The stuff you really wanted

[30winmag]

Greetings to all the members here,
I'd like to take the opportunity to mine the experience of the more seasoned members here on a thread that is slightly different. My question I'd like to throw out as a newbie is; what piece of gear have you been on an hunt and said "Gee I wish I had...." ?
As a background, I'm planning a plains game hunt in SA, Limpopo Provence specifically, with a buff hunt on the horizon. It is the small stuff that makes or breaks you so I'd like to learn from past experience. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Velo Dog]

Greetings to all the members here,
I'd like to take the opportunity to mine the experience of the more seasoned members here on a thread that is slightly different. My question I'd like to throw out as a newbie is; what piece of gear have you been on an hunt and said "Gee I wish I had...." ?
As a background, I'm planning a plains game hunt in SA, Limpopo Provence specifically, with a buff hunt on the horizon. It is the small stuff that makes or breaks you so I'd like to learn from past experience. Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello 30winmag,

My first trip to Limpopo, I wish I had brought larger binoculars.
I foolishly did not consult my PH on this one item and thereby figured wrong that my little 9x25 Leupolds would be great (light weight, less bulky, mainly going to be hunting at close range).

Been there 3 times now and recommend at least 30mm forward lenses, with 35 to 40 (or 42) so much the better on binoculars.
Looking at birds and other small things in shady forest is easier with larger lenses.
I've never wanted 50mm ones because they are getting so large and heavy that they become an unnecessary burden to carry.
Not to be confused with rifle scopes.

I actually prefer smallish riflescopes, mounted low over the bore, since they keep my rifles more streamlined / fast handling on hurry-up close range shots.
A 2.5x with 20mm front lense worked well for me on one trip there and I would use one again if my aging eyes were not dimming.
Now I'd say a fixed 4x with 36mm front lens, seems about right for my taste on a PG rifle for Limpopo conditions.

But this is about what I wished I had that first time there, not what worked well.
Back to binos, I recommend the best quality ones you can afford.
Leupolds are good for the money and there are others.
Leica is excellent as are Zeiss and almost any Austro-German glasses.
I like Swarovski the very best but they are sky high in price.
You will not need a range finder type as your PH will judge the distances accurately for you.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[rnovi]

Good Topic.

What piece of gear have you been on an hunt and said "Gee I wish I had...." ?

1. Chapstick/Sunblock. Both of them.
2. WetWipes. 'Nough Said.
3. A small pocket knife with tweezers. Or at least just the tweezers part.
4. Dental Floss/Dental Picks. I still remember that damn apple at lunch...
5. Saline drops - the little disposable one-use packs. A couple of those in a pocket are great.
6. Small Tools - scope wrench, spare screws for the rings. I had the wrong size torx heads...

Onto Hardware:
Smaller Binoculars. I used a set of 10x42 Leica UVids - absolutely fantastic glass and among the lightest of the full-size bin's out there but they definitely got heavy after a day around the neck. I much prefer the size and weight of my 10x32 Zeiss Victory FL's.

A scope with a more forgiving eye piece and better eye relief than the Zeiss Victory 2.5-10x42 FL. YMMV, I like 4"+ of eye relief - it's just more forgiving in the field.

A lighter gun. That 10# Pre-64 M70 300H&H with a 26" bbl was just too long and too dang heavy to carry all day. I'm packing a 6.5# Merkel K1 in 7mm RMag this time.

And Tip Money! $5's and $10's for trackers, etc. I totally missed the mark and brought big bills. We had to find a way to break them down...

Good times!

 

[ActionBob]

A strap to hold eyeglasses and sunglasses around my neck.

 

[30winmag]

Hello 30winmag,

My first trip to Limpopo, I wish I had brought larger binoculars.
I foolishly did not consult my PH on this one item and thereby figured wrong that my little 9x25 Leupolds would be great (light weight, less bulky, mainly going to be hunting at close range).

Been there 3 times now and recommend at least 30mm forward lenses, with 35 to 40 (or 42) so much the better on binoculars.
Looking at birds and other small things in shady forest is easier with larger lenses.
I've never wanted 50mm ones because they are getting so large and heavy that they become an unnecessary burden to carry.
Not to be confused with rifle scopes.

