Ordered New/Old Gibbs 505

You've got a nice gun. Yea I haven't sourced any ammo yet, need to get on that. Mark can sell me some and I'll start there. My preference is Woodleigh bullets. Bertram would be a great choice on brass. Thanks for spurring me on in that department.
Mark is not a fan of the 600Gr bullet, always trying to steer clients towards the 525Gr bullet. He also prohibits the use of monolithic bullets in his rifles.

If you can't get your hands on Woodleigh, Hornady makes 525Gr bullets for the .505 caliber as a reloading component. DGS steel jacketed FMJ solids and DGX Bonded soft points.
 
Mark is not a fan of the 600Gr bullet, always trying to steer clients towards the 525Gr bullet. He also prohibits the use of monolithic bullets in his rifles.

If you can't get your hands on Woodleigh, Hornady makes 525Gr bullets for the .505 caliber as a reloading component. DGS steel jacketed FMJ solids and DGX Bonded soft points.
Mark is not a fan of the 600Gr bullet, always trying to steer clients towards the 525Gr bullet. He also prohibits the use of monolithic bullets in his rifles.

With modern barrels, why would monolithic bullets be a problem?
 
@PCC600
Of course GMA is still in business. Having said that, maybe to established customers? Since 2006, I have bought 9 actions from John, the last maybe 2-3 years ago.
I have heard recent customers having multi-year wait times for actions or no responses to phone or emails:(
John is a full time contract CNC machinist in addition to the action business he got from his uncle Mike.
Between MNR, Breeding, Smithson and who knows others, he is probably falling way short for single purchase buyers:(
Sad to think as they are a great action!

Sorry to pollute the OP thread
Steve
 
Last edited:
Mark is not a fan of the 600Gr bullet, always trying to steer clients towards the 525Gr bullet. He also prohibits the use of monolithic bullets in his rifles.

If you can't get your hands on Woodleigh, Hornady makes 525Gr bullets for the .505 caliber as a reloading component. DGS steel jacketed FMJ solids and DGX Bonded soft points.
As well as making the 505G brass , Bertram in Australia also make 505 bullets . These are round nose soft point 525 grain bullets . Cheaper than Woodleighs and a lot cheaper than Hornady . They are perfect for practice . I am interested to understand why Mark Cruddington dislikes the 600 grain bullet . I can only assume it is a pressure related matter although the 505 pressures are very low to begin with .
 
you guys know a lot better than me but for my 505, using 600gn WDL soft and 525gn solids (similar for my 416 Rigby). My thinking is the soft high sectional density and expansion with reasonable penetration and then the FMJ, as much velocity as can get and as much penetration since expansion is not on the table.
Maybe he does not like the PP vs RN?
 
you guys know a lot better than me but for my 505, using 600gn WDL soft and 525gn solids (similar for my 416 Rigby). My thinking is the soft high sectional density and expansion with reasonable penetration and then the FMJ, as much velocity as can get and as much penetration since expansion is not on the table.
Maybe he does not like the PP vs RN?
I think the other way . The 600 is the solid . It doesn’t need a lot of velocity 2100-2200 fps . It will really penetrate and smash anything it hits on the way through . Of course the 525 grain in solid or soft nose is a great performer .
 
@PCC600
Of course GMA is still in business. Having said that, maybe to established customers? Since 2006, I have bought 9 actions from John, the last maybe 2-3 years ago.
I have heard recent customers having multi-year wait times for actions or no responses to phone or emails:(
John is a full time contract CNC machinist in addition to the action business he got from his uncle Mike.
Between MNR, Breeding, Smithson and who knows others, he is probably falling way short for single purchase buyers:(
Sad to think as they are a great action!

Sorry to pollute the OP thread
Steve
Yep I tried a few years back...no response. The gunsmiths who can actually build are all retireing/passing on it seems.

Hence starting down the Rigby path....good solid guns custom Africal look I like, availble now, not 5-6 year wait.

My .585 HE took best part of eight years as that smith is awesome and was starting to wind down at the time.
 
That piece of firewood you have for the stock is going to have some spectacular fiddle back.
 

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autofire wrote on Dr Ray's profile.
Hi Dr. Ray, I will be in Cooktown from Oct 16 to Oct 23 fishing Lizard Island Black Marlin Tournament.

I have several "slack" days after fishing before I head for stay in Sydney and Fiji.

Do you have any recommendations for 1 or 2 day hunt near Cooktown?

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