WB
Keeper of the flame?
Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 07:13

I don't remember who originally bought it from GNR. I remember he was sponsoring an African trip or something. The sale represented a plane ticket or another head of game that could be taken. It is, after all, just a gun. But to me, and possibly other enthusiasts it represents a legacy. Or at least part of one. It was a concept test mule, and obviously at least for a while, Gary's trusted arm. To me, it is uber special, worthy of preserving for future generations, even beyond me. I think Misfit Rick may have originally purchased it. Doug ended up with it and I more or less purchased "right of possession" from him. We have a pact not to let it out of the circle. To us it's too special to let slip away.

I know Gary has had and used hundreds if not thousands of guns. But this one has some memories connected. The photos also are published in his books recounting the experiences. It is my hope to be the keeper and preserve this through my boys for time to come. The old gun is not done yet.

In the photos it looks like it originally had a Burris 2x-7x handgun scope. The Leupold DDT mount is a "rifle" model with the rings farther apart, which supports the scope body better and flexes less, preserving scope life. (they make a "handgun mount" that has rings closer together for smaller chassis scope mounting. Or they used to) The now defunct Leupold handgun scope is a fitting and useful replacement. I also noted the one of one (?) flared muzzle break taper. Maybe he used to do that on the older barrels, but most late versions are found to be turned even with the barrel contour. It really helps to identify this gun used in photos.

I'd love to ask Gary "why the .405 Win. case?". I don't think I've ever heard his explanation. It defies popular thought of igniting more powder at ignition and burn a shorter, wider, powder column (short magnums), to a more radical case neck taper. The smaller case head has less "thrust" or surface area to exert the "PSI". Especially for an attempt to burn the 60 or so grains of rifle powder in an actual 8-10" section of real rifling, ahead of the chamber and behind the brake. But by golly it works. With a case full of medium rate rifle powder it can push a 260 gr. Nosler bullet headed toward 2400 fps. Even a 300 gr. solid can be pushed 2200-2300 fps to shoot through literally anything on the planet.

Do you have a .378 GNR firearm? Have you had one? Any good hunting stories or loading experiences you'd share?