Purchased a Sabatti Double, anyone actually like them?

[Aiden204]

Which Auction site if you don't mind me asking? Also seems like a good deal to me

Switzers In Ontario

 

[rookhawk]

Where do you suggest I look for something likw that? Ive checked some European Auctions and noticed they regularly sell doubles for a bit cheaper

I think the challenge is your inexperience. You see the base price of your gun, the base price of cheap guns in Europe, etc. What most readers of this post that own double rifles see is something completely different.

Assuming your sabatti is free, by the time you're done with this journey it will prove to be one of the more expensive doubles owned by a first timer. You can't export to get affordable expertise, you're wrong handed, you're short length of pull, the type of gun selected cannot be easily re-regulated if that changes by your alterations, the sights on them are difficult to change and require math calculations to figure out what sights you'll need with so much stock changes. They are hollow through-bolted guns so its tricky to shave the combs if you need it due to the void. Custom stocks are much more expensive and take much longer to get made than you can imagine.

Not trying to burst your balloon because I appreciate your enthusiasm, Its just that I've been down all these roads before. If someone showed you the perfect double with ammo and test targets fit to your dimensions and it was $12,000 USD, I suspect you'd pass saying its way too expensive. In turn, I think your gun will exceed that pricetag by the time you get what you wanted out of it.

If you change handedness on that sabatti and cut it down to your specs, it is 100% worthless to anyone else. Think this project through before you spend large dollars on a low-cost double rifle. (e.g. your dollars to do this work are the same on a Heym vs a Sabatti, labor is labor)

 

[Aiden204]

I think the challenge is your inexperience. You see the base price of your gun, the base price of cheap guns in Europe, etc. What most readers of this post that own double rifles see is something completely different.

Assuming your sabatti is free, by the time you're done with this journey it will prove to be one of the more expensive doubles owned by a first timer. You can't export to get affordable expertise, you're wrong handed, you're short length of pull, the type of gun selected cannot be easily re-regulated if that changes by your alterations, the sights on them are difficult to change and require math calculations to figure out what sights you'll need with so much stock changes. They are hollow through-bolted guns so its tricky to shave the combs if you need it due to the void. Custom stocks are much more expensive and take much longer to get made than you can imagine.

Not trying to burst your balloon because I appreciate your enthusiasm, Its just that I've been down all these roads before. If someone showed you the perfect double with ammo and test targets fit to your dimensions and it was $12,000 USD, I suspect you'd pass saying its way too expensive. In turn, I think your gun will exceed that pricetag by the time you get what you wanted out of it.

If you change handedness on that sabatti and cut it down to your specs, it is 100% worthless to anyone else. Think this project through before you spend large dollars on a low-cost double rifle. (e.g. your dollars to do this work are the same on a Heym vs a Sabatti, labor is labor)

Well ill be sure to update you with how it goes, only time will tell. If youre right I’ll be sure to letcha know. I want to shoot it & get it in the hand to see what I think first lol

 

[rookhawk]

Well ill be sure to update you with how it goes, only time will tell. If youre right I’ll be sure to letcha know. I want to shoot it & get it in the hand to see what I think first lol

This reminds me of a conversation held on this forum with a fellow that got a glorious 470NE, a sidelock Army Navy gun in pristine condition. (A $30k gun) He had a lot of the same reasons he couldn’t act on similar advice as offered up in this thread. He blew the gun barrels right off the rifle and is lucky to be alive but hasn’t been on this forum since.

I understand the reasons you have given for not being able to do X, Y, or Z. I worry you’re way over your skis. Be safe and learn a lot about double rifle hand loading before you give it a go.

 

[Canadaboy]

There were a few interesting dangerous game rifles in that auction. Including a Stirling Davenport .585 Nyati that went for the equivalent of $2000 USD.

I hope you enjoy your new rifle !

 

[Aiden204]

There were a few interesting dangerous game rifles in that auction. Including a Stirling Davenport .585 Nyati that went for the equivalent of $2000 USD.

I hope you enjoy your new rifle !

I saw, I was going to get it - I lead in the days before the live auction, but decided to let it go as I already have a 500 A square & didnt know if id be able to find dies. Awesome rifle though, the BRNO action is the same on my 500 & feels pretty good.

 

[Aiden204]

This reminds me of a conversation held on this forum with a fellow that got a glorious 470NE, a sidelock Army Navy gun in pristine condition. (A $30k gun) He had a lot of the same reasons he couldn’t act on similar advice as offered up in this thread. He blew the gun barrels right off the rifle and is lucky to be alive but hasn’t been on this forum since.

I understand the reasons you have given for not being able to do X, Y, or Z. I worry you’re way over your skis. Be safe and learn a lot about double rifle hand loading before you give it a go.

I’m actually looking forward to loading for it. It sounds like a neat challenge. Im a fairly avid reloader and have reloaded for my 375, 500 A Square (Which making brass for was a huge PITA because the parent case is prohibited here now) & 458 WM without much issue. It seems unlikely id blow the barrels off the gun haha.

Heres a funny picture of my 500 Loaded with some 50 BMG 750 Grain AMax.(45-70 for scale) 750 Grains @ 2100 FPS I believe. I didnt bother trying to work too much on the recipe because of my Twist rate. It keyholes on paper at 50 yards so not very useful, but funny nonetheless.

