.425 Magnum Express Westley Richards Model 98

Markinnz · Jan 31, 2026

Hi just purchased a WR rifle in 425WR, seen a few smaller WR rifles but never a big one. Does any one have any info on these,i think this may be a Colonial version circa 1924. I wont pick it up for a couple of months

and the condition is original apart from a stock refinish and a rubber pad..that will be off and a silvers red one will go on it. Pity it didnt have the extended mag but i paid 2900 nz for it(about 1500 us) so wont moan. The bore is shinny and would be about a 9 out of ten.

tomahawker · Jan 31, 2026

I’ll take it. Where do you want the $425 sent?

Markinnz · Jan 31, 2026

tomahawker said:
I’ll take it. Where do you want the $425 sent?

hahaha

Rafiki · Jan 31, 2026

Markinnz said:
Hi just purchased a WR rifle in 425WR, seen a few smaller WR rifles but never a big one. Does any one have any info on these,i think this may be a Colonial version circa 1924. I wont pick it up for a couple of months View attachment 742896 View attachment 742897 View attachment 742898 View attachment 742898and the condition is original apart from a stock refinish and a rubber pad..that will be off and a silvers red one will go on it. Pity it didnt have the extended mag but i paid 2900 nz for it(about 1500 us) so wont moan. The bore is shinny and would be about a 9 out of ten.View attachment 742896 View attachment 742899 View attachment 742900 View attachment 742901 View attachment 742899 View attachment 742900 View attachment 742902

Very nice and interesting rifle, you are a lucky man.

Maskell Shotgun academy · Jan 31, 2026

tomahawker said:
I’ll take it. Where do you want the $425 sent?

if I pay another $425 can we share it? ;-)

Rando8586 · Jan 31, 2026

How long is that barrel?

Markinnz · Jan 31, 2026

Hi,its 28in

Rafiki · Feb 1, 2026

I looked at a few examples of WR bolt guns to see if the front sight is commonly set back so far from the muzzle; apparently it is. Wonder why they do this.

318AE · Feb 1, 2026

Well bought. That looks like a great rifle. It’s good to see the magazine “fingers”. The WR front sight is my favorite of all the British makers. There should be a little pop up “moon sight” under the flip over hood. I took one that is very similar to Kwazulunatal in 2018. I actually prefer it to the 416 and 404.

uplander01 · Feb 1, 2026

I have a 425 WR in the works right now at MNR Custom, he is doing the feed lip conversion. I love the idea of this caliber but brass and bullets are impossible to find. I actually had a guy turn down the case heads and trim the length off a bunch of 375 RUM brass in order to convert them and kept the Bertram properly head stamped brass for hunts. I have no faith in Bertram brass other than maybe 2-3 firings at most.....and woodleigh hasn't produced .435 bullets since before their factory burnt down.

The rifle you have here looks to me like a great rifle to take hunting and use the express sights. Those super long barrel rifles, well, their long alright but I bet it points like a dream.

SS hunter · Feb 4, 2026

Another stunning example of true craftsmanship! Thank you for sharing

pjaln · Feb 4, 2026

that is not a game ranger which is the lower end rifle as they usually didn't have the patent front sight or the express sights and that gun having the "clips" to ensure reliable feeding is definetly a plus as I was told by Simon close years ago .. it appears the gun may have been restocked but a nice example anyway

PCC600 · Feb 4, 2026

pjaln said:
that is not a game ranger which is the lower end rifle as they usually didn't have the patent front sight or the express sights and that gun having the "clips" to ensure reliable feeding is definetly a plus as I was told by Simon close years ago .. it appears the gun may have been restocked but a nice example anyway

Yes I agree that is certainly not a bottom of the line 425 WR . I think it is likely post WW2 based on serial number probably early 1950s . The Kiwis must have had a thing for 425s . One of mine came from NZ . A very nice rifle and a veritable steal at the price . Well done you .

steve white · Feb 4, 2026

Rafiki said:
I looked at a few examples of WR bolt guns to see if the front sight is commonly set back so far from the muzzle; apparently it is. Wonder why they do this.

The ghost of Westley Richards prophesied that one day hunters would use something called suppressors which would need room ahead of the front sight to allow for threading. There was also a curse pronounced on anyone who actually did that to a WR rifle!

PCC600 · Feb 5, 2026

steve white said:
The ghost of Westley Richards prophesied that one day hunters would use something called suppressors which would need room ahead of the front sight to allow for threading. There was also a curse pronounced on anyone who actually did that to a WR rifle!

I have already cast the spell on anyone who messes with a WR barrel !

pjaln · Feb 5, 2026

PCC600 said:
Yes I agree that is certainly not a bottom of the line 425 WR . I think it is likely post WW2 based on serial number probably early 1950s . The Kiwis must have had a thing for 425s . One of mine came from NZ . A very nice rifle and a veritable steal at the price . Well done you .

according to the Westley Richards archives it was built about 1924

Redfishga1 · Feb 5, 2026

Really not a good gun. I cant think of any application. I can come take off your hands.

PCC600 · Feb 5, 2026

pjaln said:
according to the Westley Richards archives it was built about 1924

I’ve got 39359 from 1912 and 43267 from 1956. Clearly they didn’t make a lot of bolt action rifles even in those day . The front sights on all the early WR rifles were set back quite a long way up the barrel - as with yours . The earlier versions ( my 318 and 425 ) came with 26 inch barrels . Not sure when they went to 28 inch . My later 425 has a 25 inch barrel . The other interesting thing is both the early rifles have Metford rifling but the newer one does not. Either way they shoot very very well . Finally I have no problems getting Bertram brass and Woodleigh bullets . They are both good .

Shootist43 · Feb 5, 2026

You Rascal!! You didn't buy it, you STOLE it.

pjaln · Feb 5, 2026

PCC600 said:
I’ve got 39359 from 1912 and 43267 from 1956. Clearly they didn’t make a lot of bolt action rifles even in those day . The front sights on all the early WR rifles were set back quite a long way up the barrel - as with yours . The earlier versions ( my 318 and 425 ) came with 26 inch barrels . Not sure when they went to 28 inch . My later 425 has a 25 inch barrel . The other interesting thing is both the early rifles have Metford rifling but the newer one does not. Either way they shoot very very well . Finally I have no problems getting Bertram brass and Woodleigh bullets . They are both good .

I just sold a 7x57 mauser number 634 and a westley number 33995. mauser ring was 1898

.425 Magnum Express Westley Richards Model 98

Markinnz

tomahawker

Markinnz

Rafiki

Maskell Shotgun academy

Rando8586

Markinnz

Rafiki

318AE

uplander01

SS hunter

pjaln

PCC600

steve white

PCC600

pjaln

Redfishga1

PCC600

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