Double rifle or bolt action?

[Rare Breed]

Well, the weapon in the photo still from the film is a very real vintage 8 gauge Holland & Holland black powder hammer rifle (originally owned by a Boer from the Viljoen family) that was auctioned off a few years ago. It’s very evident that the weapon is NOT a shotgun, because it has backsights. Jack Lott did an article about this rifle sometime in the 1970s and he mentioned that Stewart Granger specifically opted to use this rifle on set because it was authentic to the time period the movie was set in (1897).

In real life, he owned:
- A Westley Richard single trigger droplock ejector in .577 Nitro Express
- A Holland & Holland Mauser in .375 Magnum
- A Holland & Holland Mauser in .240 Apex
- A Westley Richards single trigger droplock ejector in 12 gauge

He was very much a real dangerous game hunter (even admitting that elephant hunting was his all-time favourite) and I highly recommend you read his autobiography which details his hunts in Africa (where he hunted on countless occasions with white hunter Eric Rungren and even faced dangerous game charges). He also hunted in India while shooting “Harry Black & The Tiger”. While shooting that film, he deliberately took creative control over the script (and deviated from the novel) by having his character be armed with the most realistic firearms for a colonial era tiger hunter.

I’ve handled both his .577 Nitro Express and his .375 Holland & Holland Magnum in London in 1996. The double rifle was so much hard used that the original stock had been cracked and was repaired by local African sheet brass reinforcements. This man definitely knew his stuff.

Living white hunter legend Tony Sanchez Arino also hunted with Stewart Granger and wrote extremely well about him.

Nicely done sir! I made my statement because I had read his life story so I knew he was the real deal when it came to hunting DG in Africa

 

[Red Leg]

Of course you will be shunned by the Purists for having a scope on your double.

I have been told several times by members on this site that I do not use a double “properly.”

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Nicely done sir! I made my statement because I had read his life story so I knew he was the real deal when it came to hunting DG in Africa

Why, thank you, Rare Breed. I really wish that Hollywood had more actors like him these days. Instead of those anti hunting, anti gun soy-boy types.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I have been told several times by members on this site that I do not use a double “properly.”

To hell with propriety. You've got a real practical setup there.

 

[Buck0317]

@Buck0317 Looks like your wife is getting a nice lion hunt

AZDAVE,

Thankfully, dangerous game isn't her thing (yet). She has waterbuck, black impala, blesbok, and springbok on her list for 2025.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I think you should use a double on your lion hunt. It’s only money, you can’t take it with you. As @Kevin Peacocke pointed out. Life’s short and we never know when we’ll get dealt Aces & Eights. A double is something mighty fine to pass on when we’re dealt that hand.

If you keep your eyes open, you should be able to find a double you can buy, use, and sell; recouping your initial investment, if not making a little money on it. I’ve bought both a Merkel and a Chapauis at prices where I know I can at least break even should I chose to sell them in the future.

 

[Buck0317]

I think you should use a double on your lion hunt. It’s only money, you can’t take it with you. As @Kevin Peacocke pointed out. Life’s short and we never know when we’ll get dealt Aces & Eights. A double is something mighty fine to pass on when we’re dealt that hand.

If you keep your eyes open, you should be able to find a double you can buy, use, and sell; recouping your initial investment, if not making a little money on it. I’ve bought both a Merkel and a Chapauis at prices where I know I can at least break even should I chose to sell them in the future.

I'm going to choose to hunt for now. That is unless I see a double I just can't pass up...

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I am a bit concerned about being watched. I need to live an example. My ten year-old grandson looks up to me. We have a special relationship. I would rather he remember me as the old guy who flew to Africa to hunt wearing frayed green jeans and ball cap rather than someone dressed up as some Golden Age movie star. "Parker, have your adventures. Just make sure they are YOUR adventures."

 

[Velo Dog]

I am with those who say don’t buy a cheap double = cheaply made.
Having owned 4 doubles over my lifetime so far, I can say that I love doubles, shotguns and rifles both.
Presently I sadly do not own a double rifle.
Perhaps one day I will have another one, perhaps not.
It is not extremely likely that I will ever hunt dangerous game in Africa again.
But, I’m presently planning my 7th hunting and fishing trip to Africa.

