{"id":52941,"date":"2016-02-07T15:28:58","date_gmt":"2016-02-07T20:28:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=52941"},"modified":"2016-02-07T15:28:58","modified_gmt":"2023-08-19T10:34:30","slug":"webley-scott-empire-rifle-new-gun-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/webley-scott-empire-rifle-new-gun-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Webley & Scott Empire Rifle: New Gun Review"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The new Webley & Scott Empire Rifle is a modern classic.<\/p><\/div>\n

Read more at Webley & Scott:<\/strong> https:\/\/legacysports.com\/empire-rifle<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy one on GunsAmerica:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/Search.aspx?T=webley%20%26%20Scott<\/a><\/p>\n

Webley & Scott is launching a new, traditionally-styled hunting rifle with classic highlights including a checkered walnut stock, jeweled and knurled bolt and an optional scope at a nice and affordable price point. Made by Howa, the new Empire Rifle is a solid buy for hunters looking for a gun with a little more class than your average entry-level bolt gun, and it’s available now chambered for popular hunting rifle cartridges.<\/p>\n

The Empire Rifle: Everything Old is New Again<\/h2>\n

That goes double for the blued steel, wood stocked hunting rifle. I recently brought my Mauser M12<\/a> chambered for .308 Winchester to the range. With a plethora of black guns on display, the wood-stocked Mauser was the one getting the attention. There\u2019s just something appealing about the traditional combination of wood and steel. I get the same reaction shooting the Webley & Scott Empire Rifle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

My Mauser is my favorite hunting rifle. It\u2019s a great featured gun with a $1,799 suggested retail price, and the first time I shot it, it felt like an old friend. It fit like a favorite pair of jeans \u2014 comfortable and familiar. But at half the price, the Empire Rifle has that same feel. It\u2019s an accurate and easy-to-shoot rifle that ranks well above its price point.<\/p>\n

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The Empire Rifle, top, with a much more expensive Mauser, bottom.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The Webley & Scott has simple and functional checkering on the grip and forend.<\/p><\/div>\n

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It may have a traditional look, but the materials and manufacture are strictly modern. The barrel and action are made for Webley & Scott by Howa, which is a good thing. With their hammer-forged barrels, Howa rifles has an established reputation for accuracy right out of the box, and the action is paired with an Italian walnut stock by Minelli.<\/p>\n

While the inletting is precise, the checkering isn\u2019t cut very deeply, although it\u2019s enough to provide a positive grip. It\u2019s clear that they found ways to lower the price point without sacrificing the elements that underwrite its performance. They\u2019ve also added a well-fitted rosewood forend and pistol grip cap to dress up the stock, giving it a nice, classic look. The action is pillar-bedded to the stock and the barrel is free-floating for consistent accuracy from shot to shot.<\/p>\n

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The bolt is jeweled with a knurled bolt handle.<\/p><\/div>\n

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And the engravings are clear and well-defined.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Ammunition is fed from a steel 5-round detachable magazine with plastic follower. The rifle can be loaded through the action to top off the magazine or fire single shots. My rifle is chambered for .270 Winchester.<\/p>\n

Howa has an excellent double action trigger assembly they call the HACT, for Howa Acuator Controlled Trigger. They also use this trigger with the Howa 1500 and Weatherby Vanguard. It\u2019s a two-stage trigger with an light take-up and a 3-pound break. It\u2019s a nice trigger with no creep and a clean break, just what you want for best accuracy. The only change I\u2019d make would be to add a stop screw to the trigger guard to minimize overtravel. An easy do-it-yourself mod and by no means essential.<\/p>\n

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The pistol grip cap is engraved rosewood.<\/p><\/div>\n

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To match the rosewood forend tip.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Specifications:<\/strong><\/p>\n