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I found another 475 A&M - a Custom Weatherby w/ carved stock

Hello All,

You may recall this post from 6 years ago ... It tells abount my first 475 A&M - it had a very interesting history having been hunted in Africa.

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=241092&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1

Well, I just purchased a second rifle in 475 A&M caliber. You may have seen it for auction on Gun Broker 2 weeks ago ... Here is some of the description:

" ... A VINTAGE, CUSTOM, WEATHERBY, “MARK V” RIFLE ... RE-BARRELED BY FAMOUS GUNSMITH, MARK PENROD (MANCHESTER, IND) WITH A MAG-NA-PORTED, 26-INCH BARREL CHAMBERED FOR THE “.475 A&M MAGNUM” CARTRIDGE (MORE POWERFUL THAN THE .460 WEATHERBY CARTRIDGE). THIS RIFLE HAS A BEAUTIFUL STOCK, CARVED WITH A FIGURE OF A CAPE BUFFALO ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STOCK. THE STOCK IS STAMPED “R.E. HUBINEK, ENGRAVER”. MOUNTED ON THIS RIFLE IS A “REDFIELD” 3X9 SCOPE WITH A DUPLEX RETICLE. THE BASE AND SCOPE RINGS ARE BY “BUELHER” AND THE RINGS ARE ENGRAVED. THERE A FEW LIGHT HANDLING MARKS ON THIS RIFLE ... THE BORE IS BRIGHT AND THE ACTION FUNCTIONS PROPERLY! ... "

Once I had it in hand, I'm able to give a few more more specs:

Action: 1978 Weatherby Mark V
Barrel: Custom by Mark Penron - built in 1980 - second recoil lug added
Weight: 10 lbs 15-1/2 oz - 11-1/2 lbs loaded
LOP: 14"
Stock: Carved African Bubinga Wood w/ Tiger Maple Forend Tip & Grip Cap w/ spacers (the Cape Buffalo's eyes are tiny Platinum Pins)
Stock: Action and barrel area are glass bedded with steel cross-bars added in the bedding behind the barrel lugs.
Scope: Redfield 3x9x Royal w/ duplex cross hairs

As of today, I'm still trying to research additional History. So far I know it was owned by an Illinois man who hunted regularly often in Africa with this rifle. He passed away about a year ago. I'm hoping to find more about him, and how this rifle came to be custom built for him. I'll post follow-up info when I find it.

I just got back from shooing this rifle at the range. The load was 70g AA5744 w/ 500g Hawk soft nose & WLRM primers. Velocity was a little over 2000 fps. A pussy-cat load but plenty fast enough for me. The target below shows the results. The rings on this target are only 3/4" apart, not 1", so the 3-shot group measures exactly 3/4" center-to-center. (I fired supported-standing)

Although the 3x9 scope may be a little over-kill, it seemed to work fine. Clear optics for longer shooting, and at 3x all you have to do is center the intended victim in the field of view for up close shooting. The rifle is sighted 2" high at 50yds = 3.1" high at 100 yds = 1.5" high at 150 yds = -3.15" low at 200 yds. And at 200 yds it still has 2800 ft/lbs energy.

This load is fun .....

As always, your comments are welcome.

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"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."