Official .505 Gibbs Data Base and Image Thread

[Just Duke]

I have finally come to the conclusion that I am going to need a few bolt action rifles with scopes to shoot in lieu of my degrading eyesight.
The Winchester Safari Express Model 70 line of rifles in the big bore caliber have an attractive price.
I'm working on acquiring the 4 larger ones including the .505 GIBBS.
This would be a dedicated cast bullet gun running 550 to 600 grain bullets at around 1300 fps with 55 or so grains of 5744.

Any submissions you can add would be great appreciated by myself and others.
TIA,
Duke


Here's a round loaded by Blake Stephenson.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SAFARI%20CZ%20550/505GIBBSCART.jpg





From; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/505_Gibbs

Type Rifle
Place of origin England
Production history
Designer George Gibbs
Designed 1911
Specifications
Parent case none
Case type Rimless, Bottleneck
Bullet diameter .505 in (12.8 mm)
Neck diameter .538 in (13.7 mm)
Shoulder diameter .640 in (16.3 mm)
Base diameter .640 in (16.3 mm)
Rim thickness unknown
Case length 3.150 in (80.0 mm)
Overall length 3.850 in (97.8 mm)
Rifling twist unknown
Primer type unknown
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
600 gr (39 g) Protected Point 2,100 ft/s (640 m/s) 5,877 ft·lbf (7,968 J)
600 gr (39 g) FMJ 2,100 ft/s (640 m/s) 5,877 ft·lbf (7,968 J)
525 gr (34.0 g) Welded Core SP 2,300 ft/s (700 m/s) 6,180 ft·lbf (8,380 J)


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SAFARI%20CZ%20550/505Gibbs.jpg




I was fortunately enough to talk Blake Stephenson into bringing is rifle over so I could see one in person prior to my purchase.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SAFARI%20CZ%20550/505GIBBSCART2.jpg


http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SAFARI%20CZ%20550/505GIBBSCART3.jpg



http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SAFARI%20CZ%20550/505GIBBSCART4.jpg


Here is a pic link to most of Blake holding his rifle.

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad54/LEVERACTIONSHOOTERS/SAFARI%20CZ%20550/505GIBBSCART6.jpg
[COLOR="Blue"]

[Bullshop]

I have an NEI mold for a 550gn RNGC. I loaded some light loads for a customer with 120gn H4831. A nice plinker for the 505 Gibbs

[Buckshot]

...........I believe Ken (45Nut) has a .505 Gibbs.

...............Buckshot

[Just Duke]

...........I believe Ken (45Nut) has a .505 Gibbs.

...............Buckshot

I think when I talked to him a year or so ago he said it was a 500 A-Square.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=14327&page=3

Not sure what the difference is.

[softpoint]

NICE! I was in the local gun shop a few months ago when a fellow was picking one up he had ordered . He let me hold it and fondle it!
That rifle is also chambered in .500 Jeffery now, a slightly more powerful round than the Gibbs .505. (As if it were needed). :drinks:

[elk hunter]

A guy let me shoot his CZ 505 last year. He asked me to step out in front of the roof support over the firing line before I shot as he didn't want the barrel to hit anything during recoil. I did as he asked as we were the only people there. Well, it wasn't nearly as bad as he described. I think he was disappointed when I told him "I just might have to have one of those." That is the only CZ center fire rifle I have held and shot, It seemed well enough made, and as I recall the price was quite reasonable. It would make a great cast bullet rifle for big game.

[Southern Son]

I have an older Brno, Model 602 (I think that's the model), made in 1976. It is just a little .458Win Mag (compared to that 505 it is little, anyway), but it is just so well made. Smooth action, good looking, even has a pop up peep sight in the rear bridge of the action. That 505 has a beutiful stock on it.

[Just Duke]

Can one of the mods move this top the bolt gun section please?
TIA,
Duke

[45nut]

Moved,,and yes my gun is a 500 A Square,, 460 Weatherby necked up to .510 a rather simple operation. My gun is built on a Remington P-14 with a pac nor 1-14 barrel. It sits in a Bell and Carlson stock and is fitted with a Timney trigger.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/45nut/rifles/100_1007.jpg

[Just Duke]

Thanks Ken.
That's quite the list of quality parts Ken. My 338 had a Pac Nor barrel and shot great.

