405 Winchester Double Rifle Wanted

[Savannah AL]

Hello ALL: This is Savannah AL, I'm a new member who had two double rifles previously and regretted selling both.

I've had a long history with the 405 Winchester cartridge in the 1895 and Ruger No.1 and I'm looking for a double rifle in the 405win.

I'm also interested in a Merkel O/U B3 or the older 220E in a cartridge smaller than the 9.3x74R. Perhaps a 30-06 or 7x65R. I boar hunt and black bear hunt.

If you see something pop-up on the Internet or your local gun shop I would appreciate the lead.

Thanks very much

 

[sestoppelman]

Hi Al, welcome to the loony bin of hunting. I too have a fondness for the .405 and like you had both the Ruger and a '95, both good rifles. There are a couple members here I think who own .405 doubles so they may be around to offer some hope for your search. Good luck on the hunt.

 

[Kycrawler]

There is a butch Searcy double in 405 at the Springfield bass pro fine gun room had really nice wood was priced a little over $10k

 

[Black Fly]

Any interest in an RGEX Chapuis single trigger ejector in 9.3?
Bfly

 

[Savannah AL]

It would help if I logged in and checked my post. Thank you all for replying and I apologize for the late response.

Yesterday I came to terms with an individual on the purchase of his double rifle. I mail the money off today and he said he would ship 10 days later UPS Ground so I hope to have it in my hands in about 20 days. I ended up purchasing a Chapuis RGEX Express Supreme in 30-06 caliber - a mouthful to say.

This was a 90-day endeavor. Over the last 90 days I sold five Savage 1899s I owned that were of the 1912-22 era and one Weatherby D'Italia SxS 20ga in order to generate cash towards my purchase. I've bought it never handling a Chapuis so it was a leap of faith and I hope I like it.

 

[Savannah AL]

If I like it and it turns out to be a good experience then my next plan would be to sell more lever-actions and pursue a 405win. But that won't be this year. I know a gunsmith that I trust and this week we had a long talk, he said he could rebore the right double to 405win for $750 to $900, so that opens the possibilities a great deal as to which gun to buy.

I appreciate the responses. One of the things that struck me about africahunting.com was the friendly tone of the members. There are some gun forum sights where the members can't wait to attack one another. So I'm glad I found this site and hope to learn more about double rifles.

All the best, AL

 

[AZDAVE]

1st Welcome to AH! It is a very nice group of people that are very helpful and supportive. we try a keep the noise of other sites out of this one.

I have an original Simson 405 double built between the wars. It is a joy to shoot and very accurate. As you are finding there isn't very many out there. If I hear of a 405 that becomes available I will let you know.

You will find that you Chapuis is a very nice rifle I have owned several in various calibers. My 9.3x74 is my favorite rifle hands down.

There are several very serious challenges to reboring a double. There are only a couple gunsmiths here in the US that Really know doubles and I would suggest you have a call to one before you wander down that rebore route. The three that I would recommend speaking with are JJ Perodeau. Ken Owen, of Arron Little.

 

[crs]

Al,
I can agree with AZDAVE on the smiths that he named. There is another in Colorado that makes (and shoots) double rifles but to rebore an existing one may require special equipment.

I hunt with a Winchester 1895 TD .405 and a Simson .405 double, but these are not for sale . Double:

However I do have this Winchester 1895 Deluxe Safe Queen that to my knowledge has never been fired. It is sooo pretty and my wife liked it so I bought it from a lever gun collector a few years ago and locked it up.

 

[cal pappas]

Well, boys and girls, since we are on the subject of .405s, here is my Winchester which was sold by Coombes and Co in Rangoon about 1923. Shoots

as accurate as I can and probably lots better. I sure do wish she could and tell me where she has been 100 years ago.

 

[crs]

Cal,
Your TD fits into that case nicely.

 

[bill73]

If I like it and it turns out to be a good experience then my next plan would be to sell more lever-actions and pursue a 405win. But that won't be this year. I know a gunsmith that I trust and this week we had a long talk, he said he could rebore the right double to 405win for $750 to $900, so that opens the possibilities a great deal as to which gun to buy.

I appreciate the responses. One of the things that struck me about africahunting.com was the friendly tone of the members. There are some gun forum sights where the members can't wait to attack one another. So I'm glad I found this site and hope to learn more about double rifles.

All the best, AL

This has allready been commented on,but I gotta add,forget about re-boring a DR,yes it can probably be done but it would require a smith with a lot of experience in DR's,I have personally only seen a few re-chambered & re-bored,these were done in England,the reason being obsolete calibers by very respectable gun houses,I would expect to spend a lot more than $750-$900 to re-bore,re-chamber & re-regulate a double rifle.

 

[cal pappas]

The rechamber and rebore are just the beginnings. There is the extractor or ejector work, regulating both barrels to shoot accurately with the load used, adjust or work on the sights, etc., Lots more work and money than just the rebore and chamber. Not many US gunsmiths can do the entire package.

 

[crs]

Cal,
This Beretta 45-70 is having the chambers extended to handle 45-90 ammo, but the bores remain the same.
Then it will be regulated and the custom scope mount removed and replaced with Talley QD mounts fitted to the rear rib.
Having shot my 1886 45-90 for years, I searched for a 45-90 DR with no luck. Then this 45-70 DR came available and I picked it up. I do not like the regulation (big surprise) , so it became the logical choice to be my .45-90 DR . When Aaron Little finishes it, we shall see. Will probably break it in on feral hogs.

 

[cal pappas]

When it comes to American calibers in double rifles, you wrote the book! If you know anyone who may be looking for long .45 basic brass, let me know. I have some BELL 3 1/2" and maybe some shorter brass and dies, too. PM me if you know of anyone looking.