Double Rifle for Your First Safari?

[Inline6]

It's a push feed double, talk about people getting all kinds of bent out of shape.

 

[Backyardsniper]

It's a push feed double, talk about people getting all kinds of bent out of shape.

Priceless bro!

 

[CoElkHunter]

Well, you hunt a game farm in RSA. That is like someone saying they have eaten at Denny's multiple times so eating at Masa, NYC (starts at $950 per person at the counter) is affordable as well.

Speaking of distinct paths, you seem to belittle everyone else's. Most of the time, not with actual knowledge or experience but with what you have seen on YouTube etc..

$950 a person? Wow!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

$950 a person? Wow!

I think I’ll go to Denny’s.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Well, you hunt a game farm in RSA. That is like someone saying they have eaten at Denny's multiple times so eating at Masa, NYC (starts at $950 per person at the counter) is affordable as well.

Speaking of distinct paths, you seem to belittle everyone else's. Most of the time, not with actual knowledge or experience but with what you have seen on YouTube etc..

Are you reading your posts? Who is belittling who? $950 at the counter? Yeah, I'm sure that meal turns out to be no different than the burger at Denny's ... just before it's flushed.

No one is belittling you. You assume just because someone poses a different point of view that works for him (and for several famous professional hunters) and doesn't cost a small fortune, that somehow belittles your choice? Really? Sounds a whole lot to me like you have insecurity issues with the choices you've made, trying desperately to prove their validity. Attempting to belittle me only seems to confirm that conclusion.

The question posed was which is better, double or bolt. For me (and for Selby and Johnson, among others) it's a bolt. We have our reasons and they are good ones: accuracy, multiple rounds, afforability (= more hunting trips), accessible ammunition. The double crowd stands by their position that doubles are more nostalgic and possibly more effective. Two fast shots vs more shots before reloading, which is better? Not sure anyone can say with certainty. Oh, and reliability. A double is supposed to be more reliable with two barrels/actions vs one. I would say that is arguably a very thin advantage. Quality bolt actions reasonably cared for are exceptionally reliable. No one, and certainly not me, has said double gun users are foolish. Doubles will kill stuff just fine. And so will a good bolt action.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I think I’ll go to Denny’s.

No mystery about eating at Denny's. You always know what you're gonna get ... diarrhea.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Now everyone can get along.

View attachment 545180

I started sweating just looking at that thing. It should come with a year's subscription to Peleton.

 

[CoElkHunter]

I think I’ll go to Denny’s.

+1. Pretend you had a few of those dinners but ate at Dennys instead and bank the difference and then buy a new rifle or two. That’s what I’d do, but then again, that’s the cheap a** person I am. Ha! Ha! Ha!

 

[CoElkHunter]

Are you reading your posts? Who is belittling who? $950 at the counter? Yeah, I'm sure that meal turns out to be no different than the burger at Denny's ... just before it's flushed.

No one is belittling you. You assume just because someone poses a different point of view that works for him (and for several famous professional hunters) and doesn't cost a small fortune, that somehow belittles your choice? Really? Sounds a whole lot to me like you have insecurity issues with the choices you've made, trying desperately to prove their validity. Attempting to belittle me only seems to confirm that conclusion.

The question posed was which is better, double or bolt. For me (and for Selby and Johnson, among others) it's a bolt. We have our reasons and they are good ones: accuracy, multiple rounds, afforability (= more hunting trips), accessible ammunition. The double crowd stands by their position that doubles are more nostalgic and possibly more effective. Two fast shots vs more shots before reloading, which is better? Not sure anyone can say with certainty. Oh, and reliability. A double is supposed to be more reliable with two barrels/actions vs one. I would say that is arguably a very thin advantage. Quality bolt actions reasonably cared for are exceptionally reliable. No one, and certainly not me, has said double gun users are foolish. Doubles will kill stuff just fine. And so will a good bolt action.

“just before it gets flushed” LOL

 

[John the Electrician]

I'll have to try it in a few months. My daughter lives in Upper East Side so I visit every few months. Last time we went to 11 Madison Park for their vegan tasting menu. It was amazing.

Vegan tasting menu?

What do vegans taste like?

John.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Vegan tasting menu?

What do vegans taste like?

John.

Cardboard.

Correction: recycled cardboard.

 

[Tanks]

Cardboard.

Correction: recycled cardboard.

Actually, I was very pleasantly surprised. It was one of the best meals I've ever tasted, and as a foodie I have eaten at the majority of restaurants that have been ranked in the top 50 in the World. They deserve the 3 Michelan stars they have. I was there before the pandemic and before they went to a totally vegan menu and I'd say taste wise they are still just as good (they had Michelan stars then as well).

We are not talking about "Beyond Meat" processed crap here.

 

[Inline6]

Actually, I was very pleasantly surprised. It was one of the best meals I've ever tasted, and as a foodie I have eaten at the majority of restaurants that have been ranked in the top 50 in the World. They deserve the 3 Michelan stars they have. I was there before the pandemic and before they went to a totally vegan menu and I'd say taste wise they are still just as good (they had Michelan stars then as well).

We are not talking about "Beyond Meat" processed crap here.

It's all income/disposal cash dependant thing. I'm stoked that you can do that and would pay for the meal at that restaurant to have a conversation with you on how you make your living and the things you have done to get you where you are today.

Thinking back, I have always set goals for myself. Unfortunately I did not set them high enough. The first time I heard someone say they wanted to make a billion dollars and truly mean it. The reality of not setting goals high enough slapped me in my face.

