New big bore, Now need a boolit

[JTknives]

First of a short story on how I got this gun. A guy came into the gun store and needed some gun smithing done on his 2 ruger rifles chambered in 375 ruger. I helped him out and got him going while we waited for some parts for his gun. Well come to find out he is a big game hunter that is going to Australia for a buffalo hunt. At the end of the day he asked me to come to his house and to see his guns and chat. So I took him up on it last night. His collection was amazing, had many high dollar doubles in his collection. At the end of the night he said "your a good kid, I have something for you. I have been looking for someone to pass this down to and your the guy I have chosen". He pulls out this monster 510 wells bolt action that was custom built on a M1917 action. He said he wanted me to have it. Well how can you pass up any free gun let alone and beauty like this. Well today I pulled it out of the stock to just look it over. It has sure been worked over and I mean that in a good way. The gun has 2 recoil lugs, one on the action and another on the barrel. These fight tightly in a glass bed. I then noticed that the stock seamed heavier then normal. I pulled of the pacmyer recoil pad and noticed 2 mercury recoil reducing tubes where epoxied in the stock. I looked at the trigger and noticed it had a timminy trigger installed as well. So it went back together knowing it was one hell of a gun. He gave me some loaded ammo that was worked up for that gun. It was loaded with 570gr Barnes banded solids and had a card in with them showing the load. Said 570gr @ 2500fps, and had the powder and charge. Hell of a load but the bullets are to pricy for my blood so that's why I come here to first show off the gun and also ask for advice on a boolit design for this monster of a rifle that will handle the velocity it will push them to. Now it's picture time. O and I forgot to tell you it's a 510 wells, that's about the same as the 500 A square.

https://fbcdn-photos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/s720x720/999197_10202349769252595_906411037_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-photos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/565033_10202349769892611_1481346809_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-photos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/1235525_10202349770332622_1175725308_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-photos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/531935_10202349770652630_2010892041_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-photos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/s720x720/1185798_10202349771012639_970582751_n.jpg

[NoZombies]

You must be livin right JT

[Lead Fred]

My arm hurts just looking at this

[warf73]

Very nice rifle, you must be living right.
As for a mold well I would get one that is on the light side 350~400grs and get used to the power of the big gun.

[Lefty SRH]

Wow, what a beauty. Personally I start with a design thats similar to the solids it likes already, just a little lighter.

[btroj]

At what point does a bullet mould also become an ingot mould?

[Wayne Smith]

Is the bore size .501 or .510? Something in the back of my head suggests that the Wells is a .510, but don't quote me on that. Anyway, find this out before you order a mold!

[lostsixgunner]

Take good care of that customer! Don't forget to order some sights as well.

[Goatwhiskers]

A beautiful piece of workmanship. You should be honored that this gentleman selected you as the recipient. Myself, I'm not a glutton for punishment, you couldn't pay me to stand behind that thing. GW

[alamogunr]

If by "Wells" you mean Fred Wells, that is quite a treasure. I've read a few articles about Fred Wells. He apparently was a premier gun builder and liked the big bores.

Do a search for "Fred Wells, Gunsmith".

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

If bore is .501, then the Lee mold for .500 S&W would get you started at low cost. My buddy has one for a custom T/C Encore handgun (which is tough on both ends), and it casts nice bullets.

[Skunkworks]

The interweb says .510" caliber.
Should make it easier to find a good boolit design.

[youngda9]

7,900 ft-lbs....damn. What does that thing weigh? Sure is a beautiful rifle...WOW.

[EMC45]

Bonecrusher.

[JTknives]

I weighed it last night and it tipps the scales just under 12lbs, but it seams very balanced.

[frankenfab]

Isn't that on the 460 Weatherby case?

I know NOE has a 500gr. .512 in stock.

I bought one for my future 50 Alaskan

[Lefty SRH]

Isn't that on the 460 Weatherby case?

I know NOE has a 500gr. .512 in stock.

