Why do I think I want a .350 Rigby Magnum??...
- Thread starter 9.3mauser
- Start date
Did a little looking online- that brass is about as rare as hen's teeth. Kyoch loads it but doesn't seem to offer brass. I did find a catalogue for Quality Cartridge in Hollywood, MD (www.qual-cart.com) who apparently manufacture obsolete brass. Theirs (item #514321) is "only" $76.97/20! And they list Ellwood Epps as an international dealer.
Stuart
Stuart
I've been lusting to build a 333 rimless for a really long time now. The cost just seems prohibitive every time I feel the need to build one. Everyone just says to build a 338-06 instead - meh that just doesn't get me excited in the slightest.
It was 1983; my first gun show. The 2nd annual Grande Prairie gun show. I had a few tables. On Friday evening just after setting up, an older fellow, Pete Kooliof (Goolioff, or something like that) at the next set of tables looked at a few of my old Winchesters & asked if I fancied English rifles. I allowed that I did. He opened an old beat-up oak & leather case that he had on his table & put together a rather beat-up old take-down Mauser rifle. Turned out to be a .350 Rigby by Rigby. A little loose in the joint, some cordite frosting in the bore and all he had was a couple of old yellow boxes of ammunition & 20 or so rounds of fired berdan brass. He said he'd swap it even-steven for 2 Winchester 94's, & a 92 I had on the table. I said I'd let him know come morning. That night I read Nonte's book telling me what I had to do to make brass, which was way beyond my ability back them & made a few phone calls to see if I could get brass or dies. No luck. Told him no the next morning. He bugged me all the next 2 days to swap but I said no. Kinda wish I would have changed my mind but found out later that it shot a 225 grain bullet, which is fairly light for the caliber and I'm a heavy bullet kind of guy.
Anyways, I haven't really regretted it too much over the last thirty-some-odd years, a lot of the time, when I don't think too much about it.
;-)
Go for it!
Anyways, I haven't really regretted it too much over the last thirty-some-odd years, a lot of the time, when I don't think too much about it.
;-)
Go for it!
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oh James what a story.
back to the op 9.3mauser the 350 remington magnum is not as historical as the rigby but i like it too.
in the same time the 9.3x62 survived all those period for a good reason. at least i think.
Phil
back to the op 9.3mauser the 350 remington magnum is not as historical as the rigby but i like it too.
in the same time the 9.3x62 survived all those period for a good reason. at least i think.
Phil
If you want cases with the belts turned off just send them to me. I'm mostly retired and have a lathe, wouldn't take me an hour to do 50, maybe more. Just grab some new R-P 375 H&H cases and let's get at it !!! I made cases for my 38-72s and 40-72 from 405 brass, had to reduce the rim dia by .040" IIRC might even have been more and thickness by .015. Made up 50 of each, but just turning belts to a prescribed diameter would be a breeze, just chuck up the rim in a trimmer collet and run the live tail stock into the trued case mouth. Probably better yet to make a piloted centre for the case mouth from a 3/8 bolt and cut a dead true centre into the head. Couldn't guarantee the thin case mouth would stay round or centred during the stress of the cut, it wouldn't be much but case mouths are thin and malleable, so I think it would be better to be supported by the whole length of the neck.
PM me if you want to proceed with this, I'd be happy to help, like I said I do this kinda sh!t all the time.
PM me if you want to proceed with this, I'd be happy to help, like I said I do this kinda sh!t all the time.
Holy, where did you dig up this old thread? It's been almost 2 yrs.
C-fbmi, I appreciate the offer of modifying the brass, but I don't even have a rifle started yet. I think to scratch this itch properly, I might have to find an original. I did some comparing with calipers the ones I converted to a factory round, and the converts are a touch long at the shoulder, so it looks like I'll have to get a spare shell holder and grind a few thou off that as well. That's if I ever get this project off the ground.
JH, I remember quite a few years ago, ( like 20?) I ran across an original Rigby .350 at a gun show, built oddly enough on a standard mauser, and not the magnum that Rigby's usually used. I wonder if this is the same one you encountered? The light bullet of the original loading never bothered me, as I always had it in mind to try heavier bullets anyway, as long as the rate of twist is up to it.