I actually prefer smallish riflescopes, mounted low over the bore, since they keep my rifles more streamlined / fast handling on hurry-up close range shots.
A 2.5x with 20mm front lense worked well for me on one trip there and I would use one again if my aging eyes were not dimming.
Now I'd say a fixed 4x with 36mm front lens, seems about right for my taste on a PG rifle for Limpopo conditions.

But this is about what I wished I had that first time there, not what worked well.
Back to binos, I recommend the best quality ones you can afford.
Leupolds are good for the money and there are others.
Leica is excellent as are Zeiss and almost any Austro-German glasses.
I like Swarovski the very best but they are sky high in price.
You will not need a range finder type as your PH will judge the distances accurately for you.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

Velo Dog,
Thanks for providing your input. I'm also glad that my choice in binos, which is a pair of Zeiss TERRA ED in 8x42, is on par with what you would recommend. I almost stole them and I always think that you can use your binos hundreds of times for every time you use your scope.
As for scopes, I totally agree with your opinion on low powered while I like mine mounted a little higher than low on the action, just how my head sits. I'm leaning toward Weaver bases and rings, for their tip off ability. I will be using a rifle with iron sights and having the ability to use them given a catastrophe is a plus. Before I get a firestorm, retired military, I've seen tip off mounts on optics do just fine over hundreds of rounds on .308 M240B, I don't expect to use more than two. I've also used iron sights on targets out to 375 yards a lot so I'm keeping them. Thanks for your response, feel free to stop by anytime!

 

[Velo Dog]

Velo Dog,
Thanks for providing your input. I'm also glad that my choice in binos, which is a pair of Zeiss TERRA ED in 8x42, is on par with what you would recommend. I almost stole them and I always think that you can use your binos hundreds of times for every time you use your scope.
As for scopes, I totally agree with your opinion on low powered while I like mine mounted a little higher than low on the action, just how my head sits. I'm leaning toward Weaver bases and rings, for their tip off ability. I will be using a rifle with iron sights and having the ability to use them given a catastrophe is a plus. Before I get a firestorm, retired military, I've seen tip off mounts on optics do just fine over hundreds of rounds on .308 M240B, I don't expect to use more than two. I've also used iron sights on targets out to 375 yards a lot so I'm keeping them. Thanks for your response, feel free to stop by anytime!

30winmag,

No worries, I enjoy discussing guns and hunting related topics.
I do not pretend to know all models of Zeiss products but whichever ones the TERRA ED are, no doubt they will be about just right in 8x42 size.
Make double sure you put them in your carry-on and not in your checked bags.
Probably would not get stolen in transit but, you know they won't if you have them right with you at all times.

As for the rings/mounts, I presume the Weavers you mention are the latest Military style (stronger) and not the old aluminum base/thin sheet metal ring type (weaker).
I do not know much about the latest Weaver system generally except that it looks much stronger than the feeble one we had to put up with back in the 1960s and 70s (most of us were too poor to buy a better brand in those youthful days).

Be that as it may, my favorite are claw mounts but they cost as much as some rifles.
After that, I like the Talley old model rings and bases (the lever rings/quick detachable).
Talley now also makes bases and rings that look like they will fit the newer Weaver bases/Weaver rail pattern.
But again, I prefer the older style Talleys anyway.
I also like the "Alaska Arms LLC" lever rings (look a bit like Talley old style lever rings but appear beefier) but I'm not sure if they make them for very many brands of rifles or not.
They retail a little over a hundred bucks to fit the CZ 550 / Brno 602 magnum and I have one set for my Brno .375 H&H.
Can't afford any more at the moment (priorities, all good things in due time, whatever.)

Like yourself, my busted scope backup plan is to sit down on the closest rock, take it off the rifle, jam it in my back pocket (1 more reason to not use a gigantic rifle scope), brush myself off and continue hunting.
Sadly, my eyes are aging to where I cannot see the front bead super "crisp" any more, in pre-dawn shadows or, at last light, unless the bead is oversize and either white or silver color.
Nonetheless, that has not kept me from shooting several animals very dead, including the buffalo shown as my avatar, with two separate iron sighted double rifles, on two separate safaris to Limpopo (front sight as described).

Regards,
Velo Dog.

