Does anyone know if either WR or some custom gunsmith can provide a proper follower for the rebated .425 WR? ALF has pretty well established that the whole problem with its unfortunate reputation in less-than-Best rifles is purely a function of incorrect followers. If good ones were available, the old boomer might be on the verge of a rebirth. I know I'd sure like one. Heck, I'd trade the .404 in for a .425 in a heartbeat . . . or rebarrel it.
Posts: 2690 | Location: Lakewood, CA. USA | Registered: 07 January 2001
westley richards will not build a 425. without the clips that should tell you something about the follower being the only issue as to getting the gun to feed
paul
Posts: 78 | Location: massachusetts,USA | Registered: 19 November 2003
Got it! Will copy and file away for future reference.
Bartsche,
I believe that if one was desparate, he could turn down the rim some good Norma .404 brass and reform. Probably for simple reloading, the Bertram would do, especially after it had been fired a couple of times to harden.
Allen,
Bosh! Since I already have a .404 whatinhell would I want a stinking .416 Green for?
Posts: 2690 | Location: Lakewood, CA. USA | Registered: 07 January 2001
Not too many years ago I built a 8mmX 425WRX 2 1/2"After. The short story is I could not find brass that had sufficient hardness to stand up to reasonable pressure. I sent samples to Charles Huntington from whom the brass was purchased and he agreed the brass was too soft for wildcatting and sent me some from another manufacturor.It was better but not good enough. I converted the rifle to handle .404 brass. I'm not trying to rain on your parade just passing on info you may be able to use. roger
Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003
I saw a thread on big bore at one point on the 425 and there were some great pics of the follower and some dimensions given, I would think that if you took that and went to one of the master gunsmiths it should be doable. I think that a 404 and a 425 would be better than an either or. :-) I just read somewhere that there are something like 55 different calibers, and I had told my wife I didn't need any more guns! ;-)
Red
Posts: 4742 | Location: Fresno, CA | Registered: 21 March 2003
i know that they have, in fact one of the nicest ones ive seen was built on a mag mauser oberndorf even nthough the mag length is not needed,it was
without the clips. i had a disscusion with simon clode at westley richards years ago and the firm would rather sell one or upgrade one to the clip configuration i can only guess that maybe with the clips they are assured of proper feeding and not depending solely on the follower and the rails harold wolf of hatari times did an artical on the 425. he acually wanted westley richards to change the round a little so to relieve the feeding problems of a rebated rim but it never happened that would be in hatari times #12 i have a nice 318. pre war style 1933 28'' barrel nice gun i also use to own the one that criag boddington posed with in his book with a warthog i think.out of all the english guns westley richards, because they would rework military actions put a lot of time into there guns i have 2 rigbys and because they may have come from germany as barreled actions rigby at least did not have to spend any time on bolt handles ,bottom metal,etc.
paul
Posts: 78 | Location: massachusetts,USA | Registered: 19 November 2003
If you can PM a forum member who goes by the handle of "Induna jr", he has an original W-R .425 without the "clips" and it feeds like a dream. I know, I made about 95 .425 WR cases for him from .375 RUM's and it works great. If you can't find him, PM me and I'll contact him for a photo of his follower (and the whole rifle, for that matter).
"I ask, sir, what is the Militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effective way to enslave them" - George Mason, co-author of the Second Amendment during the Virginia convention to ratify the Constitution
Posts: 1699 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 14 April 2004