425WR

[Jumbo]

I recently got the bug for a “400” caliber rifle, to fill the “gap” between my .375H&H and my .470NE.

You guys know how it is!

I wanted something a little more unusual than the de facto std of .416Rigby. (Don’t get me wrong I love that caliber also - and that’s another story)

I ended up finding a real little gem. (imho) I bought a 1940/50 Rhodesian Tsetse control Dept. 425WR. The history and character make it all the more attractive to me - even though it’s not a fancy “best” grade Westley Richards, it’s still MY Westley Richards!

It’s now been in the safe for almost 2 months and I still haven’t managed to shoot her - if you would believe that there is no rifle range in Lusaka! I think this weekend a farm visit is in order!

I have however fed her a few magazines full and she runs them like silk! Rebated rim and all!

Can’t wait to shoot this beast!

 

[sierraone]

Is it a drop box magazine or a hinged magazine/floor plate? Good looking rifle to be as old as it is.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Nice looking rifle.
As for the cartridge, it is a bit odd looking. What are the ballistics of this cartridge?

 

[Jumbo]

Is it a drop box magazine or a hinged magazine/floor plate? Good looking rifle to be as old as it is.

Thanks, it is in good condition.

It is a floor plate. Unfortunately not the drop box.

 

[Jumbo]

Nice looking rifle.
As for the cartridge, it is a bit odd looking. What are the ballistics of this cartridge?

The rebated rim make it one UGLY cartridge. but that’s half the beauty, as the shape is what allows .416 Rigby (and slightly better) ballistics out of a std ( non magnum) Mauser action!

I love the fact that it’s so unusual!

 

[spike.t]

You must be getting desperate.... ......sorry that time before Christmas didn't end up happening....

 

[Jumbo]

You must be getting desperate.... ......sorry that time before Christmas didn't end up happening....

No stress spike.t, will get it out!

Even if it’s just up at Darryl’s!

 

[Shootist43]

How much did you have to "cough up" for this nice piece of history? What do you intend to hunt with it? When?

 

[spike.t]

No stress spike.t, will get it out!

Even if it’s just up at Darryl’s!

 

[Jumbo]

How much did you have to "cough up" for this nice piece of history? What do you intend to hunt with it? When?

The game Dept models don’t command too much. So it wasn’t anywhere near the $10k the guys were talking about.

Not sure when it will get to hunt again, possibly some PG this year, because I still have a need to use my double on a buff this year.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Great rifle in excellent caliber.

 

[spike.t]

The game Dept models don’t command too much. So it wasn’t anywhere near the $10k the guys were talking about.

Not sure when it will get to hunt again, possibly some PG this year, because I still have a need to use my double on a buff this year.

Perfect for blue duiker in thick bush.....

 

[Captain Nwz]

That is a beautiful rifle . Is that a crack on the stock above the trigger guard ?
An American family friend of ours used to come to the Syedabaad Tea Estate in the 1960s to shoot leopards with such a rifle . It was originally a .425 Westley Richards caliber Mauser action rifle , made by Westley Richards. However , he had it rebarrelled to use .458 Winchester Magnum cartridges .
Are you using Woodleigh 410 grain bullets ?

 

[BenKK]

Jumbo, congrats on such a nice rifle, very special indeed! Looking forward to seeing a hunt report with it!

 

[Jumbo]

That is a beautiful rifle . Is that a crack on the stock above the trigger guard ?
An American family friend of ours used to come to the Syedabaad Tea Estate in the 1960s to shoot leopards with such a rifle . It was originally a .425 Westley Richards caliber Mauser action rifle , made by Westley Richards. However , he had it rebarrelled to use .458 Winchester Magnum cartridges .
Are you using Woodleigh 410 grain bullets ?

Luckily no, not a crack, just a character scratch!

In Zambia we can’t legally reload, so using factory ammo from LFB out of Germany. They have their own bullets - can’t vouch for them yet, but don’t have a heap of option right now.

I would use woodleighs if I could reload for sure, as I use them in my 470NE and believe in their performance.

 

[Captain Nwz]

Luckily no, not a crack, just a character scratch!

In Zambia we can’t legally reload, so using factory ammo from LFB out of Germany. They have their own bullets - can’t vouch for them yet, but don’t have a heap of option right now.

I would use woodleighs if I could reload for sure, as I use them in my 470NE and believe in their performance.

Jumbo , l am relieved. Contact Kynamco . They keep .425 Westley Richards factory loaded cartridges using Woodleigh bullets.

 

[spike.t]

Jumbo , l am relieved. Contact Kynamco . They keep .425 Westley Richards factory loaded cartridges using Woodleigh bullets.

Yup getting them to Zambia is the problem. Dealer needs to bring them in....and as am sure Marc will agree we pretty lucky with the different selection of calibres and makes we can get....including the big bores ....expensive but just smile and pay.....

 

[CAustin]

Yes sir you found yourself a gem for sure. Congratulations on the addition to your rifle collection.

 

[Captain Nwz]

Yup getting them to Zambia is the problem. Dealer needs to bring them in....and as am sure Marc will agree we pretty lucky with the different selection of calibres and makes we can get....including the big bores ....expensive but just smile and pay.....

Spike t , l envy you all in a healthy manner. Whenever , l want ammunition for my .338 Winchester Magnum , l either have to purchase them abroad and bring back 250 cartridges into Bangladesh on every trip , or l have to bring them into the country through a friend or family member who purchased them from abroad . Next time I visit the States , l will purchase some 300 grain Woodleigh bullets for my .338 Winchester Magnum to handload and give them a try . Till now , l have only been using 250 grain bullets .

 

[Ray B]

Those Rhodesian Tsetse flies must be really tough to require such a rifle to shoot one down.