Time for a 505

Lbarr265

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To celebrate finally graduating this past weekend I have decided to buy a 505 Gibbs.

This was chosen for several reasons, #1 of which is my 416 Rigby keeps jamming on the second shot (but never the third). My local gunsmith got it figured out but I don’t know if I trust it yet. #2 I want above anything to hunt a hippo on land and more power may not be a bad thing, considering the Rigby recoil hasn’t proved bothersome. #3 I reload in the US so components and ammo aren’t a problem, and because it’s not a wildcat I won’t have problems getting brass with the proper head stamp to get through customs. #4 it’s a gun I don’t have, and am currently without someone to tell me no... enough said.

I am open to other opinions on caliber but this is my thoughts for now.

I know CZ and MRC make rifles in this caliber, anyone have other recommendations without breaking the bank? I’m looking at under 3K for the rifle, not including scope or reloading components. What do y’all prefer?

Side note the gun safe is full, guess I need another one of those to house her :) bonus accessory
 
I think I'd stick with MRC. CZ(s) are often plagued with feeding problems. AHR seems to have the recipe for curing their ills though. Do you really think that you need a "stopper" rifle for Hippo? If it is a case of pure "want" I get that. For you, now is the time to pick up all the toys on your list. Have fun.
 
I think I'd stick with MRC. CZ(s) are often plagued with feeding problems. AHR seems to have the recipe for curing their ills though. Do you really think that you need a "stopper" rifle for Hippo? If it is a case of pure "want" I get that. For you, now is the time to pick up all the toys on your list. Have fun.

No I probably don’t need a stopping rifle for a hippo but a body shot on land is different than a head shot in the water. But if I can learn to shoot it accurately it also doesn’t hurt does it? Lots of people with little to no knowledge on the subject suggest the Rigby is too light for hippo on land, and I know they are likely wrong but as taking their advice grows the gun collection I choose to follow it. As you said now is the time to grow my collection. Lol

Thanks for the advice, I was leaning towards the MRC as the Rigby I have is in a cz and it did have the feeding problems.
 
I have a MRC 505, really like the rifle. Bench shooting it sucks but off sticks it is plenty manageable. Buy it now as Shootist says!
 
I hear Ryan Breeding makes nice 505 Gibbs on GMA actions. Heym makes one now too.
 
I would never trust MRC after they built me a horrible 505 Gibbs! (n)

I would vote for one of these options:

1. have AHR build me a 505 gibbs (I used to own one and it was fantastic)
2. buy a CZ in 505 Gibbs and have AHR work the action.

-matt
 
I would recommend a .500 Jeffery due to many reasons personally, But if you insist on a .505 ,
Then try Vigilance Rifles . They are pretty good.
 
I hear Ryan Breeding makes nice 505 Gibbs on GMA actions. Heym makes one now too.
I hope you're right about Ryan still making rifles. I heard from more than one source that he stopped making rifles sometime recently. But l hope l am wrong. I want him to make me a .500 Jeffery some day.
 
I know you said 505, however AHR has a 500 Jeffery with dies, brass and loaded ammo available if you are interested.
https://americanhuntingrifles.com/available-now/
Maybe a wee bit over on price, but the wood on that rifle is amazing.
 

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Heym in .505 is a dream rifle, perfect balance, function and gorgeous...Carried for a week in Zim @11 lbs....very manageable and you don't feel like you're holding a railroad tie in your hands.
 
I know you said 505, however AHR has a 500 Jeffery with dies, brass and loaded ammo available if you are interested.
https://americanhuntingrifles.com/available-now/
Maybe a wee bit over on price, but the wood on that rifle is amazing.

It is very nice. I like mine better, but Wayne at AHR worked on it as well (his CZ#1 Upgrade). I love the rifle. It feeds and functions perfectly is well balanced and shoots well under MOA., but it took some work. If Heym had made a 505 Gibbs back then I would've just got a 2nd mortgage and bought one :)

full
 
Last edited by a moderator:
A small consideration: magazine capacity. I’m pretty sure the MRC is 3+1. What is the CZ? Those that know pipe in. For the 500Jeff as well.
 
I had Wayne at AHR make me a custom 505 Gibbs with a Granite Mountain action and it is a true work of art. Beautiful and Deadly!
 
I would never trust MRC after they built me a horrible 505 Gibbs! (n)

I would vote for one of these options:

1. have AHR build me a 505 gibbs (I used to own one and it was fantastic)
2. buy a CZ in 505 Gibbs and have AHR work the action.

-matt
I would agree with you Matt on earlier MRC's. But with new management I think they are a different rifle and backed by a solid company. I have had 3 of the older ones but none in DG calibers. All 3 functioned well and very accurate. I did slick one up a bit but it was working fine before.
 
To celebrate finally graduating this past weekend I have decided to buy a 505 Gibbs.

This was chosen for several reasons, #1 of which is my 416 Rigby keeps jamming on the second shot (but never the third). My local gunsmith got it figured out but I don’t know if I trust it yet. #2 I want above anything to hunt a hippo on land and more power may not be a bad thing, considering the Rigby recoil hasn’t proved bothersome. #3 I reload in the US so components and ammo aren’t a problem, and because it’s not a wildcat I won’t have problems getting brass with the proper head stamp to get through customs. #4 it’s a gun I don’t have, and am currently without someone to tell me no... enough said.

I am open to other opinions on caliber but this is my thoughts for now.

I know CZ and MRC make rifles in this caliber, anyone have other recommendations without breaking the bank? I’m looking at under 3K for the rifle, not including scope or reloading components. What do y’all prefer?

Side note the gun safe is full, guess I need another one of those to house her :) bonus accessory

Sir,
Your 416 is plenty of medicine for the hippo on land or in the water! I took mine last year with a 375 H&H. As @Shootest43 rightly stated want and need are two very different things. If the 500 class is what you want so be it.
 
I doubt you are going to be able to get a .505 for less than $3,000 unless there is some problem with it. You can get a .500 Jeffery for well below that figure.
 

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