In truth the .318 Westley Richards cartridge shooting a 250 grain bullet at 2250 feet per second is still a great and fun cartridge to use for general plains game hunting and even driven boar in Europe. The long torpedo bullet has phenomenal sectional density and with its moderate velocity (by modern standards) proves a deep penetrating round, at one time capable of tackling every type of big and dangerous game on the planet.
Peep sight located on the cocking piece.
The rifle you see here was built to a very traditional lightweight format with the addition of Westley Richards take-down system. The client had requested the rifle to be built primarily for open sight use, hence the sleek lines of the rifle. Westley Richards signature patent combination foresight was a given as no true Westley Richards magazine rifle is complete without one. It was then decided to fit a very traditional island rear sight base with one standing plus three leaf express sight regulated to 200 yards. A peep sight fitted to the cocking piece was also utilised so creating a very classic style of rifle.
As with all our guns and rifles a super piece of Turkish walnut was selected with which to stock the rifle. We came to the conclusion some time back that with the comparatively small number of guns and rifles that we build each year, we may as well use the very nicest wood that we can obtain.
Certainly destined for Africa, we are looking forward to hearing how this classic round performs in this new rifle.
Beautiful Turkish walnut stock.
The new rifle compared to a vintage example. Either rifle would be fun to use today in Africa.
Page from Westley Richards 'Centenary' catalogue detailing the .318 Westley Richards.
Peter on March 7, 2018 at 4:29 pm
Hi Trigger.
Another true masterpiece!
Best regards,
Peter.
David Hodo on March 7, 2018 at 9:08 pm
What a gorgeous rifle in a traditional African caliber. The wood used is a feast for the eyes. You guys just cannot do any wrong when building guns and rifles! I will just have to keep dreaming and be forever jealous of the new owner of this beautiful piece!
Wow
David Hodo
Neil McVeigh on March 8, 2018 at 2:15 am
I am delighted that there are some out there who like me see the take-down as the ultimate rifle.Happy hunting to the new owner and well done to all the people that made it happen.Pure class!
Neill on March 8, 2018 at 8:24 am
That is a dream rifle, absolutely beautiful. It seems a real shame to me that .318 is not more widely available and used, in addition to mplains game cand boar, I reckon it would be fine on bigger deer species.
Keith Fahl on March 8, 2018 at 2:52 pm
Trigger,
What a classic! I know the proud owner of this great rifle will enjoy hunting with it. One has to use the .318 in the field to really appreciate why this caliber was so popular.
Best wishes and good hunting to the new owner,
Keith
Gary Duffey on March 9, 2018 at 1:57 pm
Outstanding rifle! Perfect for 99% of ALL hunting and most of us will do much better with a rifle at this power level. Not anything to improve on here.
Peter Buckley. on March 10, 2018 at 2:52 am
Hi Trigger
"Instant Classic", "Instant Attraction", who could fail to be drawn to own this superb rifle!
Such elegant sweeping lines, everything about it shouts quality in bucket loads! The blueing of the trigger wonderful touch!
Just love the more simplistic sight set up, the addition of the peep sight to the cocking piece giving a full length sight picture can only give the shooter more accuracy. I presume the white circular dial is for elevation? Is there just one aperture size on the peep sight?
When was the last time Westley Richards was asked for this type of sight?
Kicking around somewhere at home is one of the sunken flip up grip type of peep sights, I wondered who had built rifles using this particular sight.
Best regards. Peter
Jeff Pence on April 30, 2018 at 9:18 pm
Nice rifle - Now where do you find ammunition to shoot it?
Trigger on May 2, 2018 at 2:28 am
Hi Jeff
Kynamco here in the UK make modern ammunition which shoots superbly.
Best regards
Trigger