Best Rimmed Double rifle cartridges for plains game?

Interesting. I knowva fellow with an O/U in 16 bore and 7x65R. It runs 160TTSX at 2,800fps and 3 consecutive shots into an inch at 100meters. I don't know how he does that with those fence post crossbar, but that caliber would make a great plains game rifle.

Interesting speaking of children. My son was shooting his 375HH magazine rifle at ten years old. Also, at eleven he had a heym O/U double rifle in 7x65R. The rifle itself was easy for him to shoot because his “normal” rifle since he was 8 was a 7x64 brenneke and a 7x65r is the same thing, but with a rim.

The bigger problem is the thumb strength to operate some of the cocking safeties, or the thumb strength to laterally open very stubborn double rifle top levers. (Shotguns can be far easier, but with years of experience opening those he still lacked the strength to open a stiff DR top levers that wasn’t broken in)

By the time a child is fitted, orders, and receives a double rifle, the double rifle will no longer fit him. That’s really the problem. Buying one for a skinny teenager isn’t as big of a deal, while they may grow a bit longer, they will also bulk up. The longest gun stock you’ll ever need is between age 16-17, if you get fat or bulk up thereafter, you may need it shortened. (E.g. I was 6’10” and 168 pounds with a 17”+ LOP as a teen, I’m now 6’9” 325lbs and need 15.5”)

I would get a really nice magazine rifle for a teen or pre-teen because they are more forgiving on length. Put a 3/8” pad on now, put a 1” pad on as an adult, both are going to fit somewhat properly across a whole lifetime. As to a double rifle, You’re going to lose $10k-$20k trying to sell one that is 13.5” and no longer fits anyone and your child that is now a man requires 14.75”-15”.

Can’t go wrong with 9.3x74mm R.

My boys have been shooting 458 win mag from about 10 years old. Recoil is relative and little guys roll with recoil.

I am surprised with the lack of love for the 303. It is basically simular to 308 and 30- 06, which are the most popular plainsgame cartridges here in Africa. Why not ?

Noah Hutchens said:

I would have a smaller youth size buttstock be made in conjunction with a standard size buttstock to accommodate.

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No reason why not to....English gun makers used to do that...you can also have it where the stock section cut off can be kept and then added back to the stock...have seen couple like that....so with that I would go
7x65r
9.3x74r
20 bore barrels ( if budget allows)

My 9.3x74r had 20 bore barrels as well....

How old is he ?

spike.t said:

No reason why not to....English gun makers used to do that...you can also have it where the stock section cut off can be kept and then added back to the stock...have seen couple like that....so with that I would go
7x65r
9.3x74r
20 bore barrels ( if budget allows)

My 9.3x74r had 20 bore barrels as well....

How old is he ?

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3.5 now, commission will be finished with my double rifle in 26 months so he will be ~6 by then, perfect in my head to start shooting. I of course will have a small cheap 22 for him as well to learn the absolute basics before something a tad bit larger.

odonata said:

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.


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.

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I was going to have barrel #2 on my Bradshaw chanbered for the 300 Flanged Magnum...but Bertram is the only game in town for brass, these days.

Now that Norma has confirmed to me they have no intention of making 300 Flanged cases, I have determined I am not willing to risk having only one source of brass, and not exactly premium brass.

I have failed at converting Norma 375 Flanged brass to 300, even with two intermediate steps (.358 and .338) and multiple annealings.

I say all this not just to warn, but also in the hope someone will tell me where to get high quality 300 Flanged brass, or their secret for forming from 375!!!

Nhoro said:

I am surprised with the lack of love for the 303. It is basically simular to 308 and 30- 06, which are the most popular plainsgame cartridges here in Africa. Why not ?

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Bullet selection?

tarbe said:

Bullet selection?

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303 British bullet selection isn't as prolific as more popular calibers & it is often limited to some traditional weights. But I've never had problems finding good choices for the deer hunting that I do. I like rimmed cartridges in my falling blocks which is why I own two in 303 British.

Barnes 150
Cutting Edge 130
Hammer 150
Hornady 150, 174
Remington 180
Sierra 150, 174, 180
Speer 150, 180
Woodleigh 174 215

I have a fondness for the 303 British & I'm a bit nostalgic so the fact that companies like Westley Richards used to make doubles chambered in this cartridge gives it some appeal (even though my first choice was another favorite the 9.3x74r):

odonata said:

303 British bullet selection isn't as prolific as more popular calibers & it is often limited to some traditional weights. But I've never had problems finding good choices for the deer hunting that I do. I like rimmed cartridges in my falling blocks which is why I own two in 303 British.

Barnes 150
Cutting Edge 130
Hammer 150
Hornady 150, 174
Remington 180
Sierra 150, 174, 180
Speer 150, 180
Woodleigh 174 215

I have a fondness for the 303 British & I'm a bit nostalgic so the fact that companies like Westley Richards used to make doubles chambered in this cartridge gives it some appeal (even though my first choice was another favorite the 9.3x74r):

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Well that's flipping beautiful.

I didn't have a dedicated double in 303 on my christmas list but I do now!