So I want to have a custom bolt rifle built. It will be a bigbore for Africa and I want to keep it as classic as possible. The cartridges I have cut the list down to at the moment are the 416 Rigby, 500 Jeff and 505 Gibbs. What do you guys think? The rifle will be my primary big bore bolt rifle and will see most of its use in Africa.

I guess I am asking about people experiences with the different rounds. What are the differences between the 500 and the 505? Any suggestions or experiences would be appreciated. I have not decided if I want to go with a big bore (416) or a BIG BORE (500,505) so any advice welcomed.

It will be your standard African rifle in Wood and Blue. Thanks in advance.

Hmmm....Are those the only caliber choices you'd like to stick to, or are you comfortable with any others? The 505 gibbs is wonderful. If you reload give it a swing

The Rigby can be quite a flat-shooter too if properly loaded - the other two you mention are not able to do double-duty as far as long range work. There are few more "classic" rounds than the Rigby!

quote:

Originally posted by bulldog563:
...I want to keep it as classic as possible. ... The rifle will be my primary big bore bolt rifle and will see most of its use in Africa.

With those criteria in mind, I'd build a 416 Rigby or 404 Jeff. The 500's are stoppers, not all-around big bores in my mind. I've fired a 500 Jeff, but never hunted with one. The recoil is brutal in a light rifle. I just don't want something over 11 lbs (all in) as my primary rifle, and I don't want severe recoil so I'm limited to the .411" - .423" range of cartridges.

I have to agree with ForestB. The 404J or 416R would be my choice of a clasic African Bolt caliber .
Had a guy in camp with a 500J last trip and boy was it a heavy thing but it still got up and split his face on shooting it.
A friend of mine and I are going to chase P A C Ele soon, and as I was checking the sights of his 404J at the range I found that it realy is a pleasure to shoot.
ozhunter

I was leaning towards the Rigby also.

What action do you guys think would be best.

And yes I would consider other cartridges. By the way this will be my first custom bolt rifle build.

bulldog563

I would go for the 416Rigby because recoil is not that bad and its lot cheaper to find ammo, components for.


Have you considered looking at used custom rifles?

Cheers
/JOHAN

Go for the .416 Rigby of the ones you mention.

quote:

Originally posted by JOHAN:
bulldog563

I would go for the 416Rigby because recoil is not that bad and its lot cheaper to find ammo, components for.


Have you considered looking at used custom rifles?

Cheers
/JOHAN

Yes I have.

Another vote for the Rigby. Everyone ought to have at least one 505 or 500 Jeff or 500A-Square in their battery but they just aren't good primary hunting rifles for all the reasons stated above.

quote:

Originally posted by 458RugerNo1:
The Rigby can be quite a flat-shooter too if properly loaded - the other two you mention are not able to do double-duty as far as long range work. There are few more "classic" rounds than the Rigby!

Do not know any real stopper but the .416 rigby would be my choice followed by the 500 Jeffery and the Gibbs.

for factory classic rounds,
the rigby is hard to beat.. big enough bullet, light enough in weight and recoil... the 500s are truley only for the determined and well trained. you can't just pick one up and shoot it.. very much more recoil than the 458 lott, in the same weight, and very limited in application... and the 550s are that and more...

remember, most people need a heavy medium/light heavy and NOT a stopping rifle.. the learning curve and use is just too limited


a 416 rigby is just a neato classic round, and the price of brass and dies is trivial compared to the overall on a full custom rifle.

jeffe

The 416 Rigby is a great round and true classic and would certainly fit the bill as a DGR.

I am also consider having a DGR built and the Rigby is at the top of the list. The only thing that makes me have second thoughts about going with the 416 Rigby is the size of the action required.

Right now I am going back and forth over a 416 Rigby or 404 Jeffery...I think the Jeffery is more than capable for the job and can be had in a lighter/trimmer rifle...375H&H action size..and 2400fps, 400grain bullet capable...some say better????

The Rigby is a fine choice...but 404 Jeffery is tempting

Its really a hard choice no doubt. Forrest made a good point about a stopping rifle and all around DGR/Africa gun.

I would look at it from what platform I would be starting with/what Would I be using it for. If I was going to use a large square bridge or CZ, would go the 416 Rigby route.....its a fine round, probably my fav of all. But if I was going with a std mauser, I'd do a 400 H&H, Lott, 416 Rem. A 404 jeffery on a Mdl 70 win is a nice gun also.