 

[30winmag]

30winmag,

No worries, I enjoy discussing guns and hunting related topics.
I do not pretend to know all models of Zeiss products but whichever ones the TERRA ED are, no doubt they will be about just right in 8x42 size.
Make double sure you put them in your carry-on and not in your checked bags.
Probably would not get stolen in transit but, you know they won't if you have them right with you at all times.

As for the rings/mounts, I presume the Weavers you mention are the latest Military style (stronger) and not the old aluminum base/thin sheet metal ring type (weaker).
I do not know much about the latest Weaver system generally except that it looks much stronger than the feeble one we had to put up with back in the 1960s and 70s (most of us were too poor to buy a better brand in those youthful days).

Be that as it may, my favorite are claw mounts but they cost as much as some rifles.
After that, I like the Talley old model rings and bases (the lever rings/quick detachable).
Talley now also makes bases and rings that look like they will fit the newer Weaver bases/Weaver rail pattern.
But again, I prefer the older style Talleys anyway.
I also like the "Alaska Arms LLC" lever rings (look a bit like Talley old style lever rings but appear beefier) but I'm not sure if they make them for very many brands of rifles or not.
They retail a little over a hundred bucks to fit the CZ 550 / Brno 602 magnum and I have one set for my Brno .375 H&H.
Can't afford any more at the moment (priorities, all good things in due time, whatever.)

Like yourself, my busted scope backup plan is to sit down on the closest rock, take it off the rifle, jam it in my back pocket (1 more reason to not use a gigantic rifle scope), brush myself off and continue hunting.
Sadly, my eyes are aging to where I cannot see the front bead super "crisp" any more, in pre-dawn shadows or, at last light, unless the bead is oversize and either white or silver color.
Nonetheless, that has not kept me from shooting several animals very dead, including the buffalo shown as my avatar, with two separate iron sighted double rifles, on two separate safaris to Limpopo (front sight as described).

Regards,
Velo Dog.

Velo Dog,
Thank you for the info! Also, the tip to keep the really expensive binos where I can keep an eye on them was one of the little things that is a great idea. Weaver has improved dramatically since their original product, but I will look into the ability of Talley mounts to fit into Weaver rails. As a little more detail I'll be putting them on a Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in .375 H&H.
It is good to know that I am not alone in my idea that if the scope gets damaged or knocked off zero being able to take it off, stick it in a pocket and continue hunting is a good thing.
My eyes are still in good enough shape that I have few issues seeing irons in low light, but give it a few more years and I'm sure that problem will rear it's head. May I ask what make and caliber your doubles are? I aspire to find a buyer for my house, pickup, girlfriend and soul and join the brotherhood of double owners myself. Thanks again for your input.

Best Regards,
30winmag

 

[30winmag]

A strap to hold eyeglasses and sunglasses around my neck.

ActionBob,
That is a great suggestion that I wouldn't have thought of. Having my glasses decide to head off on their own a the wrong time might be highly embarrassing.
Best Regards,
30winmag

 

[30winmag]

Good Topic.

What piece of gear have you been on an hunt and said "Gee I wish I had...." ?

1. Chapstick/Sunblock. Both of them.
2. WetWipes. 'Nough Said.
3. A small pocket knife with tweezers. Or at least just the tweezers part.
4. Dental Floss/Dental Picks. I still remember that damn apple at lunch...
5. Saline drops - the little disposable one-use packs. A couple of those in a pocket are great.
6. Small Tools - scope wrench, spare screws for the rings. I had the wrong size torx heads...

Onto Hardware:
Smaller Binoculars. I used a set of 10x42 Leica UVids - absolutely fantastic glass and among the lightest of the full-size bin's out there but they definitely got heavy after a day around the neck. I much prefer the size and weight of my 10x32 Zeiss Victory FL's.

A scope with a more forgiving eye piece and better eye relief than the Zeiss Victory 2.5-10x42 FL. YMMV, I like 4"+ of eye relief - it's just more forgiving in the field.

A lighter gun. That 10# Pre-64 M70 300H&H with a 26" bbl was just too long and too dang heavy to carry all day. I'm packing a 6.5# Merkel K1 in 7mm RMag this time.

And Tip Money! $5's and $10's for trackers, etc. I totally missed the mark and brought big bills. We had to find a way to break them down...