Now, I just rent a rifle from my PH.
If however, I do somehow manage to hunt buffalo again or maybe a hippo on land or possibly a tuskless elephant, I will also just rent a rifle from my PH.
He has a Merkel .470 double that would be my first choice for sure.
Otherwise for so called “plains game”, I will continue renting his excellent Brno Model 602 Magnum, caliber .375 H&H for same, especially during tracking hunts for eland, Hartmann zebra and all the rest.
It has a Zeiss Dialyt scope on it and it’s very accurate with 300 hr round nose bullets.
Works well on the larger non-dangerous animals mentioned and yet does very little damage to the smaller ones such as impala, springbok, duiker and similar animals.

That said, a double rifle is truly delightful to hunt with (2 safaris so far with double rifles).
If it is your dream, either rent one as I do now days or, save up enough money for a well made one.
You will be happy.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

I worked at a gun shop/shooting range north of Houston when I was a kid. I was a gun fanatic! I read everything I could get my hands on about guns and hunting. I also got to meet many gun writers and world hunters. Most were all too happy to answer my questions and let me shoot their firearms. When John Wooters let me shoot his 416 Rigby, I became a lost cause. With him was a man that was also headed to Africa. He had a double rifle. Shooting it sent me down a long path of immediate dreams and future adventures. There would be no turning back. A lot of slowdowns and pauses, but no turning back.

I owned a .458 Win Mag and a 375 H&H (in CRF actions of course!) when Africa was still a faraway dream. Many years later, I was offered a beyond super deal on any Merkel firearm. In return, they could use photos of us hunting with Merkel K1/K3 rifles. Africa was still a distant dream, but I wanted, (hell, I needed!) a double rifle. I immediately thought, 500 NE! However, the more practical cartridge would be one that I could use anywhere and enjoy then. A cartridge that would allow me to shoot comfortably, often and use to hunt the majority of game. But then again, one that still hits with authority. I chose the 9.3x74R. I have never had any regrets. I have used it in South Africa and Namibia for plains game, Texas for deer, pigs and turkey, Florida for deer and pigs, and NC for bear. I think it is a practical, all-around double rifle for almost all of my hunting. I have a scope in QD mounts for it as well.

After finally using my Merkel 9.3x74R in Africa, I got a Merkel 500NE. Loved it but the hardware in my neck was not a big fan. Later, I had a VC 450/400 with the smaller round frame. Sweet handling rifle but again, old injuries did not like the VC either. Another issue that I had to be honest with myself about, my eyes may limit my ability to fire accurately using the irons under some conditions. I mounted a scope on it and the rifle liked the scope less than I did. Away it went as well.

I am glad I owned the big bore doubles even if I never had a chance to use them on Dangerous Game. Great experience. I am even happier to still hunt with my little Merkel 9.3x74R. My big game rifle now is a Rigby Big Game in 416 Rigby. At this point in my life, it is best for me.

For me, especially since retiring from the military and work force, I want to enjoy my experiences and make wonderful memories. That involves spending as much time as possible with the Mrs., owning and using fine firearms, and when I get the urge, dressing up like a gentleman of classier times. Look good, feel good.

So, if you want a double, get one! If not now, in the future. But whatever you do, enjoy yourself and make wonderful memories.

Safe hunting

 

[358 Norma]

I say if it's your dream to hunt Buffalo with a double rifle then do it. After surviving a kidney transplant where I had complications that nearly took my life and spending 5 days in a coma, I decided that I'm going to live my dream of hunting a cape buffalo with a double rifle. Being a practical man I'm also going to take along my Winchester model 70 416 Remington mag. We can always make money but you can never buy time or health so if you're capable of doing it buy yourself the double rifle and enjoy yourself.