People generally get compliance in their lives, or they fear failure to the point they are not willing to take risk. Some accept what they have other bust ass to make their dreams a reality.

Life is definitely an interesting road.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

@Backyardsniper excellently worded. Your hunt appeared to turn out amazing and is what most of us dream about or want regardless of what we’re shouldering.

Like @375Fox I want to experience new places, new animals, new hunting styles. I’ve been fortunate to acquire 2 DR’s thus far and both were bought more from an investment point of view. An Elephant and a Buffalo with a DR is definitely on my bucket list since those are new animals, places, and hunting styles meaning a completely different experience.

@Tanks wise words as always, but I’m gonna stick to a steak for that money or hop the train to Connecticut and grab some pizza.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

When I purchased my double nostalgia was certainly part of the decision, but functionality was way out in front. I am very intolerant of poor design, and you just can’t argue against simple, efficient, works every time functionality that a double brings. Open it, putin two rounds, close it, fire. No short stroking, no miss feed, no overpass, no failed ejection. What other idiosyncrasies am I missing?

 

[Tanks]

BTW, here is an elephant charge, notice Buzz is recycling his action (no idea why he did not have his .500 NE that day) while the client is already shooting his second barrel.

 

[Pondoro]

Now that filmed charge says it all..

 

[Sideshow]

Come on now ... let's be realistic. After the success of Ruark's books, any of the big name gunmakers would have died to have Selby carrying one of their guns. Do you really think they would make him pay for it if he would just use it?

Come on OT your above statement is a little unrealistic for a few reasons.
The Gun makers of the day (As now im sure) would not have given there guns out free of charge! Hunting DG is just that Dangerous and they would have been well aware of the headlines "White Hunter killed because xyz gun failed"
They had no control over these rifles and doubles once they left the shop.
Also you don't just walk in off the street and buy one. They take up to 18 months or more to make.
There rifles and doubles sold because of the makers names on them.
A lot of White hunters got scribbled because, 1:They made mistakes (unlimited reasons) 2:There Clients made mistakes 3:They were just unlucky.
Africa as you well know is and easy place to get snuffed out. The Gun makers know this and that is why they would not have just handed out there product to flavour of the month.
You just need to read "White Hunters" by Brain Herne to see who made it and then the very long list of who did not.

 

[Aeuba470]

I had a lot of people tell me that I shouldn't take a double rifle on my first safari. "Save it for your fourth or fifth safari," they said. Fourth and fifth safaris simply may not be a reality for some of us. Trips to Africa for most of us are based around the romance of hunting Africa, and for some, a big part of that romance is hunting Africa with a double. I mean lets face it, there is nothing that compares to the feeling of breaking open a double and dunking two of those big rounds into the chamber and snapping her shut before you stroll off into the bush. When I originally booked with Phillip Smythe before his incident, he said something that really stuck with me while we were discussing what rifle I should bring. "What do you see yourself shooting your buffalo with? That is what you should bring." While there is some sound reasoning behind not bringing a double on your first trip, I decided I would take a double, and what I learned is there are two very important questions you need to ask yourself before you take a double to Africa on your first or tenth trip.

One of those questions is, how important is actually killing your target animals on this trip? Would you be willing to walk away from this trip with nothing but the experience of hunting these animals and possibly not getting a shot? There is a real possibility that you might not find yourself in position to take a shot with a double, where you may have easily been able to take that animal with a scoped rifle. The second question, in my opinion, is how much time are you willing and or able to commit to training with a double rifle. Double rifles are fickle mistresses; they are difficult to shoot well, and they take a ton of practice to get truly proficient with. I purchased mine about a year before my hunt, and I shot roughly 250 rounds through it prior to the hunt. I still don't shoot it as well as I feel that I should be able to. As a client on a safari you have a serious responsibility resting squarely on your shoulders. If you make a bad shot and wound an animal, that PH and his trackers are obligated to go in and clean up the mess you have made. You have now put lives in danger, and if that situation has arisen due to your negligence in training then you are gonna have to live with that if you get somebody hurt. Bad shots happen, that is just part of hunting, but if you are going to voluntarily handicap yourself by taking a double, then you owe it to the PH and the entire crew to do your due diligence and practice with that rifle and attain the highest level of proficiency that you can.

I absolutely loved hunting with a double. If I had it to do over, I would definitely take the double on my first trip again, and I would say that most of my future hunts will be with my double. Adding the challenge of having to close the distance on some of the smaller plains game to get within double gun range brought a whole new level of fun to the hunt. I say if you want to hunt with a double on your first safari then go for it! Understand the risks you are taking, commit to the training necessary, then go to Africa and live your dream.

I'm Hunting Africa for the first time next August and taking my double in 470 NE. I think you have it spot on and my expectation are realistic. Though not the most practical I couldn't imagine hunting dangerous game without a double, I mean I'd do it but using a double is how I've always envisioned it. I think what you've said regarding training with a double is invaluable and I am well on my way. They are definitely more difficult to shoot and like you I'm guessing Ill have about 300 ish rounds through mine prior to going. I would actually like to see more people shoot doubles. Ammo components and loaded ammo might become more available if people did.

 

[Red Leg]

BTW, here is an elephant charge, notice Buzz is recycling his action (no idea why he did not have his .500 NE that day) while the client is already shooting his second barrel.

Awesome. And good on the client. He put it on the ground.