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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles
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1885
.275 member


Reged: 27/12/04
Posts: 92
Loc: Edmond, OK, USA
Got My 450/400!!!
      #27407 - 07/03/05 10:37 AM

Finally took delivery of my C. W. Andrews. Ltd. .450/.400 3-1/4" hammergun. It is in much better condition than the pictures and is quite tight overall. The rifling is strong with no pitting and it's proofed as the 400EX with 60gr. Cordite and a 400gr. bullet. It also came with some new HDS cases and some .409" 400gr. softpoints.

I need to call Huntington to see about the dies so I can get started. I am considering using paperpatch bullets as well as jacketed softpoints.

I still haven't found out much about Andrews. I wonder if they actually built guns or if they were a retailer that had their rifles built by other gunsmiths. It would be nice to know if this is an Andrews product or actually another maker's rifle.

I'm excited. I intend to use it this Fall for Whitetails here in Oklahoma. So, I'm thinking a lighter bullet might be in store if it will regulate with it. Any comments/thoughts from anyone is appreciated.

Terry

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mehulkamdar
.416 member


Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
Re: Got My 450/400!!! [Re: 1885]
      #27414 - 07/03/05 12:47 PM

1885,

From http://www.internetgunclub.com/general/HistoryDetails.php

Name C W Andrews Ltd
Other Names
Address 1 6 Great Winchester Street
Address 2 5-6 Great Winchester Street
Address 3 2 Bradford Avenue
Address 4 13 Bath Street, Birmingham
Address 5
Address 6
Address 7
City/Town London
County
State/Region/Province
Country United Kingdom
Trade Gun, Rifle & Pistol Makers
Other Address
Dates 1882-1917
Notes
Charles William Andrews commenced in business at 6 Great Winchester Street in 1882.
In 1891 the firm opened a factory in Birmingham at 13 Bath Street, and became a limited liability company.

In 1901 they occupied 5-6 Great Winchester Street, London, and in 1913 they moved to 2 Bradford Avenue.

In 1914 the Birmingham factory moved to Barton Passage, Newhall Street, but it probably closed in 1915.

The firm appears to have closed in 1917, but may have continued as Andrews Firearms and Accessories Co.

Other Info
N/A

Hope this helps. Congratulations and please post pictures of your rifle.

Good hunting!

--------------------
The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.

Mehul Kamdar

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NE450No2
.375 member


Reged: 10/01/03
Posts: 942
Re: Got My 450/400!!! [Re: mehulkamdar]
      #27416 - 07/03/05 01:19 PM

Congratulations!
The 450/400 3 1/4" Nitro Express Magnum is a great cartridge.
I have killed deer, pigs, caribou, and black bear with mine.
Loads that regulate well in my double are:
With 400 grain Woodleigh Softs, 81 gr of IMR 4831, 83gr of IMR 4831, 71.5gr of RL 15.
I have had very good results on deer and pigs with 300gr Hawk bullets with the .025 jkt with 81gr of IMR 4831, vel. 2332fps, and 71.5 gr of RL 15.
Also for a lighter load ,velocity @ 1700 to 1850 fps, I have not chronoed it yet try the 300 grain hawk with 46 grains of IMR 4198.
You MUST USE FILLER with RL 15 and IMR 4198. I use foam that I cut out with a 50 BMG case. The filler must be compressed. Keep us posted on how your rifle shoots.

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NE450No2
.375 member


Reged: 10/01/03
Posts: 942
Re: Got My 450/400!!! [Re: NE450No2]
      #27417 - 07/03/05 01:23 PM

I almost forgot... Craig Boddington has/had a 470 by CW Andrews. His double was hammerless.

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davem3
.300 member


Reged: 10/02/04
Posts: 121
Loc: birmingham,al usa
Re: Got My 450/400!!! [Re: 1885]
      #27418 - 07/03/05 01:25 PM

1885 ~ Since you have a few cases and bullets, if the brass will chamber, you can neck size (only) and load using .41 Rem. Mag. dies untill RCBS comes thru.
Works fine in my 40/85 Ballard that uses the same bullet.
Looking forward to a picture. Dave

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JPK
.375 member


Reged: 31/08/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Chevy Chase, MD
Re: Got My 450/400!!! [Re: NE450No2]
      #27419 - 07/03/05 01:32 PM

And to add to what 450NE#2 said about Boddington's 470 Andrews; I happened to reread tonight that Boddington thought well of his rifle and thought that it was made in the 1920's.

Congrats

JPK

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1885
.275 member


Reged: 27/12/04
Posts: 92
Loc: Edmond, OK, USA
Re: Got My 450/400!!! [Re: JPK]
      #27423 - 07/03/05 02:12 PM

Thanks, guys, for all the great information and the encouragement. I'll try to get a few pics up in the next few days. I've always been partial to hammerguns so this one appealed especially to me.

The buttplate is actually a checkered pattern of the buttstock itself with an ornate steel heel and toe plate for protection. I had not seen that particular feature before...quite pleased and surprised.

It has probably been reblacked at some point...it's just too clean to not have been. But the job is nice and evenly done with no problems. Apparently someone knew what they were doing and had skill.

The action will not quite close on the HDS cases as they are. Probably they will need a bit of sizing to get them to fit. Guess I'll have to wait until the RCBS dies arrive. Sure hope Huntington has them in stock.

Good information on the Andrews company, too. Sure hope to find more or someone who has knowledge of Andrews rifles. This one is in the 4,000 serial number range. The serial number is also stamped under the barrels and each barrel is stamped underneath with CWA...Charles W. Andrews. I love the old guns!!!!

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CFA
.275 member


Reged: 17/02/04
Posts: 60
Loc: Austin, Texas
Re: Got My 450/400!!! [Re: 1885]
      #27427 - 07/03/05 04:11 PM

1885

Congratulations on your purchase, there is just nothing like an English double. Post a picture so we can all enjoy it.

CFA

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1885
.275 member


Reged: 27/12/04
Posts: 92
Loc: Edmond, OK, USA
Re: Got My 450/400!!! [Re: CFA]
      #27490 - 08/03/05 11:47 AM

Thanks, CFA. I ordered a set of dies and a file trim die from Huntington today. Looking forward to getting them so I can get started. Gonna be a lot of fun.

The Andrews had 26" barrels and weighs about 9-1/2lbs. It balances well and fits me almost as though it were made for me. Can't wait to try it out.

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