Chapuis barrel change question

[T/C]

Hi all,

I will be receiving my first double rifle soon, an older used Chapuis in 9,3x74R. No idea which year of mfg or model, pic attached (classic soldered regulation wedge type, laser engraved I think).
I plan on using it first to learn double rifle shooting on the range, then take it hunting (European game) to test my skill with it. The relatively inexpensive 9,3x74R is a bonus, and reloading dies are ordered. Got a supply of Barnes TSX 286gr bullets I want to try.

My newbie question:
Is it possible and advisable to get a second set of barrels for it (installed at factory or by competent gunsmith)?
Guess smaller bores should not be a problem, but what about true big bores like .470 NE? I noticed my rifle does not have any reinforcement ribs on the action around the chambers, so guess it's a "medium" frame. The weight and balance might also be a factor with bigger bores.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[Woodcarver]

I looked into it for mine. What I learned was, the frame is too small for a larger caliber. There is no 3rd bite, thus the heavier cartridges would stress the frame excessively. And the weight would be very light for a large bore; mine is only 9#, with a scope. A set of 20ga barrels would fit just fine, and smaller calibers are quite doable. Either has a significant price tag. I got lucky when I found mine as it came with 7x65R barrels.
Have fun with it! Great caliber in a well made DR.

 

[T/C]

Hi Woodcarver,
Thanks for your reply!
I was expecting something along your answer (frame too small, weight too light for big bore).
Funny thing is, the seller's gunsmith (who is no slouch, and regulated some of the seller's vintage guns) told the seller that barrel change to a bigger bore should not be a problem.
Guess I have to interview the gunsmith about exact details of his expertise, and maybe the Chapuis needs re-regulation anyway (although I plan to do this via load development).
In any case, will learn to shoot the 9,3 properly first, it is a great caliber for my usual hunting needs (boar and strong red stag), and more than enough for smaller game.

 

[Woodcarver]

Hi Woodcarver,
Thanks for your reply!
I was expecting something along your answer (frame too small, weight too light for big bore).
Funny thing is, the seller's gunsmith (who is no slouch, and regulated some of the seller's vintage guns) told the seller that barrel change to a bigger bore should not be a problem.
Guess I have to interview the gunsmith about exact details of his expertise, and maybe the Chapuis needs re-regulation anyway (although I plan to do this via load development).
In any case, will learn to shoot the 9,3 properly first, it is a great caliber for my usual hunting needs (boar and strong red stag), and more than enough for smaller game.

Before you spend any more money on it, give JJ Perodeax in OK a call. He is one of the top DR gunsmiths in the US and specifically a Chapuis expert, and importer. If reregulation is needed, he is the 'smith I'd send it to.

 

[Tom Leoni]

Hi--it looks like your rifle is a small-frame double, similar to an RGEX. Although that precedes my involvement with Chapuis, I am fairly confident that it is built on a 28 or 20-gauge Progress frame. That means that if you want a second set of barrels, they most definitely can't be anything larger than your 9.3x74R. African calibers call for the "Brousse" or "Jungle" frame--currently the Elan or Iphisi models.

Also, the process of having a set of extra barres made--unless they were a set of shotgun barrels (28ga most common)--the rifle would have to be sent back to France and it would be a fairly involved and expensive proposition. But if you are determined, a list of calibers can be found on the Chapuis France (not the Chapuis USA) Web site, under the Progress collection, small frame double rifles.

I hope this helps.

 

[spike.t]

If you get a 2nd set of barrels get 20 bore shotgun ones....I had same pair on a double....Great combination as can just about shoot anything with it

 

[T/C]

Thanks for all the input!!!

Woodcarver,
In the US, I'd go to an expert like JJ Perodeaux for sure to give the rifle a close look before planning anything further.
As I am based in Southern Austria at the moment, my closest gunmakers are in Ferlach (actually only an hours drive), and there are some with the necessary qualifications to be found there. Re-Regulation by the past owner was done in Ferlach.

