Help needed

[norfolk shooter]

I have reached the next step in my big bore quest. Im looking at moving up from a 416 Rigby to a bigger rifle. The rifle in question will be a custom built beast for a big birthday I have coming up.
The cals im thinking are 458 Lott and 500 Jeffery. Brass and dies are a one off purchase that dont worry me too much and bullets for both can be had in the UK with ease now. I fully appreciate that the 500 is another animal altogether but people that have them and shoot them seem to love them. Plus Im sure with a well fitted stock that a British custom rifle has to offer the 500 shouldn't be too bad to shoot.

Fellow hunters you can see the quandary I find myself in so I thought best ask your opinions

Thanks as always

 

[Bullthrower338]

505 Gibbs Manny!

 

[norfolk shooter]

505 Gibbs Manny!

Sorry buddy but the Gibbs isnt an option as bullets are a pain to get in the UK as crazy as that might sound

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Sorry buddy but the Gibbs isnt an option as bullets are a pain to get in the UK as crazy as that might sound

I would’ve said Gibbs too. The 500J seems to have earned a reputation for being hard to get to feed properly due to its rebated rim as I understand it. Definitely a statement subject to correction.

If that is the case, and Gibbs is a pain, I’d lean to the Lott.

 

[BeeMaa]

458LOTT is a great caliber and gives the option of shooing 458WIN if necessary. Lots of good bullet choices as well, but 500 grains of bullet will get the job done on damn near anything. Good luck with your "step up" and Happy Birthday.

BTW - What did you have in mind for a custom rifle? Placing an order from Krieghoff or Heym? Maybe a British gunmaker?

 

[Happy Myles]

I have used both calibers successfully on Cape buffalo and elephant. Both are great rounds. If i had to make a choice to keep just one, these days it would be the 458 LOTT. Kindest Regards

 

[Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy]

My vote would be the .500 Jeffery. A good gunsmith can sort out any feeding issues. Since you're stepping up from the .416 Rigby, I am going to assume that you are a fan of the historic stuff. .500 Jeffery wins that round easily over the .458 Lott.

Another bonus in my opinion, having shot both the .416 Rigby and the .500 Jeffery - the Rigby recoils more sharply to me. The properly weighted and stocked Jeffery pushed but was not unpleasant. So it would not take much adjustment to get used to it. Admittedly, I've not shot a Lott but would bet it trends closer to the Rigby in sharpness and then some since those are commonly found in lighter rifles.

Last thing for consideration, it does not matter...but it also does matter. You've already got something in the .40 cal category. This would unlock the .50 cal club for you.

Both are great rounds and will kill anything short of Megatron.

 

[ActionBob]

Definitely the 500! I have two 505 Gibbs and much prefer them over the 458 Lott. I should probably sell another Lott because I'll likely always grab a 505 before one of my Lott's.

 

[krish]

Get 450 rigby and done with it. Go with a barrel of 14 or 12 twist. You will never look back. It will be a custom rifle due to twist of barrel. 550gr 450 rigby is my dream rifle.
Krish

 

[Hunter4752001]

I'm going to assume that the purpose of the rifle will be:
i. African big game
ii. Pride of owning something special.

An interesting exercise is to consider having touched down in Jo'berg (or where ever) only to find that your ammo is missing. What calibre is locally available? A quick perusal of the Safari Outdoors ZA website lists a few diferent 458 Lott types some 458 Win Mag (can be used in the Lott if needed) and a few types 500 Jeffrey. No 505 GIbbs listed.

Not saying this is going to occur, but something to be considered.

 

[Nkawu]

Did the UK ever follow through with the ban on calibers .50 and over?

 

[matt85]

The 458 Lott is a wonderful cartridge but if your looking for something a bit more unique the 500 Jeffery is a real winner. Price will be a big factor though as a proper 500J that is reliable will be significantly more expensive then a 458 Lott.

-matt

 

[spike.t]

450 rigby or the 500 jeff....for you I would probably go the 450 rigby route and use that stock wood that you showed me.....but maybe the 500 Jeffery as when you come here you could bring me lots of bullets as a present....just a thought....ha ha!!

 

[norfolk shooter]

I would’ve said Gibbs too. The 500J seems to have earned a reputation for being hard to get to feed properly due to its rebated rim as I understand it. Definitely a statement subject to correction.

If that is the case, and Gibbs is a pain, I’d lean to the Lott.

The 500 J only runs into problems if you dont use a single stack mag

 

[norfolk shooter]

458LOTT is a great caliber and gives the option of shooing 458WIN if necessary. Lots of good bullet choices as well, but 500 grains of bullet will get the job done on damn near anything. Good luck with your "step up" and Happy Birthday.

BTW - What did you have in mind for a custom rifle? Placing an order from Krieghoff or Heym? Maybe a British gunmaker?

The maker is going to be a young British gun maker who did his apprenticeships at Purdy and WR

About Us — I.S Sweetman Gun & Rifle makers LTD

www.gunmakinguk.com

Gunmaker Ian Sweetman establishes business on his own account.

Gunmaker Ian Sweetman (from Purdey) establishes business on his own account.

www.vintageguns.co.uk

 

[norfolk shooter]

Get 450 rigby and done with it. Go with a barrel of 14 or 12 twist. You will never look back. It will be a custom rifle due to twist of barrel. 550gr 450 rigby is my dream rifle.
Krish

Ah but Krish you forget this is to be MY dream rifle

 

[norfolk shooter]

Did the UK ever follow through with the ban on calibers .50 and over?

They didnt as would mean the end of many big game rifles being produced. It was stupid notion anyway

 

[norfolk shooter]

450 rigby or the 500 jeff....for you I would probably go the 450 rigby route and use that stock wood that you showed me.....but maybe the 500 Jeffery as when you come here you could bring me lots of bullets as a present....just a thought....ha ha!!

I'll bring you a box if your lucky mate

I guess 500j will be a bit much on sable

 

[spike.t]

I'll bring you a box if your lucky mate

I guess 500j will be a bit much on sable

Nah...just bring some solids for the blue duiker etc sorted.....be interesting

 

[Pondoro]

I chose to build a .500 Jeffery...on a shoestring actually.. I had a ZKK 602 action, bought a laminated stock for a song and got hold of a .50 cal. machinegun barrel that my smith turned down...recoil reduser in the butt and some lead shot baked into the foretree..

But I chose this caliber solely with elephant hunting in mind.. Norfolk, you are velcome over to Norway to shoot it if you should be interested..