505 Gibbs (really any 500+), Killed What, Shoot How Often

[Wildwillalaska]

Gents, really seriously interested in hearing from folks who own or owned any of the real big boys (especially a 505 Gibbs since I’m a bolt gun lover), if you don’t mind sharing, what all you’ve killed with them, over what period of time, and how often you go to the range to practice with them.

Since asking folks to share, I’ll do the same. I really have an itch for a 505 Gibbs, and think I’ve stumbled into a distraction gun/caliber that will keep that portion of my brain occupied where if I don’t just stumble into the rifle, I’m leaning towards buying an action and just having one built. Plus it will give me a bit more time to maybe find one to shoot a few times since I admittedly have not yet. I love shooting the 416 Rigby and shooting it frequently and a lot…but recognize there is a BIG difference in recoil between the 416 and 505 Gibbs. On my May trip to South Africa I did shoot my PH’s (very light) 458 Lott and another PH’s 500NE double. Both were quite comfortable to shoot and of no real consequence recoil wise.

One thing I’ve enjoyed about my Rigby is I just shoot everything with it. Last year I took my buffalo, then sable, roan, kudu, impala, and finally an eland all with the 416. Sure made my ammo box a lot lighter on the ride home. This year I just took two buffalo, but had I seen a big impala or something that my 13yo daughter didn’t beat me to, I’d have used the 416. If I brought a 505 Gibbs or 500NE, I’d likely bring something else too, but just enjoy the impact these guns bring to the field…obviously ignoring the opportunities on something like springbok or warthog at 250-300 yards. While I competed in F-class and long range fun shoots for years, I do really prefer getting as close as possible, so don’t mind the more limited range.

Concerns I have is boring of it too quickly, play with it for a season or a hunt or two and move on. Wouldn’t be the first or even the 10th time it’s happened to me. Which is what really led to my curiosity on what folks have hunted, killed, and over what period of time they’ve owned and shot their big boys. I’m not planning to hunt elephant every year, but do fully intend to hunt them at least a time or four in my remaining life. Same with hippo, and have a real hard time thinking of a trip that didn’t at least include a buffalo, so don’t see a 500+ being truly frivolous…even if my interest proved fleeting.

I read in another thread in this sub-forum where @Hunter-Habib discussed taking a 375H&H on many (maybe most, don’t want to miss-remember) trips to Africa over a not-insignificant period (few decades) of time, but also having a blast (Literally) shooting a few animals with 505 Gibbs, and a 600NE. Recall a photo of a hippo that he had taken with a 600NE that looked memorable to say the least. These real big boys seem like they aren’t just fun to shoot, but damn effective too if one practices enough to be proficient. Good form to quickly make the shot when needed, and through the recoil cycle the bolt or return to a solid point of aim for follow up shot as needed, and even reload and repeat effectively.

Sorry my simple question turned into such a long post. End of the day, what big bore you shootings, how long have you owned it, how often do you take it out and feed it? Curious how many of us end up with one of these as a special gun for a special hunt and then investment/safe queen after, vs dragging it across the pond annually or ever few years with range sessions regularly. Know ammo, even components can prove scarce at times, and heavy recoil can prove impactful on bodies and health. So regardless of responses, zero judgment intended, truly just an honest curiosity and hope for open discussion I may learn from.

Cheers all,
Will

 

[DWB]

Have been hunting absolutely everything with my 404 for a long time.

Been shooting my 450 Rigby a lot, only hunted a little.

Then got my 500 Jeffery recently.

The 404 and 450 both have Aimpoint Micro H1's on, whereas the 500 is still open sighted.

Done about 200 shots with the 500 in the 7 months I have had it, and it is a massive step up even from the 450 Rigby.

But I believe you can learn to shoot these big boys efficiently.

Only taken a 200lb (live weight) warthog with it so far, and am now awaiting my skull with a nice half in hole between the eyes

You definitely have to focus on what is going on around and behind the animal a bit more, but nothing beats getting up close and personal for a proper hunt!

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Shot Elephant and Cape Buffalo with the 505 with great results. Makes you work a little harder to get into the proper distance (Inside 75 yards). And inside 50 is better. A lethal and devastating caliber.
As for getting tired of it…you need to be honest with yourself. I love rifles and keep buying them in different calibers to experience the differences. A 505 Gibbs will kill anything on the planet and is a great pick.

