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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Paradox and Bore Guns
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toomuchtime
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Reged: 06/01/16
Posts: 2
Loc: Washington,USA
W/R Explora load info wanted...
      #372953 - 08/01/23 02:00 AM

Hi All, Second post... I hope it is in the right section. I am seeking information from someone that shoots and loads for the Westley Explora.
I have read the posts, I own the books but, this time prior to "headding" out on my own I would like a little advice.
I shoot paper and am seeking information on the mould that works the best, and a smokeless load. Thanks in advance... I will post a pic later today Thanks to all..

Edited by toomuchtime (08/01/23 08:57 PM)

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3DogMike
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Reged: 29/01/15
Posts: 1413
Loc: Western Slope, Colorado USA
Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: toomuchtime]
      #373028 - 11/01/23 03:54 PM

Quote:

Hi All, Second post... I hope it is in the right section. I am seeking information from someone that shoots and loads for the Westley Explora.
I have read the posts, I own the books but, this time prior to "headding" out on my own I would like a little advice.
I shoot paper and am seeking information on the mould that works the best, and a smokeless load. Thanks in advance... I will post a pic later today Thanks to all..



OK, no other members want to post?

Hello "TMT", welcome to the forums.

I think you likely know that there will be few and far between owners of a vintage Explora. Thus getting any load help specifically for an Explora will be tough.
There are several owner/shooters besides myself on here that do shoot vintage bore rifles or "Paradox type" guns that may be of some help.

That said, I would look up any older posts by Cal Pappas (since deceased) here or on that "other website", as he was somewhat of a "bore gun/rifle" guru.
As the period 12 bore Explora used a ~730 grain bullet I would investigate a similar weight bullet mould of the WR or Fosbery type shape. For a "Paradox/Explora" type gun you best slug your bore first so as to get a mould that casts about .002'-.003" under actual bore diameter at 9" in front of the chambers.

Likely the gun was made for brass case ammo? "Rocky Mountain Cartridge" is your go to source. (do accurate chamber casts)
Cal Pappas had best results using Blue Dot powder for his smokeless/Nitro regulating loads.

A whole lot of individual research for you to do as liability concerns inhibit recommending loads to anyone.

Supposing you could contact Westley Richards for the history on your gun and they maybe can recommend what load to try or at least clue you in to what the original loads were?
I have a .400 WR and they are very happy to provide history details.

- Mike

--------------------
"Here's to killing people you don't like with people you do"

"Will Rogers never met a fighter pilot"
- Anon

“Always carry a flask of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore always carry a small snake."
-- W. C. Fields

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39203
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: 3DogMike]
      #373031 - 11/01/23 05:29 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Hi All, Second post... I hope it is in the right section. I am seeking information from someone that shoots and loads for the Westley Explora.
I have read the posts, I own the books but, this time prior to "headding" out on my own I would like a little advice.
I shoot paper and am seeking information on the mould that works the best, and a smokeless load. Thanks in advance... I will post a pic later today Thanks to all..



Supposing you could contact Westley Richards for the history on your gun and they maybe can recommend what load to try or at least clue you in to what the original loads were?
I have a .400 WR and they are very happy to provide history details.

- Mike



I was going to suggest contacting Westley Richards or asking via their "Explora" blog.

https://www.westleyrichards.com/theexplora/

--------------------
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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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
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Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: NitroX]
      #373032 - 11/01/23 05:33 PM

I don't have one or loaded for one.

Acquisition for our experienced paradox owners.

Is this any difference in a load, chamber etc for the H&H style "Paradox" and the Westley Richards "Explora"?

I would guess depends on the bore and any other factors?

We do have a number of paradox owners in NE using their guns.

--------------------
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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Rockdoc
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Reged: 07/12/06
Posts: 1212
Loc: NSW, Australia
Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: NitroX]
      #373040 - 11/01/23 07:39 PM

Graeme Wright. Some members here have hunted Africa with their paradox guns.