 

[gcbailey]

Hey it's your first double rifle! You seem excited and proud to own it, so that's what matters. Shoot it and see how it regulates. I don't know how Canada is, but if you are able to, play with some hand loading and see what that nets you. The 450/400 is a great cartridge that can handle any of the world's biggest and nastiest game. Enjoy it in good health!

 

[Aiden204]

Hey it's your first double rifle! You seem excited and proud to own it, so that's what matters. Shoot it and see how it regulates. I don't know how Canada is, but if you are able to, play with some hand loading and see what that nets you. The 450/400 is a great cartridge that can handle any of the world's biggest and nastiest game. Enjoy it in good health!

Yessir I’ve purchased most of the supplies needed to reload and a box of the Hornady it should be regulated for.

Thank you!

 

[wildwilderness]

Yessir I’ve purchased most of the supplies needed to reload and a box of the Hornady it should be regulated for.

Thank you!

Ken Owens likes IMR 3031 for the old NE cartridges. That’s what he worked up for my 470 and some Dacron filler. Others say backer rod is a bit easier and more consistent for case fill.

At least you have a project to work on! Not sure about the LOP but I’m sure you are aware the recoil will be worse if it doesn’t fit

 

[Aiden204]

Ken Owens likes IMR 3031 for the old NE cartridges. That’s what he worked up for my 470 and some Dacron filler. Others say backer rod is a bit easier and more consistent for case fill.

At least you have a project to work on! Not sure about the LOP but I’m sure you are aware the recoil will be worse if it doesn’t fit

I believe i have a couple pounds downstairs of the IMR3031, Ill have to go look. Thank you sir, helpful insight!

 

[rookhawk]

I believe i have a couple pounds downstairs of the IMR3031, Ill have to go look. Thank you sir, helpful insight!

With 3031 you typically are aiming for 2030-2075fps. Do not try 2150fps, the facts were never true, the old load velocities were utter lies. Do not pick loads that fill the case, always use a filler or wad.

 

[Aiden204]

With 3031 you typically are aiming for 2030-2075fps. Do not try 2150fps, the facts were never true, the old load velocities were utter lies. Do not pick loads that fill the case, always use a filler or wad.

Heres what the hornady book says. I was going to Chrono the Hornady DGS/X it was regulated for and go from there

 

[rookhawk]

Heres what the hornady book says. I was going to Chrono the Hornady DGS/X it was regulated for and go from there

You could, or you could listen to what I wrote. Hornady disagrees with what I said. I’d suggest you do some digging on this forum to understand ICI and Kynoch original velocities and pressures. Your sabatti is modern and might handle the incorrect modern hand loads. No original gun will. The original loads produce 65% the recoil and are less likely to break your gun.

 

[Aiden204]

You could, or you could listen to what I wrote. Hornady disagrees with what I said. I’d suggest you do some digging on this forum to understand ICI and Kynoch original velocities and pressures. Your sabatti is modern and might handle the incorrect modern hand loads. No original gun will. The original loads produce 65% the recoil and are less likely to break your gun.

If its regulated specifically for the Hornady DGS, was built a mere 5 years ago, & is proofed @ 25% over max load, I’d imagine she’ll survive.

 

[rookhawk]

If its regulated specifically for the Hornady DGS, was built a mere 5 years ago, & is proofed @ 25% over max load, I’d imagine she’ll survive.

Probably. But variables in hand loads can spike pressure. Primer and wad being very important. Solids are higher pressure and need 1-1.5gr less. Every solid is different pressure so a copper one cannot be swapped for a lead core. Everything is a 1000x easier with magazine rifles.

 

[ActionBob]

Thats the conclusion ive come to. I got it for under 4000 USD, Its unlikely I’ll lose money on it. If I feel the need I’ll probably try and source a left handed german made rifle, but who knows. My entire life has been living in a right handed world so I’m not sure how much it will bug me. Its odd the double rifle world seems to be gate kept so heavily by a bunch of old fellas, but I guess theyre the ones buying them

For that money you have a fun gun to play with and see how you like a double. I'm sure you can come up with an economical way to extend LOP if you want.

I do agree with others that before I'd invest more money into it, I'd upgrade to a better brand. But nothing wrong with this as an intro to a double and in a great cartridge so that is a win. And no you are not going to blow the barrels off with Hornady ammo

 

[coreydb]

A 2019 double rifle is a new rifle. Not many rounds through it. Just find out what it was calibrated for, or get it re-regulated for the ammo you want. If the stock doesn't fit, take it to a gunsmith who can put an extension on that fits you.

 

[Andrew62]

Enjoy your Sabatti, regardless of what we all hear, there are many Sabatti's out there that are working great and the owners are happy. You've hit the double market at a great price, 450-400 is an excellent caliber. After you shoot it a few times you'll hopefully know if you wish to put X amount of dollars into it to make it how you want it.

You've been given some great advice in this thread, I hope it all serves to help you on your 'double rifle' journey.

 

[Adam Stevens]

This reminds me of my search for a double in Canada lol.

It's not as easy or cost effective as luckily for Americans