.500 Jeffery Rimless Load Data

The .500 Jeffery Rimless cartridge boasts a fascinating history rooted in the golden age of African big game hunting. Originally introduced around 1920 by August Schuler of Suhl, Germany, the .500 Jeffery was designed to deliver a tremendous punch for dangerous game in a controlled-feed, magazine rifle. Its rimless, bottleneck design was a significant innovation, offering faster, smoother feeding compared to older rimmed cartridges like the .505 Gibbs and the .470 Nitro Express. The round became closely associated with W.J. Jeffery & Co., who adopted it and branded it under their own name. The .500 Jeffery remained a rare but revered choice among professional hunters in Africa, especially before and after World War II, and today it enjoys a cult following among enthusiasts and reloaders seeking ultimate power in a bolt-action rifle.

In terms of application, the .500 Jeffery Rimless is purpose-built for the most demanding big game hunting scenarios. Its immense stopping power makes it ideally suited for dangerous game such as Cape buffalo, African elephant, and rhinoceros. Reloaders favor the cartridge for its ability to deliver high energy and deep penetration, essential in situations where the hunter's life may depend on the performance of their ammunition. The efficient rimless case feeds reliably in bolt-action rifles, which are generally more affordable and accessible than double rifles chambered for large bore cartridges. With advancements in projectile formulation, the .500 Jeffery is also increasingly used in specialized hunting contexts outside of Africa, where deep penetration and heavy bullet construction are required.

When discussing target species, the .500 Jeffery stands in a league of its own. This cartridge was designed intentionally for the thick-skinned, massive animals of Africa—animals that can be both unpredictable and extremely dangerous up close. The cartridge’s formidable ballistics ensure that it will break tough bones, keep moving through thick muscle, and reach vital organs from any reasonable angle—key attributes for a true stopping cartridge. While some enthusiasts might employ the .500 Jeffery for large North American game, its extreme recoil and power are generally considered excessive for anything but bison or musk ox. For reloaders and serious hunters, it remains the cartridge of choice for facing the most formidable opponents in the animal kingdom.

The .500 Jeffery Rimless is characterized by its impressive technical specifications. Typical bullet weights range from 535 to 600 grains, though some handloaders experiment with even heavier or lighter projectiles depending on intended use. Standard factory loads generally propel a 535-grain bullet at over 2,400 feet per second, translating to more than 6,800 foot-pounds of muzzle energy—a figure that dwarfs most other bolt-action rifles. The cartridge has a relatively short but stout case, enabling it to fit in standard-length magnum actions (unlike many other dangerous game cartridges). With a bullet diameter of .510 inches and a case length of 2.75 inches, the .500 Jeffery strikes a balance between raw power and manageable overall rifle length. For the savvy reloader, careful component selection and meticulous handloading can unlock even greater performance and tailored recoil control, making the .500 Jeffery a compelling choice for those who demand the utmost in dangerous game capability.