Welcome vandoo. You sound like "one of the guys" already. There are lots of Canadians on this site along with a lot od Double Rifle owners. What type of African game or North American game are you planning to hunt? I'm sure you'd get lots of opinions oh which would be the best caliber to get. I recently went to Africa with a 34 Whelen pushing 225 Gr. Barnes TSX bullets at 2800 fps. Look all three calibers up in/on a ballistics table and the results will surprise you. P.S I don't think that an (s) is required after the elk, bear, and deer that you hunt. What kind of dr. are you?
Hi,
I am not a medical dr. I have a PhD in business administration. English is my second language, French first but have worked everywhere in Canada.
I have a Fabarm Asper rifle in 30-06 for canadian game. It's accurate, light and I just love double guns and rifles. My hunting paradise is 3.5 kms by 1 km of northern canadian forest. We are a group of 4 serious hunters. I believe I can shoot straight and fast. It is subjective and there are many better shooters than me but I practice a lot, compete a lot and have a shooting range close to my home. I own black rifles, hunting rifles in various calibers and pistols for IPSC competitions. Just love the sport.
I am a researcher so I am in the theorical portion of my quest of buying a double rifle side by side or o/u. I really believed my Asper rifle would be the last rifle I buy but I am like a 10 yr old kid. I play with a rifle 5 minutes and already want another one. I recently sold a few rifles and pistols to order a rifle in 15k range. The only rifle I will keep is my springfield M1a for fun and asper as a backup rifle for my future acquisition.
My first step is to decide what I want to do with it. I hunt moose, elk, deer, coyote and birds. I have a hunting dog for birds. Also, my wife and I are planning a hunting trip in Europe, possibly Alaska too and eventually Africa in 2 years from now. I will continue to do this for a long time... It's a passion.
So my first decision is the caliber. This is why I joined this forum. I spent weeks reading some of the posts and I am impressed with the fantastic information provided by the respectful members. Right now, I am thinking 9.3x74r or 375h&h for a double rifle and would love to have an extra barrel in 20g. I know that in some places in the world you might hunt boar one day and quail the next one. I have analysed all recoil charts and I am not afraid of recoil. But since this is the only double rifle I will purchase, I want to do it right. And will be getting old. I will study your suggestion 34 Whelen trust me...
Second is what brand... I am still hesitating between Krieghoff, Merkel, Chapuis, Heym or Verney-Carron. Krieghoff is leading today... But I was into Merkel yesterday! I don't know. Help please!