C-fbmi, I appreciate the offer of modifying the brass, but I don't even have a rifle started yet. I think to scratch this itch properly, I might have to find an original. I did some comparing with calipers the ones I converted to a factory round, and the converts are a touch long at the shoulder, so it looks like I'll have to get a spare shell holder and grind a few thou off that as well. That's if I ever get this project off the ground.
JH, I remember quite a few years ago, ( like 20?) I ran across an original Rigby .350 at a gun show, built oddly enough on a standard mauser, and not the magnum that Rigby's usually used. I wonder if this is the same one you encountered? The light bullet of the original loading never bothered me, as I always had it in mind to try heavier bullets anyway, as long as the rate of twist is up to it.
So what about .35 Ross or .350 Ross or .354 Ross (using 375 Ruger brass, apparently)?
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
A similar theme but I went a slightly different route and forslightly 'different' reasons. My 'quest' started with Schultz & Larsen rifles being my favorite bolt action. Then, on the cover of an old Norma reloading manual, I saw pictured,
three cartridges that were a joint effort of co-operation between Norma and Schultz & Larsen. 7x61 S&H, 308 NM and the 358 NM. So, I decided,
that would be my quest and 'collection'.
-A S&L model 68DL in 7x61 S&H
-A S&L model 65DL in 308 NM
-A S&L model 68DL in 358 NM which was difficult to locate.
I had advertised for a S&L in 358 NM and was offered the opportunity to acquire a very nice Husqvarna model 1651 in 358 NM, and
I weakened. This is why.
Back to my choice of a 35 Cal magnun, the 358 NM of which, I now have two.
slightly 'different' reasons. My 'quest' started with Schultz & Larsen rifles being my favorite bolt action. Then, on the cover of an old Norma reloading manual, I saw pictured,
three cartridges that were a joint effort of co-operation between Norma and Schultz & Larsen. 7x61 S&H, 308 NM and the 358 NM. So, I decided,
that would be my quest and 'collection'.
-A S&L model 68DL in 7x61 S&H
-A S&L model 65DL in 308 NM
-A S&L model 68DL in 358 NM which was difficult to locate.
I had advertised for a S&L in 358 NM and was offered the opportunity to acquire a very nice Husqvarna model 1651 in 358 NM, and
I weakened. This is why.
Back to my choice of a 35 Cal magnun, the 358 NM of which,
I now have two.
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Jack Robinson
CGN Regular
- Location
- Alberta / Mazatlan
What he said
9.3mauser
Well, it looks like you hail from Ontario & the fellow who had it only did the BC & NW Alberta shows, so perhaps, if he sold it to a fellow back east. Was it cased with accessories? I have a picture, but it is an old print, not a digital.
I dug up this old thread when I was snooping at your posts after we both posted on the 375 H&H thread. I figured it sounded as though you know whereof you speak, so thought I would see what you had to say on some other topics.
Johnn:
If the moose medallion is your signature in all of your photos, I'll have to make mine a kerosene lamp.
35 caliber relevance:
Holland & Holland #4 Deluxe rifle rebored for the previous owner from .318 Rimless N.E. to .350 Rimless N.E. 2 1/2" (aka .35 Whelen)
Well, it looks like you hail from Ontario & the fellow who had it only did the BC & NW Alberta shows, so perhaps, if he sold it to a fellow back east. Was it cased with accessories? I have a picture, but it is an old print, not a digital.
I dug up this old thread when I was snooping at your posts after we both posted on the 375 H&H thread. I figured it sounded as though you know whereof you speak, so thought I would see what you had to say on some other topics.
Johnn:
If the moose medallion is your signature in all of your photos, I'll have to make mine a kerosene lamp.
35 caliber relevance:
Holland & Holland #4 Deluxe rifle rebored for the previous owner from .318 Rimless N.E. to .350 Rimless N.E. 2 1/2" (aka .35 Whelen)
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
9.3mauser
Well, it looks like you hail from Ontario & the fellow who had it only did the BC & NW Alberta shows, so perhaps, if he sold it to a fellow back east. Was it cased with accessories? I have a picture, but it is an old print, not a digital.
