Whilst hunting in Africa a few years back, a very good Professional Hunting colleague asked if we could put together a stopping rifle for him. Naturally the answer was 'yes' and so then came the classic question of calibre? At the time he was using a .505 Gibbs that he had borrowed and found to be adequate and so this was the immediate choice. A fine and reputable calibre, capable of stopping the largest of big game.
The order was raised back at the factory, but then later on a phone call came 'can you build the rifle in .460 Weatherby?' Well those of you in the know are very aware of the 'brute' introduced by Roy Weatherby in 1958. At the time it was the most powerful commercially loaded big game cartridge, capable of pushing 500 grain projectiles well over 2600 feet per second. Its reputation was formidable and whilst the idea of the power impressed many, the ability to shoot it was quite another!!!!!
So, back to the rifle in question. Yes it is a .460 Weatherby and yes it is a beast! That said knowing the history of the calibre we were careful to make sure that the stock was slightly thicker at the forend to obtain more grip, the open sights you will see are unusual style for our rifles and were manufactured specifically as wrap arounds so that the bearing surface on the barrel was the absolute maximum. The rifle is set up specifically for open sights so the stock is shaped specifically for this and set the foresight bead to hit point of aim.
The final result is a very handy and quite frankly devastating stopping rifle made to the PH's exact requirements 'bespoke', like all our guns and rifles.
Just be sure to stand behind it when the 'beast' goes off!
Donald Wright on November 24, 2017 at 3:58 am
Thank you for sharing this interesting article about Hunters’ rifle. From your write up and analysis, I think this rifle is every hunter’s dream come through. I only have Uncle that is into Hunting full time, I will definitely recommend this rifle. Thanks a million once more.
Chris Buckingham on November 20, 2016 at 10:14 am
Leon,
The 577NE is an excellent choice, the right bullet weight, at the right velocity, I have nothing against large bores, (I have a 577 NE Westley Richards that I shoot myself), it just seems to me that the 460 does nothing better than any of the more conventional calibers available, with the added problem of excess velocity to get the paper figures up. Enjoy your new rifle anyway.
Keith on November 25, 2016 at 2:20 pm
Thank You for sharing.
It is an interesting choice of calibre for a working rifle. I’m bursting with techy questions about it.
Wishing Leon and his clients and team many decades of happy hunting with that rifle as their insurance.
Vic on November 18, 2016 at 11:58 pm
…and Leon, you shoot that .577 well! Holler next time you’re in the States.
Leon Kachelhoffer on November 30, 2016 at 3:32 pm
Keith,
Thanks for your comments! One of the fundamental reasons for going with a Westley Richards is that I believe it’s the best there is. To walk, hunt and provide insurance in the field it’s paramount to have absolute confidence in the rifle.
Would love to guide you using your 476 WR ;)
Happy hunting
Leon