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Poacher
.224 member

Reged: 18/08/05
Posts: 11
Loc: Sunny Florida USA

What cartridge does this Watson Bros. double use?
#36012 - 18/08/05 04:54 AM

I recently acquired a double rifle by Watson Bros. On the barrel flats it is marked: 65 grains imr 4831 X 285 grains, next it says: Cordite 40 - 300 MAX., next it says: 375/360 2.94. Anyone have an idea what cartridge is proper for this gun?? Help!

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500Nitro
.450 member

Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia

Re: What cartridge does this Watson Bros. double use? [Re: Poacher]
#36015 - 18/08/05 05:17 AM

Sounds like someone has rebored the chamber from a 9.3 Case of some sort to a
375 case - like the 375 2 1/2" OR they have a 375 bore and a 360 Case.

They have then stamped the new load on the flats - 65 grains imr 4831 x 285 grains

Cordite 40 - 300 MAX is original proof load - sounds like one of the 400 / 360 cases to me.

The type and age of the gun may be of help in working this out.

If you can describe the gun and / or post a photo, this would be good.

Hope this helps

500 Nitro

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Poacher
.224 member

Reged: 18/08/05
Posts: 11
Loc: Sunny Florida USA

Re: What cartridge does this Watson Bros. double use? [Re: 500Nitro]
#36020 - 18/08/05 05:54 AM

Thanks 500 Nitro. The rifle is a pre-war Watson Bros. double which Kynoch ( and youself) believe was originally chambered 400/360P (Purdey). There are some 375 magnum flanged rounds in the case with the gun, however, the rifle really doesn't appear to want to close quite all the way with them in place and I really didn't want to slam it. I notice that Cartridges of the World specs. the 375 flanged magnum at 2.94 case length and 3.80 overall. Is it possible the the bullets need to be seated a bit deeper to create the 3.60 oal? I have not yet measured the bore but think that it's .375 .

Edited by Poacher (18/08/05 05:56 AM)

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500Nitro
.450 member

Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia

Re: What cartridge does this Watson Bros. double use? [Re: Poacher]
#36021 - 18/08/05 06:11 AM

Yes, your are correct - it is probably the 375 Fl Mag, not the 372 2 1/2".
I should have read your post more closely.

First of all, IF you are trying to put Fired cases into the chamber then
they will almost certainly need to be resized if they haven't

If NEW Factory loaded rounds are being used or reloads that were NOT
reloaded from that gun, they may not have been
rezised for that chamber - especially if it is an odd size.

Alternatively, they may be 375 Fl Mag rounds with 375 bullets in them
and not 366 which would also cause this problem.

I would suggest Full Length resize a couple of cases, try these and then
seat a bullet until they also go in.

By the way, I have seen a few like this rechamber and the 375 2 1/2/360
on old 400/360's that had good bores but bad chambers.
Some were good guns if you didn't mind a Wildcat double !!!

Hope this helps.

500 Nitro

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Poacher
.224 member

Reged: 18/08/05
Posts: 11
Loc: Sunny Florida USA

Re: What cartridge does this Watson Bros. double use? [Re: 500Nitro]
#36032 - 18/08/05 07:59 AM

Thanks for the help. I'll keep you posted on my progress. It's really a beautiful rifle and it would be even better if I could make some noise with it. Warmest Regards, The Poacher.

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500Nitro
.450 member

Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia

Re: What cartridge does this Watson Bros. double use? [Re: Poacher]
#36036 - 18/08/05 08:37 AM

Poacher,

Watson Bros made some great guns so if someone says to you
"who are they ?", say to them that Kell engraved alot of Watson Bros
guns.

Kell was one of the Bes tenrgavers.

I have a 500 and a friend has a 475 No 2 that we think were engraved by
Kell due to the quality of the engraving.

Good luck

500 NITRO

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mickey
.416 member

Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho

Re: What cartridge does this Watson Bros. double use? [Re: 500Nitro]
#36040 - 18/08/05 08:58 AM

You can submit questions to Watson Bros at:

Michael.Louca@WatsonBrosGunMakers.com

I have a 303 and they want £75 for the information. I'm not sure that it is worth it on my rifle but it may be on yours.

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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Poacher
.224 member

Reged: 18/08/05
Posts: 11
Loc: Sunny Florida USA

Re: What cartridge does this Watson Bros. double use? [Re: mickey]
#36046 - 18/08/05 11:27 AM

Thanks, Mickey and 500 Nitro, you guys surely are a big help. I fired off a letter to Michael at Watson Bros. and I'll be sure to let you guys know how I make out in the information department. Do either of you know how to put a photo on the forum within the dicussion boxes?

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mickey
.416 member

Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho

Re: What cartridge does this Watson Bros. double use? [Re: Poacher]
#36047 - 18/08/05 11:37 AM

Poacher

You need a hosting service for the picture. I use Photobucket. Download yur picture there per instructions, quite easy.

After the picture is on the host Double Click to bring up large view.

Left click

Right click on Properties

Highlight and Left click copy.

On this site click reply

then click 'Image'

Delete the HTTP/

Left click paste.

click on OK.

This should print the properties on the post.

I hope this makes sense.

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

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