Any Appetite for a New <$10K Double?

[coreydb]

It could be the Chapuis PG model line up PG for Plain "Gane"

 

[chashardy]

I think you would have a popular, low cost rifle. I have the Chapuis Brousse in 375H&H and love it. I had a gunsmith make the mount for my RMR, so providing the mounts and having the removable block on the rib would make red dot sights easy, and more and more hunters are going with red dots. They make a lot of sense on a dangerous game rifle because of rapid target acquisition.

 

[VertigoBE]

An excellent idea Tom. Although I like the 375 Flanged, I would stick to the 375 H&H because it is the threshold legal DG Limit.

Please insist that the Chauis agents here in South Africa carry this model, it is sorely needed.
Regards,
Kevin

I think that indeed might be the ticket, a plains Jane but otherwise good quality double rifle sub 10000$ in 375H&H might make it viable for a lot of PH’s that just can’t get a double out of their mind, but want something that will not eat too much into their savings and is easy to feed.

Regulated for 350grain Norma, brings it close to .40 cal performance too.

 

[Longrifle]

All,

As some of you know, I manage a brand of double rifles (Chapuis). I am kicking around some ideas for 2026 new product introductions. One of them is to offer a basic model with no engraving, 2-star wood and no special finish, that would retail for less than $10,000 in 2026.

The calibers I'm thinking about are .375 H&H and .45-70. Configuration would be the same as my African doubles (large action, 26" barrels, express sights, double triggers, ejectors, manual safety).

Why the .45-70? Because with it, hunters could also use it here in the US, especially in states that allow straight-wall cartridges for big game. Why no .450-400 and .470? Because doing so would necessarily cannibalize from my other two lines, the Iphisi and the Elan Classic & Artisan, which are selling well.

Also, I'm thinking of including mounts for RMR red dots on all my African-sized doubles, free of charge.

I'd like to hear your thoughts about this, as well as any suggestions you may have (realistic!) for anything else.

Thank you all in advance, as always.

I think for the USA market, a double in .444 Marlin, .405 Win, .30-30 Win, .303 British, or .30-40 Krag. I am a huge fan of the .405 for deer. Not enough SD for dangerous game but, for nearly everything else, it is a hammer.
I would purchase a new DR in .405 in heartbeat. Or any of the others for that matter.

 

[Mwag]

Tom,
I would be very interested in a 450/400 basic double. It would be a tool to be used as designed and not a safe queen as so many higher end firearms become.

I know of several PHs that would get in line as well, they would want something with a little more stopping power that a 375.

I think a very good idea and price point for the working mans working rifle.

 

[JHT]

I’ve thought about this a bit. If Chapuis can come up with a sub $10k, plain-Jane, no-frills double with ejectors, that locks up tighter than a camel’s arse in a sandstorm, and can easily be converted to .450 Nitro Express No. 2 (.458 Win. Mag.?), then I would walk 5 miles barefooted over broken beer bottles just to hear it go bang over a long-distance phone call.

 

[Ruraldoc]

I wouid buy a basic double in 450/400.

Or 470 as a second choice.

Either way a proper rimmed dangerous game cartridge using bullets of at least 400 grains and 40 caliber.

Hard pass on 375 and 45-70.

 

[UpNorthMI]

Including a red dot mount would be a great idea and save the buyer having to solve this often complicated issue.

 

[Tug]

Thank you again for all the great suggestions. Two quick things I forgot to mention:

1 - So far, we cannot do .500 NE. The action is not big enough.

2 - We offered .375 Flanged the first year, but it simply didn't sell. The extraction/ejection system for the standard belted .375 is reliable and has not given us any trouble at all. Let's not forget that it's a proven technology that Westley Richards had perfected over a century ago with their .318 (rimless) and .325 (rebated).

However, it is still available on a special-order-only basis, so if you want a Chapuis double in .375 Flanged caliber, just let me know. Price will be roughly the same as the standard .375 version.

Tom, if you offer the double rifle in 375 H&H, can you still fire the cartridge at 62,000 PSI?

Cheers!

 

[juan pablo pozzi]

All,

As some of you know, I manage a brand of double rifles (Chapuis). I am kicking around some ideas for 2026 new product introductions. One of them is to offer a basic model with no engraving, 2-star wood and no special finish, that would retail for less than $10,000 in 2026.

The calibers I'm thinking about are .375 H&H and .45-70. Configuration would be the same as my African doubles (large action, 26" barrels, express sights, double triggers, ejectors, manual safety).

Why the .45-70? Because with it, hunters could also use it here in the US, especially in states that allow straight-wall cartridges for big game. Why no .450-400 and .470? Because doing so would necessarily cannibalize from my other two lines, the Iphisi and the Elan Classic & Artisan, which are selling well.

Also, I'm thinking of including mounts for RMR red dots on all my African-sized doubles, free of charge.

I'd like to hear your thoughts about this, as well as any suggestions you may have (realistic!) for anything else.

Thank you all in advance, as always.

All,

As some of you know, I manage a brand of double rifles (Chapuis). I am kicking around some ideas for 2026 new product introductions. One of them is to offer a basic model with no engraving, 2-star wood and no special finish, that would retail for less than $10,000 in 2026.

