My latest Big Bore is on it's way!

[Badboymelvin]

Hey guys,

l have great (for me anyway) news, my latest Big Bore is on it's way!
It's a Zastava and it's in 425 Express.

Awesome.

The rifle was built by NT Firearms Gove and l can't wait to get my hands on it.

A full report will come when l get my hands on it but I thought I'd give you all a sneak peak...

First a little info on the cartridge itself.
The .425 Express cartridge was designed in 1987 for African hunts by Cameron Hopkins and Whit Collins.
The cartridge is based on a slightly shortened .300 Winchester Magnum case.
This cartridge fits standard-length bolt actions such as the Winchester Model 70, 1917 Enfield, Mauser 98 or other similar-length actions.
This cartridge uses 350-grain - 410-grain bullets and has proven very effective on heavy African game.

When the rifle arrives first thing l'm doing is removing the Leupold 1-4 that lives on my .458 and fitting it to the 425 Express. That scope should really look the part.

My aim with the 425 Express is to launch a 400gn projectile at 2350fps, the classic load for Africa.
Now, l don't know if l'll reach that goal but l reckon l'll come close.
Will definitely keep you all posted on all the work l've got planned, load development, chronographing, hunt reports - and in fact this will be my primary rifle that l will use on all my deer hunting this year.

A massive, massive thanks to NT Firearms Gove for making all this become a reality, and if all this sounds interesting l suggest you give them a call.

Stay posted guys!

Russ

 

[BeeMaa]

Looks like a beauty.

What bullets to you plan to use?

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Nice one, Russ.

Rhino (in SA) makes some very good 400Gr brass flat point monolithic solid bullets and solid shank bullets (which are basically a clone of Jack Carter’s infamous Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullet).

Should be absolutely killer on those huge Sambar stags which you Australian gents have in the land down under. Also water buffalo, scrub bull & banteng.

 

[SETH RINGER]

NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE, BUT QUICK RESEARCH SAYS IT IS A WESTLEY RICHARDS PROPRIETARY ROUND, SWEET. AFTER TEST RUNS ON WATER BUFF GOT A TRIP TO AFRICA PLANNED?

 

[MLindsay]

Took my first buff with one. very effective

 

[Badboymelvin]

Looks like a beauty.

What bullets to you plan to use?

Thanks BeeMaa.
I would like to use the Woodleigh 410gn projectiles in it.

 

[Badboymelvin]

Nice one, Russ.

Rhino (in SA) makes some very good 400Gr brass flat point monolithic solid bullets and solid shank bullets (which are basically a clone of Jack Carter’s infamous Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullet).

Should be absolutely killer on those huge Sambar stags which you Australian gents have in the land down under. Also water buffalo, scrub bull & banteng.

Thanks Hunter-Habib.
Those monolithic bullets sound awesome.
This rifle will hopefully be tested very soon and it's first species will hopefully be a big Sambar stag - but all the other species you mentioned are on the cards too

 

[Badboymelvin]

NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE, BUT QUICK RESEARCH SAYS IT IS A WESTLEY RICHARDS PROPRIETARY ROUND, SWEET. AFTER TEST RUNS ON WATER BUFF GOT A TRIP TO AFRICA PLANNED?

Africa is the ultimate dream and fingers crossed l get there one day. A cape buffalo would be top of my list.

 

[Badboymelvin]

Took my first buff with one. very effective

That is awesome to hear! Can't wait to try mine!

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE, BUT QUICK RESEARCH SAYS IT IS A WESTLEY RICHARDS PROPRIETARY ROUND, SWEET. AFTER TEST RUNS ON WATER BUFF GOT A TRIP TO AFRICA PLANNED?

It’s the 425 Express not the 425 Westley Richards. Still cool!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Neat rifle. The cartridge sounds like a slightly different take on the 416 Taylor, and very efficient little round. I know you may want 2350fps but the 450-400 crowd brag about how effective it is and it seldom reaches 2100. I’m sure you will be able to work up a good load like you did for the 458.

 

[BeeMaa]

@Badboymelvin - I sincerely hope the rifle came with dies and brasss. Brass alone looks to be above $6/per casing (USD).

 

[geoff rath]

Hey guys,

l have great (for me anyway) news, my latest Big Bore is on it's way!
It's a Zastava and it's in 425 Express.

View attachment 527656Awesome.


View attachment 527650View attachment 527651View attachment 527652View attachment 527653View attachment 527654View attachment 527654View attachment 527655

The rifle was built by NT Firearms Gove and l can't wait to get my hands on it.

A full report will come when l get my hands on it but I thought I'd give you all a sneak peak...

First a little info on the cartridge itself.
The .425 Express cartridge was designed in 1987 for African hunts by Cameron Hopkins and Whit Collins.
The cartridge is based on a slightly shortened .300 Winchester Magnum case.
This cartridge fits standard-length bolt actions such as the Winchester Model 70, 1917 Enfield, Mauser 98 or other similar-length actions.
This cartridge uses 350-grain - 410-grain bullets and has proven very effective on heavy African game.

When the rifle arrives first thing l'm doing is removing the Leupold 1-4 that lives on my .458 and fitting it to the 425 Express. That scope should really look the part.

My aim with the 425 Express is to launch a 400gn projectile at 2350fps, the classic load for Africa.
Now, l don't know if l'll reach that goal but l reckon l'll come close.
Will definitely keep you all posted on all the work l've got planned, load development, chronographing, hunt reports - and in fact this will be my primary rifle that l will use on all my deer hunting this year.

A massive, massive thanks to NT Firearms Gove for making all this become a reality, and if all this sounds interesting l suggest you give them a call.
tOP maker .
Stay posted guys!

Russ

You've got the BEST D/G rifle builder in Australia doing your build; a TOP Bloke, who thoroughly researches his work.

 

[TOBY458]

Basically a 416 Taylor that shoots .423 bullets I assume? I would think brass should be easy to make yourself.

 

[CoElkHunter]

@Badboymelvin - I sincerely hope the rifle came with dies and brasss. Brass alone looks to be above $6/per casing (USD).

For non correct head stamping, he can use his .458WM brass to form the .425. I do that with my .416 Taylor.

 

[TTundra]

The old Colonel got it past 2350 with a 26" pipe...if this helps

 

[Badboymelvin]

Neat rifle. The cartridge sounds like a slightly different take on the 416 Taylor, and very efficient little round. I know you may want 2350fps but the 450-400 crowd brag about how effective it is and it seldom reaches 2100. I’m sure you will be able to work up a good load like you did for the 458.

Mate, l reckon l'm going to be pleasantly surprised when l work up loads for it. I can't wait to start playing with it!

 

[Badboymelvin]

@Badboymelvin - I sincerely hope the rifle came with dies and brasss. Brass alone looks to be above $6/per casing (USD).

Yep, brass and dies are all sorted

 

[Badboymelvin]

You've got the BEST D/G rifle builder in Australia doing your build; a TOP Bloke, who thoroughly researches his work.

Absolutely mate, everything you say is true. l wouldn't go anywhere else

 

[Badboymelvin]

Basically a 416 Taylor that shoots .423 bullets I assume? I would think brass should be easy to make yourself.

I think the same thing too