American Hunting Rifles: Safari 550 Dangerous Game Rifle in 505 Gibbs

matt85

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I had already posted some pictures in the big bore addiction thread but to be fair I believe this rifle deserves its own thread.

Back in April I contacted Wayne of American Hunting Rifles and told him I was In need of a proper rifle for my upcoming cape buffalo hunt and that I wanted it to be chambered in 505 Gibbs. After talking about some details I decided on an 11 pound rifle with a 24" barrel, AHR fancy pattern checkering, and a 14" LOP. I told him that my hunt was coming up quick (September) and the rifle was needed ASAP so he agreed to get the build done as quick as possible in order for the rifle to make the hunt.

Here are some pictures of the build process:





Here is pictures of the completed rifle taken by Wayne:



The great day finally came when the rifle showed up at my door roughly 3 months from the order date. Pictures taken at my house:






As you can tell AHR truly produces a beautiful hunting rifle! The rifles are semi-custom affairs built to your basic specifications and while they aren't cheap they certainly aren't expensive either when compared to most other custom rifles. The rifle is built on a CZ 550 Magnum action that has been tuned up and slightly modified to become an excellent reliable large bore action. No feed issues and no magazine issues just smooth reliable feeding and ejecting even under stressed operation. The trigger is crisp and light (around 3 pounds) per my request with absolutely no creep. The iron sights on the rifle are simple but effective with an easy to see fiber optic front sight. A strange part about AHR rifles which worried me at first but I've since decided I like it, is the satin GunKote finish. GunKote isn't exactly the first finish that comes to mind when considering a finish on the hunting rifle but its much more durable then bluing and actually looks very nice. This rifle came in at 11 pound 2 ounces with a barrel cut to exactly 24" and a stock cut to exactly 14" LOP with a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad. Wayne customized their QD holographic mount to house a Trijicon RMR which should serve me well in the Africa Bush.

Range report: I took the rifle to my favorite rifle range today and was extremely pleased with the results! The RMR was fairly easy to adjust using Norma factory loads (600gr Woodleigh SP at 2100fps). Once adjusted it stayed put under recoil. However, I do wish the RMR was available with a dot smaller then 4 MOA. The rifle is easy to manage under recoil and very comfortable to shoot despite generating around 6000 ft/lb of muzzle energy with its standard loads. By the end of the day I had played with a couple different loads consisting of the Norma factory loads, a hand load pushing a 525gr Woodleigh SP at 2300fps, and another new hand load using 600gr hard cast gas checked bullets. All three of these loads shot under an inch at 50 yards off sticks which is about as good as I can do off sticks.

If you are considering a new large bore rifle then I strongly recommend checking out AHR at americanhuntingrifles.com.

thanks for reading
-Matt
 

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@matt85 I seems that your are finally satisfied , if so well done and I am happy for you .
 
@matt85 I seems that your are finally satisfied , if so well done and I am happy for you .

its been a long and painful journey finding a decent rifle in 505 Gibbs but it does appear my search has ended.

-matt
 
its been a long and painful journey finding a decent rifle in 505 Gibbs but it does appear my search has ended.

-matt
wish you many happy years of shooting and hunting with it .
 
I had already posted some pictures in the big bore addiction thread but to be fair I believe this rifle deserves its own thread.

Back in April I contacted Wayne of American Hunting Rifles and told him I was In need of a proper rifle for my upcoming cape buffalo hunt and that I wanted it to be chambered in 505 Gibbs. After talking about some details I decided on an 11 pound rifle with a 24" barrel, AHR fancy pattern checkering, and a 14" LOP. I told him that my hunt was coming up quick (September) and the rifle was needed ASAP so he agreed to get the build done as quick as possible in order for the rifle to make the hunt.

