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https://www.westleyrichards.com/theexplo...k-rabbit-rifle/ Matt. |
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What a lovely piece! Would have cost a mint to make being a take-down, very rare as well! Great article Matt! |
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Oh yes - can you imagine hunting with a rifle like that? So beautiful. |
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I have to say, that is about the pinnacle of Rook Riflery. What a splended rifle! OK, it would be better in 360 No.5... |
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I wouldn't hesitate to go after the ground squirrels with that rifle |
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America had its rook and rabbit rifles also. They were sturdy and not too fancy. You could also match them up with a companion revolver. I thoroughly enjoy these two guns chambered in .32-20. The Winchester dates to 1902. The Smith & Wesson is only slightly younger. It shipped in December 1909. I also have the similar match-up chambered in .44-40, though those are considerably above "rook and rabbit" class. Another Winchester 1892 I have is chambered in .25-20 WCF. I don't think there was a companion revolver in that caliber. It's not a bad day playing with a couple of pieces of history well over a hundred years old! They shoot pretty darn well too. Now, let's get back to single shot rifles, the proper subject here. I am the proud owner of a Stevens Mod. 44-1/2 chambered in .25-20 (the single shot version). While it's nothing to compare to a Westley Richards 97, it's one heck of a shooter. DarylS and I had a go with it at my range one day. With the aperture sights, I can put five shots under 3/4" at 100 yards if I do my part. BTW, Daryl, I have worked on its trigger pull and have it down to something better than what you experienced that day. Curl |
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Quote: Daryl, I don't want to get your hopes up entirely. The trigger pull has been reduced from "atrocious" to "heavy." Curl |
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Quote: And what a lovely pair of 32-20's that you have Cap - bloody corkers they are! We use the .25-20 &.32-20 in our "Rook & Rabbit" event for our Big Game Rifle Competitions. Got my '92 (very rough compared to yours mate) for the younger kids to have a go, only a little step up from the .22LR rather than say a .243 etc. My grandnephews & nieces are now in that age bracket to give it a go, better them to have a bit of fun now rather than develop a flinch. If we don't introduce the younger generations into our sport, it will simply fade away - something I don't want to see happen here! |
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Love my rooks. 297/250 in single shot and double rifle. Both Holland’s and in good condition. Pleasure of these 2 guns led me to PURDEY building a new rook in hornet single shot. |
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Quote:Quote: That was indeed, a fun day. The Stevens was fun to shoot, the .450/400 Farquarson even more so. |
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The WR is certainly an elegant looking rifle. I would hope it shoots as well as it looks. It would be a fun gun to shoot at the range but seems too nice to take hunting. I would certainly hate to add scratches to its finish. The American "rook" rifle that I have is a Stevens 44 1/2 with a 32 H&R barrel. Well, my Stevens started as a 25/20SS and I found a second barrel in 32 RF. I rechambered that barrel to 32 H&R and it shoots like a dream (of course, only if I do my part). Performance of the 32 H&R is very similar to one of my favorite cartridges, the 32 WCF (32/20). |
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I have a Stevens 44 1/2 on order from CPA in 40/65 Winchester. I have two h&h rook in 360 no5. one is the round action with a built in peep site. It shoots ok. Also a 92 Winchester in 25/20. it seems to be a tac driver. |
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Quote: Ah ha. |