Tom Leoni,
Thanks a lot for identifying my rifle, this helps a lot! I will look into the Progress model options. If I may ask, what would be your educated guess as to the cost of a pair of new medium bore rifle barrels if everything goes right? And 20g shotgun?
It would be fun to visit Chapuis in St. Etienne, maybe a holiday idea for Autumn or Spring The 9,3 is a little much for roe deer and foxing, something along a 7x57R would be tempting. 7mm's are my favourite allround calibers for my usual hunting needs.

spike.t,
The 20g shotgun barrels are a great idea; I prefer 20g anyway for shotgun shooting (currently mostly a Browning O/U), so this would fit great.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I would sell the French gun and buy a used Ferlach rifle

 

[T/C]

Been looking for a Fanzoj double, but the Austrian ones are quite rare and also quite expensive. Saw a really cool Scheiring double with double Jäger block action short time ago at an auction, but the price rose prohibitively high very fast.
The Chapuis is perfect as a learner double for me, and the price was very good, including Zeiss optic on an ERA/Recknagel mount.
Let's see what comes along the way later..

 

[Altitude sickness]

I posted this Johann Fanzoj for sale on here last year $6K
It didn’t sell fast enough so my friend bought it.

I have dibs to buy it back if he ever wants to sell it.

 

[T/C]

WOW! Where is the rifle now, US?
How did you like it? How does it shoot?
I would have been very tempted to buy it for $6k to be honest..

 

[Altitude sickness]

Its a 9.3x 74R It’s still in my safe. It shoots factory Hornady and federal Aframe very well as most 9.3s do

1-2” groups at 50 yards with iron sights with factory ammo

I was shocked it didn’t sell on here. I sold it to justify buying several larger caliber DR’s. And immediately regretted it. Happy a friend
Bought it. Used Fanzoj rifles do not bring anywhere near their real value. They don’t hold original value well. But are a heck of a bargain used

 

[AZDAVE]

Chapuis will fit extra barrels to your action. As you have heard from others on this thread that action is to small for any of the bigger NE rounds. My chapuis 9.3 double is my favorite rifle I own. You might consider a set of 7x57R or 7x65R barrels. and a set of 20 ga shotun barrels and you would be able to shoot everything in Europe and most everything in Africa.

 

[T/C]

Chapuis will fit extra barrels to your action. As you have heard from others on this thread that action is to small for any of the bigger NE rounds. My chapuis 9.3 double is my favorite rifle I own. You might consider a set of 7x57R or 7x65R barrels. and a set of 20 ga shotun barrels and you would be able to shoot everything in Europe and most everything in Africa.

Thanks for your input, this is excellent advice I think!
<guess I have to start saving money now>

 

[T/C]

Its a 9.3x 74R It’s still in my safe. It shoots factory Hornady and federal Aframe very well as most 9.3s do

1-2” groups at 50 yards with iron sights with factory ammo

I was shocked it didn’t sell on here. I sold it to justify buying several larger caliber DR’s. And immediately regretted it. Happy a friend
Bought it. Used Fanzoj rifles do not bring anywhere near their real value. They don’t hold original value well. But are a heck of a bargain used

Hmm, seems they are not so well known as others, I think the build quality can't be the problem.
Did you ever export a rifle from US to Europe?

 

[Altitude sickness]

I have not.

But I’ve learned the Ferlach firearms don’t hold their resale value compared to the finer English firearms.
If you are not concerned with resale. They are a better value used than a fine English firearm.

 

[T/C]

I agree. Some of the Ferlach arms are overly intricate and playful, but if the gunsmith's goal was focus on serious use, I think you can find exceptional user value with oldworld build quality. Kind of like highend Spanish guns. I bought a barely used Ugartechea Royal (7pin sidelock with interceptors) Churchill style 12ga, best walnut, for 350 Eur at an auction. It had a stuck firing pin, replaced it for 120 Eur, and it works nicely, and even fits me well.