Just bought a new double but now need to find the money to pay for it lol !

Just couldn't let it go by !

Will put up more when I get home & have her in hand.
Seems to be the 314gr 41gr cordite load, hope it is enough for Buff ?

rwo

Looks great! Congratulations. An ejector too!

Also a swag of Kynoch ammunition.

Nice gun!! Are you sure it is only 41 grs cordite? Mine is marked "55 Grs Cordite".

That is a 400/360 which is very different to the 360No.2
Make sure you check that Kynoch ammo. They made a bunch which were labeled for Westley Richards but made them with the thin rim of the Purdey case.
One WR rifle sold here in CO a few years back and the buyer returned the rife because he thought there was a headspace problem with it. That was when the rim discrepancy was discovered.

You almost certainly have a .400/360 NE and not a .360 No 2 NE. The .360 No 2 fired 320 grain bullets at 2200 fps an was a more powerful and bigger cartridge.

As someone else remarked, check the rim thickness as well.

Congratulations Sarg! That is a very nice rifle, and it was made by my favorite maker.

I have a Westley Richards 500-450#1 Express with all the same features except the multiple rear sights and mine is a box lock. Mine has only one standing and one folding.

....................................................................

Nice looking rifle Sarg.

As the other posters replied, your rifle is a 400/360. It will shoot a 286gr bullet at approximately 1950fps. The 360No2 is much closer to the 375 H&H Flanged Magnum.

Is it enough for Buff?, you'll have to decide.

I've had two 400/360 Evans rifles and found them to be great for pigs.

Bertram still makes brass for your rifle.

I don't know guys it says 360EX on the barrel flats & 314gr 41gr cordite ?

I will need more info I suppose

I see 400/360 2 3/4in on the dies !

Probably just in the wrong die box.
100% sure your gun is the 400/360 which is in fact a 2-3/4" case.
No problems with that of course as it is my impression that the 400/360 is generally preferred over the No.2. Come to think of it, I don't know if I have ever seen a Westley double in the No.2 chambering.
I have rifles for both and like both of them.
The No.2 is substantially larger than the 400/360 being based on the 450/400 case for all intents and purposes.

Sarg,

The proof marks are correct for a 400/360 Westley proved prior to 1925.

Congratulations Sarg.

The .400/360WR may not be the ideal buffalo caliber, but for eland, kudu etc it´s a killer.

Love to have such rifle in that caliber one day.

top drawer stuff

the 360 express is like my cape gun is an early model you can get brass from buffalo arms and bullets there from time to time

it's a wonderful round-- it is in my opinion-- not quite a buffalo gun-- i think of my express as in the class with a 200 gn 30-30-- or a light 30-40 krag load -- not quit a 303 british --- have loads and dies --if you might want more info

looked mine up-- it's a 360 2 1/4 express mini --so not the same -- its 250 gn swedged bullet buffalo arms-- its 22 grains reloder 7-- it's 30-40 krag brass-- cut down by buffalo arms -- so that's what i have

Stradling, your 360 Express must be the 360 2-1/4" express.

These three 360s cause quite a bit of confusion then if you really want to get crazy you could throw in the 350 No.5 Rook and the 360 No.3 Gibbs then there is a 360 2-3/8" Alex Henry cartridge as well!

thanks for the correction seems the bullet is a .365 but i need to measure it to be damn sure

Loads for the .360-2 1/4":

gn. Powder Bullet wt Bullet typ Tons Vel.



5O Blk 155 Lead 10 1650
5O Blk 190 Lead 10 1550
5O Blk 215 Lead 10 1450
30 Cor 300 Jacket 14 1650


A good modern load for strong rifles only:

Powder Weight Bullet Velocity.

4198 23 gr. 190 Lead 1650
4198 26 gr. 250 Jacket 1700 use with care!

Quote:
The .360 - 2 1/4"
Although not a Westley Richards development this little cartridge did see some use in the 1897 rifle.

