Double-up

[Rem700stw]

photos finally I hope...

 

[Velo Dog]

Fellow Hunters & Rifle Grumps,

In the past, I had owned 4 double rifles but sold them all to help finance more hunting and fishing.
And, instead of buying guns of any description, over the years, I sold off almost of mine.
The doubles were only a fraction of what I once had owned.

However, I still daydream of owning two double rifles, (classic style SxS type) … One in .303 British and One in .450-400 3” ….
If not in .450-400 then perhaps, .375 H&H (standard belted version so that, finding ammunition would not be impossible).

It is very unlikely that I will ever realize my frequent daydream about such a pair of wonderful rifles.
But if I decided to just “cowboy up” and buy two double rifles, those definitely would be my preference for sure.

Some makers of almost affordable side by side double rifles, already offer handsome looking doubles in smaller bores (Merkel’s Model 140 series in 7x57R and 8x57R for one example).
Therefore it is difficult for me to understand why they do not offer the same models in caliber .303 British, at prices us working class people can actually save up money for a few years and buy one.
If they offered classic looking but plain working doubles, in .303 British, with 25” or 26” barrels, somewhere near the $10,000. - $15,000. US Dollar price range, I believe they would sell quite a few.

As mentioned, I no longer own any double rifles.
And, I have stopped buying firearms, as I’d rather spend that money on hunting and fishing trips.
In fact, by having sold off most of my firearms, I was able to help pay for going 6 times to Africa so far.
I hope to return for #7 as well, some year.

Anyway, a small or medium frame SxS, in .303 British, with the looks of yesteryear’s English double rifles, for a reasonable price might gain a lot of interest from those of us who enjoy such things.
When Ruger offered a limited number of their wonderful single shot rifle in .303 British, they sold very quickly.
And now, when one shows up in the used gun market, the price is high.

I guess that’s all the news that’s fit to print around here.
So, adios for now,

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Fellow Hunters & Rifle Grumps,

In the past, I had owned 4 double rifles but sold them all to help finance more hunting and fishing.
And, instead of buying guns of any description, over the years, I sold off almost of mine.
The doubles were only a fraction of what I once had owned.

However, I still daydream of owning two double rifles, (classic style SxS type) … One in .303 British and One in .450-400 3” ….
If not in .450-400 then perhaps, .375 H&H (standard belted version so that, finding ammunition would not be impossible).

It is very unlikely that I will ever realize my frequent daydream about such a pair of wonderful rifles.
But if I decided to just “cowboy up” and buy two double rifles, those definitely would be my preference for sure.

Some makers of almost affordable side by side double rifles, already offer handsome looking doubles in smaller bores (Merkel’s Model 140 series in 7x57R and 8x57R for one example).
Therefore it is difficult for me to understand why they do not offer the same models in caliber .303 British, at prices us working class people can actually save up money for a few years and buy one.
If they offered classic looking but plain working doubles, in .303 British, with 25” or 26” barrels, somewhere near the $10,000. - $15,000. US Dollar price range, I believe they would sell quite a few.

As mentioned, I no longer own any double rifles.
And, I have stopped buying firearms, as I’d rather spend that money on hunting and fishing trips.
In fact, by having sold off most of my firearms, I was able to help pay for going 6 times to Africa so far.
I hope to return for #7 as well, some year.

Anyway, a small or medium frame SxS, in .303 British, with the looks of yesteryear’s English double rifles, for a reasonable price might gain a lot of interest from those of us who enjoy such things.
When Ruger offered a limited number of their wonderful single shot rifle in .303 British, they sold very quickly.
And now, when one shows up in the used gun market, the price is high.

I guess that’s all the news that’s fit to print around here.
So, adios for now,

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

@Velo Dog I am pretty sure Heym will do an 89b for you in .303 British in their light frame. There you go, a modern but classic looking double. But it will probably be a little above your top figure. I have a Heym 450/400 3" 89b as you know. If I did opt for a second smaller one it would be exactly that .303.

 

[Velo Dog]

Greetings Kevin,

Your preference in rifles, including but not limited to doubles, seems to be just about identical to mine.
If I was to buy a new double today, it definitely would be the Heym 89B.
Great minds think alike my friend.

Incidentally, the hammer double in my avatar was my Army & Navy .450 No2 NE, that Cal Pappas had helped me to locate, advised me on its purchase and tutored me at his loading bench as we, through trial and error, finally discovered the most accurate load for it.
Way back in the old days, we only lived about a 5 minute drive from each other’s place, here in Anchorage, Alaska.
Cal moved out of the city and there he eventually passed away, apparently of a heart attack.
So, he is gone now and many are those of us who miss him.

