.425WR - Thoughts

[Jumbo]

Hi Guys,

reaching out to those who know a lot more than me. I am looking for a .400 size class bolt rifle that is a bit out of the ordinary.

I have considered all the logical (but more mainstream) calibers like the .416 Rigby, the 404J and even upwards. Then I found a pretty, if simple, .425WR that has grabbed my attention. Ballistically I love the space it puts the rifle into, as I have a .375H&H and a .470NE. This is kinda like the bolt equivalent of the .470NE, rather than the 404J which is like a heavy bullet .375H&H.

The questions then become:

• reliability of feed - it doesn't have the magazine clips. What can be done at this stage?
• availability of ammo - we aren't legally allowed to reload here, so it is a challenge as I can only find Kynoch who load for it - and they aren't known for reliability of supply.

So for those who know, what are the options, considerations and other questions I should be asking?

Just for clarity, this is not a "best" grade gun, but rather a really neat game dept. gun.

thanks guys

 

[Hoss Delgado]

I can actually provide information from personal experience on this gun , as l have shot one of these in Australia . A close friend of mine owns it and uses it on Australian game .
He owns one made in 1951 . It has a 3 shot Magazine. I liked it a lot initially . I actually sent an Email to Westley Richards asking about the gun . The email is below. I however , fell out of favor with it. You see , Westley Richards used to calibrate their rifles for a 2350 fps load. Now , they calibrate the rifles to handle 2150 fps loads. That's a reduction in 200 fps Velocity. . Now, l could be very wrong. Maybe the 2150 fps Velocity is adequate for an elephant. But not as much as the 2350 fps load. That much , my layman's knowledge of ballistics tells me.
Now , in regards to your specific questions , the " Game Department " models of the .425 Westley Richards rifles have been famous for feeding problems specifically BECAUSE they didn't have the feeding lips in them. The .425 Westley Richards has a rebated rim which really benefits from the feeding lips. When , Westley Richards made the " White Hunter " or Game Department models , they discarded with the feed lips in order to save costs. It ended up costing quite a few hunters their lives.
Now , you don't reload . I think l should warn you that the only people who make Factory ammunition for the .425 Westley Richards , is Kynamco. But they only make Soft nose Ammunition. For solids , they offer loading components , which you have to handload. I had emailed Kynamco as well .
All these factors considered , l would much recommend you get yourself a .416 Rigby Same 410 grain bullet. Better velocity . Better reliability. And factory loaded Ammunition is widely available .
That Said , the Uganda Game Department used to issue this caliber to their Native Hunters , who used them on Elephant with quite a bit of success. The Tseste Fly Control department in Rhodesia were also issued this Caliber ( although there were reports of feeding problems ).
Mr. Robin Hurt of Hurt Safaris owns a Best Grade Westley Richards Mauser in .425 Westley Richards made for him about twenty years ago when Simon Clode of Westley Richards was still alive . However , for Hunting Dangerous Game , he Prefers his .500 Nitro Express William Evans Double rifle.
My own friend uses his one with Kynamco soft points on Australian Feral goats . It performs well.
But still . I prefer the .416 Rigby
All the best,
Hoss Delgado

 

[Hoss Delgado]

As an interesting Side note , Don Heath ( Ganyana ) had his men make homemade Monolithic solid bullets for their .425 Westley Richards rifles by machining them from Brass Bar stock . They did this to feed their .425 Westley Richards rifles when Kynoch discontinued Centre fire Cartridges in 1961

 

[spike.t]

Just go buy it then me and Pete @PeteG can try it out....

 

[matt85]

why not do a 470 Captstick?

its fairly uncommon and will give you outstanding performance on dangerous game.

-matt

 

[Aaron N]

https://revivaler.com/the-425-westley-richards/

 

[PeteG]

Hi Guys,

reaching out to those who know a lot more than me. I am looking for a .400 size class bolt rifle that is a bit out of the ordinary.

I have considered all the logical (but more mainstream) calibers like the .416 Rigby, the 404J and even upwards. Then I found a pretty, if simple, .425WR that has grabbed my attention. Ballistically I love the space it puts the rifle into, as I have a .375H&H and a .470NE. This is kinda like the bolt equivalent of the .470NE, rather than the 404J which is like a heavy bullet .375H&H.

