Can't decide between .500 Jeffery and .505 Gibbs for moose

1899

1899

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So I am looking at the .500 Jeffery in the new Sako Brown Bear and think, "man, that is a pretty sweet, compact setup". I think it would make for a fine moose gun, especially because there are lots of grizzlies here. Then I consider the CZ 550 in .505 Gibbs - talk about stopping power. But that CZ is quite a bit heavier and longer, so I don't know if it will handle as well in the bush. Plus I am not sure if the bolt throw is the same - I want to have quick follow up shots and a shorter bolt throw is important for that. That is why the .375 Ruger is better than the .375 H&H - not to mention all of the WSM and stuff, but that is a different topic.

It's hard to say which I should look at more closely. The .505 Gibbs does have a little more case capacity, so I suspect it will have more jam when loaded to modern pressure. On the other hand the .500 Jeffery uses the same .510" bullet as the .50 BMG so I could always use it for long range plinking in the off season. Also Norma makes .500 Jeffery brass, and handloads using Norma brass are usually very accurate, so that is a plus too.

I don't want to go any bigger, so don't suggest the .577/600 REWA or something like that because those options will just burn too much powder.

Edit to add: do you think a cup and core bullet is ok, or would you suggest a premium in such a powerful cartridge?
 
Wow, you're talking about a serious moose gun! Unfortunately, I don't have any game experience (yet) with either cartridge, but wanted to say that Normal also makes 505 Gibbs brass and both the 500 Jeffery and 505 Gibbs are likely to cost the same to load.

As for bullets, with that much mass, I'd venture to say that you're fine with a standard constructed bullet. Woodleigh seems to be the most commonly-available in Canada, and they're considered to be a good bullet.

Do you cast? I've been loading paper-patched lead bullets in my 505 Gibbs over a load of Trailboss for fun at the range. The recoil is light, but the holes are enormous. I haven't loaded up to full-potential yet as I'm working on my recoil tolerance.

Edit: even if your post was tongue-in-cheek, big bores are always a fun topic!
 
I nominate this as best thread of the year.

I had my .450 Rigby Rimless out of the safe today and was thinking that while it does the trick for deer and black bear I might need something more serious for if I draw a moose tag. I agree that the 500 Jeffery will burn less powder but I read an article by a gun writer that said it was dangerously unreliable due to its rebated rim, so unless you want to be gored to death by a moose I would suggest the .505 Gibbs over the .500 Jeffery.

I know that the vital 100ths of a second in speed gained in a short action with a 60 degree bolt throw are mind numbingly awesome but don't forget the fact that if you use a rifle .375 calibre or greater without a CRF action you stand a good chance of certain below the belt organs falling off. On the other hand another gunwriter said that all that matters is sectional density and said that Bell shot thousands of Elephants with a 7x57 using high sectional density bullets (I know that no record exists to support that number and Bell himself said he preferred the .318 Westley Richards, but who am I to question some gun writer). Come to think of it I have a straight pull rifle in 6.5x55 that would give very quick followups with high sectional density bullets, it might be a good backup gun if the .505 Gibbs fails to penetrate well enough.

Although if you use flat meplat homogeneous brass solids the .505 should be okay. That is the only type of bullet I use in my .375 H&H for short range varmint hunting and they penetrate right through a coyote if you're careful about shot placement,
 
I didn't want to mention that the Jeffery was rimless because it would just confuse the issue. But on that note you need a serious gunsmith if you want to have a custom .500 Jeffery built because the rimless case may cause feeding issues. That is why the .284 Win sucks.

But you are smart for considering your options in the event you get a moose draw - it is not every year you get a chance to shoot a moose, so why leave things to chance?
 
If you do get the CZ .505 Gibbs let me know what you think of it. I was considering the same rifle myself. Wayne at AHR (American Hunting Rifles) does a nice job of turning the CZs into semi custom rifles with nice wood and upgraded sights, safety, bolt handle etc. Just a thought.
 
