New Westley Richards 470NE on order, who wants to hear about it?

[towserthemouser]

Wow, reason I went with Rigby was the WR delivery times. Congratulations.

The Rigby is a fabulous rifle and they are a great company. They were fantastic with us, and I would be proud as punch to own a Rigby DR. Ferrari.... Lamborghini. You can't go wrong. Congratulations to you on the Rigby as well!

 

[towserthemouser]

Your rifle is going to be beautiful regardless but I really like that little extra a buffalo horn forend tip adds.
View attachment 641071

Oh I quite like that.... I'll speak to Trigger about it for sure. It may be included anyway but I will confirm.

 

[towserthemouser]

I was asked to post a bit about this, so here goes, I'm very excited about it and will share some details here.

I have been on 3 safaris and have taken a number of PG and a buffalo and a leopard. I always said I didn't think I would hunt an elephant, but lately after some reading and research I've changed my mind..... I set some bucket list goals and decided an elephant would go to the top of that list.

I did a lot of research here and in books about different rifles and caliber choices.

I had a long conversation with the Heym USA rep and really thought I would go that direction, but the communication just didn't really gee-haw for whatever reason. They're great rifles with a great reputation, and I really like the looks of the 89 especially.

We had a trip planned to London for my wife's birthday..... So I thought maybe I should investigate options there before pulling the trigger on a Heym......

I should add that in the process of learning and researching, I had a very nice email conversation with @doctari505 about caliber choices, etc. He was very informative and helpful; a true gentleman and another example of why this forum and the people who use it are so great.

 

[SWS1]

Superb!!
Highly impressed. It sounds a superb visit and a very fruitful one. I’m having my double built at the moment by Charles Lancaster and am just about at the wood selection stage.
When I’ve had bespoke rifles and shotguns built in the past (and currently) I’ve always chosen the blank from a much less shaped block of timber. Were all of the blanks there in such a crafted form?

 

[wolfhunter]

This whole write up is was so interesting from a guy that doesn't have a double yet thanks.

 

[towserthemouser]

Superb!!
Highly impressed. It sounds a superb visit and a very fruitful one. I’m having my double built at the moment by Charles Lancaster and am just about at the wood selection stage.
When I’ve had bespoke rifles and shotguns built in the past (and currently) I’ve always chosen the blank from a much less shaped block of timber. Were all of the blanks there in such a crafted form?

Thank you for the kind words and support.

I have not seen my particular blank in person; this is the image that Trigger sent over. Tbh I don't know if the blank is that shaped since the rifle is already far along in the production process (and I kind of suspect that this is the blank that Trigger had chosen for the rifle for himself.....), or if that's a software overlay of the blank. We saw several blanks that were already shaped, and others that were more roughed in, in the vault. I do like the way the photos that he sent of various blanks are represented; it makes it easy to assess and choose when you have a high quality photo like that. He gave me several to choose from and I'm sure would have kept going if I had wanted to, but I'm delighted with this one. At a certain point you gotta just choose the girl and ask her to dance.

The Lancaster sounds awesome, congratulations on that as well.

 

[towserthemouser]

This whole write up is was so interesting from a guy that doesn't have a double yet thanks.

Thank you! It hasn't been for lack of dreaming.

Full disclosure: I made a pretty big bet (without telling my wife, LOL) on $NVDA a few years ago and this would never have been possible for me without that very lucky decision........

 

[SWS1]

Thank you for the kind words and support.

I have not seen my particular blank in person; this is the image that Trigger sent over. Tbh I don't know if the blank is that shaped since the rifle is already far along in the production process (and I kind of suspect that this is the blank that Trigger had chosen for the rifle for himself.....), or if that's a software overlay of the blank. We saw several blanks that were already shaped, and others that were more roughed in, in the vault. I do like the way the photos that he sent of various blanks are represented; it makes it easy to assess and choose when you have a high quality photo like that. He gave me several to choose from and I'm sure would have kept going if I had wanted to, but I'm delighted with this one. At a certain point you gotta just choose the girl and ask her to dance.

