doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Rook rifles ?

I have a Rook rifle which came down to me from my great grand uncle. I feel a little shy as it is somewhat battered but since the OP asked for rook rifle photos, here goes:

















A friend of mine had this ammo loaded in the US and brought it out to me here in Bangladesh, where I live. The bullets created a slight bulge in the case which prevented them from chambering. But a gunsmith friend of mine lightly ground down the bulged area till they fit. They work! I use mine to shoot jackals (Canis aureus) and Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjac) which it does admirably out to a hundred yards or so.

All the best

Skeeter BD

Skeeter,
A little battered? yes but hidden within is a nice rifle with a little diligent cleaning (different than refinishing). I recommend instead of grinding the cases, have your gunsmith make a simple die to force the remaining cartridges into and size just the bulge to the diameter necessary for them to chamber. The fired cases should be all saved, with the least damage possible, they are precious. You are very lucky to have inherited the rifle with ammunition (which will supply cases) and loading data which you know will work. Be sure to clean and lubricate the bulged area of the cartridges before sizing, to avoid sticking in the die. After a good cleaning of the chamber and cartridges, they might chamber with a little bit of force with your fingers (no hammer), the bulge doesn't seem to be too serious.
Mike

Thank you Der Ami

It is actually a pretty rifle and the checkering on the grip is very fine. I will apply myself to clean it up further. Most of the rust is gone. But i live in the tropics and in the monsoon (just ending) you just have to put it aside for a few days and oil or not, rust appears. I am forever taking one or the other of my guns out to remove surface rust. This gun, like most of my others, has been through a world war, the partition of India, the liberation of Bangladesh, numerous martial laws and riots, and has been surrendered to the local police station for extended periods at a time. It shows the scars. Indeed that it has come through is something. Others have been looted and lost.

Reloading is impossible out here, so I will have to see what I can do out of the US. I still have enough ammo to last me a few years given my limited usage and the need to use my other weapons.

Thanks for your advice.

All the best

Skeeter BD

Hi Skeeter,

Is re-loading unlawful in Bangla Desh, or is the problem a lack of components?

If the former you are stuck with trying to obtain factory ammunition.

If the latter there may be work arounds.

.300 Sherwood is a calibre that would work well with cast lead bullets sized to .301” diameter.

As you are just going to use the cartridges in your own rifle, you could probably dispense with loading dies, seating primers by pressing the case against a smooth flat (or slightly domed) surface.

I appreciate that getting primers or powder may still be an insuperable problem.

Hello
Parabola

Yes, it is basically a lack of components and importation of the same.

However, Hendershot’s in the USA does advertise .300 Sherwood cartridges on special order. No doubt expensive. However, I am willing to pay to have my rifles running. No choice, really.

The cartridge on the left in the photo I posted is the original Kynoch cartridge with the lead bullet. The cartridge on the right is one loaded in the USA by DKT. The bullet I believe was from a .30 Carcano. I may well be wrong.

The brass was from Bertram’s Brass. I don’t know if they still make it.

I believe Westley Richards will produce cartridges for their rifles at some extraordinary price. I will have to see.

Thanks for your interest.

All the best

Skeeter BD

Henry Krank and Co. in the U.K. (henrykrank.com) have Bertram .300 Sherwood cases in stock at £2.93 each.

I do not know if they are able to export them to Bangla Desh?

Thank you, Parabola.

I will look them up and see if they can export to the US. I can have them reloaded there and brought out.

All the best

Skeeter BD