Any photos? Sold my Explora about 36yrs ago.

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Marrakai
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Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3482
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: Rockdoc]
      #373044 - 11/01/23 10:30 PM

Also worth mentioning:
there is an "Explora" and a "Super-Magnum Explora".
No doubt different load data for these, and I would suspect both to be different from the standard Paradox loads as detailed in Wrightie's book and other threads on this forum, possibly explaining the reluctance of some of us Paradox shooters to respond...

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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toomuchtime
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Reged: 06/01/16
Posts: 2
Loc: Washington,USA
Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: Marrakai]
      #373051 - 12/01/23 01:30 AM

Hi All, thank you for the posts. I might figure this out some day. Perhaps a better question is.... Has anyone duplicated the LT projectile?

I can order the Fosbery 730gr mould... and with a little load tinkering arrive at the 1,100 fps. It would be nice to know that others, without load details, have achieved this as well.
Thx.

I have a few pics, but lack the skill set to post them.

--------------------
Thank you
TooMuchTime

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Marrakai
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Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: toomuchtime]
      #373060 - 12/01/23 08:30 AM

Quote:

Perhaps a better question is.... Has anyone duplicated the LT projectile?


Yes, the WR Explora projectile has been duplicated, sort of, I think by Graeme Wright or close associates, using a shaped aluminum nose. Not sure how they were actually made, but when given the example now in my collection I was told they were too much trouble to persist with!

Maybe someone else here can shed more light on those attempts...

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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85lc
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Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: Marrakai]
      #373120 - 14/01/23 03:57 AM

Ross Seigfried developed loads for a WR Expkora and wrote about that in DGJ. Also see: https://www.westleyrichards.com/theexplo...or-the-explora/

--------------------
RB

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gatsby
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Reged: 05/09/05
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Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: toomuchtime]
      #373152 - 15/01/23 05:52 PM

The explora cartridge is a 2 1/2 inch cartridge using a brass capped lead base bullet or a lead bluff nose bullet of 740grs
Paper cases can be used and blue dot can be used to regulate this cartridge. Mint bores should be .735 and mint chokes should deep ratchet rifling chokes measuring .690. With a .002 constriction for an inch or so just behind the rifling
Super magnum cartridges are 2 3/4 inch same bullets at 1500fps barrel and choke measurements the same.
No commercially available powders will regulate this cartridge safely although some do exist

--------------------
"Recoil is insignificant when there is a tiger on the head of your elephant" The Maharaja of Cooch Behar



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Marrakai
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Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: gatsby]
      #373154 - 15/01/23 08:43 PM

Bit of additional info on the WR Explora cartridge on this old thread.

There was another (very) old thread with tons of bore-gun data including a detailed discussion of Leslie Taylor's design: will see if I can find the link.

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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gatsby
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Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: Marrakai]
      #373156 - 15/01/23 09:20 PM

I would be nice to have a recreation of the capped bullet but it isn’t necessary to regulate
The capped bullet has a further reach.
On the sme and fauneta it is velocity at psi limitations.
The original cartridges were dual primed with fine black powder
Holland developed a load using gun cotton as additional priming

--------------------
"Recoil is insignificant when there is a tiger on the head of your elephant" The Maharaja of Cooch Behar



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DarylS
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Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: gatsby]
      #373161 - 16/01/23 05:57 AM

I remember that thread. This must represent a smokeless load. If black powder, it should/would be right up to the wad.

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gatsby
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Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: DarylS]
      #373165 - 16/01/23 06:23 AM

They were always cordite loads
2 grains of fine black powder was used in conjunction with the primer

--------------------
"Recoil is insignificant when there is a tiger on the head of your elephant" The Maharaja of Cooch Behar



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DarylS
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Re: W/R Explora load info wanted... [Re: gatsby]
      #373166 - 16/01/23 07:14 AM

Note the use of a cardboard sleeve to reduce the capacity of the case. It is thinner where the bullet is seated and thicker in the powder chamber.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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