Any Aussies had a 425 WR built?

[rifletuner]

A couple of times I have tried to get a 425 Westly Richards built in Australia, but I have never been able to find anyone with an interest in actually building one. I realise this is a complicated build and takes someone who knows what they are doing to get a good outcome. But I am still interested in going down this path if I can find someone to actually take the project on. Back 30 or so years, we had more gunsmiths that were capable of this type of build. Nowadays there seems to be a lot less that understand making a working DG rifle. Does anyone have any leads on getting one made?

 

[SWS1]

Not for Australia but Keith Thomas can build them. UK based but I know he just exported a 577 Rewa and a 600 nitro to Darwin.

A couple of times I have tried to get a 425 Westly Richards built in Australia, but I have never been able to find anyone with an interest in actually building one. I realise this is a complicated build and takes someone who knows what they are doing to get a good outcome. But I am still interested in going down this path if I can find someone to actually take the project on. Back 30 or so years, we had more gunsmiths that were capable of this type of build. Nowadays there seems to be a lot less that understand making a working DG rifle. Does anyone have any leads on getting one made?

 

[Tintin]

I’ve had a serious chat to Rodd Flower (near Bendigo) about doing one on a DWM 98 action I’ve got.

He was keen.

Would be good if you could be the Guinea Pig and he could iron out any bugs on yours before I get around to mine

Drop me a PM if you want to have a chat.

I posted here about feeding last year - got some good feedback - plenty of success stories with standard feeding - without the spring loaded lips.

 

[PCC600]

Not for Australia but Keith Thomas can build them. UK based but I know he just exported a 577 Rewa and a 600 nitro to Darwin.

And the 600NE and Rewa sidelocks are exceptional .

 

[PCC600]

A couple of times I have tried to get a 425 Westly Richards built in Australia, but I have never been able to find anyone with an interest in actually building one. I realise this is a complicated build and takes someone who knows what they are doing to get a good outcome. But I am still interested in going down this path if I can find someone to actually take the project on. Back 30 or so years, we had more gunsmiths that were capable of this type of build. Nowadays there seems to be a lot less that understand making a working DG rifle. Does anyone have any leads on getting one made?

Bob de Vries at Kudu Services in Melbourne might have a go . He has built a 505 Gibbs for me and is doing another one for me . Beautiful work . I am a huge fan of the 425WR - have 2 . Both made by WR and both “Best” grade rifles . One from 1912 with an extended magazine the other from 1958 without . Neither have side clips and both work exceptionally - have never jammed while hunting buff in NT . Hope you have success with your quest .

 

[Tintin]

Rolf Bachnick in Lilydale would also be worth a call.

 

[SWS1]

I’ve heard great things about them from several friends. Would love to see them in the flesh.

That 425 I saw he’d made is here….

And the 600NE and Rewa sidelocks are exceptional .

 

[PCC600]

I’ve heard great things about them from several friends. Would love to see them in the flesh.

That 425 I saw he’d made is here….

Very nice . Even copied the WR folding front sight protector - which in my view is the best .

 

[PCC600]

Not for Australia but Keith Thomas can build them. UK based but I know he just exported a 577 Rewa and a 600 nitro to Darwin.

The Rewa is something else . A buff was shot with it head on . A soft nose bullet used . Bullet exited the back end and is still going .

 

[rifletuner]

I’ve had a serious chat to Rodd Flower (near Bendigo) about doing one on a DWM 98 action I’ve got.

He was keen.

Would be good if you could be the Guinea Pig and he could iron out any bugs on yours before I get around to mine

Drop me a PM if you want to have a chat.

I posted here about feeding last year - got some good feedback - plenty of success stories with standard feeding - without the spring loaded lips.

Thanks. I will talk to him. I dont know him at all.

