505 Gibbs

It is tough to see a beautiful pristine wood stock get its first few dents and battle scars. But once over the hump. It’s then called character.

I love the look of a battle scarred rifle with very little blueing left.

My CZ 550 in 500J is still pretty, but I hunt with it! I agree character.
 
The world's finest bolt action rifle caliber for elephant hunting (and indeed, all of the Big Five).

I personally dream of either of the two following rifles in this caliber:
- An Armeria Concari Super Magnum Mauser built with a three round detachable magazine
or
- A Joe Smithson custom piece built on a Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum Mauser action

600Gr DZOMBO MK VI flat nosed monometal brass solids at 2150 FPS will flatten any pachyderm from any angle, provided that a reasonable hit to the vitals can be made. This combination (fired from my white hunter Devon's custom made .505 Gibbs guilt on a Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum Mauser action) saved my life in 2006 from a elephant bull charge during a hunt gone wrong.
 
Some photos of my old 505 it is a massive rifle . 25 or 26 inch barrel ( can’t remember) single square bridge magnum and weighs 11.5 lbs . It is the second rifle from right between a 458 Lott Ruger M77 Safari Magnum and a 600NE falling block rifle. It somehow manages to make a 600 with 26 inch barrels look small while the 458 Lott looks like a toy . The other pic is against a big Rigby 450 Magnum - again manages to make it look small .

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Some photos of my old 505 it is a massive rifle . 25 or 26 inch barrel ( can’t remember) single square bridge magnum and weighs 11.5 lbs . It is the second rifle from right between a 458 Lott Ruger M77 Safari Magnum and a 600NE falling block rifle
 
The world's finest bolt action rifle caliber for elephant hunting (and indeed, all of the Big Five).

I personally dream of either of the two following rifles in this caliber:
- An Armeria Concari Super Magnum Mauser built with a three round detachable magazine
or
- A Joe Smithson custom piece built on a Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum Mauser action

600Gr DZOMBO MK VI flat nosed monometal brass solids at 2150 FPS will flatten any pachyderm from any angle, provided that a reasonable hit to the vitals can be made. This combination (fired from my white hunter Devon's custom made .505 Gibbs guilt on a Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum Mauser action) saved my life in 2006 from a elephant bull charge during a hunt gone wrong.
Always good to know our Italian 'Armeria Concari" is on the top of a wish list for one of ours most experienced members!
 
Always good to know our Italian 'Armeria Concari" is on the top of a wish list for one of ours most experienced members!
Italians make lots of good things, my friend:
- Bistecca Ala Fiorentina
- Veal chops
- Gelato
- Beretta double barrel shotguns (I own a Model 626E in 12 gauge 3” Magnum since 1989)
- Benelli semi automatic shotguns
- And of course, Armeria Concari rifles
 
Some photos of my old 505 it is a massive rifle . 25 or 26 inch barrel ( can’t remember) single square bridge magnum and weighs 11.5 lbs . It is the second rifle from right between a 458 Lott Ruger M77 Safari Magnum and a 600NE falling block rifle


Beautiful collection of firearms you have there
 
Some photos of my old 505 it is a massive rifle . 25 or 26 inch barrel ( can’t remember) single square bridge magnum and weighs 11.5 lbs . It is the second rifle from right between a 458 Lott Ruger M77 Safari Magnum and a 600NE falling block rifle. It somehow manages to make a 600 with 26 inch barrels look small while the 458 Lott looks like a toy . The other pic is against a big Rigby 450 Magnum - again manages to make it look small .

View attachment 631301View attachment 631302
If I may, who built your 505? .. it is magnificent.
Thank you.
 
If I may, who built your 505? .. it is magnificent.
Thank you.
Thanks Daniel I appreciate your comments. It really is a great rifle and a dream to shoot . It was built by Bob de Vries in Melbourne Australia . I used it 2 years ago on a few buff in Australia . Norma PH ammo - 600 grain bullets at 2150 FPS . All side on shots right in the boiler room at circa 50-70 metres. It just flattened them . No running nothing . They spun around 180 degrees and fell over . Bob also built me the other 505 on the GMA action . A much lighter rifle which I will pick up when I get back to OZ . Time will tell which is the better rifle . Fyi I have 2 rifles in each of the following calibres - 505 G , 500NE , 425 WR ( just fantastic ) , 450/400 a WR sidelock double and Ruger No1, 375 H&H a double H&H Royal flanged magnum and CZ 550 Safari Classic and 3x 303s a Purdey double rifle and 2 Lee Speeds . I have other great rifles but these are my favourites . Like you I really admire the new 500 J rifles being offered by WJ Jeffery . They look wonderful . And the 404 J is a brilliant all rounder .
 
The 505 Gibbs to me is one of 2 best DG calibers even made. The other is of course the 500 Jeffery. There are bigger but in my mind not better. I can’t pick between the two.
 
I went with the 500 Jeffery because I was worried there wasn't enough bolt face on my CZ 550 for the 505 Gibbs. No regrets :)
 
I went with the 500 Jeffery because I was worried there wasn't enough bolt face on my CZ 550 for the 505 Gibbs. No regrets :)
Does anyone know what (ammo's) moving @ these spec's .. thank you. 7700ft/lbs?

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I've seen some reloading info from "Real guns" that had a 500 Jeffery shooting a 570g bullet over 2500 fps. I achieved that with my 500 Jeffery and a 570g TSX using IMR4350 powder ( a lot). I can tell you the fun index was zero. I've settled on a 570g TSX at a sedate 2300 fps using H4895. That's still fun to shoot.
 
I've seen some reloading info from "Real guns" that had a 500 Jeffery shooting a 570g bullet over 2500 fps. I achieved that with my 500 Jeffery and a 570g TSX using IMR4350 powder ( a lot). I can tell you the fun index was zero. I've settled on a 570g TSX at a sedate 2300 fps using H4895. That's still fun to shoot.
That's very true, just read Wikipedia .. whoa. many thanks.
 
Because of the cavernously huge case capacity on the 505 Gibbs you can get those speeds but as stated it’s not fun. 2200 to 2300 fps on the 505 Gibbs is easy to achieve and comfortable to shoot.

HH
 
I understand these 500's may serve more of a particular purpose, stopping, etc & understand they are not for everyone, however. Surprisingly pleased to hear they are "favored" among members who have quite an extensive battery, across the board.

Thank you, to all.
 
I have a 1917 action laying in my gun safe, and every once in a while I consider a 505 Gibbs build on this action. The only thing that stops me is the other build(s) that I have already in the works.
 
Lastly, I have to say .. these things are So Enormously Loud! .. + the echo for miles.


The area is like a cove (sand hills) surrounded by the woods. 5 Acres apx. State PD use to practice there, always open to the public .. never see anyone out there.
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it's got some snot!
 
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