.505 Gibbs

.505 Gibbs

The .505 Gibbs has a case capacity of 178 grains (11.5 g). This cartridge was originally loaded with 90-grain (5.8 g) of cordite and 525-grain (34.0 g) bullet at 2,300 ft/s (700 m/s) for 6,166 ft•lbf (8,360 J) of kinetic energy. While the .505 Gibbs has a greater case capacity than most modern cartridges, it is loaded to lower pressures. The C.I.P. recommends a pressure standard of 2,700 bars (39,160 p.s.i.) for the cartridgeAs .505 Gibbs was intended for hunting dangerous game in a tropical environment and due to the temperature sensitivity of cordite the lower pressures provided a greater safety and reliability margin.

The .505 Gibbs has a unique bullet diameter of .505 inches (12.80 mm) while most other .50 caliber bullets have diameters of .510 inches (12.95 mm). Barnes Bullets and Woodleigh Bullets are a few of bullet manufacturers who produce component bullets for reloading in this caliber. Woodleigh Bullets does not recommend impact velocities of over 2,250 ft/s (690 m/s) for their .505 caliber 525 gr. Weldcore bullets.

Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ) currently manufactures the Safari Classics rifle for this cartridge. Modern semi-automatic rifles are also available in this cartridge from Vigilance Rifles.A-Square, Norma and Kynoch are offering loaded ammunition in 505 Gibbs.

Type rifle
• Place of origin: England
• Production history: Designer George Gibbs
• Designed: 1911

Specifications
• Parent case: none
• Case type: Rimless, Bottleneck
• Bullet diameter: .505 in (12.8 mm)
• Neck diameter: .538 in (13.7 mm)
• Shoulder diameter: .640 in (16.3 mm)
• Base diameter: .640 in (16.3 mm)
• Rim thickness: unknown
• Case length: 3.150 in (80.0 mm)
• Overall length: 3.850 in (97.8 mm)
• Primer type

Ballistic performance
Test barrel length: 24"
Bullet weight/type - Velocity - Energy
• 600 gr (39 g) Protected Point - 2,100 ft/s (640 m/s) - 5,877 ft•lbf (7,968 J)
• 600 gr (39 g) FMJ - 2,100 ft/s (640 m/s) - 5,877 ft•lbf (7,968 J)
• 525 gr (34.0 g) Welded Core SP - 2,300 ft/s (700 m/s) - 6,180 ft•lbf (8,380 J)


Monish

I used to have a 505 Gibbs, but had to sell it!
Here is an OLD pic!!

Kiwi505,

You had a handsome rifle !!!!

Monish

Yes, I wish that i still had it, but ........ sigh!

Kiwi505,

Reasons for parting with such a masterpiece ???????

Needed the money. Had to sell!

Kiwi505

Thats damn unfortunate , my uncle too did sell his Purdeys & Boss & co. 2 # of .12 bore shotguns due to some financial constraints, was too young & penniless to buy them back , exquisite firearms , still remember the fabolous engravings on them .....


Monish

Yes I hated selling it but I needed a new roof on the house more. Maybe I will be able to get one of those CZ's in the future sometime!

Kiwi505,

CZs are fantastic rifles , I had their ZKK602 chambered for .375 H&H Magnum . I believe they make a fine rifle in .505 . Do let us know when you buy it ...

All the best

Monish

A truly fascinating cartridge. I really enjoy reading about all these big bores, as imo nothing quite says Africa like a big bore. Keep posting articles Monish!


BTW, which is more powerful, the .500 Jeffery or the .505 Gibbs? I would like to know.

According to my info, the 500 Jeffery. 6800 me as apposed to 6190 for the Gibbs.

Christian,

Cartridge - Bullet Diameter (inches) - Bullet Weight - Velocity (f.p.s.) - Typical Weight of Rifle - Recoil Energy (ft. lbs.) - Recoil Velocity (f.p.s.)
505 Gibbs - .505 - 525 - 2350 - 12 pounds - 84 - 21
505 Gibbs - .505 - 600 - 2400 (with reloads) - 12 pounds - 106 - 23
500 Nitro Express - .510 - 570 - 2150 - 11 pounds - 77 - 21
500 Jeffery - .510 - 535 - 2400 - 10.5 pounds - 92 - 23
500 Jeffery - .510 - 570 - 2400 (with reloads) - 10.5 pounds - 103 - 25
500 A-Square - .510 - 600 - 2400 - 11 pounds - 107 - 25

Monish

I have a custom build 505 Gibbs that I use for every day hunting with clients, it is an amazing cal. it will drop any african game hit properly.
I reload using 540gr GS custom solids and 525gr rhino softs

Henry,

Can you post the picture of your custom rifle ???

