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NitroXAdministrator
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.318 Westley Richards vs .338/06
      #28133 - 22/03/05 02:50 PM

I have an old barrelled M98 action lying around and had been thinking of making it up into a .318 oneday. Possibly getting the stepped barrel bored out to .330 and the steps removed. I was considering leaving the chamber as an opened out .30-06 as I would probably use .30-06 brass anyway to make up ".318" brass. The idea was to stock the rifle also in that shorter for-end style many of these rifles used to have.

I know Woodleigh makes .330 bullets around the 200 to 250 grain weight for the .318 but not many other bullet manufacturers make them.

The .338/06 seems to be much more practicle. Lots of good bullets manufactured. Still use .30-06 brass. Equivalent in power and very similar.

But it doesn't have the nostalgia or appeal of the old .318 W-R.

What do you think?




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AdamTayler
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: NitroX]
      #28139 - 22/03/05 04:06 PM

If you want nostalgia, have the gunmaker stamp the barrel 338 O.K.H.

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DPhillips
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: NitroX]
      #28141 - 22/03/05 04:21 PM

I suppose if I were going to have a rifle made up, a 338-06 would definitely make more sense. Given an opportunity to purchase an original Westley Richards in 318 or have them build a new 338-06 for me, I'd jump on the original.

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4seventy
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: NitroX]
      #28146 - 22/03/05 05:43 PM

In reply to:

The .338/06 seems to be much more practicle. Lots of good bullets manufactured. Still use .30-06 brass. Equivalent in power and very similar.

But it doesn't have the nostalgia or appeal of the old .318 W-R.




John,
Your last sentance says it all, and with Woodleighs available, what more could you ask for?
318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: 4seventy]
      #28150 - 22/03/05 08:13 PM

But Alan I would like to try using 160 gr projectiles in it, such are available to the .338/06 from such as Barnes and maybe GS Custom. For fallow, chital and other varmints.




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wombat
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: NitroX]
      #28152 - 22/03/05 08:38 PM

Who in Australia would you trust a rebore and rechamber job to?

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4seventy
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: NitroX]
      #28154 - 22/03/05 10:09 PM

In reply to:

But Alan I would like to try using 160 gr projectiles in it, such are available to the .338/06 from such as Barnes and maybe GS Custom. For fallow, chital and other varmints.




But John I thought you were going to make a REAL rifle out of it!
160 grainers don't count!
You need a man's bullet in that rifle, a 250 grain.
318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318 318

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: wombat]
      #28167 - 23/03/05 12:28 AM

Wombat

I have someone in mind but would check it out first. Sending you a PM.

If a re-bore isn't possible a new barrel would be another option.



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AussieMike
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: 4seventy]
      #28192 - 23/03/05 12:19 PM

Nitrox,

I got a few sized down 338 projectiles when I bought my 318 WR double and they seemed to shoot ok.

I contacted Geoff Macdonald about 180gn 318 bullets and he said that demand for 318 was low and 180gn bullets very unlikely, BUT, if enough of us asked???

mike

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DPhillips
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: AussieMike]
      #28193 - 23/03/05 12:28 PM

Hawk Bullets here in the U.S. make .330" diameter bullets of different weights and thicknesses. Have no idea what the shipping charges would be to Aussie land, but is another supply.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: DPhillips]
      #28199 - 23/03/05 02:19 PM

Dave and Mike

Thanks. Hawk bullets would be good if they could be imported cheap enough. And Woodleigh would be grand if they made a 180 grainer PP SP.

I do like the .318 much more as a "vintage" rifle (even a cobbled up one) than the .338/06 much more practical though it is.



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DPhillips
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: NitroX]
      #28204 - 23/03/05 05:28 PM

The 338-06 does offer the practical advantage, no question. There's just something about the 318, though. The 318 just exudes class.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: DPhillips]
      #28373 - 26/03/05 05:00 PM

In reply to:

Poster: DPhillips
Subject: Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06

Hawk Bullets here in the U.S. make .330" diameter bullets of different weights and thicknesses. Have no idea what the shipping charges would be to Aussie land, but is another supply.




DPhillips and AussieMike

Yes I looked at Hawk Bullets and they make a .330 200 grain round tip.

Might be a useful bullet in addition to the 250 gr SP and FMJs of Woodleigh.



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DPhillips
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: NitroX]
      #28377 - 26/03/05 05:46 PM

Nitro,
While I've never used any, there are quite a few custom bullet makers about, and I suspect many that could swage down a 338 bullet to .330" or bump up a .323" to .330". Something that might be worth considering if you are looking for a spire point or spitzer shaped bullet.

I have no idea what or when physical restrictions of "bounce-back" or elasticity might become a concern. .008" may prove to be around that limit. I'm pretty sure a mold could be made cheaply or maybe already exists for casting lead bullets for cheap practice or small game utility bullets.

