Cumbrian 1 Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I had been waiting along time for a call from William Evans to say that my new rifle had arrived, and I was a happy man when I got a call on Tuesday to say that it had arrived. St James Street is a long way from Cumbria so they couriered it to Valkyrie Rifles as I was due to drop a rifle off to be cerakoted (cheers Dave). I picked it up yesterday, loaded some rounds up last night and hastily fired it this morning at 40 yds. First impressions (sorry for the crap photos) From this morning 40yds left barrel, left and right barrel right I am hoping to tweak the load a little this coming weekend With the scope attached Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brown dog Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 WOW!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capreolus Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I am very jealous, although I have no use for one I have always wanted one and this one looks great. What are you going to use it for? Would be great in Africa if you risked the transport of your new rifle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermincinerator Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Did i really read that you are going to have it ceracoated? or is that an early april fool? Scratch that i misunderstood the OP Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcampbellsmith Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Lovely. Calibre? Have fun. JCS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DW58 Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I can read .375 Mag as the calibre, but not the maker - who built this very pretty rifle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandy Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Stunning rifle thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian 1 Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Many thanks for the kind comments. The rifle is something I have always dreamed of owning, I always wanted a 400/450 but a .375 is easy to reload for as the heads are easy to come by both softs and solids, the brass is easy to obtain, the recoil light, and more importantly I have it down for "vermin' fox and deer control on my FAC. I already own a .375 bolt action and having shot 18 buffalo and an elephant I am firmly convinced that shot placement is more important than calibre, I can practice with a .375 extensively whereas if I had a .40 cal + I would of been limited by recoil, cost and more importantly availability. The gun is supplied by William Evans however the company is Grulla Armas that build the William Evans shotguns, as I understand the arrangement the rifle is built in Ferlach but the stocking and engraving is finished in Spain in the best English style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elwood Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 That is a gorgeous piece of walnut, truly outstandingStick a PM11 on it and you're good to go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian 1 Posted March 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 That is a gorgeous piece of walnut, truly outstanding Stick a PM11 on it and you're good to go Ha ha I don't require MOA or MIL but MOE, I was disappointed that the muzzle wasn't threaded for a suppressor and there was no monopod in the butt or anywhere to attach picatinny rails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixpointfive Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 That Rifle is stunning, beautiful wood and looks superb build quality Something else to put on the wish list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srvet Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Did i really read that you are going to have it ceracoated? or is that an early april fool? Scratch that i misunderstood the OP Ian. No cerakote would be no good... I'd have it dipped in real tree by hydrographics!! Absolutely beautiful, was that one you commissioned from scratch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbal Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Cumbrian,I am sure a gentleman of such stye would not,but if you must,the Nairobi Arboretum,Kenya would be able to advise suitable indigenous tree patterns,or refer you to Botswana etc,as appropriate. Savannah (s)veldte has a ring to it....but no,not really! Too nice ,as is. Did the maker include the loads for which the barrels were regulated (hopefully in available components or actual loaded ammunition)? I imagine it's a challenge otherwise-getting two barrels in unison POI at 100. gbal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian 1 Posted March 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 No cerakote would be no good... I'd have it dipped in real tree by hydrographics!! Absolutely beautiful, was that one you commissioned from scratch? I ordered it quite a while ago but it was pretty much as per the standard spec. However I always suffer from cheek weld issues with both shotguns and rifles as a result of being lanky. The length of pull was ordered to suit but I opted for a slightly higher comb height the idea if a a few mm has to come off it's not the end of the world, but too low and it's a b####r to add on. I also opted at the last minute for a Zeiss scope in claw mounts which they fitted the bases and rings for free if I paid for the scope. However the scope needs to come back about 1.5 inches as the bases and rings are recknagel a trip to Alan Rhone is called for. I don't blame anyone for this as they had no