My latest Big Bore is on it's way!

[Badboymelvin]

For non correct head stamping, he can use his .458WM brass to form the .425. I do that with my .416 Taylor.

I've thought the same thing too. In fact l'm curious how .338WM brass would go if l necked it up??? I've got a heap of that too

 

[Badboymelvin]

The old Colonel got it past 2350 with a 26" pipe...if this helps

View attachment 527683

That does help! Thanks for posting that, much appreciated

 

[CoElkHunter]

I've thought the same thing too. In fact l'm curious how .338WM brass would go if l necked it up??? I've got a heap of that too

I haven’t tried necking up my .338 brass for my .416 Taylor case yet, as I’ve been necking my .458WM brass down. But, a gentleman here on AH has used the .338 brass for his .416 Taylor and said it works well.

 

[AZDAVE]

Nice rifle, have fun with the load development. Cape buffalo and elephant should be on the menu.

 

[xausa]

The .425 case is basically the same as the RUM series of cases, but with the rebated rim. My .425 was originally a RUM caliber on a Model 70 Winchester action which I had rebarreled, and I use RUM cases to make my brass. I have an extra bolt for my Model 70, with the correct bolt face and extractor for factory .425 ammunition, should I ever need to use any. An added advantage is the fact that the action feeds perfectly with no alteration.

 

[Badboymelvin]

Here are some comparison pics for your interest...

458 Win Mag, 425 Express, 338 Win Mag

 

[Badboymelvin]

425 Express, 416 Taylor

 

[Badboymelvin]

404 Jeffery, 404 Jeffrey Express, 425 Express, 416 Taylor

 

[CoElkHunter]

Here are some comparison pics for your interest...

458 Win Mag, 425 Express, 338 Win MagView attachment 527825

The .425 Express case is significantly longer than the .458WM (and thus .416 Taylor) case? Almost like a Lott case? I don't know how you can make the Express case from .458WM cases?

 

[ldmay375]

Savage offered their bolt rifle in the 425 Express, at least for a short while. I saw a couple of them locally when they came out.
It actually seemed like a neat cartridge from the 300 Winchester brass.

This is a little hype about it:

"Top of the hit parade at the '95 SHOT Show was the hot new hunting rifle from Savage Arms chambered in .425 Express. Savage has made an astounding comeback in recent years under the astute leadership of company president Ron Coburn.

The gun is the Model 116 Safari Express, a stainless steel bolt-action with folding leaf express sights, a factory muzzle brake and select walnut stock. Unlike many other so-called "safari" rifles, the Savage 116 is value priced, allowing anyone to own an African rifle even if they never actually hunt elephant.

The .425 Express is an exciting cartridge that fits in a standard .30-'06 action, yet delivers magnum power levels. It utilizes a 400-grain bullet from the classic .404 Jeffery and delivers 2,400 feet per second - identical ballistics to a .416 Rigby."

 

[Badboymelvin]

The .425 Express case is significantly longer than the .458WM (and thus .416 Taylor) case? Almost like a Lott case? I don't know how you can make the Express case from .458WM cases?

The 425 Express l believe was originally a .300 Win Mag case necked up. The .300 Win Mag case is 2.620" long as opposed to the .458 Win Mag case that's 2.500" long. I think that's where the extra length is.
I do know that the .458 case is used when loading ,for the 425 so maybe it's a fraction shorter?
But it mustn't be an issue as people use them

 

[CoElkHunter]

Savage offered their bolt rifle in the 425 Express, at least for a short while. I saw a couple of them locally when they came out.
It actually seemed like a neat cartridge from the 300 Winchester brass.

This is a little hype about it:

"Top of the hit parade at the '95 SHOT Show was the hot new hunting rifle from Savage Arms chambered in .425 Express. Savage has made an astounding comeback in recent years under the astute leadership of company president Ron Coburn.

The gun is the Model 116 Safari Express, a stainless steel bolt-action with folding leaf express sights, a factory muzzle brake and select walnut stock. Unlike many other so-called "safari" rifles, the Savage 116 is value priced, allowing anyone to own an African rifle even if they never actually hunt elephant.

The .425 Express is an exciting cartridge that fits in a standard .30-'06 action, yet delivers magnum power levels. It utilizes a 400-grain bullet from the classic .404 Jeffery and delivers 2,400 feet per second - identical ballistics to a .416 Rigby."

Well, now I’m really confused. @Badboymelvin .425 Express is based on the belted .458WM (actually shortened and blown out .375 H&H) family of cartridges and the .425 Express described chambered in the Savage is based on the Jeffrey case? Maybe it’s the OZ version of their own .425 Express wildcat?

 

[Badboymelvin]

Well, now I’m really confused. @Badboymelvin .425 Express is based on the belted .458WM (actually shortened and blown out .375 H&H) family of cartridges and the .425 Express described chambered in the Savage is based on the rebated rimmed Jeffrey case? Maybe it’s the OZ version of their own .425 Express wildcat?

Hey mate,
I've only ever heard of the .300 Win Mag version...
Not sure what Savage did...

 

[Flewis]

I've thought the same thing too. In fact l'm curious how .338WM brass would go if l necked it up??? I've got a heap of that too

The length to shoulder is different isn’t it? Also overall length we be a little shorter, but not enough to matter.

 

[Badboymelvin]

The length to shoulder is different isn’t it? Also overall length we be a little shorter, but not enough to matter.

Yeah, the .300 has a shoulder more forward than the .338 so l reckon it'd just fireform to the new dimensions.
As you say, it'll be a little shorter but not enough to matter

 

[Flewis]

Yeah, the .300 has a shoulder more forward than the .338 so l reckon it'd just fireform to the new dimensions.
As you say, it'll be a little shorter but not enough to matter

I have a lot of brass, wish I could help.

 

[Jack Stevens]

Thought the .425 Express used the same .423" diameter bullet as the .404 Jeff, no? ... The idea being to stuff a 400grn bullet + Jeff ballistics into a standard (unmodified) .30-06-length action (?).

 

[CoElkHunter]

The 425 Express l believe was originally a .300 Win Mag case necked up. The .300 Win Mag case is 2.620" long as opposed to the .458 Win Mag case that's 2.500" long. I think that's where the extra length is.
I do know that the .458 case is used when loading ,for the 425 so maybe it's a fraction shorter?
But it mustn't be an issue as people use them

One can shoot a .458WM with a shorter case in a Lott chambered rifle, so I don't believe the shorter .425 case will make any difference whatsoever. Any shoulder abnormality will fire form in the .425 chamber. I've seen that with my .416 Taylor using .458WM brass.

 

[Badboymelvin]

Thought the .425 Express used the same .423" diameter bullet as the .404 Jeff, no? ... The idea being to stuff a 400grn bullet + Jeff ballistics into a standard (unmodified) .30-06-length action (?).

That's correct

 

[ldmay375]

Well, now I’m really confused. @Badboymelvin .425 Express is based on the belted .458WM (actually shortened and blown out .375 H&H) family of cartridges and the .425 Express described chambered in the Savage is based on the Jeffrey case? Maybe it’s the OZ version of their own .425 Express wildcat?

Negative, you misread that. It is based off the 300 Winchester brass and uses the .423 bullet.

"It utilizes a 400-grain bullet from the classic .404 Jeffery and delivers 2,400 feet per second - identical ballistics to a .416 Rigby."