 

[rifletuner]

Bob de Vries at Kudu Services in Melbourne might have a go . He has built a 505 Gibbs for me and is doing another one for me . Beautiful work . I am a huge fan of the 425WR - have 2 . Both made by WR and both “Best” grade rifles . One from 1912 with an extended magazine the other from 1958 without . Neither have side clips and both work exceptionally - have never jammed while hunting buff in NT . Hope you have success with your quest .

I have had some work done by Kudu in the past. I talked to him when I had the opportunity to buy a part finished 500 Jeffery build, but he was not too excited about taking it on. I guess its a bit different if he does the whole build himself.

 

[rifletuner]

Rolf Bachnick in Lilydale would also be worth a call.

I have a feeling a guy I used to shoot with at the big game rifle club in the 1990s had a 425WR from London Guns, so maybe made by Rolf anyway. I will run it past him.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A couple of times I have tried to get a 425 Westly Richards built in Australia, but I have never been able to find anyone with an interest in actually building one. I realise this is a complicated build and takes someone who knows what they are doing to get a good outcome. But I am still interested in going down this path if I can find someone to actually take the project on. Back 30 or so years, we had more gunsmiths that were capable of this type of build. Nowadays there seems to be a lot less that understand making a working DG rifle. Does anyone have any leads on getting one made?

@rifletuner
There's 3 gunsmiths that I know of that may be interested.
TSE/MAB Engenering in Brisbane.
Anthony George in the Territory
And my gunsmith Rob spittles.
These may be interested in the build but you may have to provide the reamer and you should be able to get that from. Dave Manson reamers in the USA. Dave is great to work with when it comes to reamers.
Bob

 

[rifletuner]

@rifletuner
There's 3 gunsmiths that I know of that may be interested.
TSE/MAB Engenering in Brisbane.
Anthony George in the Territory
And my gunsmith Rob spittles.
These may be interested in the build but you may have to provide the reamer and you should be able to get that from. Dave Manson reamers in the USA. Dave is great to work with when it comes to reamers.
Bob

Thanks. Anthony does have a reamer already. He is about the only one I know of that would be open to it.

I have bought a lot of reamers from Manson over the years - he has been my go to for over 10 years.

 

[alby]

I am looking at getting a .425 No 2. Built. (Does not have the rebated rim like the original) I will pm you @rifletuner

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thanks. Anthony does have a reamer already. He is about the only one I know of that would be open to it.

I have bought a lot of reamers from Manson over the years - he has been my go to for over 10 years.

@rifletuner
I know my gunsmith would be up to it but he doesn't have the reamer.
I've seen Anthony's work, very impressive.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Thanks. Anthony does have a reamer already. He is about the only one I know of that would be open to it.

I have bought a lot of reamers from Manson over the years - he has been my go to for over 10 years.

@rifletuner
A fellow forum member @Badboymelvin had a 425 Express built but Anthony. There's a write up on the forum about it. I had the opportunity to shoot it a while back with 400gn loads. Very impressed with what I call light to medium recoil and power to spare.
Russ said I'm mad but I did find it nice to shoot. He said it's a different story off the bench.
Bob

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

The 425 express is a different beastie to the 425 WR. Both will get the job done though. Rod Flowers is ......different.... but a very good smith and would build a very nice rifle
gumpy

 

[Tintin]

+1 on Anthony George as an option

 

[rifletuner]

@rifletuner
A fellow forum member @Badboymelvin had a 425 Express built but Anthony. There's a write up on the forum about it. I had the opportunity to shoot it a while back with 400gn loads. Very impressed with what I call light to medium recoil and power to spare.
Russ said I'm mad but I did find it nice to shoot. He said it's a different story off the bench.
Bob

Yeah, I know that rifle. I realise no animal I hunted would be able to tell the difference between being shot with a 425WR vs a 425 Express. But if I do go ahead with this build, it will only be a 425WR. I have cut corners on rifle builds before, and while the finished rifle is perfectly usable, I am always disappointed that I didnt get what I first had in my head.