Question: Scoping a Heavy Caliber Double Rifle

[Mark A Ouellette]

This is a Trijicon RMR on a quick release mount, in front of a 1.5 to 4x Bushnell Elite scope in a Recknagel EAW side swing mount. These are mounted on a Merkel 140AE in 416 Rigby. This is a RMR or scope set up, although this gun could be shot with both. The center of the crosshairs are above the top of this RMR.

The 416 is a 200 yard gun for PG with at least one barrel. I would certainly want to get closer but sometimes one has to take the shot presented. I could use either the illuminated scope on 1.5x or the red dot for close up DG.

I have the same set up on a 375 H&H 140AE. I haven't shot either yet. I may wait till the weather breaks to dial them in. There is a good part of a blizzard blowing across my rifle range today....

I just wanted to share what is possible!

 

[frog stealer]

This is a Trijicon RMR on a quick release mount, in front of a 1.5 to 4x Bushnell Elite scope in a Recknagel EAW side swing mount. These are mounted on a Merkel 140AE in 416 Rigby. This is a RMR or scope set up, although this gun could be shot with both. The center of the crosshairs are above the top of this RMR.

The 416 is a 200 yard gun for PG with at least one barrel. I could use either the illuminated scope on 1.5x or the red dot for close up DG.

I have the same set up on a 375 H&H 140AE. I haven't shot either yet. I may wait till the weather breaks to dial them in. There is a good part of a blizzard going on my rifle range today....

I just wanted to share what is possible!

View attachment 507187

Interesting, thanks for sharing Mark! I had a Win M70 in .416 Remington a while back…same one that took my eland in my profile pic. I mounted a 2-7x Leupold to that without any issues, but I guess you get a bit more range with that caliber.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

I should add to my post above:

The EAW side swing scope mounts provide one recoil lug, in the front. The rear mount "clamps" to the ring that swings into it. This combination may not provide the same amount of recoil lug surface as the more expensive claw mounts found on European double rifles. That stated, the EAW mounts have a pretty good reputation for at least small and medium double rifle calibers. It would be interesting to learn if anyone is running the EAW side swing mounts on a 470 or 500 double?

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Interesting story…I’m glad your .458 worked flawlessly and you were able to protect your PH! Within 50 yards, I am just as confident with irons as with a scope. However, past 50 yards, or in low light conditions I would take a scope every time.

I had an old uncle that never could learn to use a scope. He always shot his old Model 64 in .30-30 with a tang peep sight for deer then got a Model 100 in .308. He mounted a scope on it but never could get on target and finally got a Williams receiver sight mounted. I made adjustments and yelped him sight it in. As a WW2 vet and a life long peep sight shooter he was deadly with it at reasonable ranges.

It all depends on what the individual shooter does best with.

Merry Christmas,

Doug

Interesting story…I’m glad your .458 worked flawlessly and you were able to protect your PH! Within 50 yards, I am just as confident with irons as with a scope. However, past 50 yards, or in low light conditions I would take a scope every time.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I should add to my post above:

The EAW side swing scope mounts provide one recoil lug, in the front. The rear mount "clamps" to the ring that swings into it. This combination may not provide the same amount of recoil lug surface as the more expensive claw mounts found on European double rifles. That stated, the EAW mounts have a pretty good reputation for at least small and medium double rifle calibers. It would be interesting to learn if anyone is running the EAW side swing mounts on a 470 or 500 double?

No experience here but I think they are billed as able to withstand 10,000+ rounds of 458 win mag. Simulated rounds

 

[DrBob]

I use a red dot (circle dot) mounted at breech on my 470 NE Merkel. No change in regulation and easier to use in quicker situations than scope. Recoil not an issue for mounting. The RMR red dot was too large so went with Leupold Delta and now JPoint. Maybe will try Sig RomeoZero R next. Since useable range is usually less than 75 yards... makes sense.