The calibers I'm thinking about are .375 H&H and .45-70. Configuration would be the same as my African doubles (large action, 26" barrels, express sights, double triggers, ejectors, manual safety).

Why the .45-70? Because with it, hunters could also use it here in the US, especially in states that allow straight-wall cartridges for big game. Why no .450-400 and .470? Because doing so would necessarily cannibalize from my other two lines, the Iphisi and the Elan Classic & Artisan, which are selling well.

Also, I'm thinking of including mounts for RMR red dots on all my African-sized doubles, free of charge.

I'd like to hear your thoughts about this, as well as any suggestions you may have (realistic!) for anything else.

Thank you all in advance, as always.

 

[juan pablo pozzi]

I believe it could be a great idea.Although i have several doubles im a big fan of Chapuis and as my clients know my personal guiding and culling rifle is a Chapuis progress 470NE with over 590 buffalos guided or culled.Ihave an Artisan too i believe they are the BEST for the money.Ill be a buyer if you can send to Argentina.

 

[juan pablo pozzi]

One of my Chapuis

 

[PerH]

What about the .333 Jeffery and the .360 Nr 2 perhaps also ?

There is a Schüler developed cartridge that was .375 Fl necked up to .404 , 400 grain 2100 fps . There is a couple guns in US , and they been used in Africa .

 

[358 Norma]

Thank you again for all the great suggestions. Two quick things I forgot to mention:

1 - So far, we cannot do .500 NE. The action is not big enough.

2 - We offered .375 Flanged the first year, but it simply didn't sell. The extraction/ejection system for the standard belted .375 is reliable and has not given us any trouble at all. Let's not forget that it's a proven technology that Westley Richards had perfected over a century ago with their .318 (rimless) and .325 (rebated).

However, it is still available on a special-order-only basis, so if you want a Chapuis double in .375 Flanged caliber, just let me know. Price will be roughly the same as the standard .375 version.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the 470 and 500 nitro have the same rim diameter? I thought they bought used the same base cartridge, I could be wrong though.

 

[Huvius]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the 470 and 500 nitro have the same rim diameter? I thought they bought used the same base cartridge, I could be wrong though.

Correct.
Was thinking the same - if the action will not take a 500 then the 470, 500/450 and 450 No.2 are off the table as well.
The thing is, as I see it, is that a budget double has to be chambered in something that is widely available over the counter.
Then a decision on what brand and bullet weight/design would be chosen unless the rifle is adjustable for regulation but even then, who wants to burn a box of ammo dialing in the regulation for each bullet change?
As much as I too enjoy shooting uncommon chamberings, I wouldn't expect any rifles to be sold if chambered in 360No.2, 333 Jeffery, 400/350 Rigby or even the 375 Flanged Mag. They are simply too arduous to source especially for a budget minded buyer.
Having put more thought into this, if we want to stick with rimmed cartridges, I can't see anything better than a 303 (or 7X65R) on the smallbore side, a 9.3X74 for a medium and a 450/400 for a legit DG chambering but even the 400 is a hard one to feed these days.
Otherwise, I still think the 375H&H and 458WM make the most sense from a production standpoint.
Add in a 338WM or 300H&H option and it seems like everything is covered.

 

[juan pablo pozzi]

All,

As some of you know, I manage a brand of double rifles (Chapuis). I am kicking around some ideas for 2026 new product introductions. One of them is to offer a basic model with no engraving, 2-star wood and no special finish, that would retail for less than $10,000 in 2026.

The calibers I'm thinking about are .375 H&H and .45-70. Configuration would be the same as my African doubles (large action, 26" barrels, express sights, double triggers, ejectors, manual safety).

Why the .45-70? Because with it, hunters could also use it here in the US, especially in states that allow straight-wall cartridges for big game. Why no .450-400 and .470? Because doing so would necessarily cannibalize from my other two lines, the Iphisi and the Elan Classic & Artisan, which are selling well.

Also, I'm thinking of including mounts for RMR red dots on all my African-sized doubles, free of charge.

I'd like to hear your thoughts about this, as well as any suggestions you may have (realistic!) for anything else.

Thank you all in advance, as always.

 

[Huvius]

Another thought, I ask, what made Chapuis drop the UGEX line in the first place?

Isn't this idea of an entry level double sort of reinventing the wheel?

 

[juan pablo pozzi]

I can testify the quality of Chapuis thanks to the late Don Heath aka Ganyana that sent hundreds of Norma PH for testing in my water buffalo culling. My rifle fired hundreds and hundreds in the muddy terrain without issues.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Another thought, I ask, what made Chapuis drop the UGEX line in the first place?

Isn't this idea of an entry level double sort of reinventing the wheel?

IMO the UGEX line was likely a little too early to market and missed the surge in popularity of both African Hunting and Double Rifles.

Because of 1923 everyone now knows what a double rifle is and wants one. Guys wives have seen then and they can now “justify” the romanticized idea of one to them.

 

[mitch4570]

Another vote for 450/400