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Westley Richards 'Safari' .404 Take-Down Magazine Rifle

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August 20, 2024

Westley Richards 'Safari' .404 Take-Down Magazine Rifle
The summer of 2024 witnessed the unusual spectacle of two .404 Jeffery calibre rifles leaving the finishing shop at Westley Richards. The .404 is undeniably effective, and a cartridge that retains a loyal following among aficionados.

By Westley Richards & Co.

Of the two rifles recently completed in this chambering, this one, No. 43723, is the more understated. The plan here is for a relatively unadorned, but very best quality, 'Safari' rifle for dangerous game hunting.

The .404 Jeffery is renowned as a relatively soft-shooting and superbly accurate, large-calibre rifle and No. 43723 upholds that reputation.

When completed, the test shots, taken at 50 yards in our underground range, it put a cloverleaf pattern of three touching holes in the bull's eye, on three consecutive targets.

The ammunition used was Kynoch, loaded with 400-grain bullets; both soft-nosed and solid. These cartridges are now readily available and Kynoch has rescued the .404 from its 1960s obsolete status, when commercial loads for it were dropped by all the manufacturers then servicing the sport. Now Norma and Hornady are in the game with this calibre which says a lot about the future of this great cartridge.

In-keeping with its practical intent, this rifle is made as a take-down, using the Westley Richards screw-thread system. We have updated this with the innovation of a release-lever which resembles a Deeley-patent forend release catch, as found on our double rifles and shotguns.

The action is a new, double-square-bridge Magnum Mauser, which has been machined to accept rings for 'scope mount attachment. These have dummy shields fitted to fill the recesses when a 'scope is not mounted.

The bolt features a three-position, Winchester Model 70 type, safety lever. The rib is a Westley Richards quarter-rib, with fixed and express leaf sights, set for 50,100 and 200 yards.

The finish on the rifle is generally simple, with border engraving, but close inspection reveals a great deal more work on the external surfaces than is immediately apparent.

The edges of the trigger plate, magazine box, guard and action are all bordered, with small scrolls finishing the lines. The pins and screws are all finely finished with a rose motif, the tops of the bridges are checkered and the rib stippled to reduce glare.

The flush-fitting cover plate for the magazine box is engraved with '4' in a stippled oval and the word 'Cartridges' to illustrate the capacity in clear terms for posterity.

Gold is used only to highlight 'SAFE', the serial number, and the calibre. Elsewhere, the rifle's beauty comes from the mixture of colour case-hardening with deep, glossy blacking and 'Super de Luxe' grade walnut, beautifully finished with a high-gloss, hand rubbed oil.

Perfectly executed, fine-line, hand-checkered panels and the perfect, distinctive lines and angles that are the hallmark of the Westley Richards stockers' work ensure the overall aesthetic is classic and classy.

Although the rifle has provision for a 'scope to be mounted, it is primarily set-up for use with iron sights and stocked accordingly, with cheek-piece.

When finished, the rifle weighed 10lbs 3oz. For the rifle-building geeks out there, that breaks down as: 4lbs 5oz for the stock and action, 4lbs 11oz for the barrel and forepart, and 1lb 3oz for the bolt.

The rifle is presented in its bespoke, tan, leather case, which, thanks to the take-down nature of the rifle needs to be no more than an inch longer than the barrel, which in this case is a handy 23".

This feature is hugely more convenient for international travel than a full length rifle case. A short case, with the rifle fitted in two parts, is also far less liable to incur shock-breakage of the stock than is a long case.

Standard accessories are included, like a cleaning rod and a Westley Richards canvas and leather sling with quick-detachable swivels.

The result of all the effort and expertise channelled into the building of this .404 Jeffery as a very purposeful, un-ostentatious, practical rifle, which is extremely accurate and dependable, easy to transport internationally, yet uncompromisingly beautiful.

It is the kind of rifle that will age gracefully and accept the wear and scars of use with good grace.

It is the epitome of classy, classic, rifle design and construction.

Whether for the discerning collector or the avid sportsman, Westley Richards firearms represent the epitome of excellence in the world of bespoke gunmaking. Known for the droplock shotgun, over and under shotgun, double barrel rifle and bolt action rifle, the company has achieved an illustrious 200 year history of innovation, craftmanship and artistry. As part of our best gun build, clients can choose from three levels of gun engraving: the house scroll; signature game scenes; and exhibition grade masterpieces. All Westley Richards sporting arms are built at their factory in Birmingham, England. Discover more about the gunmaking journey at our custom rifles and bespoke guns pages.

By Westley Richards & Co.

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John aka NitroX

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