.318 WR

30 January 2002, 17:55

JohnTheGreek

.318 WR

OK, I am breaking down and deviating from my very mainstream cartridge utilization and thinking about building a .318 Westley Richards. Does anyone know the overall case and cartridge lengths for this round. I am thinking about using a Win. Model 70 . . . Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

JohnTheGreek

30 January 2002, 18:06

ALF

30 January 2002, 18:22

Frank Nowakowski

Kynoch makes ammo though its ridiculously expen$ive. Similar to the .338-06 of today, the .318 WR really enjoyed quite a reputation for many years as a real penetrator. A long, heavy .330" bullet at a moderate velocity.
Boddington spoke well of it in his book "Safari Rifles" as well. I appplaud you for trying something different and unique.

30 January 2002, 18:31

Shumba

OldSarge from Lakewood, CA should be able to provide all the info you require about the .318 WR. He actually has one (and shoots it) and is pretty knowledgeable on the subject.

Just give him some time, I'm sure he will post soon.

Tim

30 January 2002, 18:40

<ovis>

J.T.G.,

Great & interesting project. How 'bout keeping us all informed on your progress?

30 January 2002, 19:29

<Jagermeister>

Yes JTGreek, I for some reason approve as well. I just like the sound of .318 Westley Richards. I hope you choose this round, so you can tell us about it later! Should be pretty slick in an m70! Go for it.

31 January 2002, 00:19

<Telly>

For some reason, some Westley Richards ammo is a little long for the magazine of my .318. It goes in, but won't come out. I don't think you would have any problems with the model 70. My .318 would be one of the last to leave my meager collection.

Telly

31 January 2002, 01:36

Deerdogs

I have made the decision to build one too. In "The Perfect Shot" the 318WR gets several mentions as a very useful calibre.

I feel that it is far from obsolete and it is hugely preferable to many of the faster modern calibres. But then I have, IMHO, shot too many deer to worship at the Church of High Velocity Meat Wreckers!

Originals come up at auction in the UK fairly frequently. I saw a nice one sell for ï¿½800 last summer. The same day a mint 333 Jeffrey went for ï¿½1200.

Good luck with your project.

------------------
Regards

Richard

31 January 2002, 04:00

<Terry P>

John,
GregR, who posts on this forum with Mombasa Trading has an original 318 Westley Richards for sale. I saw it last weekend at the Houston gun show. They are real neat rifles much like the Jeffrey. Flip up sights out to 500 yards. Boddington's book mentions the 318WR. He said that he used 250gr, 338 Barnes bullets, swaged down (in two steps)for his rifle along with some old Kynoch softs and solids. He gave the cartridge high marks and said nothing seemed to stop the heavy bullets at modest velocities. I have had thoughts about that cartridge also along with the 8X57. I think the 8X57 cartridges length is a little long for the standard Winchester magazine (3.40).
Sarge should post here soon about the his loads,overall length, etc. for his 318WR.
Good luck,
Terry

Thought I would edit my post. Above I mention that the 8X57 is a little long for the standard magazine. Not so. I was looking at the 8X68 dimensions. Sorry!

[This message has been edited by Terry P (edited 02-07-2002).]

31 January 2002, 12:46

Oldsarge

Gentlemen,

I am currently shooting a Woodleigh 250 gr. in front of 56.5 gr. of IMR 4350 for about 2350 fps and 3065 ft.lbs. Like Telly I find the Kynoch ammunition a trifle long so my max OAL is 3.345". I have only shot a pig with it which seems rather a waste but I can report that the exit hole is absolutely awesome. Mine was made by Greener but Graham can't help me with dates adn such as the book that serial number is on was simply a list of what was made, not who it was sent to or much of anything else. I purchased it from Kynamco for ï¿½650+shipping. Since purchase, I have had the leaf sights replaced with a vintage Lyman 57M on Graham Greener's word that such rifles were furnished with all manner of sights per the customer's choice. I am vastly pleased. The only other modification that will be needed is a bit of trigger work to take it down to 3.5 lbs pull. After I retire and can go hunting like normal folk I will want to use in on an elk, European red stag, black bear, etc. First, however, it is going to return to Africa in '03 along with a newly acquired .404 Jeff. Now if I can just locate a pith helmet and a case of claret . . .

Sarge

31 January 2002, 13:13

JohnTheGreek

TerryP,

Dare I ask what GregR was asking for that rifle?

Regards,

JohnTheGreek

31 January 2002, 13:28

Greg R

I am asking $3,250 for it and I pay the shipping. Of course, I conveniently accept all major credit cards :-) It's a beautiful rifle. I can e-mail pics if you like.

------------------
Greg Rodriguez
Mombasa Trading Company
www.mbogo.net
(281) 494-4151

31 January 2002, 14:57

JohnTheGreek

GregR,
Please do email them to me. Thanks!

Old Sarge,
You post is forcing me to remember the 11th commandment, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors weaponry"

Thanks,

JohnTheGreek

[This message has been edited by JohnTheGreek (edited 01-31-2002).]

01 February 2002, 04:08

BFaucett

JohnTheGreek,

I've seen and handled (but not shot) the rifle that GregR is selling. It's nice. I had to think very long and hard about buying it. After thinking it over, I just couldn't afford it right now. It's got all the Westley Richards markings PLUS it's an Oberndorf Mauser 98 action (so marked). It needs a good home!

-Bob F.

01 February 2002, 12:17

Greg R

John,

I e-mailed the pics earlier. Let me know if you received them via e-mail. I'm off to the SHOW show so I'll check back in Tuesday.

------------------
Greg Rodriguez
Mombasa Trading Company
www.mbogo.net
(281) 494-4151

04 February 2002, 01:03

Deerdogs

quote:
Originally posted by ALF:

Cases can be formed from 30-06 cases.
Ken Stewart in SA makes cases and bullets so does OPM.

ALF, have you got any contact details for Ken Stewart or OPM?

The only cases I have found are by Bertram and they are not cheap at $60 for 20.

How would I go about forming from 3006 brass?

Thanks.

------------------
Regards

Richard

04 February 2002, 12:15

carcano91

quote:
Originally posted by Deerdogs:
The only cases I have found are by Bertram and they are not cheap at $60 for 20.

I am sure Horneber also makes cases. Maybe Wolfgang Romey uses those for his loaded ammo.

Carcano

06 February 2002, 07:49

D Humbarger

Use 35 Whelen brass & neck it down.

------------------
NRA Life member

07 February 2002, 03:42

Oldsarge

Deerdogs,
Just run the '06 brass directly through the .318 die and trim to length. If you want to fireform them, o.k. but it's hardly necessary. Hawk also makes .330 bullets. Ordinarily they only carry 200 gr. but will happily make up 250 gr. for not much more.
Sarge

[This message has been edited by Oldsarge (edited 02-06-2002).]