Here are some pictures of the build process:





Here is pictures of the completed rifle taken by Wayne:



The great day finally came when the rifle showed up at my door roughly 3 months from the order date. Pictures taken at my house:






As you can tell AHR truly produces a beautiful hunting rifle! The rifles are semi-custom affairs built to your basic specifications and while they aren't cheap they certainly aren't expensive either when compared to most other custom rifles. The rifle is built on a CZ 550 Magnum action that has been tuned up and slightly modified to become an excellent reliable large bore action. No feed issues and no magazine issues just smooth reliable feeding and ejecting even under stressed operation. The trigger is crisp and light (around 3 pounds) per my request with absolutely no creep. The iron sights on the rifle are simple but effective with an easy to see fiber optic front sight. A strange part about AHR rifles which worried me at first but I've since decided I like it, is the satin GunKote finish. GunKote isn't exactly the first finish that comes to mind when considering a finish on the hunting rifle but its much more durable then bluing and actually looks very nice. This rifle came in at 11 pound 2 ounces with a barrel cut to exactly 24" and a stock cut to exactly 14" LOP with a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad. Wayne customized their QD holographic mount to house a Trijicon RMR which should serve me well in the Africa Bush.

Range report: I took the rifle to my favorite rifle range today and was extremely pleased with the results! The RMR was fairly easy to adjust using Norma factory loads (600gr Woodleigh SP at 2100fps). Once adjusted it stayed put under recoil. However, I do wish the RMR was available with a dot smaller then 4 MOA. The rifle is easy to manage under recoil and very comfortable to shoot despite generating around 6000 ft/lb of muzzle energy with its standard loads. By the end of the day I had played with a couple different loads consisting of the Norma factory loads, a hand load pushing a 525gr Woodleigh SP at 2300fps, and another new hand load using 600gr hard cast gas checked bullets. All three of these loads shot under an inch at 50 yards off sticks which is about as good as I can do off sticks.

If you are considering a new large bore rifle then I strongly recommend checking out AHR at americanhuntingrifles.com.

thanks for reading
-Matt
Very beautiful Matt
 
Are those mercury recoil reducer's in the stock.

nope, lead cylinders with threaded holes so you can pull them out if you want.

it took a fair amount of added weight to get to my desired weight of 11 pounds. if memory serves me right, there are 4 lead cylinders in the stock. the one you don't see is in the for-grip.

-matt
 
Hi Matt

Great job on your rifle. The rifle looks great by the way.

I see you put screws to keep the added weight from shifting in the stock. I am not sure about using the screws. Here is what i have done, find a wood dowel and cut a piece to make the void full. Your Recoil pad will then keep the weight from shifting. I would be worried about the stock cracking over time from the screws.
 
James good points... but I might consider pieces of thick rubber hose, like radiator hose. And just long enough to keep presure on it. That way it stays tight while allowing the pad to be fully tightened without the painstaking cutting of the dowels to perfect length.
 
Hi Matt

Great job on your rifle. The rifle looks great by the way.

I see you put screws to keep the added weight from shifting in the stock. I am not sure about using the screws. Here is what i have done, find a wood dowel and cut a piece to make the void full. Your Recoil pad will then keep the weight from shifting. I would be worried about the stock cracking over time from the screws.

dunno about the stock cracking over time, but we will see. i probably would have put a rubber stopper like ActionBob suggested but i didnt build the rifle.

-matt
 
Matt you mentioned it can go back after your hunt to be spruced up... I think you'll be fine for now and can address it with Wayne at that time, if you wish.

Great gun though! Hope you can take your eyes off that beauty long enough to sight in on that buffalo;)
 
That is a great looking rifle Matt
 
Matt you mentioned it can go back after your hunt to be spruced up... I think you'll be fine for now and can address it with Wayne at that time, if you wish.

Great gun though! Hope you can take your eyes off that beauty long enough to sight in on that buffalo;)
Sometimes those bumps and scratches lend a rifle character and bring back fond memories
 
Bye the way congrats on a lovely rifle been a bit of a bumpy road getting here
 
Congratulations on a fine rifle built just for you Matt! Love your choice in caliber as well! Can't wait to see your Buff, as I go the following month for mine. Great job!
 
Sometimes those bumps and scratches lend a rifle character and bring back fond memories

the rifle got a few dings durring the build that Wayne didnt have time to fix due to the deadline i gave him. he has asked me to send the rifle back after the hunt to have these sorted out.

-matt
 
Matt nice rifle, glad you finally got a good 505:D Did you provide the 550 action? or was it provided by the builder?
 

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