[Nrut]

Why, if you are only going to shoot a 500/600gr boolit at 1300fps?.:veryconfu

You can buy a 1885 50/90 for less than $1250.00 mount a scope on it and shoot a 550gr boolit at 1448fps..
If you feel you just have to have a .505 save yourself a lot of money and grief and get a CZ .505 like the guys told you over at Accurate Reloading...
Just don't tell them you are shooting cast at 1300fps..;)

[Just Duke]

Why, if you are only going to shoot a 500/600gr boolit at 1300fps?.:veryconfu

You can buy a 1885 50/90 for less than $1250.00 mount a scope on it and shoot a 550gr boolit at 1448fps..
If you feel you just have to have a .505 save yourself a lot of money and grief and get a CZ .505 like the guys told you over at Accurate Reloading...
Just don't tell them you are shooting cast at 1300fps..;)

Just cuz I want one.
That's kinda like walking into a Harley shop and telling all the customers, Hey! you guys can go buy a Yamaha for half the price.
I guess I won't tell them I broke most of the bones in my shoulder like my collar bone for start.

So what do I do with this CZ action a friend of mine just sent me for free? Paper weight?
Guess I'll sell it and buy one.

[Just Duke]

You can buy a 1885 50/90 for less than $1250.00 mount a scope on it and shoot a 550gr boolit at 1448fps..






Official .505 Gibbs Data Base and Image Thread :veryconfu

[Nrut]

Well "want" is good enough...
I don't need a .40 cal. as a 30-06 will handle anything up here but I bought two .405 Winchesters anyway.. And a .358 Win., .35 Whelen, 9.3X57, 9.3X62, 9.3X74R, and .375 H&H...
Not to mention several each lever and single shots in 45-70..:veryconfu:shock::veryconfu
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So what do I do with this CZ action a friend of mine just sent me for free? Paper weight?
Guess I'll sell it and buy one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You said above in your first post that you were going to buy 4 big bores so use your CZ action for one of those I suppose, but it may be more cost effective to buy a new Winchester..

Here's the link to that 1885 I was refering to.. One of our Canadian dealers just imported some of these Miroku/Winchester 1885's and a good friend of mine just ordered one yesterday.. Can't wait until it gets here so I can shoot it!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=188950886

[Nrut]

Bobs your uncle?;)
__________________
That one went over my head Duke, but it doesn't take much to do that these days....:roll:

[frank505]

I have had one for 15 years. Seems to work pretty well on bison up to 2500 pounds. Recoil is not so bad with a gun at 11 pounds, when it weighed 9.5 it was too fast in recoil. A 600 grain gas check flat nose and 150 grains of WC 860 is a real good load. 130 grains of 4831 and the same bullet will go 2250 versus 2000 for the prevouis load. Jamison brass is pretty good, Bell is the best if you can find any. The kangaroo brass is not worth buying, dimensions are way off from case to case. Grafs has RCBS dies for less than 200 dollars, any other brand is not going to work for full loads. You will need tp remove the insert in an RCBS press as the dies are threaded 1x12.
You will never leave the house wondering if you have enough gun!

[Just Duke]

Score!
I found the guys that make the 505 barrels for CZ's custom shop.
Installed including barrel, front and rear express sights, and blued. $650.00 HERE (http://www.mcgowenbarrel.com/contact.htm)

[Just Duke]

I have had one for 15 years. Seems to work pretty well on bison up to 2500 pounds. Recoil is not so bad with a gun at 11 pounds, when it weighed 9.5 it was too fast in recoil. A 600 grain gas check flat nose and 150 grains of WC 860 is a real good load. 130 grains of 4831 and the same bullet will go 2250 versus 2000 for the prevouis load. Jamison brass is pretty good, Bell is the best if you can find any. The kangaroo brass is not worth buying, dimensions are way off from case to case. Grafs has RCBS dies for less than 200 dollars, any other brand is not going to work for full loads. You will need tp remove the insert in an RCBS press as the dies are threaded 1x12.
You will never leave the house wondering if you have enough gun!

Where can I get a mould like that Frank?

[James Wisner]

Duke.

Here is my notes from that rifles brother.

NEI cast bullet, 600 gr. Fed 215 primer, 50.0 grs 5744, at 1450 fps
NEI cast bullet, 600 gr, Fed 215 primer, 55.0 grs 5744, at 1540 fps
NEI cast bullet, 600 gr, Fed 215 primer, 55.0 grs 5744, at 1675 fps
I have groups just over an inch with this bullet at 50 yards.