Good times!

rnovi,
Thanks for the tips! I most assuredly will be including the chapstick and sunscreen, since I am white enough that i bleed flour when I cut myself shaving. Wet wipes are an essential, 'nuff said. Tweezers are an excellent suggestion that i might have forgotten, but I hear there are one or two plants in Africa with thorns so they might come in handy. I also agree that having the proper tools to do basic tightening and maintenance on scopes and rifles is a must. Especially since the heads will be standard and I will be in a metric country.
I will take the eye relief on my scope under advisement, while it gets used less than the bino's a scope really needs to be right when you use it! My Zeiss TERRA ED's are darn comfortable to carry, so I will give them a go with a harness. Also, easily digestible denominations of tip money is something that hadn't occurred to me, but makes excellent sense. I'm sure getting someone to break $100 in the bush might be a massive bother.
Thanks again for your input, fell free to chip in anytime.
Best Regards,
30winmag

 

[Red Leg]

A really good rhythm is to shower when you get in from the field. Having something really comfortable to change into for sitting around the fire is invaluable. Make sure one of those things is a light sweater, or micro-fleece, or something similar.

 

[30winmag]

A really good rhythm is to shower when you get in from the field. Having something really comfortable to change into for sitting around the fire is invaluable. Make sure one of those things is a light sweater, or micro-fleece, or something similar.

Red Leg,
Thanks for the reminder that it will be winter when I am there, I have been to the desert on several occasions and have had a basic truth hammered into my thick skull. If you don't think it will get cold, it will. Thanks for the info, feel free to add more anytime.
Best Regards,
30winmag

 

[Velo Dog]

Velo Dog,
Thank you for the info! Also, the tip to keep the really expensive binos where I can keep an eye on them was one of the little things that is a great idea. Weaver has improved dramatically since their original product, but I will look into the ability of Talley mounts to fit into Weaver rails. As a little more detail I'll be putting them on a Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in .375 H&H.
It is good to know that I am not alone in my idea that if the scope gets damaged or knocked off zero being able to take it off, stick it in a pocket and continue hunting is a good thing.
My eyes are still in good enough shape that I have few issues seeing irons in low light, but give it a few more years and I'm sure that problem will rear it's head. May I ask what make and caliber your doubles are? I aspire to find a buyer for my house, pickup, girlfriend and soul and join the brotherhood of double owners myself. Thanks again for your input.

Best Regards,
30winmag

Hello again 30winmag,

No problema, my pleasure.
Yep, I've heard that Weaver has moved up the food chain over the past 20 years or so.
But, I do not have any personal experience with their recent products.
Again, I've not tried the Weaver rail system, because I prefer the old model Talleys but, I don't know if Talley even make that style any more.

Incidentally, you could hardly do better than the rifle and caliber you have chosen.
You will not be sorry that you bought a Model-70 in .375 H&H.

Yes, as you age, your eyes will loose their ability to gather enough light in less that perfect conditions (pre-dawn and post sundown twilight).
However, putting an oversize white front bead helps quite a bit in my opinion.

To answer your question;
My first double rifle was a Merkel SxS in .375 H&H.
2nd one was an Army&Navy SxS in .450 No2 Nitro.
3rd was a Henry Adkin SxS in .275 Flanged (7x57R).
Sold the above 3 here and there to pay for hunting trips, and I did not own them all at the same time.

4th is a Heym SxS in .458 Winchester that I bought recently.
It's a used one, built in the 1980s sometime but in excellent condition, tight on the face, etc.
Still have it (was just shooting it this week).
I know the .458 is a bum double rifle caliber (operates at relatively high pressure) but, I saved several thousand bucks compared to the same rifle in .450/400 (also used/currently for sale at ChamplinArms .com) which is what I really wanted.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[rnovi]

30WM,

The Terra's are good glass, no doubt. I tried to use the harnesses for binos but ended up just going back to a strap and cross slinging them behind the hip. It worked better for me and kept them out of the way when shouldering a rifle.

Before I forget:

Glasses cleaning cloth! I really like the disposable pre-moistened cleaning cloths that come in their own sealed pouches. I found them in the reading glasses section in the local drug store. I keep a couple of those in my kit for quick wipe downs of the glass. There's nothing quite like applying sun block and accidentally touching the glass lens or sunglasses. Normal microfiber cloths just gunk up and spread the oils around.

