Which Double Rifle Caliber is worth the investment in 2023?

[elkocountygun]

My final double before I leave this earth will be a second, and final for me, .577....if that says anything. Useful or practical for many?.....no, not at all. But the .577 literally exudes by-gone days like heart-felt tears of love. You could probably put a jar underneath to catch them. No other double does that. Or ever will. For some people, this is value and contentment.

now that is commitment. good for you

 

[elkocountygun]

now that is commitment. good for you

the 450 express, .450 Nitro Express your caliber right? now .577 Nitro Express what in your opinion is gained from smaller to larger.. i get the larger diameter and probably more powder and hopefully more terminal energy. what is it specifically that you like and want from this jump? if you can plz...thx

 

[Hagler.450Ex]

the 450 express, .450 Nitro Express your caliber right? now .577 Nitro Express what in your opinion is gained from smaller to larger.. i get the larger diameter and probably more powder and hopefully more terminal energy. what is it specifically that you like and want from this jump? if you can plz...thx

Pardon the late reply. You may have answered all of your questions with your question. Another factor to include is mental. Also, weight, on occasion = insurance. Yes, I've used both .450's, the no.2 shell and the 3 1/4", and prefer the latter which I still have, but the .577 is a stone wall, it's effect can be quite dramatic. It's not infallible, but it exists, and there are occasions when it feels better to have it in hand than the little .450.....it's for special work. The .600 however, in my opinion, is a royal first-class detriment. I've never thought that the .577 can be bettered as a heavy, and that it draws the final line between what is practical and what is not.

 

[elkocountygun]

Pardon the late reply. You may have answered all of your questions with your question. Another factor to include is mental. Also, weight, on occasion = insurance. Yes, I've used both .450's, the no.2 shell and the 3 1/4", and prefer the latter which I still have, but the .577 is a stone wall, it's effect can be quite dramatic. It's not infallible, but it exists, and there are occasions when it feels better to have it in hand than the little .450.....it's for special work. The .600 however, in my opinion, is a royal first-class detriment. I've never thought that the .577 can be bettered as a heavy, and that it draws the final line between what is practical and what is not.

agree. having confidence. mentally. a hunter removing any doubt. so he is confident that his rifle, ammo, and skills will get job done is critical in my honest opinion IMHO

 

[HWL]

Lead free ammunition from German "Sax Munitions GmbH", over the counter....

Unfortunately, 25% tariffs for our American friends....

HWL

 

[towserthemouser]

Lead free ammunition from German "Sax Munitions GmbH", over the counter....
View attachment 676918
Unfortunately, 25% tariffs for our American friends....

HWL

Tell ya what: you drop your tariffs and we'll drop ours.

 

[HWL]

Tell ya what: you drop your tariffs and we'll drop ours.

I am completely with you!

HWL

 

[rookhawk]

Lead free ammunition from German "Sax Munitions GmbH", over the counter....
View attachment 676918
Unfortunately, 25% tariffs for our American friends....

HWL

Ignoring the tariffs which are trivial on the whole of the landed price, it is unlikely we will get your German ammunition in the united states. We've tried this before (e.g. RWS) and a box of 20 rounds was offered with retail markup and importation costs at $200. That retailer stopped offering it because it just isn't practical for smallbore calibers, even metric calibers that are obscure, to offer $10 per round ammunition in the USA.

It's all the other things that it takes to get ammo from Europe to the USA that make it cost prohibitive, even if we were free trade and 100% tariff-free.+

 

[IvW]

What double rifle caliber? For 2025.
450/400 3" NE, 470 NE

For it would be(all 3.if I could)
375 H&H Flanged Magnum
500/416 3 1/4 NE

I have always loved the 450 No.2 NE
I have always wantef a 500 3 1/4 NE regulated with 600gr bullets at min 2150fps.

 

[IvW]

The idea of a 500 No.2 NE( 450 No.2 cased necked up to 510) has always been a dream. Strongest NE case ever made. If it will fit then 600gr bullet at somewhere between 2200 and 2300 fps would be the ultimate backup double rifle.....for me anyway....

 

[rookhawk]

What double rifle caliber? For 2025.
450/400 3" NE, 470 NE

For it would be(all 3.if I could)
375 H&H Flanged Magnum
500/416 3 1/4 NE

I have always loved the 450 No.2 NE
I have always wantef a 500 3 1/4 NE regulated with 600gr bullets at min 2150fps.

I concur with @IvW in 2025 that the most sought and most desirable calibers are 450-400 3" and 470NE. (500NE shortly thereafter)

The big reason for this is ammo and component availability is dire for most other calibers. People will disagree with me citing Woodleigh starting up production again (hogwash, they are focusing on top sellers which solves nothing for the obscure DR calibers) and they'll site Bertram brass in Australia which we cannot get in the USA.

If you're buying something other than 450-400 3" or 470NE, you will have supply challenges, particularly if its a vintage gun that only shoots FMJs, not monometal solids. (or a modern gun with an explicit warning not to use monometals)

 

[HWL]

Ignoring the tariffs which are trivial on the whole of the landed price, it is unlikely we will get your German ammunition in the united states. We've tried this before (e.g. RWS) and a box of 20 rounds was offered with retail markup and importation costs at $200. That retailer stopped offering it because it just isn't practical for smallbore calibers, even metric calibers that are obscure, to offer $10 per round ammunition in the USA.

It's all the other things that it takes to get ammo from Europe to the USA that make it cost prohibitive, even if we were free trade and 100% tariff-free.+

DG ammo always is expensive and always hard to come by.
But it is there....

HWL