Anyway, the outside of my old rifle showed minor wear from various adventures of some previous owner or owners but, it was tight on the face and both bores looked about new, despite it having been built around 100 years ago.
It was still in the original leather covered wooden hard case.

It was shockingly well regulated @ 2050 fps with 480 grain softs and solids (dreaded Hornady DGX and DGS bullet hand loads).
In fact, it was considerably more accurate than the Merkel .375 H&H double I had also once owned, back in those days.

Cheers for now,
Paul.
(Velo Dog)

PS:
A trim double in .303 to compliment a large bore one in 450 No2 NE could be a very happy arrangement.
Well except that, .450 No2 brass and / or live ammunition is more difficult to find now than ever.

 

[rigbymauser]

I would consider my .500ex a "lowpower bore"(if that catagory excist) . Yes I know .500cal is normally here in 2023 considered a big bore and it is. However powerwise it does only 2300 ft/ibs with a 370grain bullet. It means I would not consider use it for anything larger game than if I hade a .303 or .400/360ex. Bore diameter doesn`t always says everything. When all this written a petit english vintage smallbore double won`t be rejected from here...:LOL

 

[sureshot375]

I think a double In .375 could be a neat gun to take on safari. You could use it for plains game and it would also be suitable for DG if you had an issue with your higher double.

I rather enjoy hunting anything with a double. 75 yards open sights on this impala for the pot. .500/.416

 

[Safariswestcam]

I am so glad this thread was started as ironically it is a question that internally, I am wrestling with now! In fact..... I chewed up a bit of Chris Sells afternoon in Nashville engaged in this very conversation. I have always dreamed of a toting a big bore over my shoulder in pursuit of DG.....however, I find myself at a much more reasonable place in life and have resolved that if a double is in my near future it will be one that gets used on each of one of my annual migrations and not just a buff or elephant here and there. So for the time being the question will remain unresolved to whether my order/purchase will be a 375 H&H or 450/400?

 

[Tanks]

...I have always dreamed of a toting a big bore over my shoulder in pursuit of DG.....however, I find myself at a much more reasonable place in life and have resolved that if a double is in my near future it will be one that gets used on each of one of my annual migrations and not just a buff or elephant here and there. So for the time being the question will remain unresolved to whether my order/purchase will be a 375 H&H or 450/400?

Heresy, heresy I say. An elephant and/or a buffalo should be part of one's annual migrations, always!

On the caliber I'd go with a 450/400 to give you more flexibility on the top end. If you do get the 450/400 do NOT get the small action, but the medium action. On that caliber the barrels are too thin on the small action and there are regulation issues.

 

[chashardy]

Another great thread Kevin!
Currently I'm packing a 375H&H by Chapuis and a Rigby Big Game in 416 Rigby. (bolt)
When I add another double, it will be a stopping rifle, likely in 470 NE and likely another Chapuis unless I hit the lotto and can get a Rigby Rising Bite.

 

[JPmbogo]

Lots of sub-375 caliber doubles for sale on GI - not an endorsement; just a factual statement. That said, I have always looked at DRs as "charge guns," meaning that if you are forced to go "close quarters" with one of Mother Nature's creatures who was born with more natural weapons than you, that would be my weapon of choice (I am excluding those with two legs and equipped modern technology). Otherwise, I would rather use a rifle with which I could "thread the needle." That said, I could see a svelt s/s double in a light caliber as a great deer rifle in brush hunting scenarios. To qualify my comments, I have owned a couple of dozen double rifles over the years, including presently two 470s, a 600 NE, and an 8 bore Westley Richards front loader. I have never used them for hunting - just enjoyed owning and shooting them occasionally for their own sake.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I am so glad this thread was started as ironically it is a question that internally, I am wrestling with now! In fact..... I chewed up a bit of Chris Sells afternoon in Nashville engaged in this very conversation. I have always dreamed of a toting a big bore over my shoulder in pursuit of DG.....however, I find myself at a much more reasonable place in life and have resolved that if a double is in my near future it will be one that gets used on each of one of my annual migrations and not just a buff or elephant here and there. So for the time being the question will remain unresolved to whether my order/purchase will be a 375 H&H or 450/400?

Nice dilemma to have Safariswestcam! If buff and elephant are on the ticket I would go 450/400. If buff only and plains game I would go 375H&H with scope mounts for a QD.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Another great thread Kevin!
Currently I'm packing a 375H&H by Chapuis and a Rigby Big Game in 416 Rigby. (bolt)
When I add another double, it will be a stopping rifle, likely in 470 NE and likely another Chapuis unless I hit the lotto and can get a Rigby Rising Bite.