 

[30winmag]

Hello again 30winmag,

No problema, my pleasure.
Yep, I've heard that Weaver has moved up the food chain over the past 20 years or so.
But, I do not have any personal experience with their recent products.
Again, I've not tried the Weaver rail system, because I prefer the old model Talleys but, I don't know if Talley even make that style any more.

Incidentally, you could hardly do better than the rifle and caliber you have chosen.
You will not be sorry that you bought a Model-70 in .375 H&H.

Yes, as you age, your eyes will loose their ability to gather enough light in less that perfect conditions (pre-dawn and post sundown twilight).
However, putting an oversize white front bead helps quite a bit in my opinion.

To answer your question;
My first double rifle was a Merkel SxS in .375 H&H.
2nd one was an Army&Navy SxS in .450 No2 Nitro.
3rd was a Henry Adkin SxS in .275 Flanged (7x57R).
Sold the above 3 here and there to pay for hunting trips, and I did not own them all at the same time.

4th is a Heym SxS in .458 Winchester that I bought recently.
It's a used one, built in the 1980s sometime but in excellent condition, tight on the face, etc.
Still have it (was just shooting it this week).
I know the .458 is a bum double rifle caliber (operates at relatively high pressure) but, I saved several thousand bucks compared to the same rifle in .450/400 (also used/currently for sale at ChamplinArms .com) which is what I really wanted.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

Velo Dog,

Thanks for stoking my deep envy! That is a collection that can inspire awe in any person who desires a SxS. How do you like your .458? While a relative newbie I haven't heard of many doubles in this caliber, of course the caliber has no flies on it at all, having almost 50 years of thumping dangerous game to its credit. I also heartily agree with your "really want" choice of .450/400. I have had a chance to shoot most of the big bores and the .450/400 is one that gets the job done without kicking you back to puberty. I also think that a heavier double in all of the big bores would be much more kind to the shooter than the Ruger #1's I've run the rounds through in the main. Just as an aside, I've talked to guys who literally shoot for a living and if you get a chance to shoot a .460 Wetherby Mag, don't, its hazardous to your health.
As to my choice of the Weaver system, well if it doesn't work I'll take it off and start over. It'll be great fun doing the testing though. I'm getting the Model 70 because of a proven track record and a .375 H&H because if I can only buy one rifle for
Africa that's it. It will take care of everything on the continent and I suspect it might make a serious elk/moose/bear rifle! Not to mention I have an attachment to Winchesters. Thanks for stopping by, feel free anytime!

Best Regards,
30winmag (aka. Jason Winchester)

 

[Velo Dog]

30WM,

The Terra's are good glass, no doubt. I tried to use the harnesses for binos but ended up just going back to a strap and cross slinging them behind the hip. It worked better for me and kept them out of the way when shouldering a rifle.

Before I forget:

Glasses cleaning cloth! I really like the disposable pre-moistened cleaning cloths that come in their own sealed pouches. I found them in the reading glasses section in the local drug store. I keep a couple of those in my kit for quick wipe downs of the glass. There's nothing quite like applying sun block and accidentally touching the glass lens or sunglasses. Normal microfiber cloths just gunk up and spread the oils around.

Rnovi,

Here I thought I was the only Safari Client who did not find the bino chest-harness type design very user friendly.
I went back to the old fashioned shoulder strap for the same reason you stated.
Great minds think alike.

Also: Good call on the sun block vs binocular lenses / dedicated lens cloths in sealed pouches.
Until I slimed a bino lense with sun block crème, I used to only carry (in a zip lock baggie) a good quality Artist type paint brush (like for oil painting, largish size, purchased in an Art Supply Store).

It works like Gang-Busters for removing dust from bino and rifle scope lenses but, sun block is instant death to a fine paint brush so, I have been carrying what you described in case of my periodic typical spaz attack, resulting in me smearing a lens with sun block (or biltong grease, etc).

Cheerio,
Velo Dog.

 

[30winmag]

30WM,

The Terra's are good glass, no doubt. I tried to use the harnesses for binos but ended up just going back to a strap and cross slinging them behind the hip. It worked better for me and kept them out of the way when shouldering a rifle.