The questions then become:

• reliability of feed - it doesn't have the magazine clips. What can be done at this stage?
• availability of ammo - we aren't legally allowed to reload here, so it is a challenge as I can only find Kynoch who load for it - and they aren't known for reliability of supply.

So for those who know, what are the options, considerations and other questions I should be asking?

Just for clarity, this is not a "best" grade gun, but rather a really neat game dept. gun.

thanks guys

You know my thoughts...
Go for it. You wont regret it and if you really don't like it, i'll look after it for you!

 

[Jumbo]

Just go buy it then me and Pete @PeteG can try it out....

Yeah Mike, I am trying, but its tough to get to Harare! need to find a day or two...……...but the temptation and desire are real!

 

[Jumbo]

why not do a 470 Captstick?

its fairly uncommon and will give you outstanding performance on dangerous game.

-matt

Unfortunately I'm SO old school the caliber doesn't even get me a little curious...……………….as good as the ballistics are...………….sorry!

 

[Jumbo]

You know my thoughts...
Go for it. You wont regret it and if you really don't like it, i'll look after it for you!

Obvious!

 

[Jumbo]

T

https://revivaler.com/the-425-westley-richards/

Thanks Aaron,

That is a great article......……….and all you did was make me believe its worth pursuing and seemingly a resolvable issue if it does have any feeding maladies.

Thank you!

 

[Spooksar]

I have one but reload for it, Bertram is the only brass I can find, and I believe Kynock uses this brass. The brass in my opinion is garbage, I ended up making my brass from 404 Jeffery. I know you can’t handload so Kynock factory ammo is your only option unless you can get one of the custom loaders in the US to load for you. It’s a great caliber and I love mine.

 

[Hoss Delgado]

I have one but reload for it, Bertram is the only brass I can find, and I believe Kynock uses this brass. The brass in my opinion is garbage, I ended up making my brass from 404 Jeffery. I know you can’t handload so Kynock factory ammo is your only option unless you can get one of the custom loaders in the US to load for you. It’s a great caliber and I love mine.

I've heard a lot of complaints about Bertham Brass. I have never handloaded . But l plan to start pretty soon for an 11.2 × 72 Schuler rifle. Are they really that bad ?

 

[Jumbo]

I have one but reload for it, Bertram is the only brass I can find, and I believe Kynock uses this brass. The brass in my opinion is garbage, I ended up making my brass from 404 Jeffery. I know you can’t handload so Kynock factory ammo is your only option unless you can get one of the custom loaders in the US to load for you. It’s a great caliber and I love mine.

Thanks for the info and comments. Is yours a “best grade” rifle or a game Dept. Version? Does it have magazine clips?

 

[Spooksar]

Thanks for the info and comments. Is yours a “best grade” rifle or a game Dept. Version? Does it have magazine clips?

Mine is a custom built Montana 99

 

[Spooksar]

I've heard a lot of complaints about Bertham Brass. I have never handloaded . But l plan to start pretty soon for an 11.2 × 72 Schuler rifle. Are they really that bad ?

Paying $4 per case in Canada, I had to trim some .100 and had to swage the primer pocket. Also the rims where all over the place for diameter and thickness. I have head separation on first firing on 4 out of the 100 I bought. There QC is non existent

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Just go buy it then me and Pete @PeteG can try it out....

+1 Mike.

 

[fourfive8]

Let me get this straight- you can't reload there but want something unsual/rare where the ammo will be difficult to find, expensive for certain and if found may be loaded with substandard bullets?

 

[Jumbo]

Let me get this straight- you can't reload there but want something unsual/rare where the ammo will be difficult to find, expensive for certain and if found may be loaded with substandard bullets?

Lol!

Never said it was a logical choice!

The way I see it, is being a big bore I won’t shoot it too much, so I can order and plan ammo. (I have a few more sensible calibers if I need something in a hurry) but it ticks my box of being a proper classic.

 

[charleslabounty]

availability of ammo - we aren't legally allowed to reload here, so it is a challenge as I can only find Kynoch who load for it - and they aren't known for reliability of supply.

You Can not legally reload in RSA — really? I believe I heard detailed discussions/conversations while there about reloading.
(No names )