Hi Chashardy, please show us a pic of your Chapuis 375. Is it a 4x?

 

[1dirthawker]

kevin,

the truth is, there is no right or wrong answer here. i wanted a couple before i could afford one, then when i could afford one, i bought a few.

the one i am most enamored with is the 450-400. i also have three 9.3x74's (one of which i will part with soon) and a 577/500 BPE that i bought from cal pappas (rip). although they as a group are limited by their sighting systems, the craftsman ship and balance of them makes one smile as you imagine yourself stalking up an an ele in the tall grass when you can hear them rumbling and their guts working and the sounds of chewing and pulling bark off trees.

then you snap out of it and realize that you have not paid for it yet!!

i tend to agree with your path of the all rounder, but, the PH's in the group or those that need to stop the big uglies right now, well then the larger the bore, the better one likes it. NOBODY want a smaller gun when the shite hit the fan!

 

[Desperatezulu]

For the moment, I'm being a bit contrarian. A smaller double and larger boltaction.
The double in .375H&H and the bolt action in 416 Rigby.

Now I need to find someone who is willing to purchase my kidney, so I can get this:

View attachment 521063

View attachment 521064

That there is a dream double, calibre and all!!! I hope you've bought this by now!!!
I doubt you will ever find a more desirable big bore double and they're not going to get cheaper. The only negative of buying this rifle now is that any future gun purchases are going to be unsatisfactory because you'll never be upgrading on this one. Ha ha!

Seeing this has caused me to consider whether my children really need university educations... I guess I should take comfort from the reality that getting that rifle delivered to SA is virtually impossible.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

That there is a dream double, calibre and all!!! I hope you've bought this by now!!!
I doubt you will ever find a more desirable big bore double and they're not going to get cheaper. The only negative of buying this rifle now is that any future gun purchases are going to be unsatisfactory because you'll never be upgrading on this one. Ha ha!

Seeing this has caused me to consider whether my children really need university educations... I guess I should take comfort from the reality that getting that rifle delivered to SA is virtually impossible.

I put four through university, seven degrees later, so I only get to spend the change. But boy, am I going to spend it!

 

[chashardy]

At Kevin's request, here is a pic of my Chapuis Brousse 375 H&H, fitted with a Trijicon RMR 3.25 MOA red dot sight. Been to Africa 4 times and it's a sweet shooting rifle. It's about 15 years old and I'm the second owner. I've used it on everything from wart hog to cape buffalo.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

At Kevin's request, here is a pic of my Chapuis Brousse 375 H&H, fitted with a Trijicon RMR 3.25 MOA red dot sight. Been to Africa 4 times and it's a sweet shooting rifle. It's about 15 years old and I'm the second owner. I've used it on everything from wart hog to cape buffalo.

Very nice Chashardy. Have you ever had any issues with ejection?

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

At Kevin's request, here is a pic of my Chapuis Brousse 375 H&H, fitted with a Trijicon RMR 3.25 MOA red dot sight. Been to Africa 4 times and it's a sweet shooting rifle. It's about 15 years old and I'm the second owner. I've used it on everything from wart hog to cape buffalo.

Looks good, did you get the mount from Chapuis? I have a weaver style mount on the way directly from Chapuis for mine.

 

[chashardy]

Very nice Chashardy. Have you ever had any issues with ejection?

No Kevin. The rifle has been absolutely amazing. No issues at all. If you read the write-up on Champlinarms.com, I agree with their assessment that Chapuis is the best value for the money in a double rifle today.
I will give you an example: On my 2018 buffalo in Limpopo, I made a first shot that was, shall we say, "less than fatal" so we were tracking a wounded buff for at least 3 hours. We set up an ambush and sent another PH and tracker into the thick bush to push the bull out. When he came out I was on sticks about 100 yards away and put a kill shot in and he kept going so I started shooting offhand and put another in, then broke open the action and quicklly put another two rounds in and hit him again as I was walking up to him. My PH says, "Hit him again, but be careful about his horns," so I hit him again. All fatal shots. He went down. No issues at all with the Chapuis.

 

[chashardy]

Looks good, did you get the mount from Chapuis? I have a weaver style mount on the way directly from Chapuis for mine.

Actually, I went to a local gunsmith in Dallas that made the mount because in 2017 when I got the rifle there wern't a lot of available mounts for the Trijicon on a Chapuis. Today there are lots of options.