Double Rifles & Monolithic Solids

[Professor Mawla]

Good evening ;

While corresponding with Mr. Jeff Rann , I recently learnt that Jeff currently uses a William Evans .500 Nitro Express boxlock ejector double rifle and 570 grain Barnes banded monolithic solids . This has gotten me thinking . What brands of double rifles are advertised as being safe with monolithic solid bullets ?

Being a long time user of conventional steel jacketed solid bullets for big game hunting all my life , I admittedly am rather ignorant of monolithic solid bullets . I have seen a number of double rifles get their barrels damaged during the 1980s , by firing the original Barnes Super Solids ( unbanded ) and A Square monolithic solid bullets through them . The Barnes monolithic solid was first created in 1980 and the A Square monolithic solid in 1985 . Of course , these monolithic solids were unbanded and made from overtly hard naval bronze . Technology and bullet development have come a long way since then .

I do know that Kreighoff does not recommend firing firing monolithic solids through their double rifles . Neither does Westley Richards or Holland & Holland . But what about the other brands such as Heym or Merkel or John Rigby & Co. ? I know that Verney Carron does provide a warranty for their double rifles to be used with monolithic solids .

I would appreciate any insight on this subject from more of the knowledgeable members of this forum .

With very best wishes ,
Anayeth

 

[Ray B]

In correspondence with Geoff at Woodleigh Bullets, he had information regarding a minimum hardness of the barrel to handle the steel jacketed bullets. I don't recall the numbers however my conclusion was to avoid shooting anything but lead core copper jacketed bullets, although he did say that the hydrostatic solids would be fine. the problem is that the steel and hard brass/bronze bullets push out on the rifling land such that after firing a yet to be determined amount, the exterior of the barrel resembles a barber pole. So all that gets shot in the Rigby C 470NE are Woodleigh SPs and cast bullets- if for no other reason than respect for a 111 year old rifle.

 

[Professor Mawla]

In correspondence with Geoff at Woodleigh Bullets, he had information regarding a minimum hardness of the barrel to handle the steel jacketed bullets. I don't recall the numbers however my conclusion was to avoid shooting anything but lead core copper jacketed bullets, although he did say that the hydrostatic solids would be fine. the problem is that the steel and hard brass/bronze bullets push out on the rifling land such that after firing a yet to be determined amount, the exterior of the barrel resembles a barber pole. So all that gets shot in the Rigby C 470NE are Woodleigh SPs and cast bullets- if for no other reason than respect for a 111 year old rifle.

@Ray B
Thank you very much for enlightening me . Up until today , I was always under the impression that conventional steel jacketed lead core solids were safe to use in even all vintage double rifles . One learns something new everyday .

 

[zephyr]

Here are some pressure tests you might find interesting

B & M Rifles and Cartridges - Barrel Strain Double Rifles

B&M Rifles And Cartridges - Conway, SC B&M Rifles B&M Cartridges 500 MDM, 50 B&M, 458 B&M, 416 B&M, 9.3 B&M, 50 B&M AK, 50 B&M Alaskan 500 Caliber Rifles, .500 caliber, Michael McCourry

www.b-mriflesandcartridges.com

 

[crs]

And then there bore rider solids like North Fork.
Safe in all barrels.