Brass can be made from .38/55 but will be much too short. The 9.3x72R is a better choice (note, not 9.3x74R) and only has to be full length sized, and shortened. The .360 cartridge started life as a coil black powder number. Bullet weights ran from 150 on up to 300 grains in its later loadings. Cast bullets to .362 diameter, and load the cartridge as a .38/55. The 1897 action is plenty strong enough for any published load in the .38/55.

Some technical sources say the correct bullet size is .357/.358 but I find that most bores are a little wider, .360 to .362 seems to be the average, so slug the bore before ordering the mold and sizing dies.

The later 300 grain bullet which is the nitro load reached 1,650 FPS, with 30 grains of cordite, at a low 14 tons. The muzzle energy was about 1820 foot pounds. This may not sound like a great deal but it was exactly what the .303 British turned out at 50 feet with its old 215 grain bullet at 1950 FPS. This cartridge benefits from a lighter bullet, 225 grains, and so shoots faster and flatter.


Loads for the .360-2 1/4":
Powder Bullet Bullet Tons Vel.
Weight Type FPS
SOBlk 155 Lead 10 1650
SOBlk 190 Lead 10 1550
SOBlk 215 Lead 10 1450
30 Cor 300 Jacket 14 1650
A good modern load for strong rifles only:
Powder Weight Bullet Velocity.
4198 23 gr. 190 Lead 1650
4198 26 gr. 250 Jacket 1700 use with care

Great snag Sarg. Where did you get it from? Local or import?

The top photo of the barrel hook shows a bit of peening in the front hook edge. Not sure if metal has been displaced or if it is the photo & light angle.

Is it on face with no shake.

Robert Dollymore still restores old English & European doubles. One collector in Auckland has had a few done & my mate here in Naki has got 2 German guns done - one is a 9X57R & the other is a 6.X53R I think. He is not cheap.

The stock looks very good. Is it original?

Interesting info - http://www.cartridgecollector....tro-express-2-%C2%BE

Thank you for sharing the pictures of your rifle. These vintage rifles are true historical artifacts that also cry to be in the sun. Please inform us of your shared adventures to come. I am amazed something survives so long and so complete.

Nice double Sarg, I know you've been wanting one for a while.
Looks like it started life as a .303.

Have you slugged the bores yet? The 360's had a bit of variation I believe.

With good bullets it should work fine on NT Buff.

Thank you, yes was after a big bore double & just sold my Bland 577BPE looking for another hammer less 577 & this turned up, love WR & took a bunt is was Buff suitable ?

I'm PHing in South Africa now so it may work on these little guys !!

I did see that 303 marking do you really think it was a 303 before ?

If so I can rechamber to 9.3x74 with no worries lol !

where is this going to fit with the .375" bore the minimum size for DG?

I would hate to see you lose that beauty to some official bs...

Thank you, but I don't think this .375 thing is a problem any where but in the minds of the overseas client !

Just did my PH practical & legal test here in SA & was told .375 was a suggestion, not a legal requirement

I would be surprise if other countries even asked, any one ever been questioned about caliber ?

Should add this is in Limpopo province .

Yeah Sarg, the original proofs appear to show it was once a 303.
These are the two crossed scepter stamps, the 303 stamp, and the NITRO PROVED stamp.

The other proof marks were done some time later.

None of this takes away from the fact that it looks to be a quality Westley double rifle.

PHing in South Africa, wow you lucky bugger.

Sorry but I don't know how the 400-360 will go on African buff as I don't have any experience hunting in Africa.

The 314 gr bullet at 1900 fps is really marginal on buffalo IMHO (no personal experience).

That is 300 fps slower than a 9.3X62 with 320 gr Woodleighs.

Awesome rifle though.

If you can get it to regulate with CEB 280 gr bullet, it would work fine I think.

Great buy Sarg, I had that on my watchlist.