Its always hard to decide, the way I see it, just figure out which one you want first, can always the others later.

I personally would pick the 416. It is much more versatile than the others and you could pair it with a 338 and be set right for just about anything. My $0.02.

I can see you now, buying two CZ's for almost everything in Africa: a 416Rigby and a 375H&H and being in , ahem, hog heaven. Or the 375 and a 505. The 375 with 300gr bullets is a fabulous long range rifle, and the 505 will stop anything, including your heart.

Rich

im having a custom 505 built by ryan breeding 600 grain solids at 2500+ fps out of a 22" barrel

price 13,000$usd........

www.rbbigbores.com

I would go with the Rigby. Actualy I did go with the 416 Rigby in the Ruger

To me anyway, a great part of going to Africa is the anticipation. I really enjoy making sure my "list" is complete with stuff I've found useful (like sunscreen with citronella, rubber bands, Alka-Seltzer that lets me sleep off jet lag... etc.). Every thing I pack brings a memory back or if a new addition, inspires a bit of anticipation.

Maybe the best part of a safari is getting your rifle ready. Picking from Barnes, North Fork, SAF or whatever is just plain fun. Loading to get your rifle "right" is surely satisfying, too. Getting solids and softs to the same p.o.a. can take several trips to the range and when accomplished give great confidence. The more you shoot, the better you'll do when the cards are dealt.

So what the heck does this have to do with your inquiry?

I have a couple of real thumpers.. and at my well-earned bulk, I can withstand lots of recoil.. but darn... over 500 grains at 2400 f.p.s. is not pleasure to shoot at the range. I can do it for 10 to 15 shots with some real concentration, but I know that I'll take a .404 Jeffery or a .450/.400 3" to the range a heck of a lot more than a .505 Gibbs. About 4500 foot pounds of energy and a sectional density of .300+ has done pretty well for 100 years.

IMHO, once you get to the .400+ calibers, elephants and buffalo notice. Much past a .458 Lott's thump against my shoulder, I notice... too much. I hope that makes some sense.

If you are going to go CZ, then a .416Rigby makes more sense than the .404jeffery in the same size rifle. If you are going custom M70 or Mauser, then the .404jeffery for sure.

I'd choose the 404 Jeffery in a mauser action

quote:

To me anyway, a great part of going to Africa is the anticipation. I really enjoy making sure my "list" is complete with stuff I've found useful (like sunscreen with citronella, rubber bands, Alka-Seltzer that lets me sleep off jet lag... etc.). Every thing I pack brings a memory back or if a new addition, inspires a bit of anticipation.

Judge, off topic, but I concur! I go on every hunt 1000 times before I go physically and then relive them a million times afterwards. Money spent making memories is the best cash you've ever parted with.

As to the question, I would go with the Gibbs, followed by the Jeffery as a close second. Classy Brit firms, BIG bores that say Africa, nostalgia, and practicality be damned. If that were so important we'd all sell our guns and buy beef at the grocery. Go with the one that speaks to your soul about what you want from your hunt. My 2 cents.

Bob

This is an easy one (for me). I'd get a 10.75x68 Mauser on a good quality Mauser action...

When I get the $, this is going to be my "big bore"...

http://stevespages.com/jpg/cd1075x68mauser.jpg

Good luck with your project...

quote:

Originally posted by bulldog563:
What are your thoughts on the difference between the 505 and 500?

While both of the 50cals may be fun to play with. They are stunt guns. The biggest problem is recovery time for follow up shots. While I have shot 470 Mbogo, 500J, 510Wells and even jeffe's 550Exp. I would not hunt with them, as MY recovery time is to slow for a good follow up shot. My Lott is my limit for a stopper that I can get off fast shots with (#2-4). You will be much better served with the 416 Rigby, that is more controlable. Than with a stopper rifle that you have a slower recovery time.

The only way to take one of the 50's on a DG hunt, is after LOTS of practice and you have proven to yourself that the recoil is not a problem and you can hit what you are shooting at. That and are able to get fast reloads without taking the rifle from your shoulder.

Whatever you deside on enjoy it and have fun.

Just my .02.

Hog Killer