Greetings,

I recently (yesterday) picked up a Holland & Holland Rook rifle that was supposed to be chambered in .250 Rook. Surprise, it isn’t! I’ve enjoyed shooting for decades but only in the last six months has my interest taken a shift to antique cartridged rifles. Got through my first one and with some help from my friends and I’m now enjoying shooting my T&S German cape gun in 8X72r and 16 gauge. Well it looks like I have another mystery cartridge to identify. I’ve read through my COTW book and am waiting on a couple Rook Rifle books, Sunday is my birthday, and I’ve spent several hours on the internet but can’t find anything that looks close. A friend suggested that I contact you folks as you’re a great resource on the subject and may be abke to help. That said, here is a picture of the casting I made and if you have any suggestions or can help in any way I thank you. Also, if you have any questions pkease ask and I’ll do my best to get you the answers.

Now that’s just strange. I posted a picture of the casting with all the measurements and I can’t see it on my iphone and its HUGE on my ipad. I wish you could see it. 

To answer your question:
.301 Land and .314 Groove

Have you tried a .32-20 case?  That looks closer than a .298 Minex or one of the .300 Rook variants.  It's a lead bullet rifle for sure.

Yes, while there a we gave a 32-20 the plunk test which it passed although we didn’t try to close the action. Y guess is it’s somewhat of a cross between a 32-20 and a .310 Cadet as it shares attributes of both. I’m hoping making brass for it wouldn’t be too difficult.

I’m thinking about using 32-20 as a parent case and need to really think this one through before making a move. As to stampings, the only stamps on this gun, and they are both the barrel flats and the receiver are the serial number, the number “43” and the Bermingham Proofhouse mark. On the top-side of the barrel it reads “WINNERS OF ALL THE FIELD RIFLE TRIALS .250 SEMI SMOOTH BORE”. A friend of mine has Greenwood’s book and included it is stated that if a gun was rechambered by the original owner it was not required to be reproofed and stamped with the new caliber. Again, this is all new to me and I’m just passing on the information as it was explained to me.

On another note, I stopped by the gun shop again and discussed the situation with their general manager who agreed that a major compensation was due and he would speak with the owner to discuss the specifics. While there we again took a 32-20 cartridge and this time closed the action with it chambered. It closed and opened like it should.

Yes John, that’s the animal. Let me see if I can upload a picture of my rifle. 

Well beyond nice and what I was waiting to see.

JLouis

Beautiful metal and wood, well worth the effort to make brass so that it can be a shooter again.