This is a cartridge that I don't recall seeing discussed at all here. Is it just one of those inherently bad combos? I have a P14 with a 44 caliber barrel that just seems to call out to me to be converted to this cartridge, ugly rebated rim and all. What am I missing, that would make this not doable? I'm just looking for ideas/input right now.

This is how Mauser solved the near impossible feeding troubles of the 425 WR. There're at least a dozen better cartridges to work with.

Jack,
From what I have been able to gleen from users and books on the 425, they didn't really solve all the feeding problems, they just improved them somewhat with the clips...They make nice lamps and wall hangers in Africa...Most who have them over there are afraid to use them...

It sure is a nice round balistically...

8MM:
You might want to consider the .425 Lott. This is the .425 W-R formed from .404 Jeffery brass without turning down the rim, as written up by Jack Lott in an old Gun Digest (1982 or 1983 I think). The barrel is chambered the same and could be marked as a .425 W-R, but by using the Jeffery brass you get a much larger diameter base for the bolt face to pick up and you don't need to go to extreme lengths to get it to feed. Jack Lott owned an original W-R magazine rifle with the ugly extended magazine, and in addition to the factory bolt with .473 face he had another bolt with the face opened up to .532 for the Jeffery brass, so he could use either ammo.

I'm sure someone will be quick to point out that the .425 Lott would of course create potential problems common to all wildcat cartridges, with headstamp not matching barrel, lack of factory ammo, etc., but if you're just looking for a fun shooter, then why not go for it?

Kurt

Why not just go to the 425 express? isn't it formed out of 300 win brass?

Dave,

You're right about the .425 being from .300 Win Mag cases, but there's a difference in bullet diameter: the .425 Express use .423 diameter bullets intended for the .404 Jeffery, the .425 W-R uses unique .435 diameter bullets. 8MM mentioned he has a "44 caliber barrel", so if he's intending to use that it would determine what cartridge he can use.

Personally, I think the .425 is one of the best looking cartridges, ranking right up there with the .300 H & H. The long neck, fat body, and massively rebated rim give it a unique look all it's own, at least amongst American and English cartridges. The continental 11.2X60 looks very similar.

Kurt

learn some thing every time I post here,thanks Kurt

Thanks one and all for your input. JBelk, I had no idea that there was such an issue with the feeding of this round. A rifle that doesn't feed smoothly is not a hunting weapon, as far as I am concerned. Yes, I like the contour and balance of this little rifle, but it looks more and more like a radical change is in order. Thanks again, one and all.

/

ALF,

Your views on the 425 WR are spot on, but I wonder if you saw a later improved version of the same round that WR introduced with a full rim as opposed to a rebated one. There is someone from WR on this forum and they might be able to tell us more about this, or, then again, they may not. I personally had a very bad experience even getting information from the company when I did an article some years ago. I still have a rude reply from some oaf called I M Claude to remind me of the experience!

/

Alf, I was told that KNP rebarreled their .425 's to .458 Win mags in the 50's and 60's. Is this true. PS. I used to live in Mica which was down the road from you we probably have mutual friends.

Aleko

[ 11-09-2002, 03:32: Message edited by: alekojjensen ]

Alf may be right and he may be wrong, I don't know, but I had one and it failed to feed from time to time and I know of another that failed quite a bit more and that is all I have to go by other than I know it has been written up as a non feeder in many articles.....and seems to be accepted as fact by many well known gunsmiths that deal in English rifles. the 425 does have good balistic performance....At any rate I prefer the 404 Jefferys..

.

Has anyone read John Burger? Excellent reads in all his books, one of the early men to explore. Some of what he saw will just plain turn your stomach upside down.

In his adventures he used the .425 WR and the only cpomplaint he had was the barrel was too long. At least this is what I recall. He also wrote of the .404 and being unhappy with it on occaision.

Alf,
Some game depts reportedly did issure the 425 or so I have read...

BTW the lamp thing came about because I saw some of these old Mausers that came out of a warehouse in awful condition, they were wall hangers and one guy had a nice lamp made from a 425 WR...just flick the safty and the light came on. I am quite aware of their value and that noone would do that with a gun in good condition..