The .505 Gibbs is a legendary cartridge steeped in safari history, British colonial ambition, and extreme recoil. While most hunters today will never shoulder one, the .505 Gibbs remains one of the most iconic dangerous game cartridges ever created. If you’re curious about why Ernest Hemingway was so fond of it – or you’re just fascinated by big bore bolt-action history – here are 15 essential things to know about the .505 Gibbs.
1. It Was the First 50-Caliber Bolt Gun for Dangerous Game
Before the .505 Gibbs, most dangerous game hunters used double rifles chambered in cartridges like the .500 Nitro Express. Bolt-action rifles were gaining popularity in the early 1900s, and the .505 Gibbs was the first true stopping power round that could be fired from a Mauser-style bolt-action rifle. That gave it higher capacity, faster reloads, and much lower cost than double rifles.
2. It Fires a Monstrous 525-Grain Bullet
Standard .505 Gibbs loads push a 525-grain bullet at around 2,300 feet per second. That translates into a whopping 6,200 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. It was designed specifically to drop the biggest, baddest animals on Earth – elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo – without question or delay. That kind of stopping power was, and still is, serious business.
3. Cordite Shaped Its Giant Case
The case size of the .505 Gibbs often confuses modern shooters. It’s huge – far larger than needed to achieve its ballistics with today’s powders. But back in 1911, British hunters used cordite, a spaghetti-like propellant that took up a ton of volume and reacted poorly to heat. The extra case space helped manage pressure and ensure reliability in hot African climates.
4. It Was Originally Called the .505 Rimless Nitro Express
Gibbs initially named it the “.505 Rimless Nitro Express” to reflect its goal: deliver Nitro Express-level power in a bolt gun. Its rimless design allowed for smooth feeding from a magazine, unlike rimmed double rifle rounds. Later, the name was simplified to the .505 Gibbs, cementing its identity as a proprietary cartridge from George Gibbs of Bristol, England.
5. It Was the Most Powerful Cartridge in the World in 1911
When it debuted, nothing else matched the .505 Gibbs in raw muzzle energy. It surpassed the famous .500 Nitro Express, which was already known for dropping elephants in their tracks. By loading a heavy bullet in an enormous case and keeping chamber pressures low, Gibbs created a cartridge that could kill anything on land – without blowing up the rifle.
6. It Was Hemingway’s Safari Sidekick
Ernest Hemingway helped immortalize the .505 Gibbs in his writings. When he traveled to Africa in the 1930s, the .505 Gibbs was among the rifles in his battery. Hemingway didn’t just write about adventure – he lived it, and he had a deep respect for cartridges that worked under pressure. The Gibbs became a symbol of raw, masculine hunting power.
7. It Inspired the Modern ELR Movement
Few people know this, but the .505 Gibbs became the parent case for several elite extreme long-range (ELR) cartridges. The 408 CheyTac, 375 CheyTac, and 416 Barrett all trace their lineage back to the Gibbs. With its enormous powder capacity and thick brass, it provided the perfect base for cartridges designed to hit targets well beyond a mile.
8. It Came Back from the Dead in 2005
After being nearly extinct by the 1970s – due to ammo shortages and brass unavailability – the .505 Gibbs made an unexpected comeback. CZ began chambering their 550 Safari Classics in .505 Gibbs in 2005, reigniting interest in the cartridge. Ammo makers responded by producing factory loads and reloading components. For a while, the .505 was alive and kicking again.
9. The Comeback Didn’t Last Forever
Sadly, when CZ discontinued the 550 series in 2019, the resurgence of the .505 Gibbs began to fade. Federal, Nosler, and Hornady soon stopped making ammunition. Kynoch quit in 2020. Currently, only Norma and Swift still make loaded ammo, and Norma is the only company producing brass – and that might not last long either.
10. Reloading Is Expensive and Difficult
If you’re considering reloading the .505 Gibbs, be ready for a challenge. Brass can cost upwards of $225 for 50 cases – if you can find it at all. It requires massive powder charges, specialized seating dies, and powerful primers. You’ll also need to crimp heavily, which is tricky now that Lee no longer makes a factory crimp die for it.
11. It’s Not Practical, But That’s the Point
There are better options for most big game hunting today. The .458 Lott, for example, delivers similar energy with less recoil and less powder. But the .505 Gibbs isn’t about practicality. It’s about nostalgia, power, and the romantic era of safari rifles. If you want the best tool, you might pick something else. If you want the full safari experience, the Gibbs delivers.
12. Overloaded Versions Can Break Records (and Shoulders)
Some reloaders have taken the .505 Gibbs into crazy territory, pushing 600-grain bullets at 2,600 fps. That’s over 9,000 foot-pounds of energy – approaching .577 T-Rex levels. It’s impressive, but not recommended unless you’re very experienced and have a rock-solid rifle. That kind of recoil isn’t just uncomfortable – it can be dangerous.
13. Feeding Is Smoother Than the 500 Jeffrey
The .500 Jeffrey was designed as a rival to the .505 Gibbs, but it used a rebated rim. That created early feeding and extraction issues, making it less reliable under stress. The Gibbs, on the other hand, was a smooth-feeding cartridge designed around the Mauser action. That gave it an edge in reliability, and many professional hunters noticed.
14. It May Soon Be Obsolete – Again
As of today, reloading components for the .505 Gibbs are growing scarce. Bullet options are limited to a handful of manufacturers, and there’s only one current source of brass. Without another surge in rifle production or factory ammo support, the .505 Gibbs may once again slide into near extinction. It wouldn’t be the first time.
15. It’s the Cartridge of Legends
From Hemingway’s hunts to modern ELR innovations, the .505 Gibbs has left a deep mark on shooting history. It isn’t just a gun nerd’s curiosity – it’s a real piece of legacy. Whether you’re into dangerous game rifles or long-range experiments, the Gibbs case has probably influenced something you shoot today. And for that reason alone, it deserves respect.
Love It or Leave It
The .505 Gibbs is more than a cartridge – it’s a cultural artifact. It belongs to a time of steamships, khaki-clad hunters, and leather-bound journals. Its power is still formidable, but its era may have passed. If you’re lucky enough to own one, shoot it proudly. If not, admire it for what it represents: the pinnacle of dangerous game bolt-action power.
For those who still believe in rifles that thunder through the African bush, the .505 Gibbs isn’t obsolete. It’s eternal.
Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.