What would yall consider a “Lifetime worth of ammunition” for a double rifle?

Tanks said:
For new rifles think 200 rounds for break in then 40 rounds a year plus whatever you use in a hunt. That is assuming you are using less expensive calibers for practice.
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My thought as well.
 
Noah Hutchens said:
Do you think someone could shoot enough rounds out of a big bore double to wear out the barrels in a lifetime?

I would understand if it were a PH and he was using it/shooting daily but for an average joe? I don’t even know what a barrels life expectancy is for a 500 NE or similar.

Do most of yall shoot 50 to 100 bullets a year out of your big bore doubles even if your not hunting?

My POV and thought process was coming from using my deer gun and shooting less than a 10 rds a year through it, 3 rds to verify scope didn’t move before season opener and then the other handful on actual deer. Now like a 22lr or shotgun I’ll run a lot more though.
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500ne about 15000 founds per barrel...using 458 win as reference point
 
If they come in cases of 200 then buy 2cases of each to have at least 400 cases.

Then buy bulk projectiles if they are available.

This is probably a more budget friendly option and you won’t make the nightly news for having gasp, 1000 rounds of ammo

I like to have 300 cases for a centrefire. Then I load in lots of 100 so I don’t have loose primers or odd amounts. Plus there are enough loaded if I travel.

I never need 100 on a trip but only you will know how much you expect to practice
 
Noah Hutchens said:
Was 15,000 a typo? That seems crazy to me
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I don’t think you could ever wear out a big bore barrel unless you made a dedicated effort. Velocity is too slow and very different accuracy expectations than a target rifle.
 
When I bought my .470 I bought 8lbs of powder which is enough for 700+ rounds and I’m more than half way through it.

The real issue is component availability, so when you can find it stock up so you have consistent lot numbers and put effort into storing properly.
 
You asked several questions.

Barrel life- I agree with the 10-15 thousand rounds down each barrel. The rounds you mentioned all operate at a much lower pressures than the current barrel burners that are way over bore. The thing that burns out barrels is mostly shooting the rifle quickly and over heating the barrels like the knuckle heads at the range doing mag dumps with their AR's.

Lifetime of rounds- this is really dependent on how much you plan on shooting your doubles. In my 5 doubles, I shoot in most years a total of 6-700 rounds total between them all.

Prep for hunts. Usually 200-250 rounds in several months working up to the hunt. Take 40 rounds and have shot no more than 14 rounds in a trip.

Since you are a young man I would REALLY suggest you learn to load for your doubles.
 
I used to think 200 rds, but now think that is the base to start from, then reload lighter loads for practice. So, more is better.
 
AZDAVE said:
You asked several questions.

Barrel life- I agree with the 10-15 thousand rounds down each barrel. The rounds you mentioned all operate at a much lower pressures than the current barrel burners that are way over bore. The thing that burns out barrels is mostly shooting the rifle quickly and over heating the barrels like the knuckle heads at the range doing mag dumps with their AR's.

Lifetime of rounds- this is really dependent on how much you plan on shooting your doubles. In my 5 doubles, I shoot in most years a total of 6-700 rounds total between them all.

Prep for hunts. Usually 200-250 rounds in several months working up to the hunt. Take 40 rounds and have shot no more than 14 rounds in a trip.

Since you are a young man I would REALLY suggest you learn to load for your doubles.
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Exactly this. Cartridges that operate in the 60K PSI range, plus high MV, are the ones that wear out barrels after 1500 - 2000 rds, if not less.

I shoot high-ish pressure (for a lever gun) 425 and 525 gr lead alloy loads from my 1895GBL. Something's going to break inside the action long before the barrel would wear out, if it ever did.

Most doubles are in the 40k - 50K PSI neighborhood, MV between about 1900 and 2100 fps. That's a recipe for a very, very long barrel life.

Actually just looked it up.

450/400, 450, 470, and 500 all operate within 39K - 44K PSI.

577 NE is even lower - 36K PSI.
 
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300 rds each of the soft-point/solid loads for the big-bores is a smart lifetime starting point plenty for a couple of two year safaris, zeroing, and home defense. You’ll be in no hurry to burn through it.

1,200 rds of S&B 173 gr .7x57 is perfect plinking ammo cheap enough to burn heavy and heavy enough to stay accurate for years. That alone is the real workhorse for whitetail hog practice and range time.
 
I have infinity more double rifle books than I have double rifles, but I doubt anyone is going to tell you these aren’t good books to have along the way.

IMG_8831.jpeg
 
Noah Hutchens said:
Hello, I’m looking to source and or load ammunition for 2 double rifles I am having made. I have recently had the urge to just bite the bullet and purchase a “lifetime supply” of ammunition from the get go and have designated airtight containers for each one for long term storage.

I obviously won’t be using the rifle professionally so in my head I won’t be running through huge amounts of ammunition and currently don’t expect to go on a safari or hunt with the big bore rifle more than once every 2 years.(could change to once per year at most if finances improve)

I am just curious on what y’all would consider a safe lifetime supply of ammunition would be.

As of now I have priced out:

200 Rds of expanding soft points(either Barnes or Hornady) and 100 Rds of solids(300 Rds each caliber total) in

500 NE
470 NE
450/400
375 Flanged

Also, I’m planning to purchase 1,200 rds(3 cases) of Sellier and Bellot 173 grn 7x57r ammunition since I’m sure it will be used a hell of a lot more for practice and on a lot of the smaller game(especially at home for whitetail and wild hogs). This is the cheapest at less than $1 per round so I would be more inclined to purchase more of this up front if warranted.

I’m guessing the consensus will be that 300 rds of each isn’t going to be enough but I figure if my supply is exhausted I could go about getting some more loaded decades later with the brass I’ll save. Thoughts? Thanks!
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At your age, that's probably enough, however; if they aren't vacuum packed already, I would vacuum-pack them into bags of 100 to prevent deterioration.

Then; as others have said, find a load that regulates in your rifle and purchase the combination of bullets, primers and powder to match. Again vac pack everything into small batches.

That way you should be able to cater for different game via bullet construction and keep the weight the same.

I would suggest a life of 5000 rounds would be at least what you can expect from a well-maintained double, I'm interested in what others think.
 
I think another consideration is protecting the ability to one day sell a rifle (double or otherwise) chambered for a more ‘obscure’ cartridge.

In effect, this requires 2 lifetimes supply, one for yours and one for the next custodian that you or your family / executor sell the rifle to.

Hard to find a buyer for a rifle that ammunition can’t easily be sourced for.
 
Well, your circumstances and technology can/will change. Currents bullet are far better than a decade ago. Those are all fairly common cases but matching cases are important. I’d keep 500 regulated rds each, 500-1000 cases each
 
I’m a reloader with a variety oddly doubles and bolt action DG rifles . These 2 books are a must have . Forget the rest .
 
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