Woodliegh 525 gr SN bullet, Fed 215 primer, 140 grs IMR 4350, 2550 fps, NOTE MAX

I also played with swaging up Speer 325 gr pistol bullets to .506 dia, ahead 36 grs of 5744, at 1250 fps, and got goups right at 2 inch at 100 yards

That 505 is # 3 of 4 that I made up in the early 90's, I suspect Blake has shot it more that the first owner ever did.

I also have some ammo, brass, bullets, dies etc for sale in 505 Gibbs.

James Wisner
Custom Metalsmith

[frank505]

Duke,
Hoch molds made that mold for me, now I would have Mountain Molds make one. Yes, James, 5744 is a wonderful powder for most of the 505 shooting. Almost no recoil, had lots of gals shoot the Gibbs with 5744 loads and not complained of recoil.
What is for sale in the ever popular 505 diameter?

[Just Duke]

Duke.

Here is my notes from that rifles brother.

NEI cast bullet, 600 gr. Fed 215 primer, 50.0 grs 5744, at 1450 fps
NEI cast bullet, 600 gr, Fed 215 primer, 55.0 grs 5744, at 1540 fps
NEI cast bullet, 600 gr, Fed 215 primer, 55.0 grs 5744, at 1675 fps
I have groups just over an inch with this bullet at 50 yards.

Woodliegh 525 gr SN bullet, Fed 215 primer, 140 grs IMR 4350, 2550 fps, NOTE MAX

I also played with swaging up Speer 325 gr pistol bullets to .506 dia, ahead 36 grs of 5744, at 1250 fps, and got goups right at 2 inch at 100 yards

That 505 is # 3 of 4 that I made up in the early 90's, I suspect Blake has shot it more that the first owner ever did.

I also have some ammo, brass, bullets, dies etc for sale in 505 Gibbs.

James Wisner
Custom Metalsmith


Aren't you James Wisner that built the rifle shown? I think that's what I heard?

[frank505]

Apparently the masses havent discovered what a useful cartridge the 505 Gibbs is.

[SilverBow]

Hi all!

A few months back and in a moment of weakness, I purchased a Ruger RSM in 505 Gibbs. I was fortunate to make contact with the gunsmith who did the conversion in 2004 --- Steve Holborn of Warren, Ontario --- so I know a little bit of history on the rifle.

The rifle started off as a Ruger RSM in 416 Rigby. S. Holborn was contracted by Ellwoood Epps (gun store) to rebore and rechamber the barrel to 505 Gibbs, and to shape the feed rails for the 600gr Woodleigh. Epps extended the magazine and who knows what else (maybe some stock work?)

Here's some pictures of the rifle... more are available in my gallery:

http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/jsmithsmithj/RSM505Gibbs/

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/jsmithsmithj/RSM505Gibbs/right-overview.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/jsmithsmithj/RSM505Gibbs/left-overview.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/jsmithsmithj/RSM505Gibbs/bottom-forearm.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/jsmithsmithj/RSM505Gibbs/right-receiver.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/jsmithsmithj/RSM505Gibbs/left-markings.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/jsmithsmithj/RSM505Gibbs/magazine-left.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/jsmithsmithj/RSM505Gibbs/magazine-well.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/jsmithsmithj/RSM505Gibbs/muzzle.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/jsmithsmithj/RSM505Gibbs/bolt-right.jpg

The rifle weighs a trim 9lbs 10oz without the scope:

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm26/jsmithsmithj/RSM505Gibbs/012.jpg

My prior big bore experience is limited to the 444 Marlin. Needless to say, the RSM is an entirely different beast. I've started to educate myself on how to learn to shoot it well, and I've already received some good advice from associates an a Canadian gun forum.

I just put in an order for the RCBS Safari die set and 40 Norma cases, so I now need to decide on what to do for bullets.

My intention at this point is to start with a very light cast load --- probably using Trailboss. I thought it would be a good idea to source a 2-cavity mold and have one cut without GC for the light loads and the other with GC for full power loads (towards which I hope to eventually work up).

I have Cerrosafe, and plan to make a chamber cast, but from that point on I'm a bit lost as to how to proceed to a mold. I checked out Mountain Molds, and they look like a good option, except that I'm not sure I have enough experience to correctly design a bullet. Any thoughts/advice?

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

Ask me about my 550 Gibbs sometime when you have an hour to kill.