HH

 

[grand veneur]

@Wildwillalaska

I try to answer the topic as objectively as possible because most of us are non-professional hunters and as far big bore rifles caliber 50 and up are concerned, we are in the domain of enthusiasts. I own a rifle caliber 12,7x70 Schüler that I had built end of the nineties because of a childhood dream, but I don't needed it really. Nobody as client needs a rifle like that, which was primarily intended for hunting elephants. Rifles caliber 45 also do the job perfectly and are much more handy and universal than rifles caliber 50. These rifles have a significantly stronger recoil than rifles caliber 45 and therefore require a lot more practice to master them perfectly. The working by shooting elephants is very good, but unfortunately one don't hunt elephants very often. For this reason, rifles caliber 50 are usually at first fired more often at the shooting range than in the field and at some point it ends up in the gun-safe. If you like a rifle like this, you should get it because hunting with is certainly an experience, but you won't be shoot a lot of game with it, especially if you own other rifles that are more handy and universal. I don't remember everything I shot with my rifle caliber 460 Weatherby Magnum, but I do remember well what I shot until now with my rifle caliber 500 Schüler; 3 elephants, 1 buffalo, 1 hippo, 1 bushbuck and 1 warthog. I only know the 505 Gibbs cartridge from the shooting range, where I shot a rifle of this caliber several times. In practice, when hunting, there are in my opinion no differences in comparison with the cartridge 500 Jeffery.

 

[MLindsay]

I have a BRNO 602 500 A2, shoot 570grn Barnes TSX. I have shot a giraffe and 5 buffs with it. Leaving Thursday for the Save for buffs

 

[zephyr]

My passion for the Gibbs started in 2018 when Good Friend and Gunsmith whom I frequently shot for asked if I could come and shoot a "Big Bore" that he had just replaced the front sight and needed to file in the rear. There on his bench was a well used and much loved 505, one look down it's barrel and I was hooked. In 2019 I started planning for another Safari for 2022 a retirement Safari as it were needed a retirement rifle and the 505 became more than a pipe dream. While waiting for the pieces and parts to accumulate, a Bastogne blank, GMA Action and Krieger Barrel..research and notes started to stack up on my desk as "MY" 505 started to take shape in my mind.. Weight of the gun, length of the barrel, what type sight, what load to shoot and what distance to sight it in...
Practice; once or twice a week leading up to my Safari I was good for a half dozen of so full power loads and shot that many more reduced loads using cast bullets and 5744 or Trail Boss...
The Hunt ... Buff, Tuskless and a BushPig

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Gents, really seriously interested in hearing from folks who own or owned any of the real big boys (especially a 505 Gibbs since I’m a bolt gun lover), if you don’t mind sharing, what all you’ve killed with them, over what period of time, and how often you go to the range to practice with them.

Since asking folks to share, I’ll do the same. I really have an itch for a 505 Gibbs, and think I’ve stumbled into a distraction gun/caliber that will keep that portion of my brain occupied where if I don’t just stumble into the rifle, I’m leaning towards buying an action and just having one built. Plus it will give me a bit more time to maybe find one to shoot a few times since I admittedly have not yet. I love shooting the 416 Rigby and shooting it frequently and a lot…but recognize there is a BIG difference in recoil between the 416 and 505 Gibbs. On my May trip to South Africa I did shoot my PH’s (very light) 458 Lott and another PH’s 500NE double. Both were quite comfortable to shoot and of no real consequence recoil wise.

One thing I’ve enjoyed about my Rigby is I just shoot everything with it. Last year I took my buffalo, then sable, roan, kudu, impala, and finally an eland all with the 416. Sure made my ammo box a lot lighter on the ride home. This year I just took two buffalo, but had I seen a big impala or something that my 13yo daughter didn’t beat me to, I’d have used the 416. If I brought a 505 Gibbs or 500NE, I’d likely bring something else too, but just enjoy the impact these guns bring to the field…obviously ignoring the opportunities on something like springbok or warthog at 250-300 yards. While I competed in F-class and long range fun shoots for years, I do really prefer getting as close as possible, so don’t mind the more limited range.

Concerns I have is boring of it too quickly, play with it for a season or a hunt or two and move on. Wouldn’t be the first or even the 10th time it’s happened to me. Which is what really led to my curiosity on what folks have hunted, killed, and over what period of time they’ve owned and shot their big boys. I’m not planning to hunt elephant every year, but do fully intend to hunt them at least a time or four in my remaining life. Same with hippo, and have a real hard time thinking of a trip that didn’t at least include a buffalo, so don’t see a 500+ being truly frivolous…even if my interest proved fleeting.

I read in another thread in this sub-forum where @Hunter-Habib discussed taking a 375H&H on many (maybe most, don’t want to miss-remember) trips to Africa over a not-insignificant period (few decades) of time, but also having a blast (Literally) shooting a few animals with 505 Gibbs, and a 600NE. Recall a photo of a hippo that he had taken with a 600NE that looked memorable to say the least. These real big boys seem like they aren’t just fun to shoot, but damn effective too if one practices enough to be proficient. Good form to quickly make the shot when needed, and through the recoil cycle the bolt or return to a solid point of aim for follow up shot as needed, and even reload and repeat effectively.

