WB
We tested the Encore .500 N.E. Reeder rig...
Sunday, August 27, 2017, 13:42

Doug collected a nice Reeder .500 Nitro Express 3” chambered barrel with a much needed muzzle brake. I knew from experience with firing large bore rifles that it was necessary to add weight to slow recoil energies. Most big bores really need to be close to 10 lbs. weight to stay well under 100 ft. lbs recoil. A heavy loaded 12 ga. shotgun typically has about 25 ft. lbs recoil, for reference. Even the vicious 3.5” 12 runs only about 60 ft. lbs. with its 1000 gr. payload at 1200 fps, it feels much worse.

The final effort with much lead added to the forend and buttstock, while adjusting balance, garnered a 9-1/4 lb. rig. The short length and fine 50/50 balance makes it feel livelier that you’d think. Doug came up with a longer eye relief old Weaver made Higgins scope we fitted. You really need to keep your face as far away as possible as the physics will overcome your ability to keep it off you. I calculate around 85 ft. lbs with the 570 gr. loads we were shooting near 2100 fps. It is a real forceful push with a longer duration. 6” eye relief is what I feel a minimum; another inch would be nice too.

The three pictures show the normal position, shoulder relocation at the moment of firing, then at last my body being able to overcome the push and react.

The .500 (and .470) Reeder Encore barrels are the least expensive method to experience the big calibers in a viable platform. While not exactly cheap, they are still a great value. A bit of planning is needed to add a little weight and consideration to forend retention, it is adequate? The rounds can be downloaded with lighter bullets intended for the .500 and .475 Linebaugh handguns adding fun and versatility. Trail Boss lead bullet loads are fun and quite powerful enough for game. One of my favorite loads is 105.0 grs. of RE-15 ignited by a Federal #215 Mangum LG Rifle primer. I use the same powder charge for 300, 425, and 570 gr. projectiles. Downloading powder charges is not always safe unless a special powder like Trail Boss is used.

Published load data is also sparse compared to more common rounds. Barnes is one of the few that has the N.E. rounds listed but their bullets are so strange in comparison some consideration must be given to substitutions. We had a blast, literally. Roman was the only casualty getting a very small cut on the high eyebrow. Look close at the photos and you can see it captured. It hit is left eye which was not the one doing the sighting!