Looks like from what I have read in recent postings is that the MRC PH (and my hopes of a relatively affordable 505 Gibbs) have become pipe dreams. I have read here before (can't seem to find it again) about converting the Ruger RSM to 505 Gibbs. I Have a RSM chambered for 416 Rigby that was purchased in the late 90's. It has a much heavier barrel contour (like a Ruger No1. Tropical) than my other RSM's chambered in 375 & 458. Is this rifle a candidate for conversion to 505 Gibbs? What work would need to be done (rebarrel vs. rechamber/rebore, feeding, etc.) and who does it (and at what cost $$$)?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,

Matt V.

it's a rebore away, but the 510wells/500 A2 is aFAR better choice, as the bolt face will be waffer thin on a gibbs.

jeffe

Not to mention, cheaper brass and better bullet selection.

Hog Killer

We have options here:
1. Quick and easy: why not just have your local Cabela's order you a CZ in 505? I was at ours in Boise, and the gun library manager quoted me $1500-even if I gave him the plastic on the spot.

2. Slow, but exactly what you want: buy a clean Remington M30 for $400 and up and have a good gunsmith build you one on as much walnut as your can afford.

If your 416 is in good shape, I would expect you could get into a CZ505 pretty reasonable.

JMHO

Rich

quote:

CZ in 505

Thank you all for the replies. I am also considering just buying a CZ in 505. I have heard that the bolt face on the CZ 505 is also “wafer thin†as Jeffe put it. Is this the case for the CZ? If so is it a real problem or much ado about nothing? Have you guys heard any reviews on the CZ 505? I’m sure like most CZ rifles they will need a little feeding/polishing work. Thanks again.

Matt V.

Matt,
the CZ is the same, the rim left on the boltface is TINY.. someone (Rip, Grains, Fritz?) posted a picture some time ago.. looks like one bobble away from a ruined bolt.

I agree that a .505 Gibbs should not be made on a .700" bolt (RSM, CZ550, etc.) when a 0.750 bolt is available (GMA, Hein)

GMA would be nice, but is out of my price range currently (got to quit buying guns for a while and actually spend some money on hunting trips) . A friend of mine just got a GMA barreled action in 505, with quarter rib & scope mounts for around $4,800. I just always had a thing for the 505 and really thought it would have happened with the MRC . I have always wondered is it possible to load the 505 Gibbs to 500 A-Square performance levels or beyond? I know it has more case capacity but just never knew if the case/head dimensions were just too big for most rifles to stand up to high pressure loadings. I will probably just do what Jeffe suggested and go with the A-Square. Are there any reliability issues with feeding the A-Square in a DGR? I don’t really have a problem with belts on cases, never had a malfunction. I have just never owned any rifles chambered for any cartridges with rebated rims? I don’t really have a foot in either camp (rebated vs. non-rebated), just would like to know what you guys think (not trying to open up a can of worms). Sorry for the erratic postings & multiple questions in one post. I only get so much time in a day to get on here and am just trying to make the most of it.

Thanks again,

Matt V.

The Ruger M77 MkII RSM can easily be converted to 505 Gibbs (has nearly perfect magazine widths actually). The problem will be that you can only fit two rounds down. The Ruger has an extended lug which allows the elimination of the circular razor blade (thin rim).

Anyway, if you go with a 500 A Square you can fit three down. You will need to do some recontouring of the feed ramp (it must be widened a bit) or you will have non-feed with bullets that have any kind of meplat (Woodleigh PPSP for instance). I would personally rebore the barrel since it has the integral rib (that is what I did anyway).

There is one guarantee in life, okay two:
1. you will pay taxes until the day you die...and then the death tax hoses you one more time

2. Any product sold here in the litigious USA has been exhaustively hammered to make sure it is as stupid-proof
as the R&D department can make it.

One person gets horned or clawed or bitten or stomped to death because the 505 does not feed 100% of the time and their heirs WILL OWN CZ. Rebop the firearm radically, and you best have life insurance. CZ's 505 Gibbs will work. A FL 416/510 will as well, and end up costing you around a thousand dollars to re-monkey.

JMHO, your results may vary...

Rich

quote:

$1500-even

Thanks again for the responses. Rich, if I could get my hands on a CZ 505 for $1,500.00 I would by it. The Cabela’s closest to me is in Wheeling WV. They have the rifle priced at $2,300.00 and said they don't have that much room to move on it. I am going to wait until after the holidays and go up there with cash in hand to negotiate. If I don't like the rifle I can always sell it or convert it to something else.

I had some feeding problems in the past with some of the earlier CZ 458 Lotts. Upon sending the first one back to CZ they sent me a brand new rifle that still didn't feed (Hornady RN solids factory loads). CZ just ran a chamber reamer into their 458 WM rifles and never opened up the rails to feed 458 Lotts. I sold the second rifle in the gun list for what I had in it. Upon looking back I think my decision (to sell the rifle) was a little rash. The problem could have been fixed by a competent smith. A friend of mine has a pretty good connection with a smith in Montana that has built quite a few Gibbs on the CZ. I’m sure he could fix any problems I would have. I'll post back here latter on to let you guys know what I did.

OBTW, I know about taxes (I am a CPA). One thing is for certain, after the results of the elections the taxes were paying may get allot worse!

Over and out……..

Matt V.

If the thin bolt rim on the CZ bolt bothers you then there are two other choices. A 1917 Enfield ( win) action with a P14 bolt and a BBK02 action. Both will solve the problem of inadequate Bolt rim. There is no such thing as a cheap 505 Gibbs. However, since I've never ever had a problem with thin rimmed bolts, the cheapest entry would still be the CZ in my opinion.