CanadaBoy said:
If you do get the CZ .505 Gibbs let me know what you think of it. I was considering the same rifle myself. Wayne at AHR (American Hunting Rifles) does a nice job of turning the CZs into semi custom rifles with nice wood and upgraded sights, safety, bolt handle etc. Just a thought.
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We sold two CZ 550 Safari rifles in .505 at the shop I work at in 2011 or 2012.
Here's me shooting said rifle. Its a blast. Though, $20 every pull of the trigger for Norma factory isn't as pleasant.
 
Definitely go with the 505. A mature moose is a very majestic animal, and experienced hunters everywhere know that majestic animals take at least twice the killing power of a non majestic animal, like a cow. For it being a bigger gun, I would suggest becoming a "real man", and growing some muscles. This is easily accomplished with a high protein shake drank 5 times a day, along with a dozen eggs and a t-bone for supper. I also think you are doing yourself a disservice by discounting the real heavy hitters, because of what I'm guessing is "girliness". I watched a 13 year old shoot a .700 NE once, and he didn't fly completely in 2 pieces. Any grown up should be able to do the same.

For the long range plinking, forget the .510 bullet, buy yourself a real long range gun, like a .416 Cheytac. All snipers know that one of these is an absolute must for consistent kills at 2 miles...

Go with at least a good bonded, or a monolithic; its only for a couple shots a season. And you don't want to leave bullet performance to chance and become an unethical hunter.

And don't forget to set aside at least $2000 for a 1.5x scope. Otherwise your rig just won't be up to the test, for that once in a lifetime shot. Professional hunters say that the last 10 seconds of the day is the most productive!
 
1899 said:
I didn't want to mention that the Jeffery was rimless because it would just confuse the issue. But on that note you need a serious gunsmith if you want to have a custom .500 Jeffery built because the rimless case may cause feeding issues. That is why the .284 Win sucks. . . .
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I believe you meant that the Jeffery has a rebated rim, rather than being rimless. When sizing up both cartridges side-by-side, the .505 Gibbs seems to have the advantage in neck length and powder capacity, but the factory doesn't load it as hot as the Jeffery's 525 @ 2400, never mind its potential 570 @ 2500. Anyone who shoots one of these cartridges had better be a handloader, or have very deep pockets. But should he have the desire, he could load the .505 Gibbs to its full potential. Another plus for the .500 Jeffery is that it uses the more common .510" diameter bullets. Either way, you should be looking for a good bullet mold and shoot lots of cast loads. I believe finding a stock that could withstand the recoil of either of these cartridges loaded to their full potential, might be challenging.
 
Can I get either one of those calibers in a lever gun? My granddad hunted with a levergun and my daddy hunted with a levergun and everybody knows that the levergun is the best brush gun in the eastern woods. So I was just wondering if I could get one of them moose calibers in a good levergun in case I decide to hunt moose. You think I could get it in a Mossberg or maybe I have to step up to a Rossi?
 
c-fbmi said:
Can I get either one of those calibers in a lever gun? My granddad hunted with a levergun and my daddy hunted with a levergun and everybody knows that the levergun is the best brush gun in the eastern woods. So I was just wondering if I could get one of them moose calibers in a good levergun in case I decide to hunt moose. You think I could get it in a Mossberg or maybe I have to step up to a Rossi?
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Nope, sorry... not for you. You need a certain "Duke-like" manly swagger to carry a big bore lever gun... no self respecting salesman of firearms will sell one to a insipid, baby-faced, pony-tailed,
jumpsuit/cardigan/loafer wearing individual....



;)
 
The .505 has the advantage of being able to use the beefed up Cheytac brass. That could make all the difference for the hotter loads that you will inevitably want to work up to. Bullet choice is crucial, and should always consider the worst case scenario. Like, you're lining up on your moose and an oil tanker runs aground and gets in between. With a magazine full of mono solids you still gottem.
 
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