Take for instance the rifle rifle shown here. This is not your usual run of the mill .577 nitro rifle. The client came to us with the request for a 'lightweight' .577 droplock double rifle that he could carry all day sensibly buffalo hunting, but would not have the fierce recoil of a full blown .577 3" 750 grain magnum load rifle. Such rifles used to be built under the guise of 'Tiger' rifles and they were aimed primarily at the Indian market. They were built 1 to 1 1/2 lbs lighter than the magnum version rifles and fired a 650 grain bullet. As far as we could tell no such rifle had been built by us since before the second world war and so this was certainly going to be an interesting project.
The rifle we knew from years of experience we could lighten whilst still retaining the correct proportions and balance, the hard part was developing the ammunition for the rifle. Various versions of the .577 lightweight load were known to have been loaded. All used the 650 grain bullet, but the case length varied from 2 3/4" to 3" to 3 1/4". We decided on the 3" case as the rifle would be proofed for the full magnum load and so in a pinch 750 grain loaded ammunition could be used in the field. Working closely with the Birmingham Proof House we were able to develop here at our factory a load developing 1,950 feet per second which is perfect for this bullet and weight of rifle.
The rifle itself is in our opinion finished off very nicely in 'Gold Name' format which was a classic Westley Richards brand with vivid case colour hardening and lovely dark walnut woodwork. The 25" barrels give the rifle a nice profile and hark back to the days when such rifles were common place in the jungles of India. The rifle comes complete in one of our traditional lightweight leather cases and is supplied with 200 rounds of ammunition. This is a real hunters package and one of those great rifles that we know will get used as much as admired.
The Rifle shown along with the 650 grain bullets.
Neil McVeigh on December 14, 2016 at 8:54 am
Trigger thanks for answering all our questions.The various replies/queries from we Explora aficianados clearly shows how fascinated we too are by this project.Keep the guns and great postings coming! A happy Xmas to all at WR and to all my fellow “disciples”.Neil
Neill on December 17, 2016 at 9:31 pm
Beautiful workmanship and researched ballistics, that is what I love about your work. I’m a mechanical engineer with an eye for art, and gun making can combine both to perfection. At WR it clearly does.
Keith on December 12, 2016 at 12:20 am
Trigger,
Thank you for posting this. In an earlier post I said that I thought this combination would be the perfect Buffalo rifle in close quarters. I think the gentleman that had this rifle made has the right idea. It is a beautiful rifle and should be a joy to hunt with. That same load with solids should also do nicely for Elephant.
Keith
Ned Cowell on December 12, 2016 at 10:06 am
Yet another stunning rifle! I too would be very interested to know what the rifle weighs, and what would be the effect on the shooter should the full 750 grain load be used ‘in a pinch’. Also, would barrels regulated for the 650 grain load shoot the heavier load anywhere near the point of aim? In a case where a rifle lighter than the normal .577 is desired, what is/was the benefit in loading down in the same calibre, rather than just going for a slightly ‘lesser’ cartridge like the .500NE? Does the extra bullet diameter make a big difference in a quick kill on animals like tiger? Complements on the breathtaking workmanship, and, as an aside, the photography is first rate as well!
Best wishes, Ned
Chris Buckingham on December 11, 2016 at 12:20 pm
This is the perfect rifle, I have one of your 1897 model single shot falling block rifles in the same caliber/ bullet weight and it is a very good performer, I think although marked for the 650 gr bullet these 3" case chamberings were proofed for the 750 gr bullet originally, I always use the 650 gr bullets as my rifle is now an old lady!
The colour case hardening and scalloped action on your latest creation is a perfect “in the best possible taste” combination. Keep making them just like this.