Like most of us, I really don't NEED another project or rifle, just want one. So...

I am wanting to build a old British style sporting rifle on a Mauser action. This will most likely be an open sight only rifle although my eyes won't like that... not a kid anymore. The hardest decision obviously is caliber selection. Originally I was thinking about a 35 Whelen. I built one 20 years ago, hunted with it a really liked it but no longer have it today. For this project, I want to use an old British caliber, has to be between .300" and .400". So... here are ones I am thinking about:

318 Westley Richards
333 Jeffery
375 Rimless Nitro Express 2 1/4" (9.5x57mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer)
400-375 H&H Belted

So... all of these are short enough to fit into any 98 Mauser action, even the "intermediate" length actions. Pressures on all of these are pretty moderate on today's standards. The 318 WR and 333 Jeffery are handicapped due to hard to get barrel blanks (.330" and .333"... Krieger does make a .330"). The 400-375 is handicapped on ease of brass availability. The 375 Rimless NE is a good choice, but not the hotrod of the 9.3x63 or the 375 H&H. I am not looking for a hotrod though but a fun shooter to build. I am a retired gunsmith so barrel, boltface and feedwork isn't a problem.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Any other possible old British cartridges I haven't thought about?

Thanks guys, Tony

You have some neat choices. I am a fan of the 318, you can make brass easily out of 30-06, woodleigh makes 250 gr. RN's and Hornady made 205 gr. SP's are
available from Graffs. Lothar/Walther also makes .330 barrels but, they absolutely guaranteed delivery in two months, and it took seven, with many excuses.Good Luck with your project!

Well, I could help with the 400/375 belted, as I have the reamer! I also have a swage/belting die you can make brass with, or use 240 wthby.
It does make a very nice moderate caliber, shoots cast bullets well and no-one borrows shells.

welllllllllllllllll...

in terms of a true classic medium bore, the 9,3x62 dates back to Otto Bock in 1905. Tons of bullets from 220 to 320gr, and lots of brass available these days.

Rich

I recently built a true British style rifle. Modeled the stock after a classic Rigby bolt gun, used a nicely tapered Pacnor barrel, Weibe bottom metal and follower, and mounted with a Zeiss 3x15x42 Conquest. .300 H&H. I'll start a new thread and post pictures.

Last I checked, the 9.3x62 is not an old British caliber.

Though not a British cartridge .... I'm building an 8x68mmS and 6.5x68mm rifles on M98 actions. Additionally, there will be a 308x68mm too.

Another couple options for you.

Wow, thanks for the offer Theback40, I will keep that in mind. Lots to think about and it will be spring at the earliest before I start anything. Not only caliber to pick but I have a bunch of actions to pick from, commercial Zastava and Parker Hale 98 Mauser actions including both standard length and intermediate length actions along with military 98 actions including some early German made Turk contract actions with the tall rear charger bridge. Leaning towards the 375 Rimless Nitro Express 2 1/4" on an intermediate length action....maybe...

Tony

Thinking of your old eyes, I understand Westley Richards sold their .318 magazine rifles with aperture sights.

I would figure out which one there is high quality brass which i could get readily. Start from there, half the battle won.

400-375 sounds neat.

If it was me it would be a pure Mauser action (not Zastava, FN etc.) and the caliber would be in 318 WR & a partner for company in 404 Jeffery!

It HAS to be rust blued.

The aperture sights would be in the Rigby design & not the American Lyman

Oil finished English Walnut stock.

My vote goes to the 9.3x62 also

Better than decent bullet selection and inexpensive PPU brass

I would also agree with Idaho Sharpshooter; 9.3x62. A real classic that is a pleasure to shoot and one of the easiest rounds to reload. Brass is readily available and there is a nice selection of bullet choices. Norma Oryx 286 grain factory rounds work really well if you don't reload. Hard to ask for more.

If it must be a British caliber for standard length action, you could choose either 275 Rigby (same dimensions as the 7 mm Mauser) for plains game or 400 H&H for DG (requires some additional work)

Cheers,

so, this is a stretch, there were plenty 10,75x68s built on mauser model B -- b for british...

if this were me, 358 winchester, built under the same spec, likely on a mexican mauser, 36 bolt, with cocking piece add peep sight ...

and a plain as a gym floor piece of quarter sawn english

British Classic?

Okay, what about a 425 Westley Richards? Jim Kobe is doing one for XAUSA and one for me. Its' only real issue was the rebated rim. We are curing that by using 404J brass and a magnum bolt.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
British Classic?

Okay, what about a 425 Westley Richards? Jim Kobe is doing one for XAUSA and one for me. Its' only real issue was the rebated rim. We are curing that by using 404J brass and a magnum bolt.

so.. RUM cases, then?

350 Rigby?

There you go. That's the ticket!

What Boomstick said: 350 Rigby!

And it has to look like this.

Have to admit, I like the .350 Rigby idea....... need a magnum length action I am guessing. My second choice would be the .318. Friend of mine in Alberta has one and it is a beautiful old rifle and fun to shoot.

Well, he has an affinity for the 35 Whelen already and wants a snooty English cart ergo 350 Rigby. It just needs a rifle as sublime as it's heritage. Not to mention that peep sight is just what the Dr. errr um gunsmith ordered.

Man, that is a nice looking 350 Rigby.

I'd love to own it...

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
British Classic?

Okay, what about a 425 Westley Richards? Jim Kobe is doing one for XAUSA and one for me. Its' only real issue was the rebated rim. We are curing that by using 404J brass and a magnum bolt.

so.. RUM cases, then?

No, really, Rich - you are describing RUM cases - 404 with .532rebated rim ... you might go ahead and try those, to prevent way expensive cases, rework, and case loss ... just grub you some 375 rum or 300 rum cases...