450/400 3-1/4" Farquharson - How to evaluate?

[odonata]

I like single shot falling blocks. Currently I have four Rugers & four 1885's from 6.5x55 up to 405 Win and enjoy shooting & hunting with them. I came across an older rifle that piqued my curiosity mainly because I did not know how to evaluate it properly because of a lack of knowledge on my part. But I had a feeling there were probably some members of this forum who would have some informed insight so I thought I would give them an opportunity to educate an ignorant padawan on the topic. So here's what we're discussing:

Based on a hunch, I have a suspicion that if I drive over to the local BassPro store, my chances of finding a 450/400 3-1/4" cartridge with 60 grams of Cordite & a 400gr bullet are going to be low. So the question is "What is possible with a rifle like this today?". A follow-up question would be "...and what is practical with a rifle like this today?".

The first question is simply addressing the feasibility of doing something with a rifle like this: Can modern smokeless ammo be fired out of it? Should only lower-powered handloads be used since it is an older rifle? What are the Do's & Don'ts of an older rifle like this? What do the barrel stamps indicate? etc.

The barrel appears to be stamped with:
For Cordite
450/400 3 1/4 CASF
Flussstahl Krupp Essen
Cordite 60 - 400 Max
BP stamp with a Crown symbol
BV stamp with a Crown symbol
400 EX
A couple of stamps I couldn't decipher

I'm not sure what would hurt more when comparing the recoil to the cost of ammo. Both seem like they might make me wince a bit. The second question on practicality would give responders an opportunity to tell me all the downsides to owning a rifle chambered in this caliber. To be clear, I don't need this rifle. I just had an idle curiosity in how to properly judge its potential & found myself with more questions than answers. Thanks for any info or opinions you can provide. It might prove to be very helpful if I stumble across a similar older rifle chambered in something smaller & more useful.

 

[Aaron N]

I found this conversion online. Take it for what it’s worth. There will be plenty here with more experience loading for vintage guns.

 

[grand veneur]

The rifle is Nitro proofed for the classic Cordite load for this cartridge so that, provided it is in good shape, you can shoot modern ammunition in it. The only problem is that this cartridge is rarer than the one with only 3" length. Another problem could be the caliber of the rifle. There are variations for such cartridges and in all cases you should measure them before you shoot with it.

 

[odonata]

@Aaron N, thanks for the response. Comments like “Apparently IMR-3031 is not preferred as blow ups have occurred” were the type of caveats I was expecting to encounter when dealing with older rifles. While there could be situations where owning an older classic might be desirable, I’m also leery of doing something ill-advised.

The only problem is that this cartridge is rarer than the one with only 3" length.

I did see that at some point in the recent past, Midway had some 3-1/4” ammo for about $18/round.

 

[grand veneur]

Be sure you have the right caliber. There are sometimes big caliber differences by the older rifles. The modern cartridges 450/400 Nitro Express 3" or 3-1/4"are a compromise for small caliber fluctuations but not for extremes.

 

[odonata]

@grand veneur, thanks for the info. There was one other older rifle I had seen at an auction in the past that intrigued but I passed on because the size of the chambering was in question. It seems to be a common concern that a buyer would be wise to verify.

 

[Huvius]

Your photos don’t give us enough information to get an idea of value but there are a couple things that I can see from the two photos you did post.
First, the rifle has been restocked - the flare of the side panels is a modern thing not done on period original Farquharsons. I don’t know why stockers do this these days but you do see it often enough.
Second, the rear sight island is not original to the gun. I’ve never seen an original Farq with a screwed on island in person or in print and I’ve looked at a LOT of them…

As for actually shooting this rifle, it’s not as difficult as you may think - if you are a reloader.
Brass can be made from 450 3-1/4” (not exactly tripping over those but they are out there) and the RCBS 3” dies will work for forming - I’ve done this myself for an Alex Henry 400 3-1/4”.
The bullet may need a little work too as some of these barrels ran from a .408” groove to a .411” groove but here again larger cup and core bullet can be drawn down to a smaller diameter with a Lee push through die.

Also, being a single shot, you are not stuck with shooting only a full power regulating load as you are (sort of) with a double rifle.
This 400 can be loaded full power of course but you can also load way down and even use 41cal pistol bullets or cast bullets with a few different powders and loading techniques to suit.

I never try to talk anyone out of buying a Farquharson!!

Do you have more photos of the rifle?

 

[odonata]

I never try to talk anyone out of buying a Farquharson!!

Do you have more photos of the rifle?

Ha! The problem is I don’t need much prodding…

 

[Huvius]

The colors look good - not overboard and the stocking looks well done as well.
The engraving looks to be added - maybe at the time of the restoration.
I’ve seen many rifles with this type of scroll work and think that it may have been done in India or possibly in England but not to the standard usually seen from England.
If the price is right and the bore is good it would make a great addition to your collection.
I must say, I am a fan of Ruger No.1s but any Farquaharson, even one that is not 100% correct, pristine or original is WAY WAY cooler than a Ruger.
There’s just no comparison.
Consider this: to build a Ruger to this style with a proper length barrel (a major No.1 shortcoming) a good case colored action and properly stocked in a decent piece of wood would place you in the $4K plus neighborhood - and it still wouldn’t be a Farquharson.

 

[odonata]

@Huvius, thanks for the feedback. Because I am only vaguely familiar with rifles of this type, it's this kind of detail that I was missing on trying to figure out exactly what it was that I was looking at. I appreciate you sharing the knowledge.

PS - I really have everything I need rifle-wise. Now I just spend my time looking at things that I find interesting. Some of them might not be practical to consider acquiring but it's still educational to research them.