With all the trouble I've had getting my 404 up and running, you'd think I would have learned my lesson about obsolete calibers with few standard specs.

I must not have, because lately I've started thinking about building a .500 Jeffery. Granted, I've read some of the horror stories written by folks who have done this, and it sounds like I might biting off a big chunk pure hell. Oh well, that's what makes life interesting.

If I were to go ahead with this project, what would be a good action to start with? What are the biggest problems I'm going to encounter (meaning my gunsmith, I ain't a total idiot).

I could be talked out of this project and into a .505 Gibbs, which I understand is a lot easier to build, but which one is more "classic".

Howdy,
I think i've said this before... PLEASE let me talk you into a 510 wells or a 500 a2...

that being said...

the 500 ahr is a "better" round that both the jeffery and the gibbs, and much easier to have someone do (Ed)

The 500, imho, is easier than the 505, as the 505 is more than a tad longer, and the bullets are easier to come by.

brass is$$ in either case (no pun intended)

the gibbs as more potential for MV, due to the larger case

I shoot my 500 ALOT.. and cost of bullets is important

jeffe

History, Jeff, history! I'm into "old" stuff. That's why I built the 404.

I figure that if a bunch of ignorant Englishmen at the turn of the LAST century can make a round work in a magazine rifle, surely a modern gunsmith with all the technology available today can make one chamber and shoot (but judging from my 404 experience, I could be wrong).

I would go with the 500 Jefferys, its a smaller case and has a bit more velocity, but I think the Gibbs could be loaded to equal or better...

The Jefferys is OK in a standard Mod.98 Mauser and the 505 Gibbs works well in an Enfield action or a Victor magnum Mauser action, from Butch Searcy, NECG has some large Mauser Actions that are nice...and several others are around also.....

Your right they are monsters of recoil IMO...I don't find them enjoyable to shoot..

Tom,

If I remember correctly, Shuler designed the round to work in standard Model 98 Mausers.

I have no experience with the cartridge, but I have read that the most common problems are the various 'standard dimensions', and feeding.

If you are going to do this 'right', you'd have to find someone who has (correctly) built a .12.70 Shuler/.500 Jeffery before.

George

The more I study it, the more it looks like I should go with the Gibbs. For some reason, I was under the impression that the Jeffery was older than the Gibbs (therefore more "classic"), but while I have not been able to find out just when the .500 Jeff was brought into being, I do know the Gibbs came out around 1910, which makes it a true classic.

Hamilton Bowen at Bowen Classic Arms specializes in building .505 Gibbs rifles from Ruger M-77, Mark II, RSM Safari Grade rifles. He simple rechambers and rebores the existing guns and reworks the magazines. He has done quite a number of these rifles with a great deal of customer satisfaction.

i believe the rebores require the earlier, heavier barrels... imho, the new barrels a just right or a tad light for 416...
jeffe

If I recall he selected quite a few guns to set aside for future buyers and had some ability to pick the prettier wood. If any of those first ones are still in his shop you would end up with a really nice gun for little money compoared to the options.

Rifle magazene had a superb article on the 500 Jeffrey several years back. You should do a search of 500 Jeffrey in this forum, as I believe there is a link to that article. I also recall that Alf provided some superb history on the round and rifles that chamber it.

As far as which round is more classic, that is up to debate. Both rounds saw very little use in the field.

As far as going with either round, the biggest problem is brass. Hornbear makes great brass, but he is very slow to deliver, and I don't believe there is a US agent with a good supply of brass for either round. Bertram brass is crap, and still very exspensive.

Whichever round you decide on, make sure you get a supply of brass, bullets and dies before you start on the project. Otherwise, you might recieve your rifle after a years wait, then have to wait another year to get componets.

If you really want a nostaligic 50, a Ruger #1 in 500 NE is IMHO the best route to go.

Will just posted on the Africa forum that the CZ 550 will come out in 505 Gibbs next year so you might want to wait. They'll have to do something about stock-cracking, though.

the last time I talk to Bowen he wasnt taking on any rifle work Cliff LaBounty does his rebore work and rrumor has it is cliff is retiring.I could call Cliff and ask him he did my 510 Wells for me

The first cure for stock cracking is a well-done job of steelglass bedding. Both Jim and I had that done on our .450 Rigbys and since the muzzle energy of the Rigby is the same as that of the factory loaded Gibbs it should work just as well on the supposedly forthcoming CZ's. Now for those true masochists who insist on loading big Cordite cases to the brim with modern double based powder, a couple of recoil bolts would most advisable. Maybe CZ will do that at the factory. Have Will ask them, should we? In either case if they do come out with the Gibbs in a CZ squarebridge magnum, it will be nigh impossible to resist, especially if it's put into the American style stock.