The Lancaster sounds awesome, congratulations on that as well.

Excellent! Very very impressed.
Oh absolutely I’ve chosen a matched pair of blanks for my bolt rifles in the past and was slightly anxious that they’d turn out as good as a finished product as they looked as a rough blank.
Luckily the first one has.. a double rifle being an even greater investment i can really see the benefits of choosing one in the manner you describe.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Beautiful piece of wood. Looks similar to a piece I was looking at that was described as marble cake. Congratulations on your purchase.

HH

 

[Certus]

Superb!!
Highly impressed. It sounds a superb visit and a very fruitful one. I’m having my double built at the moment by Charles Lancaster and am just about at the wood selection stage.
When I’ve had bespoke rifles and shotguns built in the past (and currently) I’ve always chosen the blank from a much less shaped block of timber. Were all of the blanks there in such a crafted form?

Lancaster are still making rifles??


Lovely purchase, looking forward to seeing the WR finished
Shame they’re not making the boxlocks anymore, pushes there target demographic into the even wealthier class unfortunately.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Although I am very happy with the Verney 470 I have on order I have to say I'm jealous! I can't wait to see progress and the finished rifle. And I love the wood, WR sure do have some of the best blanks out there.

 

[Killo]

Congratulations on a magnificent work of art!!

Bravo

 

[Altitude sickness]

It’s a shame the German rifle companies and their US representatives are not as receptive or welcoming to tire kickers and actual owners.

My experience with Merkel was actually non existent. The US rep could not even get a response from Germany.

Krieghoff and Heym actually answered my phone and emails here in the US so is much better. But it’s a shame they lost a sale to poor customer service.

I’m sure the treatment you received from Heym USA wasn’t intentional, but more due to not being able to fund a suitable number of staff.

 

[Northern Shooter]

I don't feel it's my place to publicly disclose their pricing structure, but the short answer is no, they don't. It's more than the Heym and the Rigby, but less than the WR Droplock that is listed on their website starting at 99,000 pounds.

I'll be getting the gun of my dreams, within less than a year, in a wonderful caliber that is well suited to my goals, with an astonishing piece of wood, and "The purpose of money is to bring you joy."

Well done Sir.

 

[towserthemouser]

Excellent! Very very impressed.
Oh absolutely I’ve chosen a matched pair of blanks for my bolt rifles in the past and was slightly anxious that they’d turn out as good as a finished product as they looked as a rough blank.
Luckily the first one has.. a double rifle being an even greater investment i can really see the benefits of choosing one in the manner you describe.View attachment 641076

I'd say that one turned out pretty fantastic! Head-turner for sure.

 

[towserthemouser]

Although I am very happy with the Verney 470 I have on order I have to say I'm jealous! I can't wait to see progress and the finished rifle. And I love the wood, WR sure do have some of the best blanks out there.

Thank you, honestly I think having a double rifle and being able to use it to chase African dreams is a real privilege for all of us; and being able to compare notes and appreciate the choices we all make and share the stories just makes it even better. Congratulations on your VC, and I guess we'll both be members of the 470 club!

 

[towserthemouser]

Congratulations on a magnificent work of art!!

Bravo

Thank you for the support!

 

[towserthemouser]

Beautiful piece of wood. Looks similar to a piece I was looking at that was described as marble cake. Congratulations on your purchase.

HH

Thank you!

 

[towserthemouser]

It’s a shame the German rifle companies and their US representatives are not as receptive or welcoming to tire kickers and actual owners.

My experience with Merkel was actually non existent. The US rep could not even get a response from Germany.

Krieghoff and Heym actually answered my phone and emails here in the US so is much better. But it’s a shame they lost a sale to poor customer service.

I’m sure the treatment you received from Heym USA wasn’t intentional, but more due to not being able to fund a suitable number of staff.

To be clear they were never rude at all, and I do not wish to give a negative impression. I'll just file it as less-than-optimal communication and leave it at that.

 

[Altitude sickness]

you did not imply they were rude. Just that they were kind of dismissive and pushing you into something you did not want.
Then didn’t follow up as promised