Shotgun review: William Powell Princeps

Words by: Matt Hunt

For over two centuries William Powell has built its reputation on constant change and reinvention. This open minded and proactive approach has seen the business secured its place as one of the most highly respected names in the British gun trade. Two of the most successful initiatives have been the establishment of the first sporting mail order business in 1965 and the use of continental gunmakers in the 1980’s to produce modern and technically advanced guns bearing the name William Powell.

Today, many of William Powell’s competitors also use continental Gunmakers to produce guns bearing British names. But, in my opinion, William Powell are the only one who have successfully created a range of continental guns without devaluing their gunmaking heritage. The William Powell Continental range of guns have not lost that special feel combined with the character and individuality that is desired by customers when ordering from a British gunmaker.

The newest William Powell over-and-under

The latest model in the William Powell continental range is the “Princeps” over and under. As the name suggests it is the principal model in the continental range. Made in partnership with B. Rizzini the gun is based on the hugely reliable “trigger plate” over and under system with “mono block” barrel construction.

The Princeps is unique as it combines a perfectly rounded action body with the addition of ornamental sideplates and the option of a “Boss” style forend. Aesthetically the lines of the gun are perfectly scaled and balanced with a fine scroll engraved pattern and grade four walnut stock and forend.

This action offers the ultimate foundation to base your own individual and unique gun on. The options offered by William Powell are extensive. With a choice of calibers, barrel lengths, selective or non-selective trigger, fixed or multi choke, a coin or color hardened action finish, choice of forend shape and grip type and wood upgrade options to exhibition grade.

Additionally every gun has a totally bespoke fitted stock to each individual client, following a comprehensive and traditional fitting session in the UK with an experienced gunfitter.

Fieldtesting the William Powell Princeps

The demonstration gun was delivered personally to me by a smartly dressed, youthful and knowledgeable member of the William Powell team, Tom Peachey their gunroom manager. The gun made an equally impressive first impression, being presented in a very practical leather covered ABS motor case bearing the maker's name and housing the gun and its accessories perfectly.

The Princeps is striking at first glance and I was amazed with the grade four wood that had a very traditional dark back color and contrasting black figuring.

Hinging on the barrels and securing the forend the gun immediately felt well balanced. The barrels are fixed choke at half/half and the gun's composure and balance certainly benefitted from not having the additional weight of a multi-choke system.

As I mounted the Princeps the grip shape was strikingly different from what I was expecting. The palm swell was pronounced and the grip radius on the steeper side than most off the shelf game guns. All the other stock dimensions felt as familiar as one of my own guns and shooting good driven targets I started to feel the better gun control offered by this fuller grip.

I tested the gun with a variety of lead & High Performance non-toxic ammunition. Mechanically the gun performed faultlessly. Even when the gun was exceptionally hot there was no noticeable change in the way the gun opened, closed or ejected spent cartridges of all types.

Felt recoil, even with High Performance steel loads, was modest and comfortable however in a gun specified at a lighter weight than the 7lb 15oz demo gun the addition of a recoil pad might be a sensible move.

Notably the gun was very comfortable to walk with broken on the arm and the addition of a double rolled edged trigger guard mean waiting for a bird with the finger resting on the outer edge of the guard was also comfortable.

The Princeps has that special feel straight from the box but marry this with the additional options available and the expertise at William Powell and you will have the opportunity to create a totally individual and well-fitting shotgun that offers exceptional value for money.

Rating the William Powell Princeps

William Powell Princeps key facts