I dug up this old thread when I was snooping at your posts after we both posted on the 375 H&H thread. I figured it sounded as though you know whereof you speak, so thought I would see what you had to say on some other topics.
Johnn:
If the moose medallion is your signature in all of your photos, I'll have to make mine a kerosene lamp.
35 caliber relevance:
Holland & Holland #4 Deluxe rifle rebored for the previous owner from .318 Rimless N.E. to .350 Rimless N.E. 2 1/2" (aka .35 Whelen)
Works for me.Actually it's a trivet, that was a gift from my lovely wife. I think, indirectly, it was a hint to use to put hot plates on the coffee table in my den when watching a hockey game. As Mr. Moose is my favorite big game animal, that trivet fits in well with all the other Moose 'memorabilia' in my den. It was accidently included in one of my long gun photos years ago and it's become an 'almost' constant in those photos since.
With handgun photos, the handguns are usually accompanied by another similar piece of memorabilia, A Moose coaster, again, purchased for me by the same lady
and likely for much the same reason.That Holland is a nice looking rifle. It's a little hard to see, but it looks like WWI era, maybe a couple years either side of it? Did you get the story on why it was rebored when you acquired it? Was it a rough bore from corrosive ammo, or just general lack of ammo? The .318 is a neat cartridge, but I think the only manufacturers making bullets in that calibre are Woodleigh, and maybe Hawke in the U.S.
I'm pretty sure the .350 I found had a case, but I don't remember what it had for accessories, if any. They don't turn up that often, so I was just curious if it was the same rifle.
I have considered the .358 Norma, and if a rifle turns up I may go that route yet. Not that I really need one. For some reason the .35 calibres appeal to me, yet the difference between it and the 9.3mm is basically the depth of the rifling.
I dug up this article on the .350 Rigby, interesting read.
http://www.sahunters.co.za/attachments/article/130/350%20Magnum%20Rigby%20%20-%20Peter%20Carrx.pdf
Now does anyone know what the South African S365 powder would be the equivalent to in this country?
I'm pretty sure the .350 I found had a case, but I don't remember what it had for accessories, if any. They don't turn up that often, so I was just curious if it was the same rifle.
I have considered the .358 Norma, and if a rifle turns up I may go that route yet. Not that I really need one. For some reason the .35 calibres appeal to me, yet the difference between it and the 9.3mm is basically the depth of the rifling.
I dug up this article on the .350 Rigby, interesting read.
http://www.sahunters.co.za/attachments/article/130/350%20Magnum%20Rigby%20%20-%20Peter%20Carrx.pdf
Now does anyone know what the South African S365 powder would be the equivalent to in this country?
Johnn:
We do have to be thankful to our better halves, don't we. I am blessed to have a wonderful lady as my better half as well. And to make matters better, she is an ardent shooter, fisherwoman, likes to go 4-wheeling, and is a great cook to boot.
BTW, it's entirely too nice to use as a trivet!
Are those a matching pair for .444 or .45-70?
9.3mauser:
Thanks for the tip on the article. Very interesting website. Got me to start thinking about Africa, again.
S365 looks to be in between Alliant Reloader 19 & IMR4831. The closest ones are all European powders. Source: Quickload
However, using a Woodleigh 310 grain bullet, QL shows that a bunch of other available powders would do a fair bit better!
Re: H&H
Because of a lack of bullets. Funny, though, I never had that problem with the 2 .318's I owned by W.J.Jeffery or W.W.Greener. I just squoze down .338 bullets with a set of sizer buttons from Z-Hat, but alas, they no longer make them.
Its proof marks are of 1904-1925 London pattern. The address is the 98 New Bond St. address, which premises Holland & Holland occupied for a century from 1860. Since the original chambering was the Westley-Richards' non-proprietary .318 Nitro Express Rimless cartridge, which first saw the light of day in 1910, we can tighten up the DOM to 1910-1925. If we remove the 4 years of The Great War, we are left with a 12 year DOM (1910-1914 & 1919-1925).