 

[rookhawk]

I just recently completed my first bufffalo hunt in South Africa with my 416 Rem Mag (Remington 700) and man do I want a double rifle now! The problem is money... I'm looking on the lower price spectrum for double rifles and even a Sabatti in 416 Rigby is $7000+ and I can find an importer who will place the order. My question is this, knowing I'm not made of money should I try to find a lower price double rifle or just save the money and hunt with my 416 Rem? Perhaps someone on this forum has a line on more affordable double rifles?View attachment 539704

Congrats on your hunt. Nothing worse than a cheap double rifle. For $8000 you can get a very good quality CRF proper safari rifle in a great caliber, or you can get a shoddy double rifle.

If you see a double rifle for less than $15,000, it’s probably not a reliable double rifle.

Reliability is key. Either double your budget and get the double rifle that you can count on, or use the current budget to get a lifetime reliable magazine rifle you can count on.

 

[Tanks]

... Every year I shoot two or three thousand rounds through my twelve gauge at the range. No eye issues at all over the last ten years ...

My SO shoots more than that in about 3 months while practicing sporting clays, and with an O/U shotgun. The recoil difference between 12 gauge target loads and a .404J is significant.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Of course the epitome of African hunter has to be Ruark's PH, Harry Selby. And what did Selby shoot? A 416 Rigby built on a right-handed standard Mauser 98 (he shot left-handed). He had doubles but almost never used them.

You seem to have conveniently left out the reason why Selby acquired the .416 Rigby in the first place. What was his primary rifle prior to that, and what were the circumstances that led him to needing a new rifle? Or does that not support your narrative?

 

[Troubleshooter]

To address the OP's question: have fun with a good quality bolt-action rifle while you save up money for a quality double, if that's what you truly desire. That also allows you some time to perform research into what would work best for you, and to locate a quality double.

You're still young; there is time; and a man needs something to look forward to in life.

 

[Dogone]

I have seen and handled a double barrel bolt action . They were at SCI many years ago. They had one in .223 and others in big bore. I have their sales brochure somewhere. Has anyone used one?

 

[Tanks]

You seem to have conveniently left out the reason why Selby acquired the .416 Rigby in the first place. What was his primary rifle prior to that, and what were the circumstances that led him to needing a new rifle? Or does that not support your narrative?

What was the reason?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

You seem to have conveniently left out the reason why Selby acquired the .416 Rigby in the first place. What was his primary rifle prior to that, and what were the circumstances that led him to needing a new rifle? Or does that not support your narrative?

Someone drove over his double and wrecked it. So he picked up the 416 Mauser 98 because he was in a spot and needed a gun fast. He liked it so much he never put it down ... for thirty some more years. I think the fact that Selby, a left hand shooter, stuck with that right hand bolt action speaks volumes about the inferior utility of a double rifle. Obviously, more shots in the gun meant more to Selby than two quick shots and a bit of nostalgia. I mean, the guy preferred working a bolt action backwards to pulling two triggers. That tells me something. Selby was in the business of hunting. He may have been a celebrity of sorts but he was always first and foremost a hunter. Not saying I am at all interested in pretending to be a professional hunter, but I'll give Selby's choice of Africa arms serious consideration when making my selection.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

What was the reason?

His John Rigby & Co. sidelock ejector .470 Nitro Express got it's barrels bent into a pretzel after Donald Kerr mistakenly drove a Land Rover over it. And it was impossible to acquire another, since Rigby wasn't making anymore double rifles at that time after 1939.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

My SO shoots more than that in about 3 months while practicing sporting clays, and with an O/U shotgun. The recoil difference between 12 gauge target loads and a .404J is significant.

True. Our season for clays up here in the Great White North is usually about three months, two afternoons per week.

I also hunt geese Sept to end of October with that same gun. 3" mag 1550 fps has stiff recoil. My trap loads are also ounce and an eighth but less gas. The last couple of years I've been compelled to hunt pheasants end of October to second week of December with 3" goose loads as those were the only steel shells available.
The 404 will not be a plaything. I don't plan to spend a lot of time at the range with it. Not necessary. I've never had a problem shooting strange guns well. Get it zeroed and go to work. Mostly it's the challenge of building the gun that interests me. If it turns out to be too much recoil, I'll sell it. No personal or family history attached so easily disposed of.