Before I forget:

Glasses cleaning cloth! I really like the disposable pre-moistened cleaning cloths that come in their own sealed pouches. I found them in the reading glasses section in the local drug store. I keep a couple of those in my kit for quick wipe downs of the glass. There's nothing quite like applying sun block and accidentally touching the glass lens or sunglasses. Normal microfiber cloths just gunk up and spread the oils around.

rnovi,

Thank you for a reminder that is very pertinent! I have had to deal with a combination of dust, sunscreen and optics before and doing it properly the first time does save me from cussing myself into another eternity in hell. The best glass on earth is useless with what looks like Vaseline smeared over the lenses! Thank you for stopping by, feel free anytime!
Best regards,
30winmag

 

[Velo Dog]

Velo Dog,

Thanks for stoking my deep envy! That is a collection that can inspire awe in any person who desires a SxS. How do you like your .458? While a relative newbie I haven't heard of many doubles in this caliber, of course the caliber has no flies on it at all, having almost 50 years of thumping dangerous game to its credit. I also heartily agree with your "really want" choice of .450/400. I have had a chance to shoot most of the big bores and the .450/400 is one that gets the job done without kicking you back to puberty. I also think that a heavier double in all of the big bores would be much more kind to the shooter than the Ruger #1's I've run the rounds through in the main. Just as an aside, I've talked to guys who literally shoot for a living and if you get a chance to shoot a .460 Wetherby Mag, don't, its hazardous to your health.
As to my choice of the Weaver system, well if it doesn't work I'll take it off and start over. It'll be great fun doing the testing though. I'm getting the Model 70 because of a proven track record and a .375 H&H because if I can only buy one rifle for
Africa that's it. It will take care of everything on the continent and I suspect it might make a serious elk/moose/bear rifle! Not to mention I have an attachment to Winchesters. Thanks for stopping by, feel free anytime!

Best Regards,
30winmag (aka. Jason Winchester)

Hello again 30winmag,

No worries.
Again, I did not own them all at one time.
Each one was purchased by making payments on it, like one typically makes on a motorcycle or aluminum fishing boat/outboard motor/trailer or what have you.
Then, when I needed money for my next goofy plan, I would sell whichever one I had at the time to get some money.

As mentioned, I only have the Heym (made over 30 years ago) .458 and to answer your question, I like it very much so far, except that it is only 9.9 Lb empty.
I feel that 11 Lb is about right for a .458, even the Winchester version, at least for my taste in dreaded elephant guns.
I have a .458 Lott that weighs about 11 Lb and it seems about right for my "mild" reloads (500 gr bullets @ about 2150 fps from 23" barrel, and sometimes I shoot 480 gr bullets through it as well).

I have not shot the Heym enough to be very sure it will not malfunction some day.
So far, so good though in the reliability and regulation departments, with only a few rounds through it.
They have an awesome reputation.
It balances like a grouse/quail gun and you'd never guess it weighs almost 10 lb when you snap shoot it.
Handles like a much lighter weapon (and kicks like one as well, LOL).

Thanks for the heads up on .460 Wby recoil but after watching a man touch one off at a rifle range years ago, I decided I am too much of a little girl for it.
I have however fired a custom made SxS (Evo-Rifle Company .500 NE 3" SxS on a Chapui action, 20" barrels @ what felt like about 7.5 to 8 lb in my hands).
I managed to actually put two 570 grainers @ 2100 something fps, next to each other on a paper bullseye, from off hand @ 50 yds but I will admit my shoulder suffered a painful and visible bruise for well over a week.

Likewise, I have fired other NE doubles, including of course my .450 No2 that you can just see part of the barrels in my Avatar, also the .450 NE 3.5" straight, the .470 and the .600 NE, plus less known ones that in African terms would not be large bores at all.

The .600 was 1900 something FPS, with 900gr bullet.
Recoil was quite heavy but I hit what I was shooting at (paper bullseye again).

That underweight .500 was the most painful recoil I have ever experienced so, I have no need to try a .460 Wby.
Nobody I associate with owns one anyway, so I couldn't shoot one if I wanted to.
The .460 is great for those who can handle it, but I'm pretty sure I'm not one of them.
I do own a .500 Jeffery (CZ bolt action) but have not fired it yet.
I plan to shoot it at about .500 NE ballistics and not the full Jeffery specs.
It weighs 11 lb and has mercury recoil reducer (reducers?) in the stock and I recon I will learn to like it due to said proper weight and the mercury action.