I bought one for my future 50 Alaskan

Yes...

[w5pv]

If I shot that thing my rotator cuff would have to be repaired again.It is a fine piece for a hunting weapon.The only thing that comes to mind is you would have to make a trip to Africa to shoot something big enough so not tear all the meat up.Good luck to you and the gentleman who gave it to you.

[PS Paul]

I've done a fair amount of shooting with Art Alphin's 500 A Square and those 600 gr. bronze solids. This was back hen they were not so darned expensive.

The recoil-reducing weight of the gun will help. Muzzle brake will make it unpleasant for anyone shooting NEXT to you! ha ha.....

I never cast for it, so I've no idea the diameter, but I just wanted to chime in and say GOOD SCORE, that's all!!

[mikeym1a]

So, you now need a boolit? Know anyone who could make you a mould??? [smilie=1:

[alamogunr]

I didn't read the original post close enough. On second reading, I realized that the cartridge is .510 Wells. Was the rifle also built by Fred Wells?

[Fishman]

If you make up a mould based on those solids, the resultant boolit will be a good bit heavier, but you already know that. I think I would start with a cerrosafe cast and get the best data on the chamber and throat I could. That is, if I had the capability of making my own mould.:)

What a nice gesture.

[jhalcott]

You MAY have to get a custom mold for that cannon! Some thing around 400 to 550 grains and about .512 diameter. I'd slug the bore first then check with the mold makers for a better idea. I used to fire form shells for those big bore guns with Bulls Eye and wax plugs.

[Artful]

http://www.castbulletengineering.com/

You might want to consider Paper Patched for it.

You might want to contact 45Nut, Ranger Rick, Bruce B - all have a love of the 50 as I recall.

You might just buy some to try before ordering a mold
http://www.montanabulletworks.com/BB_50_caliber.html

[JTknives]

i have shot kens "45nut" 500 A square. it was not to bad. he just has not been on the forum lately, maybe i will call him.

[Dale in Louisiana]

Wonder about a round ball and eighteen grains of 2400. Should shock the living daylights out of squirrels.

dale in Louisiana

[Idaho Mule]

JT, that is really cool, very nice rifle and since you are use to shooting other big bores I am sure you will enjoy it.I would sure pull my hat down tight before touching it off tho. JW

[tonyjones]

I suggest that you slug the bore AND make a pound/throat swage. That will tell you what the projectile needs to look like when it drops from the mould.

Good luck,

Tony

[leeggen]

great looking cannon. When he fires that thing we might get to see him on the "gun accident compilation". On utube. I think I would like to fire it at least once, just to say I he'd. Yep I am a dare devil, just have to try new thing at least once. Get someone to video u firing this Wells Rifle, I want to watch. Good luck and take care of that beauty.
CD

[runfiverun]

that sure looks like fred wells's work.
there was a write-up in shooting times [or handloader] magazine right after his death.
he worked with and built mostly oversized mauser type actions.
I remember seeing him shooting a hand built mauser action in 2 bore.

[smoked turkey]

Very nice rifle. I think good things like this most often happen to good people. That is you in this case. Your customer didn't go into this without a lot of thought. I am sure you deserve it. Congratulations and enjoy the new cannon. I mean to say rifle!

[Mk42gunner]

Gotta love those M1917's. I think I would put a low powered Leupold on it in some good mounts.

As to a mold, I think a relatively light weight at ~500 grains for plinking, and one that closely copies the solid for business.

Robert

[RwBeV]

I have a 625gr .510 mold, not sure if it would work but it would darn sure get your attention!

Bob

[pdawg_shooter]

Have you bought your power ball lotto ticket yet?

[41 mag fan]

My head hurts just thinking how my how my shoulder would hurt!!

[geargnasher]

Paper-patch it can call it a .510 ***. Nice rifle, and really a piece of history, the man that gave it to you obviously knew you'd appreciate it.

Gear