Best Rimmed Double rifle cartridges for plains game?

Hello, in addition to my large bore double rifle I talked about commissioning in another thread, I am considering speccing out a smaller bore plains game/white tail double rifle for my son for when he comes of age. I understand completely a bolt action would be a lot more suitable and a lot cheaper but I am committed and admittedly like the less common options on many things in life and lean towards traditional rifles, so no comments on “you should just get a bolt gun” please .

Right now in contention in my head is 9.3x74r, 7x57r, 303 British, 30-30 am I missing any obvious others?

Sadly the cartridge has to be rimmed for this fellows design or else I would undoubtedly choose the 375 H&H with an additional smaller barrel set. I could think about dabbling with the 375 Flanged, I guess once brass is obtained it’s as easy as a 375 H&H to reload, same components and everything correct? Only reason I’m leaning away is because every other cartridge has easily accessible factory ammunition.

I would be thinking a two barrel set possibly a third with 20 gauge barrels.


What makes most since to me would be a either

375 flanged/9.3x74r
+
7x57r/303 British/30-30

Am I missing anything? Thoughts? Thanks!


P.S. I currently have a Single Shot rifle for my son already priced and specced out from the same fellow that CAN use rimless cartridges. Currently have the 375 H&H and 7x57 specced with both barrels being threaded for a suppressor. I don’t think a single shot shotgun barrel would be super useful/worth the extra money so I wouldn’t do one on a single shot. However I’m thinking about spending ~40% more to make it a double, only downside other than the additional cost is it then could not be threaded for a suppressor, which I feel in the modern era is becoming a necessity(I also don’t want my son to lose part of his hearing at a young age like I have), but again decisions decisions….

I’m not sure I’m completely following, but consider a 405 Winchester / 303 British combo….

318AE said:

I’m not sure I’m completely following, but consider a 405 Winchester / 303 British combo…

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Sorry I ramble a lot…

The gist is:

I’m having a large bore double made for me, I have already had a quote on an additional single shot rifle to be made for my son, I am trying to decide if I should upgrade and get him a double rifle instead of a single shot for ~40% more.

Then

If I were to upgrade to a double rifle I am looking for opinions on a good Rimmed two barrel set for plains game.

9.3x74r because of ammo and component availability
375 Flanged Mag if your a reloader, brass is readily available right now

I think a good 9.3x74 double is just a wonderful option. Easier to find ammo vs 375 Flanged

7x65R + 9.3x74R

30R Blaser would be a mama-jama!

steve white said:

30R Blaser would be a mama-jama!

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Ammo and brass doesn't exist in the US

Champlin has a Chapuis in 9.3 x 74 with an extra set of barrels in 30-06 available now

I don’t know if it’s listed on his website yet, but you can call George at Champlin rifles and discuss it with him

There seems to be about a perfect combination for planes game in a double rifle

HunterX said:

7x65R + 9.3x74R

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^^^ This ^^^
Perfect for either continent. I have a Chapius in this configuration.

or the Chapuis @Andrew NOLA spoke to above. The only issue being the 30-06 is rimless. But the rifle is already built & in the country, so no wait, & probably a bit less than what you're looking at ordering would cost.

Woodcarver said:

^^^ This ^^^
Perfect for either continent. I have a Chapius in this configuration.

or the Chapuis @Andrew NOLA spoke to above. The only issue being the 30-06 is rimless. But the rifle is already built & in the country, so no wait, & probably a bit less than what you're looking at ordering would cost.

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Yup agree with both options there...
If only one the 9.3x74r...one of my favourite calibres

Wyfox said:

Ammo and brass doesn't exist in the US

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What he said! I managed to acquire a Chapuis O/U DR in .30R Blaser recently and was extremely lucky it came with 3 boxes of ammo or I would not be able to shoot it. In 2 months of scouring every nook and cranny of the internet, I have found exactly nothing in the US

.

