Furthest, Flattest Shooting Double Rifle Caliber?

[Kharn]

I don't expect DG hunting to be at greater than 50yds - 100yrds but likely less.

My question was directed towards PG and the need to reach out further.

 

[zephyr]

On game I've shot my 450NE out to 100 yards...
On Steel with the 200 yard leaf out to 200 yards...
The more important question why make a double into something it is not

 

[Green Chile]

One of the best DG double rifles for hunting PG would be the 500/416. It's ballistically the 416 Rigby in a double rifle. Just sold mine here last week. It was sold in a few hours. They are an excellent answer to your question, if scoped.

 

[Kharn]

One of the best DG double rifles for hunting PG would be the 500/416. It's ballistically the 416 Rigby in a double rifle. Just sold mine here last week. It was sold in a few hours. They are an excellent answer to your question, if scoped.

I really should of mentioned... "Already have a dedicated DG double" so try to think of something that is "dedicated PG double", I'm starting to lean more towards the .30 R Blaser (7.62×68mmR).

 

[Green Chile]

Yes that totally changes the question. What is the budget? That will answer the rest of the question.

 

[Kharn]

Yes that totally changes the question. What is the budget? That will answer the rest of the question.

Assume none... With the only restriction being available brass & bullets.

 

[matt85]

I really should of mentioned... "Already have a dedicated DG double" so try to think of something that is "dedicated PG double", I'm starting to lean more towards the .30 R Blaser (7.62×68mmR).

This post clears things up.

Best choice would and an O/U double for sure. Caliber will depend on what is available to you, but 30 Blaser would be a good choice.

 

[Kharn]

This post clears things up.

Best choice would and an O/U double for sure. Caliber will depend on what is available to you, but 30 Blaser would be a good choice.

Assume I already hand load for the Dedicated DG double and am "ready" to hand load for the Dedicated PG double thus no intention to rely on (being restricted to) factory ammo.

 

[matt85]

Something else to consider.

I like to bring a pair of guns that are able to fill each other's rolls. If I'm doing PG and DG then both my guns will be usable for DG. Things happen... And I don't like borrowing guns. On my buffalo hunt I brought a 505 Gibbs and a 416 RM. The 416 was loaded with lighter higher velocity cartridges for PG but could easily pull double duty in a pinch.

An O/U scoped double in 375 flanged would make a fine PG rifle and be able pull double duty if something comes up.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

If you have an unlimited budget you should reach out to one of the custom European gun makers. They can likely make a double rifle in most any caliber you could want. Since you’re not DG hunting with it, there’s no need for it to be a flanged case.

Below is a nice double that was available in 300WM. Ideal medicine for almost all PG and one of the Faster/Flatter Shooting commonly available calibers.

Ludwig Borovnik .300 Winchester Magnum SxS Double Rifle with Scope & Fancy Wood

Ludwig Borovnik .300 Winchester Magnum SxS Double Rifle with Scope & Fancy Wood for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

If you want fast and flat in a caliber that often punches outside its weight class something like the .257 Weatherby would be cool. I suspect regulating it would be a challenge though.

 

[Kharn]

Something else to consider.

I like to bring a pair of guns that are able to fill each other's rolls. If I'm doing PG and DG then both my guns will be usable for DG. Things happen... And I don't like borrowing guns. On my buffalo hunt I brought a 505 Gibbs and a 416 RM. The 416 was loaded with lighter higher velocity cartridges for PG but could easily pull double duty in a pinch.

An O/U scoped double in 375 flanged would make a fine PG rifle and be able pull double duty if something comes up.

Even though it is imo the perfect dbl rifle all round caliber I think the .375 Flgd might be a bit to slow for reaching out to accurate distances versus the .30R blaser just based off the top end projectile speed (using .300WM as the "standard" for 'Reach Out Rifle' data). The .30R Blaser & .300WM can be quite close if both firing a 11.7g @ 180gr (WM=3193ft/s vs 30R=3,100ft/s)

In saying this I am not trying to replicate a .300WM "stay under it but close to it", I have watched videos of safaris on YouTube and heard the PH say after the initial shot is made "Your bullet is too fast." whilst the client was using a .300WM.... But I'm talking about longer range here and in these specific scenarios the target animal has been within 50-100yrds.

As previously mentioned I understand the common sense behind having a "Light Big Bore" as the PG in case DG arrive (& vice versa for PG of Opportunity), but I'm not trying to use "that" common sense here more... "If you want the furthest accurate reach with a double rifle in the .300 bracket then I would say <X>."

