505 Gibbs will literally leap out of your hands with full loads if you arent ready for them and that gun is a full pound heavier with an excellent stock designed for the recoil.

now please dont misunderstand, im not saying its a bad rifle. im just saying that if it were mine i would need to add about 5 ounces before i was even willing to take it to the range with NE level loads. the gun would need another 13 ounces before id be willing to use full power 500 Jeffery loads.

-matt

 

[Code4]

There is a lot of labour ($) that goes into custom work on a standard Mauser '98 action. I've had three built to a similar level but without the square bridge.
I agree the furniture lets it down, but may have been picked for the line of grain for endurance with proper bedding.
Getting it to feed from the custom bottom metal would add cost.
Add some more ($) for the Weibe name probably.
Yep. Way too light.
IMO US $6 - $7,500.00 would be a fair price.

 

[Brent in Az]

My knowledge of big bores is sorely limited. First thing I would do, would be to add a mercury tube, or two, in the buttstock. It would throw the balance off, but adds weight and reduces recoil. 13-14 pounds would be best for dealing with that much recoil

Anyone ever check out gunmaker John Bolliger of Mountain Riflery? His big bores go for over $20K
Mountain Riflery - Homepage

 

[CTDolan]

Yes, "lively" was meant to be tongue in cheek.

The only thing I don't like about the rifle is the crest on the receiver ring. My 1909 Argentine has the same, but mine isn't of this class (it's been done up, but not to the same degree).

 

[sandman0921]

Yes, "lively" was meant to be tongue in cheek.

That was exactly how I took it as well. I translated that as "Get a firm grip, and hold on tight!"

 

[sandman0921]

Anyone ever check out gunmaker John Bolliger of Mountain Riflery? His big bores go for over $20K
Mountain Riflery - Homepage

Man those are some gorgeous rifles. The checkering treatment with the ribbons, fleur-de-lis, etc., along with the gorgeous wood and engraving is nothing less than stunning. Certainly if "fancy" is your thing, then they would be one the shops that could do it I guess.

 

[colorado]

It's a beautiful rifle. Duane does awesome work. My 500 Jeffery at 11.25 lbs is pretty lively with 570g bullets at 2300 fps. I think if you kept your loads down to 2150 fps it would be just fine.

 

[bassasdaindia]

it sure looks nice .