Sorry my simple question turned into such a long post. End of the day, what big bore you shootings, how long have you owned it, how often do you take it out and feed it? Curious how many of us end up with one of these as a special gun for a special hunt and then investment/safe queen after, vs dragging it across the pond annually or ever few years with range sessions regularly. Know ammo, even components can prove scarce at times, and heavy recoil can prove impactful on bodies and health. So regardless of responses, zero judgment intended, truly just an honest curiosity and hope for open discussion I may learn from.

Cheers all,
Will

Hi, @Wildwillalaska

Don’t forget the .404 Jeffery

And the .458 Winchester Magnum (the first time in my life that I ever hunted anything with a double rifle!)

If you do get a .505 Gibbs, then you absolutely must have it built on a Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum Mauser action with a Douglas Premium barrel. My friend, Botswana based white hunter Jeff Rann had John Boliger (of Mountain Riflery) build him just such a rifle (far right). Highly ornate. Although that style of recoil pad is quite inappropriate. A Limb Saver pad would be far better for absorbing all of the recoil.

Rhino in South Africa makes a really beautiful brass monometal flat nosed 600Gr solid and a 600Gr copy of the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (called the “Solid Shank”). Both these bullets (loaded to a velocity of 2150 FPS) can sort out every single head of dangerous game Africa, Asia, Europe or the Americas can throw at you. Particularly useful for hunting bull elephants in the thickets or hippopotamus bulls in the sugarcane fields at night (the latter being my favorite form of African dangerous game hunting).

 

[colorado]

I love my CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery. I shot it quite a bit at first (400 full power rounds in the first two years). Now I shoot it maybe 5 rounds at the range every other month then take it hunting. So far only got a cow elk at 225 yards and a feral hot at 8 feet. Going to take it elk hunting again this year.

 

[IvW]

500 Jeff
Killed numerous elephant, buffalo, lion, hippo, rhino, 1 leopard.
Most devestatingly effective stopping caliber in bolt action designed. I prefer the 500 Jeff over the 505 Gibbs for various reasons.
My chamber can takr all the different chamber dimensioned cartridges including 500 Schuler.
It is a custom build on a ZKK602 action 3 down one in the chamber....

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

500 Jeffery is my choice, I have owned 2 of them now both being Blaser R8's. The one I have kept and just recently took to Africa for buffalo is an R8 Kilombero. Leading up to the hunt I had it out on the range every few weeks with each range session firing anywhere between 10-20 rounds. I use handloads but nothing excessive for the 500 Jeffery, 535 grain Woodleighs at 2300fps.

 

[Fordy]

Gday
Love my 500 Jeffery
Personally I come back to most won’t shoot the big bores enough & here lies the problem

if one is like the vast majority of shooters in my neck of the woods & one thinks a box or 2 will have them component they most likely will turn a problem solver into a problem creator

These big bores are truly incredible on what they’ll do if we match the hatch to the catch but overall we see some pills not upto the task of what’s potentially ahead & another time on those

Personally for me I try to shoot only my Jeffery exclusively 3 months out on every critter I can although I find myself going against this due to my position of what I’ve got to do in the way of culls & requests of testing different bullets

Only shot one African critter with my 500 & that was a zebra that was hit from a mate before it made the boarder some 80 meters off & stopped him in his tracks & that was a solid although I look @ thing’s different as no normal solid equation in my rifles

In Aussie I can’t tell you how many bovines donkeys pigs wallaby rabbits cats deer etc I’ve taken with the Jeffery but it’s a few now

Yes the secret of shooting these big bores well is shooting them often & before we head back to Mozambique next year I’ll start that 3 months out & look @ around a minimum of 10 shots a day on any critter I can find including target work on elephant just to install the muscle memory a little bit more into the system I use on these big bores

Have I said I love my Jeffery lol
Yes I do , but man I don’t like heavy pills in it when they are pushed towards max loads especially the 600 gr that’s just too much for me

Finding one’s own limit is very important & create muscle memory with it even more so

Cheers

 

[Wildwillalaska]

500 Jeffery is my choice, I have owned 2 of them now both being Blaser R8's. The one I have kept and just recently took to Africa for buffalo is an R8 Kilombero. Leading up to the hunt I had it out on the range every few weeks with each range session firing anywhere between 10-20 rounds. I use handloads but nothing excessive for the 500 Jeffery, 535 grain Woodleighs at 2300fps.

Aussie, how do you like the 500J in comparison to the 450 Rigby? My aging brain may prove wrong, sorry if so, but think I recall you having/had a couple BGR in 450 Rigby. Big advantages ballistically with the 500J and how much difference in felt recoil? Know on paper there is a decent jump in recoil from the 416 to 450 Rigby. But also the Lott on paper but I haven’t noted much difference except some that might be more related to stock design and weight. But would love to hear noticed differences, especially in the BGR specifically if you’ve shot the 404, 416 and 450.

Would love to have a 500J or 505 Gibbs in a Rigby built London’s Best, but cannot see myself spending well north of $55k on a bolt gun that I’d likely beat the piss out of in the field. If they ever brought either chambering to the field guns, I’d be a buyer for sure.