Bolt-Action 500's, who is still producing them today?

[Flewis]

Whether it's a 500 Jeffery, 505 Gibbs or something more obscure in this caliber class, which rifle companies are still producing these rifles today? From my research it's a very small club of the bespoke British makes, especially now with the CZ550 and Sako 85 being discontinued. Other notable makes like Rigby, Mauser & Heym seem to top out with the 0.458's.

1. Jeffery & Co Model 500 (500 Jeffery)
2. Westley Richards Magazine Rifle (505 Gibbs)
3. Holland & Holland Bolt Action Rifle (505 Gibbs)

Any others that I am missing?

I think Purdy still does the 505.

 

[Northern Shooter]

As far as I can tell, this is the only 500 Jeffery rifle listed in my country.

https://ellwoodepps.com/todd-ramirez-premium-custom-rifle.html

 

[Jefferry404]

Well, Joe Smithson and Matthew Roberts. They both build bespoke rifles using Granite Mountain Arms actions, which GMA specifically machine for the 500 Jeffery and 505 Gibbs.
Steve

 

[Monski]

Wayne Jacobsen of American Hunting Rifles (AHR) in Montana built my LH 505 Gibbs on a Granite Mountain action. He builds off of CZ 550 actions also but don't know what availability for those actions are to him currently.

 

[mark-hunter]

Merkel Helix, Beretta BRX1 and Haenel Jaeger all top out at 300WM for current production. Although I don't see why they don't at least offer 375/416RUGER as they do fit in a 30-06 action.

No market for that in Europe.
Trophy import ban in few countries. etc.

 

[BeeMaa]

No market for that in Europe.
Trophy import ban in few countries. etc.

Makes sense. But still sad.

 

[mark-hunter]

Makes sense. But still sad.

Few days ago, I was in small gunsmith workshop in Croatia. (The land of Springfield imported XDM and hellcat pistols)
main issue at our place to make a rifle till now (or any other firearm) was lack of proof house in the country. So, we have only one firearm production factory, and local gunsmiths unable to change the rifle barrel, since there is no proof house in the country,

Now, this is being established, and in the process. Proof house, soon to be.

So, it is reasonable to expect, that some firearm production will start in time with this main requirement.
I told him, as he has plans to start some rifle production on moderate scale: make medium length action, and magnum length action, export to USA. You will make business.
There is total lack of rifles in factory production in calibers over 9.3mm in EU.
Why USA?
because I think that 80% of safari market today comes from USA.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Well, Joe Smithson and Matthew Roberts. They both build bespoke rifles using Granite Mountain Arms actions, which GMA specifically machine for the 500 Jeffery and 505 Gibbs.
Steve

@Jefferry404
My gunsmith made a beautiful bespoke 500 Jeffery for a customer on a M17 action.
It was a work of art and very accurate to go with it.
Bob

 

[Jefferry404]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen
I have only one rifle on the 17, an original ASquare. At the time I did not appreciate that action but recently as I was exercising it, it is solid, reliable.
Steve

 

[Fatback]

@Monski, that is a beautiful rifle.

 

[Monski]

@Monski, that is a beautiful rifle.

Thank you, I certainly love it!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen
I have only one rifle on the 17, an original ASquare. At the time I did not appreciate that action but recently as I was exercising it, it is solid, reliable.
Steve

@Jefferry404
When Art Alpin was building his big ASqures and magnums the action he fell in love with was the big M17 and P14s. They were one of the few actions he deemed suitable and strong enough for his cartridges. He used all he could get hold of a built beautiful rifles out of them. They are BIG STRONG ACTIONS.
Bob

 

[Mats Bergholm]

Whether it's a 500 Jeffery, 505 Gibbs or something more obscure in this caliber class, which rifle companies are still producing these rifles today? From my research it's a very small club of the bespoke British makes, especially now with the CZ550 and Sako 85 being discontinued. Other notable makes like Rigby, Mauser & Heym seem to top out with the 0.458's.

1. Jeffery & Co Model 500 (500 Jeffery)
2. Westley Richards Magazine Rifle (505 Gibbs)
3. Holland & Holland Bolt Action Rifle (505 Gibbs)

Any others that I am missing?

George Gibbs still makes rifles in the caliber .505 Gibbs and Norma produces excellent ammunition.

From Gibbs homepage:

We ,at present, have a good stock of 1930’s original Gibbs/Vickers barrels or we can supply modern British made barrels.

Rifles can be built to exactly copy the original format of the prototypes using the original Gibbs gauges and tools, or we can build the rifle along more modern lines. If you really push us hard we will fit a scope(reluctantly) but whatever you decide we will build the ultimate British bolt action African rifle.

 

[BlueFlyer]

My gunsmith made a beautiful bespoke 500 Jeffery for a customer on a M17 action.

Bob @ Kudu?

 

[KJE81]

George Gibbs still makes rifles in the caliber .505 Gibbs and Norma produces excellent ammunition.

From Gibbs homepage:

We ,at present, have a good stock of 1930’s original Gibbs/Vickers barrels or we can supply modern British made barrels.

Rifles can be built to exactly copy the original format of the prototypes using the original Gibbs gauges and tools, or we can build the rifle along more modern lines. If you really push us hard we will fit a scope(reluctantly) but whatever you decide we will build the ultimate British bolt action African rifle.

Thats interesting that they are able to build a new original, using old original parts. Presumably those barrels would be unfired/never used old stock rather then reused/repurposed?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob @ Kudu?

@BlueFlyer
No mate
Rob Spittles, Meroo gunsmithing Rylstone NSW.
Bob

 

[Daniel Cary]

Matt Roberts was the only one immediately willing, I'm sure still would be.

MNR Custom LLC | Custom Guns | VERMONT United States

MNR Custom, LLC builds custom rifles, and as such, every aspect is built to your exact specifications. We’ve built a solid reputation in the custom rifle industry that has naturally transitioned us into selling best rifles and shotguns by other top quality builders. We pride ourselves on...

www.mnrcustom.com

 

[Luvthunt]

Matt Roberts was the only one immediately willing, I'm sure still would be.

MNR Custom LLC | Custom Guns | VERMONT United States

MNR Custom, LLC builds custom rifles, and as such, every aspect is built to your exact specifications. We’ve built a solid reputation in the custom rifle industry that has naturally transitioned us into selling best rifles and shotguns by other top quality builders. We pride ourselves on...

www.mnrcustom.com

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That’s nice!!

 

[Jon R15]

Parkwest Arms can make you a 500 A2.

 

[PCC600]

Bob @ Kudu?

Bob made a 505G for me using a Krieger barrel and GMA action . Still waiting to get police permit so no photos at this stage . It is a fabulous rifle . He also made another 505 which I own. . Used a Dumoulin action ( single square bridge ) . Both are very impressive rifles.