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Even though it is imo the perfect dbl rifle all round caliber I think the .375 Flgd might be a bit to slow for reaching out to accurate distances versus the .30R blaser just based off the top end projectile speed (using .300WM as the "standard" for 'Reach Out Rifle' data). The .30R Blaser & .300WM can be quite close if both firing a 11.7g @ 180gr (WM=3193ft/s vs 30R=3,100ft/s)

In saying this I am not trying to replicate a .300WM "stay under it but close to it", I have watched videos of safaris on YouTube and heard the PH say after the initial shot is made "Your bullet is too fast." whilst the client was using a .300WM.... But I'm talking about longer range here and in these specific scenarios the target animal has been within 50-100yrds.

As previously mentioned I understand the common sense behind having a "Light Big Bore" as the PG in case DG arrive (& vice versa for PG of Opportunity), but I'm not trying to use "that" common sense here more... "If you want the furthest accurate reach with a double rifle in the .300 bracket then I would say <X>."

I believe there’s a 300H&H and 30-06 double on Guns International. At least they were there a week or so ago.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Any of the BIG 6.5s will shoot farthest and flattest (you'll have to outfit with a fine scope and pick which barrel you love the most!) Use 140s-160 gr pills for PG and you can have a custom drilling made with a 416 Schuler (stolen by Rigby after the war lol much like 275 Rigby...7mm Mauser) in the pipe below for DG. You won't feel much recoil. lol With a HOT 6.5 you could be killing game at 1,000 yds if desired. IF hot .338 that gets extended to 1,500, but both (ranges) are a bit much for a double. You will just have to live with the second barrel at the range it's regulated to.

 

[One Day...]

I really should of mentioned... "Already have a dedicated DG double" so try to think of something that is "dedicated PG double", I'm starting to lean more towards the .30 R Blaser (7.62×68mmR).

I think that you have your answer

This is why in my previous post I envisioned the possibility of PG

I would not discount a Browning or Heym .300 Win Mag if you found one a the right price.

And you could do a lot, lot worse than this one in .270 Win and with Zeiss scope! And the .270 Win will do darn near anything on PG although admittedly you need 1o place your shots well on larger PG, but my wife has taken Wildebeest without a peep with her .270 R8 with 150 gr TSX.

Actually, were not I done with my "collecting" years, I would buy it myself

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1058395640

 

[Kharn]

I would not discount a Browning or Heym .300 Win Mag if you found one a the right price.

I have always tried to stay away from doubles chambered in rimless rounds.

 

[VertigoBE]

I have always tried to stay away from doubles chambered in rimless rounds.

That eliminates some more cartridges then.
Must be rimmed, dedicated PG rifle, very flat shooting.

I’d stick with a classy 7x65r , you should find plenty of nice examples from European makers.

 

[Kharn]

That eliminates some more cartridges then.
Must be rimmed, dedicated PG rifle, very flat shooting.

I’d stick with a classy 7x65r , you should find plenty of nice examples from European makers.

You think it could reach out further with greater accuracy than a .30R blaser?

 

[AN.87]

The 7x65r or 30 blaser seem to me to be the best contenders in this day and age.

The 7x75r comes to my mind also. It fits into this category with the added bonus of finding or making the ammunition. https://www.westleyrichards.com/usedguns/view/rifles/1520715982-marcel-thys/
Found only this one in 7x75r. Most are in single barrel or combination guns.

I think the 30blaser will be the better one.
But the traditionalist in my head will always choose the 7x65r.

 

[VertigoBE]

You think it could reach out further with greater accuracy than a .30R blaser?

I have no experience with the .30r Blaser.
What I do know is that it is almost exclusively seen on Blaser rifles, meaning, your choice of rifle will be limited to quite recent and mostly Blaser rifles.
And you'll find even less double rifles in .30r Blaser.

The 7x65r has been around for a while, from the end of WW1 I believe, so you'll find both modern and vintage rifles, both single-shot and double, over&under and side-by-side. Very basic to very elaborate, from many different styles, Germanic, Austrian, English and even some Belgian, from many different makers.

In other words, for perhaps an edge on performance (though the 7x65r or 7x64 is quite capable of taking the largest of PG with appropriate bullets) you would be greatly limiting your choice of available rifles, both new and used.

 

[Altitude sickness]

The OP isn’t shopping for a rifle. He just posted a general question.