7x65R gets my vote !


.

You have multiple ramblings going one- to parse it out this is what I think-

Q1- should you upgrade the single shot to a double for your young son- My opinion- NO

A young kid does well to learn marksmanship and taking a good first shot is better than 2 rushed shots. The rifle will be much easier to handle than a double they may struggle at first. Also a suppressed 7x57r would be a good versatile round and not too much recoil. Once again do not overgun a young shooter.


Q2- if you do against better judgement upgrade the kids gun to a double for plainsgame- what 2 barrel set? My question is why do you need 2 different calibers for plains game? The answer to that is you don’t, unless you want a lower recoil round for smaller stuff and to learn to shoot.

A 9.3x74r is a great do everything even up to buffalo round. But bigger and more recoil especially for a kid. If you must get 2 barrels then it would make sense the second is on the smaller end - like a .22 hornet ! At most a 6.5x57r would be a great second barrel and easy to shoot.

For a plainsgame double with only one caliber (and a smaller shooter) a 303 British, 7x64r, or a 7x57r would make sense to me.

wildwilderness said:

You have multiple ramblings going one- to parse it out this is what I think-

Q1- should you upgrade the single shot to a double for your young son- My opinion- NO

A young kid does well to learn marksmanship and taking a good first shot is better than 2 rushed shots. The rifle will be much easier to handle than a double they may struggle at first. Also a suppressed 7x57r would be a good versatile round and not too much recoil. Once again do not overgun a young shooter.


Q2- if you do against better judgement upgrade the kids gun to a double for plainsgame- what 2 barrel set? My question is why do you need 2 different calibers for plains game? The answer to that is you don’t, unless you want a lower recoil round for smaller stuff and to learn to shoot.

A 9.3x74r is a great do everything even up to buffalo round. But bigger and more recoil especially for a kid. If you must get 2 barrels then it would make sense the second is on the smaller end - like a .22 hornet ! At most a 6.5x57r would be a great second barrel and easy to shoot.

For a plainsgame double with only one caliber (and a smaller shooter) a 303 British, 7x64r, or a 7x57r would make sense to me.

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Was thinking similar about the single shot for a young shooter over a double to start with....but was after I had gone to do something and too late to edit.....as you said either of the rimmed 7mm would be good choice....and later on could always get a 9.3x74r barrel made for it...

My opinion on this topic will not be helpful simply because I like so many of the suggested options: My 9.3x74r is one of my favorite rifles and would probably be my top choice if I was attempting the same purchase. A sentimental favorite is my 303 British (I have two). I've always thought owning a double in this caliber would be nice even though I really don't have any logical use for it. I like using my Winchester 1885 Traditional Hunter in 405 Win for straight-wall season. My 7x57 is a great round so I'm sure the rimmed version would be too.

Noah Hutchens said:

...but I am committed and admittedly like the less common options on many things in life and lean towards traditional rifles...

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On the "less common options" end of the scale, I'll mention the 333 Jeffery Flanged and the 300 H&H Flanged since you're considering this rifle for plains game. Obviously brass & ammo would be a challenge but they are classics so I thought they were worth a mention.

9.3x74R all day. It has a wide range of bullet options and weights.

Mountaineer said:

9.3x74R all day. It has a wide range of bullet options and weights.

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True! But a double would probably traditionally be regulated to only shoot the ~285gr bullets. As someone who shoots a Ruger #1S, I get to enjoy the wide variety a bit easier from my single shot. Still a great round & my favorite choice.


184gr RWS Evolution Green, 232gr Norma Vulkan, 250gr RWS HIT, 250gr Barnes TSX & 285gr RWS T-Mantel

One of the things to consider about a DR, it needs to properly fit the shooter. If you are planning to get a DR for your young son (who is likely still growing), getting the proper fit will be a challenge.

@odonata were you able to get the RWS 187’s as component bullets or only loaded ammo.