The Westley Richards 12g Super Magnum Explora.
Whilst in Dallas this past weekend for the Dallas Safari Club Chapter convention, Tony Makris the host of Outdoor Channels Under Wild Skies kindly gave me some photos showing his success using a Super Magnum Explora in Africa this past year. It is nice to see that the gun that I used to title this blog does so well what it was designed to do, despatching in this instance both birds and buffalo from the same gun.
Cliff on August 17, 2021 at 12:28 am
Can anyone provide a diagram with measurements for the Bluff Head Solid Lead Bullet (weight of 730 grains) that WR recommended for its Explora at a 50-75 yrd range?
Simon Clode on April 23, 2015 at 12:21 pm
I think very much the same as when regulating new rifles, with different makes and shapes of ammunition available, we regulate for a single specified type for maximum accuracy. Other makes of the same calibre ammunition, if same weight bullet and velocity will most probably be in “the ball park” some no doubt better than others. The velocity plays a significant part. I am sure if we had the ammunition for an Explora available we would find as you have described, the rifle would shoot better for one than other.
Unfortunately we have never discovered a “mother lode” of original Explora ammunition so no tests can be done and also to reproduce the hollow LT capped bullet is cost prohibitive.
Ned Cowell on April 22, 2015 at 3:52 pm
Dear Sir,
On the subject of the ammunition – I note that the old advertisement illustrated in another post on the Explora offers cartridges loaded either with LT capped bullets, or with bluff lead bullets. Could these types have been used interchangeably in the same gun? Supposing that both bullet types were the same weight and launched at the same speed (ie. same internal ballistics and therefore possibly (???) no implications for the regulation of the barrels), surely the blunt lead bullet would have had a steeper trajectory which would at least have required the leaf sights to be set up differently from those on a gun intended to be used with the capped bullets.
I should declare that I do not own an Explora, and so this is merely idle curiosity (for the time being!). But I would be very grateful if you would indulge me!
Kind regards
Ned
Ned Cowell on April 25, 2015 at 8:24 am
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my query Mr Clode. I find these sorts of technical consideration absolutely fascinating. It is a shame that the prospect of you re-introducing the Explora and associated ammunition is pretty much nil, but I can quite see the point about the economic reasons for it. Many thanks again for your time. Ned
James de Penning on January 22, 2015 at 3:57 am
Any likelihood of WR offering the Super Magnum Explora and appropriate factory loaded ammunition again? Hope the US tour is going well? God speed.