Should I build a 318 Westley Richards?

[HunterX]

You are right, there is no other reason for the .318WR than it is cool. I would venture to say most on this forum have more than one rifle…maybe even two. But, I think there is something special hunting with a classic rifle and cartridge. Everyone has a 30-06. Maybe even a few. Not everyone has a .318.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

I want a 318 WR , because I want one, no practical reason, just I want one
Gumpy

 

[rdog]

I want a 318 WR , because I want one, no practical reason, just I want one
Gumpy

Easy to do, get a M98 FN a 30/06 or 270 Win is ideal, rebarrel it get a set of dies, make cases out of 30/06 or buy Bertram & Woodleigh 250 grain bullets, or win lotto & buy an original, I did it Barrel by Swan in Brisbane Aust shoots 3 shot Moa. PM me if you want to know more,

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

I’ve got a 30-06 Colombian cavalry carbine that is tired, it’s what I was planning on using, was going to go see sprinter's to see what Keith had. Dies are the stumbling block at the moment.
Gumpy

 

[Odinsraven]

Been thinking about a 318 WR it would have to be on a M98 action, but may be its too much trouble, brass, dies, barrel , finding some one with a chamber reamer& projectiles are hard to obtain may be you will never get
your money back if you sell it. A 338/06 would be easier but it does not have the nostalgia of the 318 what do you think ?

Building one myself on a Savage action ...don't ask ...OK OK. I have a BSW shul double and a WR turnbolt both in the calibre ...a Klippe and coke too many one night in Eastern Cape decided I needed a 318WR sniper.......have barrel coming reamer PTG sorted ..Waltzer for the barrel .....using the Savage action also getting a 425 WR barrel done...therefore quick change tactical sniper setup .....why am I doing this ? Insanity..curiosity.....IDK but it is a lot of fun .....

 

[HunterX]

I’ve got a 30-06 Colombian cavalry carbine that is tired, it’s what I was planning on using, was going to go see sprinter's to see what Keith had. Dies are the stumbling block at the moment.
Gumpy

Hi Grumpy,
I got my dies from CH4D. https://chtoolanddie.com/
They were reasonable for custom dies.

 

[BGHNTR416]

Putting the cart before the horse. Turned some 30-06 brass into 318 WR. First case is untouched, then shortened to 2.400, then ran through the sizing die

 

[HunterX]

I have my barrel ordered from PAC-NOR custom contour shared by a friend. I am super excited. Debating buying a second barrel to build another that I would end up selling later Imagine. I have enough receivers laying around and stocks or wood blanks.

 

[rdog]

I have my barrel ordered from PAC-NOR custom contour shared by a friend. I am super excited. Debating buying a second barrel to build another that I would end up selling later Imagine. I have enough receivers laying around and stocks or wood blanks.

Go for it , I have been shooting 180 grain copper bullets out of mine, made by a man in South Australia who trades as Atomic 29 , as well as 250 g Woodleigh most brass made out of Lapua 30/06. Barrel by Swan gunsmiths in Brisbane Aust. Reciever 1960 FN commercial ex 30/06, shoots 3 shots about 1 moa with 250g
better with the 180 g coppers,

 

[rookhawk]

Putting the cart before the horse. Turned some 30-06 brass into 318 WR. First case is untouched, then shortened to 2.400, then ran through the sizing dieView attachment 663700

I could not get that to work on a vintage 318WR chamber. I'm told that the easiest brass forming is to size down 35 whelen brass rather than size up 30-06 brass.

The problem that may occur is case head separation. If you fire form them in your rifle you may be in good shape.

For a vintage gun, I pulled the firing pin out and simply neck sized 318WR brass with a shoulder bump so that it would headspace on the shoulder. I'd check the brass thereafter to make sure it wasn't thin in the web of the brass. If it passed, it was then suitable for custom loads again only bumping back the neck the minimum required.

SAAMI and CIP specs are not representative of original Kynoch ammo nor Westley Richards chambers.

 

[BGHNTR416]

Thanks Rookhawk. Good info. I will keep that in mind. Just have to wait until my barrel has been chambered to see if the brass will work I guess.

 

[DrBob]

It’s going to be a fun project. The .318 Westley Richards is ballistically comparable ( in my experience ) to the .338 Winchester Magnum. Of course, availability of factory loaded ammunition and reloading components will be significantly more challenging than the .338 Winchester Magnum. Hendershots manufactures factory loaded ammunition. As does Kynamco. Not many options in the way of bullets, barring Woodleigh.

Does one really need the extra 2000 foot-pounds of energy and recoil of the 338 Win Mag when the 318 WR (and 338-06) can do most of it already? The 338-06 carries a little more velocity than the 318 and only about 100 fps less than the 338.