OT: double rifles

Bobwhite

Bobwhite

Joined
Nov 30, 1999
Messages
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I have been reading a bunch of safari stories lately. Capstick and some others and a book by Brian Herne called "White Hunters" about the legends of safari. They really got me interested in the double rifles. Of course the huge cartridges like the 470, 500 and 577 nitro express are fascinating too. But I also found out they are available in deer size calibers too. Any one have experience with double rifles? Who makes a decent one that the average person can afford? (Holland & Holland and Purdeys are a bit out of my range) Is it even practical for American hunting? Any one ever shoot a big elephant gun caliber? What was it like?
 
One of the reasons that the H&H, purdey's cost so much is that they spend more time regulating them (and fitting the whole thing to the client), that is adjusting the 2 barrels so that they both shoot to the same point of aim. the spread in cheaper rifles will normally be more. in something like a 577 nitro express, they were adjusted for a fairly short range. in the end, you gets what you pays for...
 
I have shot a .375 holland and holland, with bronze bullets,
It is an awesome sight, penetrates like a .50 caliber.
A friend I knew years ago collected, we shot holes in 1 foot thick reinforced concrete, made big ones too 6 to 8 inches with a whole foot diameter of stuff blasted off the back side. We also blasted 1 foot to 2 foot diameter rocks into gravel with one shot. My wife ( now X) would shoot seated off a raised platform ( 40 feet or so high) with it at the ground and it would lift her off the ground.

They are really nice and very expensive. Hope you got a big wallet.

His first express rifle was a 505 gibbs, he bought from some old guy living in the arizona desert, The doctor requested the old guy sell it, the recoil were causing his retinas to separate, friend got a deal.

never had the cash for such extravagence.....
 
Oh, my secret passion, double rifles.
Chaddicks in Texas sells doubles, but the spanish models are the only affordable ones. (under 2000)
I gave up on that and decided to get a Whitworth Express in 458 win mag, but there are several nice rifles in 375 capstick, a proven round for all of the big game.
 
Cabellas sells an import (probably Spain) in 45/70 that doesn't look too bad.

One thought is Ruger- with their technology they might be able to come up with an affordable double. Chances are, though, with the Old Man gone they won't do it. I've read this in various wish lists.

.......

I think the Winchester bolt would be the one I'd get- not the Whitworth. It's FFL price is still probably slightly below 600.

I had a Browning stainless stalker in 375. Nice gun, though the floor plate would shoot lose.


munk
 
EAA is bringing in a russian Side by Side Double, should be reasonably priced, Don't know anyone carrying them yet though. List is $629. Not a great double, as not shimmed/regulated. But have interesting setup described o that page. COuldn't keep it in pirce range if they regulated it, so regulated one barrel, then have the other adjustable so you can regulate it.

http://www.eaacorp.com/firearms/rifles/sidebyside/izhmp221d.shtml
 
I have Capsticks "Death in the _____" series and have that Brian Herne book as well. Capstick is a far more interesting read.

I dont have any double rifles but all my deer bolts are .300 Winchester Magnum. More than enough power to kill anything on the continent. The recoil doesnt bother me but im 6' 5" 235 pounds.

As for it being practical, I think its very close to pushing the limit. Even on safaris, the most common caliber is the 30-06 isnt it?
 
I don't think there is any correlation between size and recoil. Francis Sell weighed 135 pounds strapping wet and he always wrote those great Gun Digest articles..one favorite being, "I choose a deer rifle again, and say to hell with the experts, Make mine a 375"

personally, I don't like the recoil of the fast 30;s, much more appreciate a larger diameter projective with more or the same recoil energy- like a 375 . 338, or 45/70.

munk
 
Had a Novotny SxS in 9x63 ( 35 Whelan ) with exposed hammers and curved watertable ( - it went with my Winchester model 21 live pigeon gun ). It was regulated IIRC for 250 grain bullets at 358 velocities. Came with dies and preferred loads.

Also had a 35 Brown-Whelan on an 03-A3 action with barrel rebored by Atkinson
( as in Atkinson and Marquart ) that went by the wayside when my dad died. Nowadays they have drop in synthetic stocks, not in 1975. Sigh...
 
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