From a Professional Hunter's point of view... A 458 Lott or 505 Gibbs?

[MontanaINAfrica]

Curious from the pros, in dangerous game country and as a PH if you had to pick between the two. Which would be your go to for guide gun; the 505 Gibbs or 458 Lott?

 

[Ray B]

I'm not a PH, but I'm wondering why you selected those two cartridges as the only choices.

 

[geoff rath]

Interesting questions, both.... love to see the responses ....

 

[BenKK]

I like the question, and am interested to read the viewpoints.

 

[geoff rath]

Ideally, a good 500 double, but if he has to go bolt action, then...

 

[MontanaINAfrica]

Not all PH's can afford a doubles and bolt action must be the choice right? I figured in dangerous country these would be common large bore choices..

 

[IvW]

Neither.

500 Jeffery is my choice.

If it had to be between these two only then the 505 Gibbs would get my vote.

 

[BeeMaa]

Neither.

500 Jeffery is my choice.

If it had to be between these two only then the 505 Gibbs would get my vote.

I assume you would go with a double rifle over a bolt?
Neither one is exactly cheap when you are talking those calibers and DG.
Just wondering what you use in your profession vs what a client would use.
Would the species hunted make a difference?

 

[Bullthrower338]

Welcome to AH @MontanaINAfrica good to have a fellow Montanan on here. I’m currently transplanted in Houston but will be home as soon as I can! It would be a lot quicker if I didn’t have this Africa infliction.
Good question, I have rifles in both and the 505 is definitely a winner in my book between the two unless you are concerned about ammo available to purchase. I think that also if cost of a double is prohibitive, so will a 505 Gibbs.
I am going to predict that that the versatility of the Lott is going to win.
3-7-77,
Cody

 

[IvW]

I assume you would go with a double rifle over a bolt?
Neither one is exactly cheap when you are talking those calibers and DG.
Just wondering what you use in your profession vs what a client would use.
Would the species hunted make a difference?

No i have always preferred a bolt action. Except for back up on leopard where I use a 24 inch barreled 12ga sxs double trigger loaded with original Brenneke slugs.

I use a 500 Jeff. The needs of a client and of a PH are quite different.

Yes the species hunted would make a difference.

The 458 LOTT is a very popular caliber for PH's and is used quite extensively. However I prefer the .500's and specifically the 500 Jeff.

When hunting involves more elephant then the bigger caliber also makes more sense.

 

[Head Trauma]

458 Lott, lighter, more compact, very effective.

 

[ChrisG]

No i have always preferred a bolt action. Except for back up on leopard where I use a 24 inch barreled 12ga sxs double trigger loaded with original Brenneke slugs.

I use a 500 Jeff. The needs of a client and of a PH are quite different.

Yes the species hunted would make a difference.

The 458 LOTT is a very popular caliber for PH's and is used quite extensively. However I prefer the .500's and specifically the 500 Jeff.

When hunting involves more elephant then the bigger caliber also makes more sense.

Just out of curiousity, Do you find that the big .50s are dramatically more effective than the big .45s or .416s? I only ask because I just saw Ivan Carter's video promo for Heym double rifles and in it he shows a Cape Buff taking a shoulder shot from a .600NE and jumping up and running off like it was hit with a .30-06.

 

[IvW]

Just out of curiousity, Do you find that the big .50s are dramatically more effective than the big .45s or .416s? I only ask because I just saw Ivan Carter's video promo for Heym double rifles and in it he shows a Cape Buff taking a shoulder shot from a .600NE and jumping up and running off like it was hit with a .30-06.

Yes they are but should be used with 570 gr -600gr in 500 Jeff and the GIBBS is great with up to 600 gr bullet. Both in the 2300 fps range.

They really come into their own when you need to take backup shots on elephant, coming or going the penetration is just phenomenal.

600 NE irrespective of what many may think lacks speed and performance suffers as a result.

Bullet selection is also very important when choosing a cartridge for back up.

 

[Von S.]

Montana,

Howdy and best wishes.

I am not a pH and have held back on answering as you said you wanted to hear from them.

I am a great believer that the use of the most powerful round that you can shoot with accuracy is the way to go. Put them down and keep them down. Pick the shot you are comfortable with, not what someone guess you can do. And remember that a animal killed with a 600 OK is no less of a trophy than one shot with a 375. Just remember that game shot with a 375 is no less of a trophy than one dropped with a 600 either.

Your hunt is exactly that... It's your hunt not anyone else's.

Best Luck.

 

[CAustin]

Montana,

Howdy and best wishes.

I am not a pH and have held back on answering as you said you wanted to hear from them.

I am a great believer that the use of the most powerful round that you can shoot with accuracy is the way to go. Put them down and keep them down. Pick the shot you are comfortable with, not what someone guess you can do. And remember that a animal killed with a 600 OK is no less of a trophy than one shot with a 375. Just remember that game shot with a 375 is no less of a trophy than one dropped with a 600 either.

Your hunt is exactly that... It's your hunt not anyone else's.

Best Luck.

Well said.

 

[500 Nitro]

505 Gibbs & 600 gr bullets solids and softs,
Why ? Because as they say "I have one".

 

[Moosemind]

Who has such self control to have only one rifle?

 

[Pondoro]

The problem with the .505 Gibbs is that very few actions can accomodate it because its so big, a Brno 602 and the CZ 550 CAN do it but the bolt face is really too small....so its more of a custom job..

The .500 Jeffery is more easy but it takes a good smith to make it feed properly..

 

[Rule 303]

An interesting topic and some good points raised.

 

[colorado]

The problem with the .505 Gibbs is that very few actions can accomodate it because its so big, a Brno 602 and the CZ 550 CAN do it but the bolt face is really too small....so its more of a custom job..

The .500 Jeffery is more easy but it takes a good smith to make it feed properly..

I bought my CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery for exactly that reason after talking to a lot of top gunsmiths. I shoot 570g TSX's at 2300 fps. It's very accurate (about .5 MOA) and easy to shoot offhand (from the bench it's kind of sporty). So far haven't made it to Africa yet, but it's hell on elk and black bears here in the Rockies.