Waidmannsheil
.416 member
Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2519
Loc: Melbourne Australia
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https://www.westleyrichards.com/theexplo...k-rabbit-rifle/
Matt.
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There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.
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93x64mm
.416 member
Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4416
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
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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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DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27701
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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Oh yes - can you imagine hunting with a rifle like that?
So beautiful.
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Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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Huvius
.416 member
Reged: 04/11/07
Posts: 3614
Loc: Colorado
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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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He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.
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tinker
.416 member
Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
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I wouldn't hesitate to go after the ground squirrels with that rifle
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--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--
"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...
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CptCurl
.450 member
Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5318
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
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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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RoscoeStephenson.com
YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
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CptCurl
.450 member
Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5318
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
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Quote:
BTW, Daryl, I have worked on its trigger pull and have it down to something better than what you experienced that day.
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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RoscoeStephenson.com
YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.
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93x64mm
.416 member
Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4416
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
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Quote:
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.
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.
Curl
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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Ahmed577
.333 member
Reged: 13/06/13
Posts: 337
Loc: Western Australia
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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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DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27701
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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Quote:
Quote:
BTW, Daryl, I have worked on its trigger pull and have it down to something better than what you experienced that day.
Daryl, I don't want to get your hopes up entirely. The trigger pull has been reduced from "atrocious" to "heavy."
Curl
That was indeed, a fun day. The Stevens was fun to shoot, the .450/400 Farquarson even more so.
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Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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85lc
.400 member
Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 1190
Loc: Georgia, USA
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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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RB
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Wayne59
.400 member
Reged: 20/06/15
Posts: 1219
Loc: Lagrange Ga. USA
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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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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40651
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Quote:
Ahmed577: 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.
Ah ha.
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John aka NitroX
 ...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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