550 Gibbs

[teklanika_ray]

I seem to have caught the "bigbore bug", and I can't seem to find a cure.

Here is the background. I bought 5 CZ550 from Wayne at AHR. I am currently having the following guns built:

- 550 Magnum (built on a CZ550) that Neal Sherlie developed 20 years ago, I think this one will be a gunsmith build. The barrel is ordered (4-6 months wait from PacNor [I could have sworn that wait was in weeks when I ordered two barrels from them, but it was confirmed months yeaterday], I recieved the custom Manson reamers and go nogo gauges this week, custom reloading dies from CH4D should be in this week, I got my order of 700 grain Hawk bullets this week, and should be getting Brass and Bullets form Mr. Sherlie today. Seems like I am waiting on barrels, and the Richards Microfit barrel).

-550 Express also Neal Sherlie (built on a VZ24 with a Richards Microfit Wolverine Style stock. This one I'm building myself)

- 505 Gibbs (built on a CZ550 Magnum, built by Bayou Weapons Systems).

- 416 Rigby (built on a CZ550 Magnum, had Doug at Doug's Gun Repair barrel the action, and bought a BRNO ZKK 602 stock to put it into, I like the wayit looks).

- 458 Lott (built on a CZ550 Magnum, had Doug at Doug's Gun Repair barrel the action, and bought a BRNO ZKK 602 stock to put it into, I like the way it looks).

During this process, I stumbled onto a reference to the 550 Gibbs magnum and the 550 Ivory Express. I also learned a lesson to ask here, before buying custom reamers, dies, and such!! Does anyone have any information on either of these cartridges (links, books, reloading data, ballistic, and points of contacts for someone who has one or has built one)?

I have the "bigbore bug" bad, and I think I just have to ride it out. I just bought a CZ Safari Classics action on Gunbroker this morning, and it feels like a 550 Gibbs magnum to me. I'd like to make sure there is water in that pool before I dive into it though.

Thanks in Advance!!
Ray H

 

[Jefferry404]

Ray,
Probably someone was thinking cz 550 Gibbs conflated things.necking the Gibbs to 510 has some concerned (I am thinking about a 505 Gibbs +P)
For the 550 magnum gunsmith you might check with Tim at Matrix Gunsmithing in CO. He finished a pair early last year using cz 550 actions on cz wood stock and the B&C stock using PacNor barrels.
PacNor was 2 months but are having machine problems and barrels are tending to 6 months

 

[teklanika_ray]

Ray,
Probably someone was thinking cz 550 Gibbs conflated things.necking the Gibbs to 510 has some concerned (I am thinking about a 505 Gibbs +P)
For the 550 magnum gunsmith you might check with Tim at Matrix Gunsmithing in CO. He finished a pair early last year using cz 550 actions on cz wood stock and the B&C stock using PacNor barrels.
PacNor was 2 months but are having machine problems and barrels are tending to 6 months

No, I'm certain it was a 550 Gibbs reference. I'll see if I can find it again and post it here.

For now, here are two clips from the same gun on YouTube. It is supposed to be a 550 Gibbs Magnum. It is a beast of a firearm, but the recoil does not look off putting.

 

[Jefferry404]

Could be, looks like enough shoulder to headspace but unlike the 550 mag, with Weatherby case pressure is much lower.
Can gin up a design if you are interested?
Steve

 

[teklanika_ray]

Could be, looks like enough shoulder to headspace but unlike the 550 mag, with Weatherby case pressure is much lower.
Can gin up a design if you are interested?
Steve

Really, that would be interesting. What would you need to get started?