way of knowing my eye relief but it is easily fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian 1 Posted March 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Cumbrian,I am sure a gentleman of such stye would not,but if you must,the Nairobi Arboretum,Kenya would be able to advise suitable indigenous tree patterns,or refer you to Botswana etc,as appropriate. Savannah (s)veldte has a ring to it....but no,not really! Too nice ,as is. Did the maker include the loads for which the barrels were regulated (hopefully in available components or actual loaded ammunition)? I imagine it's a challenge otherwise-getting two barrels in unison POI at 100. gbal I was thinking of a more urban camo finish as it will look cool when I hang out with my crew, it will look sick on the back seat of my nova when I'm doing laps around the hamlet listening to 70cents. I believe the load was a commercial load I think RWS but I don't have the details to hand I am quite happy with the initial results as both barrels are grouping good at 40 yds however 75 and 100 yards will tell me more importantly whether they are crossing etc With my eyesight I'm not expecting too much at 100, and in reality I will not be making a first shot at that distance, 20yds or less is more common, I will then have to check the regulation again with the scope however I can always zero for one barrel and aim of for the second if that makes sense. The scope is to avoid taking a second rifle on hunting trips, this rifle is destined for Cameroon in 2017 for a lion hunt, it it illegal in west Africa to shoot lions over baits so they have to be tracked which appeals to me more, if we are successful early on I am going to try for the smaller sub species of elephant found there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bewsh Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 stunning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meles meles Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Awesome ! 'Tis a pretty piece of wood and some fine engraving. We've no doubt it will serve you well... *envious green glow* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon J Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Just the stuff for very large varmints! Looks like it for the rimless 375 rather than the flanged. Is that right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trucraft Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Very nice, I love the grain on the stock. Something a little different for ukv. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 That has to be one of the most stunning double rifles I have ever seen. The stock is beautiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian 1 Posted March 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Just the stuff for very large varmints! Looks like it for the rimless 375 rather than the flanged. Is that right? You are correct, I initially wasn't keen on a rimless round but I know two people who have rimless rounds (.416 and .375) and have never had any issue. I have had no extraction problems so far (tempting fate I know), but the cheap and more importantly available .375 belted cases mean that I can practice extensively. As the rounds are loaded to the standard OAL and I use new brass when going abroad I normally leave any unfired rounds. I might be reluctant if I am paying £3-£5 per case, this has the added advantage of saving a few quid if travelling with the likes of BA as you won't be charged £50 handling fee for your ammo case. On Sunday I shot targets at 60yds with no problems and placed to clays at 75 yards and smashed them cleanly, well not quite the right barrel had put a hole clean through the middle of one. As far as I'm concerned load development is complete. My wife asked "is that another new rifle" when I got home, "no no" I replied "It's my old shotgun that has been refinished" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon J Posted March 30, 2015 Report Share Posted March 30, 2015 Great line. May it work for ever and ever, amen! the rimless must be so much more available than the rimmed round, so I quite see the logic of your decision. Sadly no relevant personal experience myself to offer. Enjoy it. ATB Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldie Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 That rifle was the most beautiful thing I have ever had in my hands [ apart from the wife ]. Every bit as fine as any London gun...a real work of art. I opened the case and simply stared at the wood for five minutes. That is the only gun I,ve ever been afraid to handle. I booked it in and put it back. When that Lion eats you , Rich , remember your mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meles meles Posted March 31, 2015 Report Share Posted March 31, 2015 Dear Mrs Rich, You remember that old worthless shotgun your hubby had refurbished just afore he got scoffed ? If you want someone to take it off your hands... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cumbrian 1 Posted April 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2015 That rifle was the most beautiful thing I have ever had in my hands [ apart from the wife ]. Every bit as fine as any London gun...a real work of art. I opened the case and simply stared at the wood for five minutes. That is the only gun I,ve ever been afraid to handle. I booked it in and put it back. When that Lion eats you , Rich , remember your mate. I will Dave if you do the same by me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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