I would be very tempted too. However, you may want to consider also the 500 Jeffery. In my modest field observations it seems more common, especially among elephant PHs.
Posts: 701 | Location: Germany | Registered: 24 February 2006
505 is wonderful if the action needs the cartridge length. And Norma is still making ammo. But please give a choice regarding colour case hardening. I am so tired looking at always the same colour hardend actions, it is so very 2005 style. Before big arguments about taste come up: I am not against it but like a blued action more. Options would be best.
Posts: 701 | Location: Germany | Registered: 24 February 2006
A single square bridge rifle with a ghost ring sight and no provision for express sights would be very clean. Extra points if the sling swivel and front sight base are integral.
But I wish you'd do a smaller action for the smaller calibers.
Posts: 956 | Location: PNW | Registered: 27 April 2009
Originally posted by new_guy: Bolt diameter is no problem: Standard '98 Mauser = .700" Magnum Mauser = .750" HEYM Mauser = .785"
Thank you Mr. Sells. I realized 10 minutes after I typed that, that the original Heym Express was chamber in the 500 nitro. So, stupid thought on my part. I forgot the actions from the original express to the martini were the same. The martini is just so sleek.
I am sorry.
Posts: 12624 | Location: Somewhere above Tennessee and below Kentucky | Registered: 31 July 2016
Originally posted by jeffeosso: its a great round, fun to shoot -- the 500 jeffe is a "better" round, and the 500 accrel matches/beats both, in a standard length action.
but, the 505 and 500 both have a following, so sure, if its within budget, jump on it
The 505 has the pizazz. End of story.
If I had the money to buy an expensive 50 then it would be the 505.
And I would not be fucking about with a 505/510....If you have the money then you can add a 500 A2
In my personal opinion and feeling the 505 is the most appealing of all calibres.....but the rifle has to be right.
A simple question...if H&H or Purdey will make you a rifle for free then would you choose the 505 or 500 J......surely no one would pick the 500 J.
So my answer to the topic starter is...505 Gibbs all the way.
Posts: 7046 | Location: Sydney Australia | Registered: 14 September 2015
Originally posted by Zephyr: What do you think the empty weight will be????
11 lbs is the target weight, but proper weight distribution and balance are paramount. We don't want to just build a 505... we want to build a 505 correctly... so if it comes in a bit heavier with ideal balance, then that's okay too.
I've built a 505 Gibbs and targeted 12 lbs with scope. That's the right weight for that cartridge. It will of course generate more recoil than 99 percent will be able to tolerate,but shot once, dropped once and sold once tends to happen with the Gibbs.
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012 Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!
Posts: 6314 | Location: Las Vegas,NV | Registered: 10 January 2001
Originally posted by jeffeosso: its a great round, fun to shoot -- the 500 jeffe is a "better" round, and the 500 accrel matches/beats both, in a standard length action.
but, the 505 and 500 both have a following, so sure, if its within budget, jump on it
Was that clear?
The factory 505Gibbs and 500Jeffrey are loaded to 6000 to 7000 foot pounds muzzle energy. However, those loads can be matched by the simple little 500AccRel(Nyati) in a standard Ruger Hawkeye action! Yes, really, even over 7000 foot-pounds.
My advice to those wanting a "500" something is to consider whether they want to shoot cartridges at the 8000 to 9000 foot-pound levels. If so, then by all means get a Gibbs or Jeffrey and HANDLOAD them to their natural capacity. Otherwise, if a more modest round is desired, like 450 grains at 2600-2650 fps (or 570 grains at 2350-2400fps) then get a Ruger Hawkeye and build a 500 AccRel ("Nyati" free-bore 0.25"). It will take anything on the planet at most any range you want to shoot. The rifle is lighter to carry and great fun to shoot. Get a good stock and/or put some work into proper reinforcement because the rifle can easily crack a stock that has not been carefully reinforced.
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"A well-rounded hunting battery might include: 500 AccRel Nyati, 416 Rigby or 416 Ruger, 375Ruger or 338WM, 308 or 270, 243, 223" -- Conserving creation, hunting the harvest.
Not to take anything away from Heim and all of the hard work they and New Guy have done to develop this new rifle line, but I just have to wonder why it is that rifle companies all over the world can build these beautiful rifles and then sell them here in the U.S. but nobody here in the U.S. makes these beautiful rifles.
That photo on the Heim site of that bar of steel that has just been wire EDM broached is really a neat photo. I wonder how difficult it is to do that operation. What is involved.
Originally posted by lindy2: Not to take anything away from Heim and all of the hard work they and New Guy have done to develop this new rifle line, but I just have to wonder why it is that rifle companies all over the world can build these beautiful rifles and then sell them here in the U.S. but nobody here in the U.S. makes these beautiful rifle
"The difference between adventure and disaster is preparation." "The problem with quoting info from the internet is that you can never be sure it is accurate" Abraham Lincoln
A 505 Gibbs with a free floated barrel, no thanks. Why waste ammo breaking a stock . Cause you never know when it will munch the action mortise. Probably about the time someone just got so they can hit something with it and are ready to leave on safari. One thing about the A-Square Hannible, they may be big and kinda different looking. But you can shoot the heck out of them and they don't break down. At least my 500 never did. I was 26 when I got mine and ran many hundreds of full house rounds thru it. All it ever did was work and work every time. It had an under barrel 2nd recoil lug . So a rifle with a similar power level with a free floated barrel ?????? Unfortunately RGB is probably right, Shot once, Dropped once and sold.
Phil Shoemaker : "I went to a .30-06 on a fine old Mauser action. That worked successfully for a few years until a wounded, vindictive brown bear taught me that precise bullet placement is not always possible in thick alders, at spitting distances and when time is measured in split seconds. Lucky to come out of that lesson alive, I decided to look for a more suitable rifle."
Posts: 1934 | Location: Eastern Central Alaska | Registered: 15 July 2014
I am sure they are both fun. A few of my friends have 500 Jeffrey's (they are a bit more common) and a few have 505 Gibbs. They both work. I have a 505 Gibbs and if I want to load it up I can use the 525gn Barnes at 2500fps, and nothing will walk away form a well placed shot with that. Most of my hunting has been with the 600gn Woodleigh at 2270fps, and I have great results. However I think the Woodleigh would give slightly better performance at around 2150, and I have adjusted my load, but I have not shot anything with the new load yet. I have never regretted getting the Gibbs, I have probably put over 1200 rounds through it now, it is a great calibre, and so much fun.
Posts: 424 | Location: Australia | Registered: 11 August 2007
