Howdy folks. I am hoping to have a .505 Gibbs bolt action built in the not-too-distant future. The makers that come to mind are Searcy, Ryan Breeding, and Heym. Has anyone out there had an opportunity to compare the three hands-on? Pros and cons? This would be for dangerous game, so reliability is top criterion.

Thanks in advance for any insights...

Right in your own back yard:

www.martiniandhagngunmakers.com

Search on this forum, Gunsmithing, Double Rifles, and African Hunting forums.

Our Members have all those and more.

George

After my orders with Dakota fell through (Thankfully) I ordered a 416 rigby and 505 Gibbs from Ryan Bredding last September.

I have a Searcy 375 Flanged, and a 500 NE completed on lay-away and consider Butch's guns to be top notch. His quality and standing behind his product in addition to the gun quality are second to none.

Breedings guns are solid and the workmanship superb. The function for a dangerous game rifle is near perfect and trustworthy.

Both Searcy and Breedings guns start around $18,000 and go up from there.

A third option may be American Hunting rifles (AHR) run by Wayne Jacobson. Ordered a 375 H&H from him with an upgraded Granite Mountain action and upgraded wood. (Cost Approx 8500.00)It took him approximately 3 months to get the action and will have the rifle completed in an additional 3 months.

Saw his rifles at Dallas, and was highly impressed with their looks, feel, and function. Specializes in upgrading CZ actions and Big Bores (up to 700 AHR) 1,000 Grains at 2350 fps.

Each of these builders make superb weapons. Byan Breeding takes approx 18 months to complete, Searcy approx 12 months and AHR approx 3 to six months depending on action requested. All are a pleasure to deal with.

Granite Mountain arms built mine; in fact Mike Roden built the gun himself before he semi-retired. Amazing gun in every way and I highly recommend them.

I know that CZ makes the 550 Gibbs and they make quality rifles. I have the 458 Lott by CZ and it wasn't real expence

Look no farther than http://www.rbbigbores.com/

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RedRoot:
Howdy folks. I am hoping to have a .505 Gibbs bolt action built in the not-too-distant future. The makers that come to mind are Searcy, Ryan Breeding, and Heym. Has anyone out there had an opportunity to compare the three hands-on? Pros and cons? This would be for dangerous game, so reliability is top criterion.

Thanks in advance for any insights...[/QUOTEI think you can have a reliable rifle for much less the money.A worked on CZ or factory Ruger is more than one will ever need.Now,if you want a fancy rifle then... Just make sure the fancy rifle is reliable,doesn't weigh too much and look too out of place.

If you want a good gun to shoot that can be customized the CZ, in my opinion is a good buy. My first 505 Gibbs was a CZ and a company like AHR can make it into a really nice gun.

These guns are very capable and good to hunt with but as I've told my firends many times there IS A DIFFERENCE between a PH's rifle and one you and I may want to hunt with looking and shooting good. However, a PH's rifle is one that HAS TO WORK EVERYTIME. If the client's rifle fails who is relied upon to stop "the fight"...the PH.

If your looking for a good gun that will work shoot well and can be spiffed up there are several guns that fit the bill, comparitively speaking and many us the CZ or a CZ action. If you look at the PH's they will most likely be using a GMA action or BREVEX or something in that clan. Big price difference but a big difference in what they do relative to reliability.

A gun that works right 98% of the time vs one that works 100% of the time is a difference of two but it only takes 1 time to get you killed. So look at your purpose and go for it.

By survey I believe the CZ 550/ZKK 602 is the most popular aciton currently in use by African PHs/Guides. Quite certain this was located on the now-defunct African Hunter website.

I'm sure Wayne at AHR would be happy to tell you he can make a CZ feed 100% of the time; a 98% performance guarantee would probably not be so good for biz...

I would recommend Michael Scherz located in Pocatello, ID. I have seen the .550 magnums he produces and they are unbelievable. I had him do a .300 Win Mag for me, Winchester CRF action, Mcmillan, Douglas barrel and the thing is unbelievable. His turnaround is pretty quick also.

http://michaelscherz.com/

I have talked to Wayne and he does make a fine rifle. But I'll bet ya that if a PH has a choice between a GMA action and a reworked CZ they would take the GMZ simple cuz it fits the cartridge much better. Nothing against Wayne or his work just a fact.

I have also hunted with and talked to several PH's in S.A., Tanzania and Zimbabwe that use CZ's and they, to the man, will tell you that is the only Mauser type action rifle they can afford. And in countries like S.A. they are lucky to own that and save to have them reworked.

When I shot my Lion with my Dakota African in 416 Rigby I had PH's coming to visit camp asking about my rifle and wanting to shoot it and I obliged.

AHR does a GREAT job with a CZ, but it's the action--it just isn't a GMA, Brevex or Dakota for that matter.

I still stand by my personal experiences and what the guys that use these guns everyday tell me.

To 500 Fan : As stated in my above post, I have Ryan Breeding building a 416 and 505 Gibbs on a GMA action. AHR is also building a 375 H%H with an upgraded GMA action for approximately 1/3 the total price of the Breeding rifles.

I was giving the original poster options and price differences and think the AHR with an upgraded GMA action gives one a hell of a gun for a substantial saving.

I agree with the board, I saw AHR's work at DSC and it looked alot better than some other makers there for the dollar

Ryan builds a awesome big bore rifle

Do not overlook Lon Paul, I have met Lon a number of times, and I really like him. His guns are excellent!

www.lonpaulcustomguns.com

Tip Burns does a nice job too. He has a 505 barrel of mine right now. I just need a left handed action for it. Hein already took a chunk of that project already!

Ed

RedRoot...I have a Heym in 500 Jeff...sorry, not a 505...but close..and I think it's a great firearm. They aren't cheap, but a well made piece that shoot very well and function is flawless.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

Look guys I agree AHR does a great job; what I'm talking about is the hear of the two--the action! The CZ just isn't in the same league as the GMA or Dakota.

If AHR built a rifle on a GMA action I'm sure it would be competative with anyone. As one well known midwestern custom gunmaker told me, "You can't turn a Yugo into a Jaguar." I don't know if I'd go that far but he makes a point.

Again no kick against AHR, they do great work it's just they are working with something completely different than a GMA or Dakota action.

quote:

Originally posted by 500 Fan:
If AHR built a rifle on a GMA action I'm sure it would be competative with anyone.

AHR does make a rifle on the Granite Mountain Arms action. It's standard on their 700 AHR rifle and, as 470drshooter is having done, an upgrade to their Dangerous Game Rifle.

quote:

A third option may be American Hunting rifles (AHR) run by Wayne Jacobson. Ordered a 375 H&H from him with an upgraded Granite Mountain actionand upgraded wood. (Cost Approx 8500.00)It took him approximately 3 months to get the action and will have the rifle completed in an additional 3 months.

Empire, Heym are good options around the $10K mark For not much more you can buy a double in 500 NE. Or a nice 375 H&H like this ...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas...sp?hierarchyId=10473




Chuck