I haven't finnished my 450 Rigby project and allready I'm planning for the next one...

I got hold of a 505 Gibbs cartridge and imediatly tried it in the CZ action. It fitted the mag but the rim is just a bit bigger than the rigby rim. This rifle is just for fun and not a serious hunting rifle, I'v ordered a 338 Lapua barrel as well...

Is it possible tho turn the rim down so it will be the same as the Rigby rim or should I skip this idea?

I allso tried the 500Jeffry (Kynoch) cartridge and find it to be a little too small in the rim...

Some of you are getting the 500Gibbs but I assume this is the standard 505 case with a .510 bullet.

Any suggestions on what to dream about next? I really like the big Gibbs case, it looks asaum, like a big rocket Ferrari(?!)

It should fit the Rigby bolt without modifications or at least so I still can use my other barrels in the same rifle.

If you turn the Gibbs rim down to .579 like the Rigby, the rim will be so far rebated that the feeding will be unreliable.

Making a cz550 bolt take the Gibbs rim (.640) requires some special provisions for reliability, like taking the boltface back a few thousandths.

The CZ550 has been successfully made into a 505 gibbs and it can be done again. However, a more economical and practical choice is to convert a cz550 to 500 A-Square. Then you can use quality Norma brass and get a wider selection of bullets.

What is the basic case for the 500Asquare? (460?)

Nickudu has a CZ in 505 Gibbs. Contact him.

500,

is on the money here, I have a 602 in .585 which uses the gibb's rim and there is bugger all left on the bolt face, it works fine and my smith said that there is no pressure on it it's only there to stop the case slipping off the bolt during feeding (Rob stated the same thing). The .505 gibbs has the advantage of nostalgia but the practicality race goes to the .500 A2 and if I wanted a .50 cal rifle that is what I would want.

But get whatever floats your boat, as it can be done and should not be any more drama to build than a .585 Nyati.

I'll disagree...
The 500 Jeffe-ry is the perfect choice for a CZ... just have the throat cut long... mine's .350" freebore, and the RAB's JAB is a different length longer, to shoot the BMG bulled milsurp bullets.

Jeffe

Thomas, the 500 A2 is based on the 460 weatherby.

No you can't turn the 505 Gibbs rim (.640) down to the rigby rim(.590). The feeding and extraction will be completely unreliable.!The only real problem with the proper CZ550 conversion to a 505 Gibbs, 500 Jeffery, 500 AHR is the magazine box. More than two rounds down in the box will not stack properly and while it may be possible to make it work by adjusting the ramp and rails, I'd question the feeding reliability. A properly designed box should be manufactured and the bottom of the action opened up for it. A 505 Gibbs should hold three rounds in the magazine and maybe one in the chamber.
A new follower should also be made. Milling out the bottom of the action for a larger box is non-trivial as there is literally no room for error. You can destroy your action if your not very very carefull. If you can live with only two rounds in the mag( and the bolt converted to snap over a cartridge in the chamber ( so that the gun will hold three rounds) , then it's a simple matter of opening up the boltface. Recessing a few thou is also necessary. Finally, you will need to mill out the back of the action to obtain enough clearance for proper ejection with a 505 Gibbs. This is a very big case!
The 500 A2 conversion is straight foreward and works well with the existing box. the extractor hook may need to be be annealed and bent inward slightly for better cartridge holding. The feed ramp and rails still need extensive reshaping for reliable feeding though. I personally found that the slight looseness of the extractor ( due to the difference in the .416 Rigby rim thickness and 460 WBY rim thickness) didn't matter to me and I had excellent extraction and ejection of the rounds.
While this is still the most economical way possible into a really big bore, it still is no piece of cake. The number of gunsmiths that can do this work reliably is also very limited IMHO. Dennis Olsen and AHR or John Ricks are about it IMHO.-Rob

[ 01-07-2003, 06:18: Message edited by: Robgunbuilder ]

Thomas M
I have a 505gibbs necked down to 416 built on a Bauska action, these action are no longer made but Olympic arms now make a copy of this action.
http://www.olyarms.com/usa.html

Have you thought of a 450Rigby necked upto 50 cal
and improved as it is about the same as a 460Weatherby necked upto 50cal

416SW,
Thanks for the link to check out the hardware.

Most of us do not think that a .505 or .510 caliber wildcat can be made to headspace safely in a 416 Rigby case. There is not enough shoulder left.

The 470 Mbogo is the biggest and baddest thing that can be done on a 416 Rigby case.

My 510 JAB romper is a renamed 500 A-Square with a different shoulder angle and throat, because Art Alphin of A-Square insulted me in person at the Atlanta Shot Show.

DaggaRon,
You were insulted in person !? You must tell us all about it ... sounds like a unique experience.

Nickudu,
It was just a lack of common courtesy on the Colonel's part. He probably thought the same of me by the time our interaction was completed, a mere verbal exchange at his booth at the Shot Show. What goes around comes around.

Come to think of it, I may have started it by laughing out loud at the sight of his "Coil-Chek" stock, or whatever he called that thing.

Thanks guys, I think I just keep on dreaming... Some day I may get rich and then I buy a Heym 505!