Bertram 505 Gibbs Brass

Important: This listing is for brass cartridge cases only. It is not loaded ammunition and contains no primer, powder, or projectile.

Why Choose Bertram .505 Gibbs Brass?

• New-production cases for a specialized cartridge with limited commercial availability
• Manufactured as .505 Gibbs brass rather than formed from another cartridge
• Suitable for original, modern-production, and custom rifles correctly chambered in .505 Gibbs
• Produced by Bertram, a manufacturer specializing in rare, obsolete, and large-bore cartridge cases
• Imported and supported in the United States by Desert Tech Munitions

Who This Product Is For

• Handloaders with rifles chambered in .505 Gibbs
• Dangerous-game hunters and professional hunters
• Owners and collectors of classic British sporting rifles
• Gunsmiths building or restoring large-bore magazine rifles
• Qualified dealers and ammunition manufacturers requiring volume quantities

Cartridge at a Glance

Introduced	Approximately 1910
Origin	Great Britain
Developer	George Gibbs of Bristol
Primary role	Dangerous-game cartridge for magazine-fed bolt-action rifles
Case design	Rimless, bottleneck

Cartridge Profile: .505 Gibbs

The .505 Gibbs, designated 505 Mag. Gibbs in the C.I.P. dimensional tables, is a British rimless, bottleneck dangerous-game cartridge developed by George Gibbs of Bristol around 1910. It was created for magazine-fed bolt-action rifles at a time when large Mauser actions were expanding the practical capabilities of sporting rifles.

Its unusually large case provides substantial internal capacity, while the rimless design is suited to reliable feeding from a properly designed magazine. The cartridge became closely associated with professional hunters and sportsmen who required a powerful repeating rifle for Africa's largest game.

Today, the .505 Gibbs remains a specialized chambering found in surviving historic rifles, modern bespoke rifles, and custom dangerous-game builds. Because demand is comparatively limited, new brass is generally manufactured in scheduled production runs rather than continuously.

Rifles and Actions Associated with the .505 Gibbs

This brass is intended only for firearms specifically chambered in .505 Gibbs. Documented examples include:

Historic Rifles

• Original George Gibbs magazine rifles built on magnum-length Mauser actions
• Other bespoke British dangerous-game rifles built for the cartridge

Modern Production and Bespoke Rifles

• CZ 550 Safari Classics rifles offered in .505 Gibbs
• Westley Richards magazine rifles built on Magnum Mauser actions
• Other specialist safari rifles made to order in .505 Gibbs

Custom Actions and Builds

• Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum actions configured for .505 Gibbs
• Other magnum-length controlled-feed actions engineered for the cartridge's diameter and overall length

Compatibility note: A rifle model or action type may exist in several chamberings. Always verify the exact chamber marking on the firearm before ordering components.

Product and Reference Specifications

Manufacturer	Bertram
Cartridge	.505 Gibbs / 505 Mag. Gibbs
Case type	Rimless, bottleneck rifle case
Condition	New
Primed	No
Material	Cartridge brass
Reloadable	Yes, when inspected, prepared, and loaded correctly
C.I.P. maximum case length	80.01 mm / 3.150 in
C.I.P. maximum cartridge length	97.79 mm / 3.850 in
C.I.P. reference bullet diameter	12.83 mm / .505 in
C.I.P. maximum case-head diameter	16.26 mm / .640 in
Country of manufacture	Australia
U.S. distributor	Desert Tech Munitions

Reference dimensions do not replace inspection of the actual component or verification against the firearm, dies, and published loading information.

Case Preparation Before Loading

• Inspect every case before use
• Check the case mouth, neck, body, primer pocket, and flash hole
• Run an expander through the neck or full-length size when appropriate
• Chamfer, deburr, and measure as needed
• Use reliable published loading information suitable for the firearm and components

Reloading note: Bulk packaging and transportation may leave some case mouths slightly out of round or produce minor cosmetic marks. Inspect and prepare every case before loading.

Why Buy from Desert Tech Munitions?

• Authorized U.S. Bertram distributor
• U.S. inventory and domestic shipping when product is available
• Direct working relationship with Bertram
• Knowledgeable support for rare and specialty cartridge brass
• Dealer pricing for qualified resellers
• OEM pricing for qualified manufacturers and volume buyers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this loaded .505 Gibbs ammunition?

No. This listing is for new, unprimed brass cartridge cases only.

Who manufactures this brass?

Bertram manufactures these cases in Australia.

Does Desert Tech Munitions import Bertram brass directly?

Desert Tech Munitions is the authorized U.S. Bertram distributor and imports Bertram products for the U.S. market.

Is .505 Gibbs the same as 505 Mag. Gibbs?

505 Mag. Gibbs is the designation used in the C.I.P. dimensional tables for the cartridge commonly known as the .505 Gibbs.

Can this brass be reloaded?

Yes. Case life depends on chamber dimensions, load pressure, case preparation, sizing practices, and careful inspection between loadings.

Should I size new cases before loading them?

Inspect every case before use. Running an expander through the neck or full-length sizing may be appropriate to restore neck shape and establish consistent dimensions before the first loading.

Will this brass fit every large-bore safari rifle?

No. These cases are only for firearms correctly chambered in .505 Gibbs. Verify the chamber marking and consult a qualified gunsmith whenever compatibility is uncertain.

What rifles have been chambered in .505 Gibbs?

Documented examples include original George Gibbs magazine rifles, CZ 550 Safari Classics rifles, modern Westley Richards magazine rifles, and custom rifles built on suitable magnum-length actions such as the Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum.

Why is .505 Gibbs brass sometimes difficult to find?

The cartridge serves a specialized market, so brass is commonly manufactured in scheduled or limited production runs rather than continuously.

Does a published cartridge dimension guarantee that the brass will fit my rifle?

No. Published dimensions are references. Chambers, dies, and individual components must still be checked, and every case must be inspected before loading.

Can Desert Tech Munitions supply dealer or OEM quantities?

Yes. Dealer and OEM programs are available to qualified buyers. Contact us for current requirements, pricing, and availability.

What should I do when the product is out of stock?

Use the stock-notification option on the product page when available, or contact Desert Tech Munitions for information about the next expected Bertram shipment.