 

[Longwalker]

I have a Merkel 140 AE in .450-400 3" Nitro Express. I have a Karl Kaps 1x-4x on it, previously a Leupold 1x-4x. Mounted in good Recknagel EAW pivot mounts. I have only shot three animals with it so far. All three times the shot would have been difficult for me to make without a scope. A bull elk at dawn and in the fog/mist at approx. 90M, A Cape Buffalo bull quartering towards me at a similar distance, and just a couple of months ago a cow moose again at about that distance and near dark after sunset. I do practise with the iron sights, and can shoot the irons reasonably accurately in good light and if the target is not too far distant. But my confidence wanes after 70M or so with irons. And I can't see well enough to aim with irons in poor light. I certainly prefer how the rifle handles without the scope. But the rifle fits me OK with the scope too. With the scope the rifle is much more versatile, and doubles my confident range from field positions.

 

[frog stealer]

I have a Merkel 140 AE in .450-400 3" Nitro Express. I have a Karl Kaps 1x-4x on it, previously a Leupold 1x-4x. Mounted in good Recknagel EAW pivot mounts. I have only shot three animals with it so far. All three times the shot would have been difficult for me to make without a scope. A bull elk at dawn and in the fog/mist at approx. 90M, A Cape Buffalo bull quartering towards me at a similar distance, and just a couple of months ago a cow moose again at about that distance and near dark after sunset. I do practise with the iron sights, and can shoot the irons reasonably accurately in good light and if the target is not too far distant. But my confidence wanes after 70M or so with irons. And I can't see well enough to aim with irons in poor light. I certainly prefer how the rifle handles without the scope. But the rifle fits me OK with the scope too. With the scope the rifle is much more versatile, and doubles my confident range from field positions.
View attachment 507247

Very cool story, thanks for sharing! I like seeing heavy caliber doubles also being used for large NA game! That cow moose looks huge, I definitely don’t think you were over-gunned in that instance.

What was your reasoning for switching from the Leupold?

 

[Commish]

Thanks for your input…I’ve talked to Chris a few times in the past…ordering two rifles from him, an 89b and a 26b. I’ll give Chris a call when I’m ready to place an order, to see what he recommends. Another option I was considering was a scoped .375 in the smaller frame. I keep going back and forth between those two calibers.

I haven’t shot a double in 375 on the smaller frame Heym 89b. But I have handled it — at least in 375 flanged if that’s what you’re considering. It feels absolutely wonderful. If I had to do it all over again, I can’t say for sure that I wouldn’t have gone with that instead of the 450/400. Heym always has a great booth at DSC and SCI if you’re able to make one of the shows. I also know that Chris has a shooting ground near Dallas if you have a chance to make it down there to try out a couple different calibers and maybe a couple different frame sizes.
What caliber are you considering in the 26b?

 

[frog stealer]

I haven’t shot a double in 375 on the smaller frame Heym 89b. But I have handled it — at least in 375 flanged if that’s what you’re considering. It feels absolutely wonderful. If I had to do it all over again, I can’t say for sure that I wouldn’t have gone with that instead of the 450/400. Heym always has a great booth at DSC and SCI if you’re able to make one of the shows. I also know that Chris has a shooting ground near Dallas if you have a chance to make it down there to try out a couple different calibers and maybe a couple different frame sizes.
What caliber are you considering in the 26b?

Commish, another member on this forum has a .375 Flanged 89b (small frame) with a low power variable scope. He sent me pics and all I can say is that it looks amazing (even though I think a scope on a double still looks silly). I will be attending SCI this year in Nashville, and most definitely will be stopping by the Heym booth to see what Chris has on display.

I have also been to Mr. Sells' shooting range, though before it was before he added all the fancy benches and equipment (the concrete pads were poured though). I was there in 2021 when I ordered my 89b in .577.

 

[Longwalker]

What was your reasoning for switching from the Leupold?

Just personal preference. I had the Kaps on hand, and like the strong thick German #1 reticle it has better than the Leupold VX-R's wide duplex with centre illumination. It shows up nicely in poor light without having to fool with a switch or batteries. Over all image quality seems better to my eyes too. And it seems like it's built stronger, but I can't verify that as a fact. I put the Leupold on a .308 bolt action.