I'm rambling (as old folks will do) so,
Adios for now,
Velo Dog.

 

[enysse]

Velo Dog, you never have to apologize on AH for rambling. It keeps things interesting sharing experiences and knowledge. It's what makes AH a great place! I personally find your posts interesting and thought out.

 

[rnovi]

You guys are making me just a tad jealous!

On the other hand I just plunked down for my first ever Double Gun. It's a Merkel 141 in 9.3x74r. Very excited! I thought about going bigger but then I figured that my first DR should probably be something I'm planning on using for a whole lotta years. The truly big bores are just a tad single purposes for my needs...for now.

Besides, of all the rifles I got to play with at a recent SCI show, the Merkel fit and felt the best of all. I just loved how it came to shoulder.


Oh, and ain't it grand to derail a thread like this?

 

[30winmag]

Hello again 30winmag,

No worries.
Again, I did not own them all at one time.
Each one was purchased by making payments on it, like one typically makes on a motorcycle or aluminum fishing boat/outboard motor/trailer or what have you.
Then, when I needed money for my next goofy plan, I would sell whichever one I had at the time to get some money.

As mentioned, I only have the Heym (made over 30 years ago) .458 and to answer your question, I like it very much so far, except that it is only 9.9 Lb empty.
I feel that 11 Lb is about right for a .458, even the Winchester version, at least for my taste in dreaded elephant guns.
I have a .458 Lott that weighs about 11 Lb and it seems about right for my "mild" reloads (500 gr bullets @ about 2150 fps from 23" barrel, and sometimes I shoot 480 gr bullets through it as well).

I have not shot the Heym enough to be very sure it will not malfunction some day.
So far, so good though in the reliability and regulation departments, with only a few rounds through it.
They have an awesome reputation.
It balances like a grouse/quail gun and you'd never guess it weighs almost 10 lb when you snap shoot it.
Handles like a much lighter weapon (and kicks like one as well, LOL).

Thanks for the heads up on .460 Wby recoil but after watching a man touch one off at a rifle range years ago, I decided I am too much of a little girl for it.
I have however fired a custom made SxS (Evo-Rifle Company .500 NE 3" SxS on a Chapui action, 20" barrels @ what felt like about 7.5 to 8 lb in my hands).
I managed to actually put two 570 grainers @ 2100 something fps, next to each other on a paper bullseye, from off hand @ 50 yds but I will admit my shoulder suffered a painful and visible bruise for well over a week.

Likewise, I have fired other NE doubles, including of course my .450 No2 that you can just see part of the barrels in my Avatar, also the .450 NE 3.5" straight, the .470 and the .600 NE, plus less known ones that in African terms would not be large bores at all.

The .600 was 1900 something FPS, with 900gr bullet.
Recoil was quite heavy but I hit what I was shooting at (paper bullseye again).

That underweight .500 was the most painful recoil I have ever experienced so, I have no need to try a .460 Wby.
Nobody I associate with owns one anyway, so I couldn't shoot one if I wanted to.
The .460 is great for those who can handle it, but I'm pretty sure I'm not one of them.
I do own a .500 Jeffery (CZ bolt action) but have not fired it yet.
I plan to shoot it at about .500 NE ballistics and not the full Jeffery specs.
It weighs 11 lb and has mercury recoil reducer (reducers?) in the stock and I recon I will learn to like it due to said proper weight and the mercury action.

I'm rambling (as old folks will do) so,
Adios for now,
Velo Dog.

Velo Dog,
I happen to find this bit of conversation enlightening, especially with first hand statements from someone who has "been there, done that". I will just mention an observation from the fellows at my job that test ammo for a living. To prevent "extreme bruising" from testing ammo in a .460 they used a 5lb. bag of lead shot for a recoil pad. I have no desire to even try that once. Once again, why I want a 450/400, if you cant make a quick second shot, why have a double?
I find your comments on the handling of your Heym very interesting, sine it seems to be all a double should be. Please keep us updated.
Best Regards,
30winmag