Sabatti report

I happy to report that I now have put 5 boxes of hornady 400 gr DGX through my sabatti 450/400 and it is performing well.

I have mounted a swarovski z6 1x6 on it and have zeroed at 35 yards. The LR spread appears to be consistly and inch and under. At 50 yards I put three consecutive right barrell shots in the bullseye with all of them touching each other. All of this shooting was done from a lead sled. the rifle continues to show some wear at various rub points but no fatigue.

I am starting to wonder if all of the criticism is undeserved or if I just got lucky with a good version of a cheap rifle.

You lucky guy! You went out on a limb and didn't break! Way to beat the odds!

Update for those who are interested. I am 6 boxes into the break in. The hold and regulation is still good. The scope mounts keep coming loose, my gunsmith is drilling out the holes to allow a larger screw and tapping in a small steel pin. The small screws that come with the scope mount are not adequate. The action is opening a bit smoother and everything is settling in fine.

I shot a new Verny Carron (high dollar)450/400 last week end and sadly it was shooting 10" high and crossing about 3" from the POA for each barrel. The wood and workmmanship on it was superb but sadly the man doing the regulating must have been hung over and skipped that work.
It was returned for a refund.

Happily you're haveing better luck with your DR.

Rastaman,

Congratulations. Sounds like you have a shooter. Is regulation affected if the scope is removed?

Mike,

It is a shame about SW's VC. From the pictures it is truly one of the best looking doubles I have even seen. If I did not own one 450 400 3 1/4 I would try to buy it from Ken. Not many left hand rifles floating around.

Originally Posted by AkMike

I shot a new Verny Carron (high dollar)450/400 last week end and sadly it was shooting 10" high and crossing about 3" from the POA for each barrel. The wood and workmmanship on it was superb but sadly the man doing the regulating must have been hung over and skipped that work.
It was returned for a refund.

Happily you're haveing better luck with your DR.

No two double rifles are the same, no two double rifle shooters are the same. I shot the same gun. From cold barrels with 5 to 7 seconds between shots with factory ammo it shot fine. If I waited 15 to 20 seconds it would sometimes cross by a inch. Crossing can also be because of how hard you are holding the gun or even if you are "jerking" the trigger.
Elevation depends on how you are looking at the sights. For me the gun either shot a little low or on the bull depending on the day and distance. A friend shot consistently 6" higher with the same gun ....again he is looking at the sights differently.

Ken, Both the owner and I know how to shoot DR's I have 11 of them and he has several. (He's a better shot than I also.) The bead was fully seated in the bottom of the V just like every other rifle. POA was at the bottom of the target @ 50 yds. Pictures are available. With more time it would have been interesting to get some of the other DR shooters here to wring it out also.

Your offer of a refund was very generous and appreciated. I am sure that this was a fluke from VC and not the normal regulation. If I ever decide to buy another DR I will call you and look seriously at the VC line.
You're top notch and the craftmanship shown on that rifle was fantastic.

I sure wish I could figure out how to post a photo. I have modified the scope mounts as the little screws couldnt handle the recoil. The rifle is holding an amazingly tight pattern at 50, with the left right being a half inch apart. A half inch low and overlapping at 25 and dead on at 100. They may not all shoot this way but I'll challenge any double 25k and up to group better than this Sabatti. When I bought the rifle I accepted the risk that it would be crap. Maybe I got the only good one?

Email me the pictures and will post them if you would like.

Originally Posted by Rastaman

I happy to report that I now have put 5 boxes of hornady 400 gr DGX through my sabatti 450/400 and it is performing well.

I have mounted a swarovski z6 1x6 on it and have zeroed at 35 yards. The LR spread appears to be consistly and inch and under. At 50 yards I put three consecutive right barrell shots in the bullseye with all of them touching each other. All of this shooting was done from a lead sled. the rifle continues to show some wear at various rub points but no fatigue.

I am starting to wonder if all of the criticism is undeserved or if I just got lucky with a good version of a cheap rifle.

Why in the world would you shoot any double rifle from a lead sled? Are you trying to destroy the stock? There are no lead sleds in the field. Stand up and practice off sticks or off hand.

Originally Posted by Rastaman

I sure wish I could figure out how to post a photo.

Here is some help with that: How To Post Photos In The Forum

Originally Posted by Mike70560

Email me the pictures and will post them if you would like.

That's nice, thanks Mike.

Tex,
I was just using the sled to take out a few variables. I will be getting off the bench now that the rifle has shown consistency at all practical distances with both barrels. Thanks.

Mike. Sent you a picture of my target and a few other emails on Zimbabwe. Did you receive them?

I owned a 500NE and bagged a buffalo in Zimbabwe. It did kick a little hard for my liking
so I gave it to my PH and he uses it daily as his working gun and he loves it. They make a very fine
double for half the cost of anyone else.

I own a Sabatti in 470 and love it. It groups about 3/4 in apart at 50 yrd. I do not have a scope on it, but put a trijicon RMR red dot on it. It's the one that doesn't need batteries and I really like it. I have only used it up to 80 yds and it does the trick. To me there is no need for any further with this gun. I recently took a lion with it with a head shot at about 50 yds.

What mount did you use to use the RMR? 33, 34?

Hey Gatlingman...If you ever need a PH in the States...I'm your man!

PS: Bring another Sabatti with you....LOL

Originally Posted by gatlingman

What mount did you use to use the RMR? 33, 34?

The weaver mount. I believe it's the 34. The picatinny should also work as Sabatti advertises the mount as one. But I didn't want to take any chances. The original set up with small screws is still holding for me, but it would be a good idea to drill and tap it out for larger mounting screws.

Originally Posted by big tex

Why in the world would you shoot any double rifle from a lead sled? Are you trying to destroy the stock? There are no lead sleds in the field. Stand up and practice off sticks or off hand.

Have to agree here with bigtex, doubles are regulated from a standing bench. They will only shoot properly from this position. If they do not regulate from this position then in the field they will not be accurate. Believe me, I've regulated barrels from the bench and they shot lousy off hand or standing. It's the physics of they way the gun shoots. Also I've cracked stocks doing similar things with sleds. Jm2c...

sorry to disagree but you can regulate doubles either sat at a bench or standing at a bench. you are holding them exactly the same way, fore end in your hand resting on a sandbag/support the only thing different is you will feel less recoil standing. i have shot doubles for regulating and watched them being shot for same, and this was from the sitting position. once the regulating was done they shot the same from off hand or sitting. i did this with one of the most knowledgeable builders of fine doubles in the uk, so i think he knew what he was doing.