Westley Richards Paradox Explora

[KCordell]

Does anyone on the forum have expertise or knowledge on the Explora? I could use some offline guidance and would be most appreciative. Thanks.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/code337/IMG_1206.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/code337/IMG_1208.jpg

[wayne goerres]

Nice gun. What bore is she. She is technically a shot or ball gun. Uses a brass shot gun shell with a large single grove slug in it. Look on vintage doubles sight and under hammer guns with the twelve gauges you will find a shot and ball gun. If you look at the pic's you will see one of the lid. There you will find some load info and there is also a pic of a proper bullet mold and cast bullet. Un like yours this is a smooth bore. Yours should have rifling at the muzzle. If you look in cartridges of the world at the end of the chapter on British ammo you will find an article on these types of cartridges.

[wayne goerres]

I forgot to mention that the explora came along during the time of cordite. The load in the pic on vintage doubles is black powder. Look and see if your gun is marked tropical on it. If I remember correctly the guns made for continents with tropical climates used a lighter charge of cordite. The heat and humidity made the pressures climb and they blew a few barrels. Are the shells in your case something some one reloaded.

[KCordell]

Hi Wayne. This example is a 12 ga. You gave me some good data above that I am looking at now. I really have not cast my own bullets before but am not adverse to doing so.... From previous research, I know that H&H and other paradox manufacturers made their own ammo for their own guns. Bore sizes were all different...somewhat of a shame as H&H has started selling ammo again that will work in their vintage guns as well as contemporary.

Per your comment on cordite...here is some data.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn128/code337/IMG_1207.jpg

[wayne goerres]

Your gun isn't listing the cordite charge only the weight of the slug. I noticed you have some slugs in the case. Are they modern shells. There is a gentleman that lives in Moscow Ten. named Ken Owens. He is pretty good with doubles. He owns a shop and he is a well respected gun smith. He may be able to give you information on your gun and its loads. He was a lot of help with my Manton. His no is 901-877-6853. You can reach him after 9:00am central through the week.

[charlie cleveland]

you ve got to shoot this gun and tell us how it does..i ve always been interested very much in these guns ..i ve always wondered about their accuracy..would not it be great to take a deer with this gun...charlie

[John Campbell]

Your primary source of information about this gun should be Westley Richards themselves. They should have records of it... and the cartridges it was built for.

[KCordell]

Guys, thanks for the feedback. Yes I want to shoot this gun with correct loads. The shells in the box were never used and someone gave them to me stating they would be ok to use. I decided not to use anything until I heavily research to ensure no damage to the gun and ensure the best performance. Based on the recommendation to call Mr. Owens, I will call him next week to hopefully get some clearer details on the gun and loads. Per the comment on Westley Richards, I went this route and basically they stink. Had not interest or time to invest in answering any questions and only details were "very nice gun of the era, sorry we don't suggest shooting any contemporary ammo, we do not have any ammo nor know anyone that loads for it".

[wayne goerres]

That's the same treatment I got from Westley Richards. They were no help what so ever. Lee makes some slug molds for twelve gauge. If you can get the info on the cordite charge 3031 is a direct replacement. My Manton uses a 60gr cordite charge so it is 60grs of 3031. At least that is what Ken told me. Westley Richards offers a letter but I couldn't get them to corporate.

[Eldon Goddard]

I really like this gun I hope you get the ammo figured out. I would love to a see a 300 yards bullseye.

[John Campbell]

Anyone who owns a gun such as this should also own the book Paradox, by David J. Baker and Roger Lake. It is full of information and original loads for these guns. It would also be worthwhile to research the Double Gun Journal for a number of articles written by Ross Seyfried on loading for the Explora/Paradox guns. He developed a 4198 formula that many swear by. BTW, Lyman's Sabot slugs are outstandingly accurate.

[KCordell]

John, do you know the DGJ issue number you are referring to?

[Jeff Christie]

Check Double Gun Journal. There have been a number of articles in it over the years on Paradox guns. They are very historical period pieces of the Victorian and Edwardian eras of the British Empire in Afrika and Raj in India. You are very lucky to have one. Best wishes. The more you read the more you will be impressed with it. Hang on to it!!!

[John Campbell]

Mr. Cordell:
Sadly, I can't recall. But they might be found through one of the Index volumes published by DGJ. The original features were published some years ago. Or, contact DGJ directly. They may be able to reference them for you and provide back issues. Very nice people there.

[Milton Starr]

That's the same treatment I got from Westley Richards. They were no help what so ever. Lee makes some slug molds for twelve gauge. If you can get the info on the cordite charge 3031 is a direct replacement. My Manton uses a 60gr cordite charge so it is 60grs of 3031. At least that is what Ken told me. Westley Richards offers a letter but I couldn't get them to corporate.

That's a shame I chit chatted with them before through email . they was telling me about the 8 gauges they were building and were quite nice . They also said the would make new barrel set for one of their original doubles from the bp days . 10,000$ though :bigbye: