W. J. Jeffery .318 AE

PaulB

PaulB

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This is something you don’t see everyday, completed in 1912, this is a W. J. Jeffery rifle chambered in .318 Accelerated Express.

The .318 AE earned a strong reputation for accuracy, penetration, and reliability on medium and large game, especially in Africa. The maker being W. J. Jeffery coupled with the chambering (a Westley Richards proprietary cartridge) make this gun particularly interesting.
IMG_0140.jpeg
 
Correct me if I am wrong. Jeffery did not actually make rifles in 1912. They designed them and had other makers build them. Any idea who actually built this one. Westley Richards ?
 
An interesting cartridge with colorful history dating back to ~1908 when it was introduced by Westley-Richards. The caliber is actually .330 (lands in rifling are .318"). The case is only slightly larger than 30-06, rimless, and no belt (but sharp shoulder for head space and snap over). This cartridge easily fit in a standard length Mauser action and with 250 gr solids it was apparently very popular for dangerous game. Taylor, Blixen, and others praised its utility as an elephant killer! I have been looking for a caliber for my next build project. This looks very promising IF I can find a source for loading components. Nowadays 318AE won't legally cut the mustard for dangerous game but it would be a fine rifle for deer/elk and most plains game. And it is definitely an African classic. With my 404J and a 318 AE, I might just have to buy some shorts, gaitors, floppy felt hat, and bandolier ammo belt to complete the ensemble. :D But no double rifle! Not getting carried away with it!
 
Ontario Hunter said:
An interesting cartridge with colorful history dating back to ~1908 when it was introduced by Westley-Richards. The caliber is actually .330 (lands in rifling are .318"). The case is only slightly larger than 30-06, rimless, and no belt (but sharp shoulder for head space and snap over). This cartridge easily fit in a standard length Mauser action and with 250 gr solids it was apparently very popular for dangerous game. Taylor, Blixen, and others praised its utility as an elephant killer! I have been looking for a caliber for my next build project. This looks very promising IF I can find a source for loading components. Nowadays 318AE won't legally cut the mustard for dangerous game but it would be a fine rifle for deer/elk and most plains game. And it is definitely an African classic. With my 404J and a 318 AE, I might just have to buy some shorts, gaitors, floppy felt hat, and bandolier ammo belt to complete the ensemble. :D But no double rifle! Not getting carried away with it!
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Great incite, agree on all points. The .318 is my favorite plainsgame caliber
 
Ontario Hunter said:
An interesting cartridge with colorful history dating back to ~1908 when it was introduced by Westley-Richards. The caliber is actually .330 (lands in rifling are .318"). The case is only slightly larger than 30-06, rimless, and no belt (but sharp shoulder for head space and snap over). This cartridge easily fit in a standard length Mauser action and with 250 gr solids it was apparently very popular for dangerous game. Taylor, Blixen, and others praised its utility as an elephant killer! I have been looking for a caliber for my next build project. This looks very promising IF I can find a source for loading components. Nowadays 318AE won't legally cut the mustard for dangerous game but it would be a fine rifle for deer/elk and most plains game. And it is definitely an African classic. With my 404J and a 318 AE, I might just have to buy some shorts, gaitors, floppy felt hat, and bandolier ammo belt to complete the ensemble. :D But no double rifle! Not getting carried away with it!
Click to expand...
Altitude sickness said:
Correct me if I am wrong. Jeffery did not actually make rifles in 1912. They designed them and had other makers build them. Any idea who actually built this one. Westley Richards ?
Click to expand...
W. J. Jeffery & Co. sourced guns and actions from a number of makers over the years, especially as demand grew before WWI. Jeffery was a major retailer and designer, but like many British firms, they also relied on the Birmingham and Continental trade. In my research, some of the better-known makers and suppliers connected to Jeffery include:

Westley Richards — supplied some actions and components early on, especially in the black powder era. Westley Richards was probably the single biggest outside supplier for Jeffery bolt rifles and double rifle actions.

Vickers — produced Mauser-style actions for some Jeffery sporting rifles.

Lastly, Lancaster and other trade houses — built many “in the white” guns for finishing and retail under the Jeffery name.

It is my opinion Lancaster was involved in this build due to some of the shapes and elements.
 
PaulB said:
No sir, I use Woodleigh bullets (sometimes Northern Precision bullets). Bertram Brass.
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I guess you live in Australia? It is my understanding 318 cases can be made from 30-06 brass. But I'd still need at least a box of 318 headstamped brass for Africa. I believe Hammer out of Missoula, Montana makes .330" bullets. Tried their 307 gr in my 404 and they didn't group great but might have been due to brand new barrel. And the loading recipe turns out to have been on the hot side. Sounds like Hammer design with "shedding petals" might be a bit messy for those of us who value avoiding wanton meat destruction. Definitely not ideal for dangerous game. I have 400 gr Barnes 404J for that, though I'm sure something similar in 350 gr range would work fine.
 