Monish

Originally Posted by henrygriffiths

I have a custom build 505 Gibbs that I use for every day hunting with clients, it is an amazing cal. it will drop any african game hit properly.
I reload using 540gr GS custom solids and 525gr rhino softs

Like Monish said, can you post a picture? I would love to see your rifle.

My lefty 505!



CZ 550 left hand
22in SS barrel
CZ sights/and stock
AHR cocking piece?with 3 pos safety

Ed

Ed,

You own a exquisite rifle , envy you my friend ......

Monish

Very nice picture of a great gun.

My son and I have talked of a 505 Gibbs.
But price does weigh in. After the relatively expensive CZ factory price 250 percent over the their 416 Rigby field model, one must add special reloading tools for the large 505 cases. I figure the whole rifle would end up about $5500, tested, scoped, and handloaded with 100 rounds. (The new and ugly Bushnell 1.25-8 has 6"-5" eye relief.)

ON the earlier question of loading and comparisons with the Jeffrey, the only reason that I can see for getting a 505 Gibbs, or a 450 or 416 Rigby for that matter, is to load them up to their true bolt-action potential. Otherwise, those 'new' little 416 Rugers would be wonderfully cost efficient. 'Fully loaded' means in the 8000 ft lb range for the 505. With handloading, the 505 should have about 50-100 fps advantage over the 500 Jeffrey because of larger powder capacity. But that advantage only applies to optimum handloads and would produce over 8000 ftlbs. I would aim at 2650 fps with the 525 grain bullets (8185 ftlb), and 2500 with the 600 grainers (8325ftlbs).
That should get a buffalo's attention. I haven't fired such loads, and I imagine that they would get the shooter's attention, too. If one wanted lesser ftlbs, then a lesser calibre would be more efficient. The 416 is a delightful 'light' rifle, where one can load 350 grains to 2800 fps comfortably, with a more pleasant 6091 ft lbs.

I see what you say-- the Gibbs can be found for around 2500 to 2600 and that is a good deal. My CZ feeds and acts like it should. There is alot of feeding work and action work that go into that 250% cost. The Gibbs and the 500 jeffery are expensive to feed and take care of too, but...

I have do disagree with you on the rest of your post. NO 416 hits like a 50 cal/ no way no how--not even close!!! I have a 416 Rigby, 458 winchester, 450/400 double, 9.3x62,375 wby, 375 H&H..... and none of them hit like the 505, 500 jeffery, or my 500 double. I repete not even close!!!

I can see by your other statements that you have not shot alot of 50's and over by your reloading data. My gibbs tips the scales at right at 10lbs with 3 rounds in her. 600 grain bullet at 2500 fps would knock the holy hell out of you, and in my gun be almost uncontrollable. The 600 at 2250 is about at my limit in my gun, and will bowl over anything that needs its ass kicked. No use hotrodding the gibbs. It was meant to be a low pressure (for tropical conditions) ass kicker and it does it great at 525 at 2300 to 2350 or a 600 grain pill at 2150-2250.

I see what you say-- the Gibbs can be found for around 2500 to 2600 and that is a good deal. My CZ feeds and acts like it should. There is alot of feeding work and action work that go into that 250% cost. The Gibbs and the 500 jeffery are expensive to feed and take care of too, but...

I have do disagree with you on the rest of your post. NO 416 hits like a 50 cal/ no way no how--not even close!!! I have a 416 Rigby, 458 winchester, 450/400 double, 9.3x62,375 wby, 375 H&H..... and none of them hit like the 505, 500 jeffery, or my 500 double. I repete not even close!!!

I can see by your other statements that you have not shot alot of 50's and over by your reloading data. My gibbs tips the scales at right at 10lbs with 3 rounds in her. 600 grain bullet at 2500 fps would knock the holy hell out of you, and in my gun be almost uncontrollable. The 600 at 2250 is about at my limit in my gun, and will bowl over anything that needs its ass kicked. No use hotrodding the gibbs. It was meant to be a low pressure (for tropical conditions) ass kicker and it does it great at 525 at 2300 to 2350 or a 600 grain pill at 2150-2250.