Becoming Historic & Scarce

[targetman]

Hi Strangely........my you do get around don't you.....

The HART is superb piece, like the Whitaker a Lee Enfield No4 in a one piece stock. Used to shoot with a guy back in the late 70s who had one and it perfomed very well at all distances. Plus it was a really nice looking rifle with a well finished stock.

Yours looks great, how does it shoot?

[dodgyrog]

I like Canons too.

After years of struggling with non SLR digitals I sprung for an EOS 500D last year, I'm so much happier with a real SLR with real time shutter operation. Its almost like using a proper camera with film in it.

I bet you got it funded!
You're too mean to spend that much money!

[ovenpaa]

That is a very nice rifle, so many small and interesting details and I like the stock, what do you put through it and to what distances?

[Strangely Brown]

I only tend to use the Hart at 600 yards plus because the comb is a tad high and I find it difficult to get my eye behind the sight.
From 300 yards plus I use my Whittaker Special which gives me a more comfortable head position.
As to what to feed a No4 7.62mm conversion with? Now that really is a can of worms given recent statments in the NRA Journal!
To be fair though they were only concerned with safety which is no bad thing, I was hoping for some advice from the NRA on the subject but given the flak that started flying in the aftermath it was probably best that nothing came out of them in the way of advice.

I was LERA's TR Captain at the time (still am until next Sunday!) the club made the descion that only 144 Gr ammunition would be put through the club 7.62mm rifles and to that end I devised a load using 150Gr Sierra Match Kings over 44 Grs of N140.
On a good day I can hold the bull at 800 + 900 with it.
At 1000 I need a bit more luck!

[Watcher]

The trigger guard is an interesting shape; it almost looks like it has been reversed or even perhaps is a new make? It is a nice looking rifle whatever.

[idge]

great lookin target rifle , very traditional lookin .

[chrisipj]

I noticed your discussions on the Whitaker Special.
Bert Whitaker was my father and I remember Geoff Hart as they were both in the gun business and shot together.
I still have his gun records and some information plus a "Deacted" Special for memories. I will help with any questions as far as I am able.

Chris Whitaker

[Christel]

Chris, welcome to the forum.

Thank you for your offer to help, always appreciated on here.

[ovenpaa]

Welcome to the forum Chris, from a personal point I know nothing about the Whitaker special so if you can post some information/pictures it would be very good.

[chrisipj]

The Whitaker Special, a brief summary.

Produced by Bert Whitaker from 1973 to July 1976 when he died after shooting for the British Team in the USA .
Total guns produced 117. Normally re-numbered with Whitaker special series number but some (26) still carried their original serial number. Last numbered with Whitaker special serial number was no 89. (Two were bought back and rebuilt)
The modifications to the No4 basically were to machine the body to enable it fit flat on the stock to reduce the bending moment on firing, modified trigger (adjustable) and bedding to improve accuracy.
Barrels were normally F'lach with a Wilks rear sight. Except for the very first (mid 1974) all were 20T proof.
Stocks were to his design normally in Afromosia with length to suit the customer.

I seem to remember that a long range version had a different number of turns to the barrel.

His own guns were no 1. and no 64.
Copies of the details are held in the NRA museum at Bisley together with a small number of drawings.

I have a deacted version (No 32) for nostalgic reasons.
Jim Hallam at Bisley did have a couple when I last spoke to him.
I still have his register of guns for information if required.


Chris Whitaker