William Douglas & Sons .470/ Sometimes you get lucky

[Red Leg]

A couple of months ago I purchased a used but essentially new William Douglas & Sons .470. It is a A&D boxlock ejector. I finally took it out back to my little range and set up a target at 70 meters. I used a set of sticks that offer forearm and stock support. Sight picture was bead full in the red center of the target. The left/right shots are pictured below.

As many know who have fooled with these wonderful/frustrating things, finding a factory load that regulates can be difficult - usually impossible. Even knowing the actual regulating ammuniton often doesn't solve things, because regulation can change, sometimes dramatically between lot numbers. This is a late eighties - early nineties rifle, so the odds of finding a current factory load that truly regulated was remote. Needless to say I am ecstatic, and immediately ordered 60 rounds - should be plenty to see me through.

William Douglas & Son

• Red Leg
• Aug 31, 2019
• 3

Sometimes we get lucky with factory ammunition. 70 meters center hold, Norma 500 gr African PH SP

 

[meigsbucks]

So when is it going to hunt buffalo?

 

[BnC 04]

Looks like it's ready for some field usage. Glad you found a load she likes without going through the gamut.

 

[Red Leg]

Looks like it's ready for some field usage. Glad you found a load she likes without going through the gamut.

Yep - extraordinarily lucky - six o'clock hold clipped the red. About as good as my eyes can do at that range with open sights. One of these is usually a three - six month project. Have a 9.3 that I still haven't figured out (with a lot of help).

 

[Nyati]

Congrats, that was a very lucky find !

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Beautiful double rifle. Congrats. I envy you.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Oh am I envious! So now what’s the plan to use it on game?

 

[TTundra]

I love when I'm able to find a factory load that shoots well in my rifles (I reload only when I need to as it's time that's hard to find lately), and it's not always easy in a bolt gun so I can only imagine your satisfaction on finding one for your new double.
Better to be lucky sometimes...

 

[CAustin]

A couple of months ago I purchased a used but essentially new William Douglas & Sons .470. It is a A&D boxlock ejector. I finally took it out back to my little range and set up a target at 70 meters. I used a set of sticks that offer forearm and stock support. Sight picture was bead full in the red center of the target. The left/right shots are pictured below.

As many know who have fooled with these wonderful/frustrating things, finding a factory load that regulates can be difficult - usually impossible. Even knowing the actual regulating ammuniton often doesn't solve things, because regulation can change, sometimes dramatically between lot numbers. This is a late eighties - early nineties rifle, so the odds of finding a current factory load that truly regulated was remote. Needless to say I am ecstatic, and immediately ordered 60 rounds - should be plenty to see me through.

William Douglas & Son

• Red Leg
• Aug 31, 2019
• 3

Sometimes we get lucky with factory ammunition. 70 meters center hold, Norma 500 gr African PH SP

Yes sir I think both barrels will cut meat'

 

[Pheroze]

Congrats! But, isn't it almost a little disappointing not having to solve that particular puzzle?

 

[Red Leg]

Congrats! But, isn't it almost a little disappointing not having to solve that particular puzzle?

NO!!

 

[Bullthrower338]

Beautiful Rifle!

 

[rinehart0050]

Congrats on a very nice rifle!

 

[IdaRam]

Very nice! It seems the double rifle gods decided you’ve paid your dues

 

[wesheltonj]

A couple of months ago I purchased a used but essentially new William Douglas & Sons .470. . . .

Can't tell it's used, looks brand new to me from those photos. Nice purchase.

 

[Pondoro]

Nice rifle Red...these were made in Holland IIRC..??

 

[Red Leg]

Nice rifle Red...these were made in Holland IIRC..??

Assembled, finished and proofed in the UK. Actions came from a CNC facility Holland and barrels from Germany. Most are in .470 and a few .500’s. Standard A&D action, dual under lugs, and hidden third fastener. JJ Perodeau thinks they are a very solid rifle.

They were hurt in this country by some gunsmith claiming they were unsafe, weren’t proofed and didn’t have, for instance, a third fastener. That was all debunked (you can dig up the discussion on another site), but suspect lasting damage done. Judging this rifle on its own merits, it is a classic working boxlock, that is both accurate and well regulated.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

@Red Leg: Joe, looks like another fine addition to your arsenal for defense and the pursuit of happiness. For those of us that aren't very knowledgeable on doubles in general or William Douglas & Son specifically, what can you tell us this gun maker? I Googled William Douglas & Son and found a few guns for sale, but no company website or other info. It does appear they have the proper English origin

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Just saw your post with all the details, thanks!

 

[Hoss Delgado]

Redleg , Congratulations !
The only double in my life which l have fired was a .470 Nitro Express as well It was a 1953 Rigby which my friend , Evan in Australia owns now. It puts Water Buffalo down like Thor's hammer
I see a nice Cape Buffalo in your future