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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: NitroX]
      #28383 - 26/03/05 09:14 PM

In my opinion calibres like the 318 WR have to be in the right rifle and then they become more appealing than something like a 338/06.

To take an extreme if the rifle was a Rem 700 or a Weatherby I iamgine you would not even consider the 318 WR.

In other words I think the 318 WR either needs to be an original or a custom rifle on the Mauser and if it is neither then my vote would be the 338/06.

Mike

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: Mike375]
      #28385 - 26/03/05 10:37 PM

Mike

I have a photo somewhere of a .318 W-R which was on a cover of a Guns Yearbook or something like that. Haven't seen it for a while but its somewhere in the bookshelves. The old English Mauser confirguration, with a short fore-end, possibly an ebony fore-end tip etc. This one also had a scope (an older one) in highish QD mounts, and express rear sights.

That's what I'm thinking about. First step will be a barrel and chambering.

I think I am settled on a .318 W-R now (as if I wasn't all the time in the back of my mind ).



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"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: NitroX]
      #28388 - 26/03/05 10:55 PM

John,

I think there are a couple of pictures in Wolfe Publishings Wildcat cartridges...all articles from Rifle and Handloader magazine. From memory the rifle was in 303 and the author had it rebored to 303/375 as the original barrel was no good but he wanted to preserve the sights and markings etc.

I will see I can locate the book out in the garage and scan the article for you.

Mike

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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: Mike375]
      #28413 - 27/03/05 12:07 PM

That article was not in the Wildcat book. It must be on the other Wolfe publishing book Big Bore Rifles and Cartridges. My copy of that book is no longer here.

Mike

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4seventy
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: NitroX]
      #28419 - 27/03/05 06:43 PM

John,
Don't know if it is of any interest but if you do go with the 318 I have a "Westley Richards type" front sight here.
I removed it from a rifle I once owned (not WR) when I shortened the barrel.
It has the fold over sight protector, a fine foresight and a flip up folding night sight.
It has a full band around the barrel.
I doubt it is genuine WR, more likely a reproduction.
Very similar to the foresight on CB's .318 WR rifle in "Safari Rifles", the best photo being in the last set in the book where the rifle is shown with his .470 Andrews a.416 Rigby and a buff head.
If it would be any use for your project you can have it.

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Levallois
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: NitroX]
      #28829 - 03/04/05 12:47 AM

Got to be a 318WR - going to take this circa 1920s George Gibbs to Africa for my 50th birthday in a couple of years.

[image][/image]

[image][/image]

Nothing beats an old British rifle with a Mauser action in a classic African caliber. Nothing.

John

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It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do.

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mlg
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: Levallois]
      #29938 - 23/04/05 06:49 PM

Levallois

Thats just an awesome rifle - I am greeeen with envy!!

Good luck with your hunt with it.

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Oldsarge
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: mlg]
      #30125 - 27/04/05 09:41 AM

Classic WR .318's have an unfortunate tendency to wear gawdawful 28" barrels. Mine is a W.W.Greener and, at 24", is much more manageable. That's why I seriously recommend that you rebore yours rather that yearning after an original. It will just work better. Boddington used to shot his with swaged down bullets and had no complaints. I've taken game very successfully with Woodleighs and shoot Hawks to save money. Go ahead and get the .318. Just don't take any sh** who tells you that you're doing it because of some imagined Australian inferior-to-the-British complex. I like mine and I don't feel inferior to anyone!

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WyoHunter
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: NitroX]
      #31320 - 17/05/05 04:44 PM

NitroX... I know you've made up your mind in favor of the .318 WR but I thought I'd show you a pic of my pre-64 Winchester M70 .338-06 that was made by reboring the original .30-06 barrel. It's been restocked in French Walnut with ebony forend tip and Pachmayr recoil pad. The stock is checkered in a fleur-de-lis wrap around pattern and has a 2x - 7x Leupold scope in Buehler rings and one piece base. I load 210 Nosler Partitions at about 2800 fps and it's a great elk and moose gun. The pic was taken after shooting a Shiras bull moose at about 90 yards - one shot.



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500Nitro
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: Oldsarge]
      #31326 - 17/05/05 06:46 PM


You can "bump down" 338 projectiles without a problem and use them in 318WR
f you want to use lighter bullets.

WR used to make one - I think it was a 180gn but would have to check.

FYI, you just missed out on a custom 318WR that was advertised recently.
If I'd known I would have put you onto it.

I MAY (and I repeat MAY) be selling one of my WR 318's this year but since it
isn't with me at the moment I can't decide.

I'll PM you what I decide.

500 Nitro

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: .318 Westley Richards vs .338/06 [Re: 500Nitro]
      #31348 - 18/05/05 12:41 AM

500grains


You can email me but I probably can't afford an original Westley Richards. Thanks for the info on re-sizing .338 bullets. But would this work with say Barnes-X's or more conventional jacketed lead bullets?



WyoHunter

That is a nice looking rifle.

--------------------
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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