Ontario Hunter said:
I guess you live in Australia? It is my understanding 318 cases can be made from 30-06 brass. But I'd still need at least a box of 318 headstamped brass for Africa. I believe Hammer out of Missoula, Montana makes .330" bullets. Tried their 307 gr in my 404 and they didn't group great but might have been due to brand new barrel. And the loading recipe turns out to have been on the hot side. Sounds like Hammer design with "shedding petals" might be a bit messy for those of us who value avoiding wanton meat destruction. Definitely not ideal for dangerous game. I have 400 gr Barnes 404J for that, though I'm sure something similar in 350 gr range would work fine.
Click to expand...
I get actual .318 brass from Australia into the US. Be careful shooting the hammer (monometal) out of an old bbl. Northern precision makes a great bonded bullet in the .318
 
PaulB said:
I get actual .318 brass from Australia into the US. Be careful shooting the hammer (monometal) out of an old bbl. Northern precision makes a great bonded bullet in the .318
Click to expand...
Yes Bertram make good brass for the 318 .
 
PaulB said:
W. J. Jeffery & Co. sourced guns and actions from a number of makers over the years, especially as demand grew before WWI. Jeffery was a major retailer and designer, but like many British firms, they also relied on the Birmingham and Continental trade. In my research, some of the better-known makers and suppliers connected to Jeffery include:

Westley Richards — supplied some actions and components early on, especially in the black powder era. Westley Richards was probably the single biggest outside supplier for Jeffery bolt rifles and double rifle actions.

Vickers — produced Mauser-style actions for some Jeffery sporting rifles.

Lastly, Lancaster and other trade houses — built many “in the white” guns for finishing and retail under the Jeffery name.

It is my opinion Lancaster was involved in this build due to some of the shapes and elements.
Click to expand...
Another beautiful rifle . From my experience Leonard Brothers in Birmingham were the biggest supplier of finished rifles to Jeffery . They supplied 21 of the original 24 rifles chambered in 500J ( George Gibbs did the last 3 ) . They even supplied to Westley Richards ( I have a Leonard built sidelock DR - finished by WR ). One thing is sure Jeffery retailed some very nice bolt and double rifles . The 318 AE was also sold by Mauser in their Type A models - very similar to the Jeffery branded rifles .
 
PCC600 said:
Another beautiful rifle . From my experience Leonard Brothers in Birmingham were the biggest supplier of finished rifles to Jeffery . They supplied 21 of the original 24 rifles chambered in 500J ( George Gibbs did the last 3 ) . They even supplied to Westley Richards ( I have a Leonard built sidelock DR - finished by WR ). One thing is sure Jeffery retailed some very nice bolt and double rifles . The 318 AE was also sold by Mauser in their Type A models - very similar to the Jeffery branded rifles .
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Great catch. I forgot to mention Leonard. They built my 600 and one of my 333’s
 
You can get dies from CH4D…but they are about a year out. Bertram brass is right. Bullets can also Come from Hawk, hammer and I found some 180 grain FMJ for practice online for $14 per pack of 50!!! I think it was midway or graphs. You can get barrels from PAC-Nor and Lothar Walther. I have 4 318 AE / WR barrels that will turn into customs. 2 Safari style and 2 British stalker style. I am also enamored with the 318. Join the fan club!
 
HunterX said:
You can get dies from CH4D…but they are about a year out. Bertram brass is right. Bullets can also Come from Hawk, hammer and I found some 180 grain FMJ for practice online for $14 per pack of 50!!! I think it was midway or graphs. You can get barrels from PAC-Nor and Lothar Walther. I have 4 318 AE / WR barrels that will turn into customs. 2 Safari style and 2 British stalker style. I am also enamored with the 318. Join the fan club!
Click to expand...
All great info. Also, you can get dies from Hornady, they will make a custom and it takes about 7mo.
I like the Hawk bullets for target, but I’ve never had one stay together on medium game…even with the “thicker jacket” option. The best bullets I’ve found for hunting is the northern precision 250gr bonded RN. I’ve used them with Great success. I’m taking them to Botswana on Tuesday, and I’m taking my .318 WR droplock double rifle Tanzania on June 26. Can’t speak highly enough, they group well in my bolt guns, and regulate well in all my .318 doubles
 
Nice rifle by the way!

Also here is a great article about the 318. Phil Navarro is also trying to bring back the 318.

www.americanhunter.org

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Behind the Bullet: .318 Westley Richards

A rimless designed made for use in the Mauser-style rifles, the .318 Westley Richards was released sometime between 1906 and 1910, and became one of the most popular medium-bore cartridges for hunting African game.
www.americanhunter.org www.americanhunter.org


Honestly, I think the 318 WR given it’s very long throat, could easily handle the long for caliber high BC bullets that everyone raves about, to become a classic cartridge reborn with modern bullets.
 
PaulB said:
All great info. Also, you can get dies from Hornady, they will make a custom and it takes about 7mo.
I like the Hawk bullets for target, but I’ve never had one stay together on medium game…even with the “thicker jacket” option. The best bullets I’ve found for hunting is the northern precision 250gr bonded RN. I’ve used them with Great success. I’m taking them to Botswana on Tuesday, and I’m taking my .318 WR droplock double rifle Tanzania on June 26. Can’t speak highly enough, they group well in my bolt guns, and regulate well in all my .318 doubles
Click to expand...
All….of your 318 WR doubles!!!! Very jealous. I don’t own a double yet, much less a 318 double. Someday I will build one. On the list, a British Style stalker in .318, a take down bolt action in a 1909 Argentine Action, a single shot falling block with an English light stalker design and a double. The last one light take 10 years to build.
 
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