Webley & Scott release first rifle in 100 years

(Photo: Webley & Scott)

Webley & Scott just released their first centerfire rifle in 100 years — a traditional bolt-action called the Empire.

Offered with and without a rail/scope sets, the Webley & Scott Empire is available in five calibers: .270 Winchester, .30-06, .243 Winchester, .308, and 7mm-08.

Aside from calibers and the scope option, the rifles are uniform, with high-end and classically styled components. They all have a 22-inch, cold hammer-forged barrel with #2 contour and a 1-in-10-inch twist. The barrel and receiver have a glossy, blued finish. Overall length of each rifle is 42.25 inches.

Without the optic, rail, and mounting hardware, every Empire rifle weighs 7.8 pounds. With the optic option, each is 9 pounds. All have a 13.87-inch length of pull.

The posh features go on with a HACT two-stage match trigger, a pillar-bedded, Italian walnut stock with cheek weld, plus a fully jeweled bolt with two locking lugs and a knurled handle. There’s a recoil pad and sling swivel studs, too.

The scoped option features a Nikko Stirling Panamax 3-9×40 scope, a one-piece rail base, and rings.

The Empire is manufactured by the HOWA company, but finished and branded by Webley & Scott. Legacy Sports International is the U.S. importer.

Prices are uniform too, with non-optic models’ MSRP at $956 regardless of caliber. Scoped models have an MSRP of $1,087. Extra five-round magazines are slated for later availability.

It took Webley & Scott a little while to get back in the rifle business, but they’re ready now with the Empire. Ordering information is available at the Legacy Sports International website.