505 Gibbs
http://www.norma.cc/assets/africanph/patron505gibbs.jpg
Type	Rifle
Place of origin	England
Production history
Designer	George Gibbs
Designed	1911
Specifications
Parent case	none
Case type	Rimless, Bottleneck
Bullet diameter	.505 in (12.8 mm)
Neck diameter	.538 in (13.7 mm)
Shoulder diameter	.640 in (16.3 mm)
Base diameter	.640 in (16.3 mm)
Rim thickness	unknown
Case length	3.150 in (80.0 mm)
Overall length	3.850 in (97.8 mm)
Rifling twist	unknown
Primer type	unknown
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
600 gr (39 g) Protected Point	2,100 ft/s (640 m/s)	5,877 ft·lbf (7,968 J)
600 gr (39 g) FMJ	2,100 ft/s (640 m/s)	5,877 ft·lbf (7,968 J)
525 gr (34.0 g) Welded Core SP	2,300 ft/s (700 m/s)	6,180 ft·lbf (8,380 J)
Test barrel length: 24" Source: Norma Ammunition & MidwayUSA

The 505 Gibbs round was invented in Bristol, England in 1911 by George Gibbs. The round was originally known as the .505 magnum, and has a case capacity of 161 grains (10.4 g). Loads can be made up to over 9,000 ft·lbf (12,000 J), 2,600 ft/s (790 m/s) with a 600-grain (39 g) bullet. The cartridge is a non-belted magnum with a 75.16 degree shoulder angle.

Intended for hunting elephant, cape buffalo or stopping lions, the cartridge is renowned for its use by Robert Wilson, the hunter of Ernest Hemingway fame.

The round is second only in factory loads to the .500 Jeffrey round, but with home loading the Gibbs exceeds this too.

Some modern rifles are chambered for the .505 Gibbs. Examples include the CZ 550 magnums, Mauser M 98 magnums, and other custom rifles. Many of the custom guns are very expensive, from high-end makers.

Made famous by Ernest Hemingway, he was very fond of this caliber rifle and talked of it in some of his writings and interviews. The round has been around longer than the 50 BMG itself. Modern semi-automatic rifles are available in this caliber from Vigilance Rifles.

Contents 1 Ammunition availability 2 See also 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Ammunition availability

As of 2009, Norma and Kynoch are offering loaded ammunition in 505 Gibbs. There may be other manufacturers as well.

[edit] See also

• .500 Jeffery
• .500 Nitro Express
• .500 No. 2 Express
• .577/.500 Magnum Nitro Express
• .577 Tyrannosaur
• .50 BMG
• List of rifle cartridges
• 12_mm_caliber
• "The Short and Happy life of Francis Macomber", By Ernest Hemingway

[edit] References

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (May 2009)

[edit] External links

• African Conservation Foundation on .505 Gibbs and .500 Jeffrey
• AccurateReloading.Com on the 505 Gibbs
• Norma Ammunition 505 Gibbs page
• Vigilance Rifles - makers of the only semi-automatic rifle chambered in 505 Gibbs

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