It has a Krupp made barrel (3 stacked cannon balls), which, based on my research, was available at an added cost when the rifle was made. Even though the trigger is a standard military Mauser 98 trigger, there are some modifications made to it. There is a small engraved set screw threaded into the bottom of the sear body on the side at the back edge of the trigger sllot, which, when adjusted towards or apart from the bottom of the receiver, alters the amount of sear engagement. The other screw is also set into the bottom of the sear body but holds a small leaf spring which adjusts the amount of take-up (creep). Needless to say, I have not touched either screw, but the rifle has a very crisp, the proverbial glass trigger, let-off at 3 3/4 #'s, repeatable, ad nauseum. There is also a length of rod inside the sear spring which functions as a trigger stop. Also, the steel recoil bolt, which sits hidden inside the stock is secured with small engraved screws, which you would never see unless you dismantle the rifle.
I shoot it mostly with water-quenched ww bullets thrown from a 310 grain TORNFPGC (Tangent Ogive Round Nose Flat Point Gas Check) mould I designed and had Mountain Moulds build for me. The barrel has a 1:12" twist that has no problem handling the heavy stuff. Given the large magazine length (3.6"), I am contemplating designing a ~350 grain bullet for it. Essentially, I have re-invented the old 400/350 Rigby Magnum, albeit on a rimless case.
I may pick up some 310 grain Woodleighs this year, just for $hits 'n giggles.
We do have to be thankful to our better halves, don't we. I am blessed to have a wonderful lady as my better half as well. And to make matters better, she is an ardent shooter, fisherwoman, likes to go 4-wheeling, and is a great cook to boot.
BTW, it's entirely too nice to use as a trivet!
Are those a matching pair for .444 or .45-70?
9.3mauser:
Thanks for the tip on the article. Very interesting website. Got me to start thinking about Africa, again.
S365 looks to be in between Alliant Reloader 19 & IMR4831. The closest ones are all European powders. Source: Quickload
However, using a Woodleigh 310 grain bullet, QL shows that a bunch of other available powders would do a fair bit better!
Re: H&H
Because of a lack of bullets. Funny, though, I never had that problem with the 2 .318's I owned by W.J.Jeffery or W.W.Greener. I just squoze down .338 bullets with a set of sizer buttons from Z-Hat, but alas, they no longer make them.
Its proof marks are of 1904-1925 London pattern. The address is the 98 New Bond St. address, which premises Holland & Holland occupied for a century from 1860. Since the original chambering was the Westley-Richards' non-proprietary .318 Nitro Express Rimless cartridge, which first saw the light of day in 1910, we can tighten up the DOM to 1910-1925. If we remove the 4 years of The Great War, we are left with a 12 year DOM (1910-1914 & 1919-1925).
It has a Krupp made barrel (3 stacked cannon balls), which, based on my research, was available at an added cost when the rifle was made. Even though the trigger is a standard military Mauser 98 trigger, there are some modifications made to it. There is a small engraved set screw threaded into the bottom of the sear body on the side at the back edge of the trigger sllot, which, when adjusted towards or apart from the bottom of the receiver, alters the amount of sear engagement. The other screw is also set into the bottom of the sear body but holds a small leaf spring which adjusts the amount of take-up (creep). Needless to say, I have not touched either screw, but the rifle has a very crisp, the proverbial glass trigger, let-off at 3 3/4 #'s, repeatable, ad nauseum. There is also a length of rod inside the sear spring which functions as a trigger stop. Also, the steel recoil bolt, which sits hidden inside the stock is secured with small engraved screws, which you would never see unless you dismantle the rifle.
I shoot it mostly with water-quenched ww bullets thrown from a 310 grain TORNFPGC (Tangent Ogive Round Nose Flat Point Gas Check) mould I designed and had Mountain Moulds build for me. The barrel has a 1:12" twist that has no problem handling the heavy stuff. Given the large magazine length (3.6"), I am contemplating designing a ~350 grain bullet for it. Essentially, I have re-invented the old 400/350 Rigby Magnum, albeit on a rimless case.
I may pick up some 310 grain Woodleighs this year, just for $hits 'n giggles.
