Had a window of opportunity to take the 425 out for a test drive today. The following are the results:

WR factory 410gr softs- 2260-2290 fps
WR factory 410gr solids- 2202-2236 fps

Handloads:

410 Woodleigh softs with 72gr of Varget- 2181-2205 fps
Same load with 410gr solids- 2174-2227 fps

410 Woodleigh softs with 73.5gr of Varget- 2241-2261 fps

410 Woodleigh softs with 71gr of H4895- 2243-2261 fps

The 73.5gr load of Varget and the 71gr load of H4895 shot to the same POI. The sights have a dead on bullseye hole shooting 10" low at 60 yds....this will be fixed.
6 rounds went into 3.5" at 60yds off the bags...open sights.

She does get your attention at just over 9#, but is manageable.

I'll keep playing.

By the way...this is the "Game Ranger" model...rather plain...but it DOES NOT have the "clips" in the magazine and it fed FLAWLESSLY...otherwise it would have gone back to WR.

Gary
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Hatari Times has a very interesting feature article on the 416 Rigby, and why the 404J and 425WR beat it out in the sales arena. This is a really neat cartridge.

Rich
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Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

Rich....this cartridge has had my attention for quite some time. When I found the "plain" model at Westley's web site, I had to try it out. Contrary to many posts I read...although I don't doubt their truthfulness...this rifles feeds and functions PERFECTLY. It weighs just over 9# and does get your attention with the 410 grainers at about 2300 fps...but it is very manageable. It is very accurate, but shoots a bit low...nothing a new rear sight won't fix. It has a 3 shot mag but feeds a fourth from the mag with no problem.
I'm happy.

Gary
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......GarBy ;; wouldn,t it be easier to put on a shorter foresight ...............I prefer the 425 WR , hands down to the Rigby ......I,m very glad someone put out some truth to them yammerin rigby shooters

Great work! I posted the following a year or so ago on my range experiments with the 425 WR:

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/...=732105015#732105015

I believe that the Chrony model B that we were using was optimistic in the velocities by about 75-100 fps. My 425 does not have the clip slots either and a friend of mine who is a distinguished Master highpower shooter cycled five rounds through the rifle firing at a 6" steel target at 35 yards as fast has he could. He never missed the target and was able to get five rounds off in less than five seconds ... the gun fed flawlessly.

Cheers

Roy

Gumboot....one would think that would be easier...and obvious. The problem is that the REAR V is filed right down to the base....or VERY close anyway. I have to put my cheek into the stock to get it to shoot where it does. I like the front site...basic as it is...and want to leave it. Also I need about another 3/4" on the LOP...it has a 3/4" Decelerator pad on it...so I want that lengthened a bit also.

I'll have JJ at Champlins do the work as he has done a perfect job on 2 double rifles I sent him in the last couple of years.

Roy....you and I seem to have had the same results....my rifle feeds 'em as fast as I can work the bolt. My mag is only a 3 rounder, though.

I REALLY like the cartridge...not really sure why, I guess because not everyone has one?

But those 410 gr slugs at 2300 fps have some serious zip...and no doubt will have a serious effect on their intended target...Buff.

Thanks, gentlemen, for the posts.

Gary
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..........Ya ,,I guess a belt sander wouldn,t be the best remedy for it .... ....

An inset cheek piece.....hmmmm.....that's an interesting concept. It's a tough call gum....but I think I'm going with the higher site .

Gary
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....Thats probly a good idea ..

Two ideas for a "fix":

If possible work your load up to 2,350 and see if it raises the point of impact. I actually don't think that it will. Recoil will increase...to raise the point of impact, but barrel time will reduce...so the bullet will be out of the barrel before it has climbed.

Weld up the notch and then re-cut it. Unless your front sight is way too high I would not reduce that. It seems probable that someone at some time past may have used a light bullet in your rifle and altered the rear sight to fit? By taking a file to drop the notch?

What is your sight picture like?

As an experiment can you not use an strong glue to stick a piece of black card to completey cover your existing notch and then cut a "V" in that?

A less drastic remedy than welding would be to drill and tap two small screws into the front of the sight and then screw on an auxiliary blank with a higher cut notch?

Here is a little extra info for those interested.
This is from my WR catalog sometime after 1925.

Great posts, gents.
I'm having the rear site replaced with a WR express that has less of the "V" filed...so the point of impact is higher. The front site will remain untouched....it is original and works well for me.
Frank...great stuff. I was able to locate a 1981 Gun Digest in which Jack Lott had an article on the 425...it had a couple of the advertisements that you posted.

I should have her back from JJ in late January...new sight, and LOP adjusted to suit me. I got about 100 rounds of brass, some Woodleigh softs and solids, and some other goodies with the deal. I'll have 50 rounds or so loaded up when I get her back....then off to the range. I really enjoy shooting this rifle.

Thanks.

Gary
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I would love to see your rifle.
Do you happen to have any photos posted anywhere?
Perhaps when you get it back.
Frank

Why couldn't I have been J.F. Muirhead????

GarBy
I have one of those toys too. Also plain and a bit ug. A bit like an ugly old landrover....a charm of its own. I was originally lead to believe that mine was a bit of a freak in that it was reliable sans clips.
If you´re intrested, you can do a search and look for comments by ALF. He has made some favorable informed comments about the cartridge and the models likely to jam, what to do about mag followers etc
boet

Frank....the WR site still had photos last time I looked. I have taken some but they're on my office computer....will post in the next few days.
Boet....the Land Rover analogy is a good one. She has a been there, taken that, look about her. She shoots really nice and, like you said, without the clips feeds like butter.
A keeper for sure.

Gary
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quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
Why couldn't I have been J.F. Muirhead????

If we could be first in line I am sure it would run around the globe with those wishing to have been there to have done that.
Frank