Great to hear this from knowledgable people. I once used a WR 280 on a beat shoot in India over 30 yrs ago. Its twin was a 476 - incredible rifles that handled like shotguns. I've also seen Mantons & Arm & Navey (made by whom?). I know a Manton with a family friend in his 80's - he shot a rogue tusker (elephant) & a tiger with that in 1960s. William Evans (of Purdy), Steven Grant etc. would be great names along with Woodward - you can still find some old black powder & nitro rifles around. They would rate along side H&H or Purdy as among the very best makers. See the Evans website - they still make DRs & they are similar price to the H&H or Purdy. Even Webly & Scott made high grade DRs. Daniel Fraser was known more for his single shots - the pinacle of hunting jewelry! Ross Seyfried's article were very informative. I wonder who he writes for now? I haven't seen him in Handloader or Rifle magazines for a year at least. Reading about the history of the Birmingham, London & Scottish gunmaking guilds of 70 to 100 years ago is fascinating & yet confusing. Several of the top artisans worked for more than one maker & often made guns with their own lables. Most of them were small craftsmen making a few guns a year. The end of WW2 say 500 makers reduced to 100 and by 1970 that was down to 10.
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Always aim through a target & not at it.