Should I build a 318 Westley Richards?

[rigbymauser]

I went through the proces of building a .333 Jeffery in 2006. Was is worth it?…well yes but in reality I should have bought an original Jefferymauser instead. It took two 3 full years to have it completed.

 

[Paul Raley]

I went through the proces of building a .333 Jeffery in 2006. Was is worth it?…well yes but in reality I should have bought an original Jefferymauser instead. It took two 3 full years to have it completed.

You need to show us photos of the 333 Jefferey and we will tell you if it was worth it .

 

[rigbymauser]

 

[Paul Raley]

Looks like a beautiful rifle and it seems to do what it was intended to do , I would say it was worth the wait .

 

[Paul Raley]

Lets see what the others think .

 

[Tintin]

Lets see what the others think .

Very Nice!!!

 

[nztimb]

very much worth it. Any rifle that gives you pleasure to look at, carry in the field, and when you bring game to the grass is always worth any time delay in getting it to that point.

 

[Aaron N]

The answer is always yes!

 

[Jefferry404]

i went with the 338-06 A square (i stress over components these days) as a modern version with nearly the same case length, the same case capacity and when loaded to same pressure as the 318, nearly same velocity (2356 vs 2330 fps in 24" barrel). Given the historical performance of the 318 on big game, this 338-06 should be the same for given bullet. The 318 OAL was 3.34" vs CIP spec. of 3.53" to fit into standard action. To much engineer in me!

 

[hoytcanon]

.338 WM is the easy button... and probably the smart button... but maybe not the "fun" button.

 

[fourfive8]

Nostalgia!
IIRC, the 318 was Bell’s favorite caliber but there was a big “but”… getting reliable 318 ammo. For nostalgia and to be historically accurate, you’ll need to reload the 318. Then spray a few of the primers with WD 40 when reloading for random FTF or an occasional squib. Then have failures while hunting elephants. Then use up all your 318 ammo for practice by shooting cormorants on the wing. Then get rid of the 318. Replace it with a 7x57. Acquire large supply of reliable DWM ammo with 173 gr full metal jacket bullets for hunting elephants. True story.

Nothing wrong with the 318 other than the details of the reality of the pain in the arse of procuring good ammo, reloading components including premium big game bullets. The price of nostalgia, not unlike 120 years ago

 

[cajunchefray]

Nostalgia!
IIRC, the 318 was Bell’s favorite caliber but there was a big “but”… getting reliable 318 ammo. For nostalgia and to be historically accurate, you’ll need to reload the 318. Then spray a few of the primers with WD 40 when reloading for random FTF or an occasional squib. Then have failures while hunting elephants. Then use up all your 318 ammo for practice by shooting cormorants on the wing. Then get rid of the 318. Replace it with a 7x57. Acquire large supply of reliable DWM ammo with 173 gr full metal jacket bullets for hunting elephants. True story.

Nothing wrong with the 318 other than the details of the reality of the pain in the arse of procuring good ammo, reloading components including premium big game bullets. The price of nostalgia, not unlike 120 years ago

I understand the ammunition problems WDM Bell has with Kynoch.

I thought I read that later in his elephant hunting career, he moved up from the 7x57 to the.318 Westley Richards?
Please correct me if I’m mistaken.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I understand the ammunition problems WDM Bell has with Kynoch.

I thought I read that later in his elephant hunting career, he moved up from the 7x57 to the.318 Westley Richards?
Please correct me if I’m mistaken.

It’s my understanding that he moved back to the 7mm afterwards.
Bell stated the only reliable ammo the British produced was the military 303 ammo.

 

[cajunchefray]

It’s my understanding that he moved back to the 7mm afterwards.
Bell stated the only reliable ammo the British produced was the military 303 ammo.

Thank you. I do remember that Bell preferred to use DWM 7x57 173 grain FMJ for elephant.

 

[BGHNTR416]

I am on board. 318 WR here I come...

 

[HunterX]

Congrats BGHNTR416. I also have components and just need to get in line to procure a custom barrel. You will have to show us your rifle when complete.

 

[BGHNTR416]

I will definitely post pics. I just bought dies. My rifle builder already has a barrel for me. I purchased a 1909 Argentine mauser that was an older build, currently a 270. It has a moderately figured English stock, a good trigger and a decent bolt handle. In a perfect world I would reshape the stock but I have to tap the brakes a little bit. However, the older finish on the stock is kind of nice. Gives it a bit of patina.

 

[HunterX]

I will definitely post pics. I just bought dies. My rifle builder already has a barrel for me. I purchased a 1909 Argentine mauser that was an older build, currently a 270. It has a moderately figured English stock, a good trigger and a decent bolt handle. In a perfect world I would reshape the stock but I have to tap the brakes a little bit. However, the older finish on the stock is kind of nice. Gives it a bit of patina.

When you are ready to reshape it look up RJ Renner. He does a fantastic job turning older stocks into English Stalking rifles. I sent him an old FN action and a nice English walnut stock from eBay and he is turning it into a 9.3x62 Old African. Slenderizing the stock only is $1,400. https://www.rjrenner.com/pre-war-77.html.

 

[BGHNTR416]

RJ Renner would be the way to go. Good suggestion!