500 Jeffery Woodleigh Projectile Test

[Aussie_Hunter]

It's been a while since I have had time to load and test more projectiles.

Today I tested 3 different 500 Jeffery loads using Woodleigh Projectiles.

Test was the same as I did previously with 375H&H & 458 Lott loads using 20L water drums.

Awesome performance out of the Woodleighs again even though I was well over the Woodleigh recommended impact velocity with 2 of the loads. Still haven't decided on which load I will use for buffalo next year but I am leaning towards the 600 grain projectile just because of the better penetration at the lower velocity. It is obvious with the results below that the more you crank the Woodleighs up in velocity the less penetration you will get, having said this I have used the 535 grain RNSN load below on 2 scrub bulls already with great results.

Again I hope some people find this info interesting and get something out of it.

Rifle used Blaser R8 Professional Hunter with a 23.5 inch barrel.
All 3 loads were put over the chrono and all 3 loads used Bertram brass, Federal gold medal primers and Alliant RL17 powder.

Load 1
Woodleigh 600 grain PP Weldcore
Muzzle Velocity 2205fps
Estimated Impact Velocity 2120fps
Penetration 31.5 inches (penetration performance identical to the 458 Lott load I have tested previously)
Expansion 0.92 inches
Weight Retained 516.3 grains
Weight retention 86%

Load 2
Woodleigh 535 grain PP Weldcore
Muzzle Velocity 2467fps
Estimated Impact Velocity 2365fps
Penetration 22 inches
Expansion 1.06 inches
Weight Retained 470.5 grains
Weight Retention 88%

Load 3
Woodleigh 535 grain RNSN Weldcore
Muzzle Velocity 2385fps
Estimated Impact Velocity 2295fps
Penetration 30 Inches
Expansion 1.06 inches
Weight Retained 508.3 grains
Weight Retention 95%

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Video of the 535 grain RNSN

• Aussie_Hunter
• Sep 30, 2020

500 Jeffery projectile testing.

https://www.africahunting.com/media/video-of-the-535-grain-rnsn.107298/

Video of the 535 grain RNSN.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

 

[inkonkoni]

Thank you! This really helps with providing some perspective...

 

[NJC]

@Aussie_Hunter Does your R8 have the steel or the aluminum action?

I have a spare R8 that I would like to turn into a 500 but it is aluminum and I hear mixed feedback on the suitability for calibers above 375.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

@Aussie_Hunter Does your R8 have the steel or the aluminum action?

I have a spare R8 that I would like to turn into a 500 but it is aluminum and I hear mixed feedback on the suitability for calibers above 375.

Steel receiver, I wouldn't want the aluminum receiver for a 500 just because of the weight. My 500 is at 10.44 pounds and I would still like it a bit heavier.

 

[NJC]

Thank you for the reply. I’ll start searching for a good deal on a steel action.

 

[AZDAVE]

thank you for showing your results, I will have to look for some of the 600's to try in my rifle.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

thank you for showing your results, I will have to look for some of the 600's to try in my rifle.

The 600 grain PP at 2200fps seems to be right in the sweet spot for penetration.

 

[colorado]

If you have access to the 570g Barnes TSX bullets I'd love to see some results. I could send you some. My load is 570g TSX, Jamison brass, CCI 250 primers, 103g H4895 for 2300 fps out of the 24" barrel of my CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery (it weighs 11 lbs bare 12 lbs with scope and rings). Thanks so much for the tests, photos and video!

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

If you have access to the 570g Barnes TSX bullets I'd love to see some results. I could send you some. My load is 570g TSX, Jamison brass, CCI 250 primers, 103g H4895 for 2300 fps out of the 24" barrel of my CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery (it weighs 11 lbs bare 12 lbs with scope and rings). Thanks so much for the tests, photos and video!

I actually just worked up a load toady with the 570grn Woodelighs at 2300fps. I have found some of the 570grn Barnes just haven't got around to buying them yet, I might try them next.

 

[colorado]

Thank you! I've been very impressed with the 570g TSX accuracy and expansion in my 500J . I tend to shy away from mono bullets due to concerns over their potential lack of expansion at lower velocities. I favor Partitions and A-Frames for my 270 Win and 375 Weatherby on North American game including the big bears. That being said, I shot a cow elk at 225 yards with the 570g TSX and it expanded nicely (elk was obviously DRT). I also shot a 450 feral hog at 8 feet with the same bullet between the eyes. It traversed the entire hog lengthwise, left a desert sized exit wound and liquified the internal organs. Obviously it was overkill in both situations.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Thank you! I've been very impressed with the 570g TSX accuracy and expansion in my 500J . I tend to shy away from mono bullets due to concerns over their potential lack of expansion at lower velocities. I favor Partitions and A-Frames for my 270 Win and 375 Weatherby on North American game including the big bears. That being said, I shot a cow elk at 225 yards with the 570g TSX and it expanded nicely (elk was obviously DRT). I also shot a 450 feral hog at 8 feet with the same bullet between the eyes. It traversed the entire hog lengthwise, left a desert sized exit wound and liquified the internal organs. Obviously it was overkill in both situations.

Have you used it on any big game? Buffalo etc

 

[colorado]

I have not. Haven't made it to Africa yet (kids college, etc.) plan to use it on my next brown bear hunt. A hunter, Mike maybe on another forum?, has killed many buff with it. He loads them up to 2500 fps, says it drops them like the hammer of Thor.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I have not. Haven't made it to Africa yet (kids college, etc.) plan to use it on my next brown bear hunt. A hunter, Mike maybe on another forum?, has killed many buff with it. He loads them up to 2500 fps, says it drops them like the hammer of Thor.

570grn at 2500fps? No thanks I don't want to be hanging onto that! The loads I'm using at the moment are definitely my limit, mind you my rifle is relatively light for a 500 Jeffery.

 

[colorado]

570g at 2300 fps is my limit too. I've worked up those loads but they are zero fun. 2300 fps is a nice offhand elk load