Double rifles with multiple barrel sets

[Noah Hutchens]

Hello, complete novice here, I am in the process of pricing out a new double rifle build and am highly leaning towards getting a couple extra barrel sets, so I can have a “one gun safari”. Most likely the double is going to be a 470 NE although a 500 NE is still on the table.

I would then like an intermediate cartridge barrel set for plains games which I am most likely going to go with 7x57r, although 9.3x74r and .303 British are on the table.

And finally a 20 gauge barrel set to round it out, cause why not.

I understand the 7x57 and 20 gauges would be more effective on a stand alone rifle however I’m stuck on the idea of having the multiple sets.

I guess my question is, who all out there has a large bore double with additional intermediate caliber barrels for plains game? And anyone also have 20 gauge barrels as well? Are you happy with the other barrel sets usability/balance? Would you do it again if you reordered? I’m just trying to see a consensus if this is a good idea or I’m in lala land before I drop a load of money on my lifetime rifle.

 

[GerardV]

Hello, complete novice here, I am in the process of pricing out a new double rifle build and am highly leaning towards getting a couple extra barrel sets, so I can have a “one gun safari”. Most likely the double is going to be a 470 NE although a 500 NE is still on the table.

I would then like an intermediate cartridge barrel set for plains games which I am most likely going to go with 7x57r, although 9.3x74r and .303 British are on the table.

And finally a 20 gauge barrel set to round it out, cause why not.

I understand the 7x57 and 20 gauges would be more effective on a stand alone rifle however I’m stuck on the idea of having the multiple sets.

I guess my question is, who all out there has a large bore double with additional intermediate caliber barrels for plains game? And anyone also have 20 gauge barrels as well? Are you happy with the other barrel sets usability/balance? Would you do it again if you reordered? I’m just trying to see a consensus if this is a good idea or I’m in lala land before I drop a load of money on my lifetime rifle.

I have a .470 with a .375 H&H barrel set; as I've only just received it I can't really give you too much of a review.

I would imagine that getting a rifle built for a .470 or .500, and also a second light barrel set would be something of a compromise in terms of handling.

Have you considered a .450/400? I believe that they can be built on a smaller frame than the cartridges you listed, and may handle better with the light barrel set.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

450 3 1/4” with 375 Flanged Mag barrel would be my primary choice, or 450/400 with 375 Flanged Mag.

If wanting multiple barrels sets, I wouldn’t go over 450 3 1/4” as the larger rifle will finish likely too light and prove poor balance and/or miserable to shoot, and the smaller bore would also prove too heavy for its design and barrel heavy. So I would lean away from a 470NE or 500 NE with a 7x57 or honestly even 375 Flanged Mag.

If I were dead set on a 470 or 500, then my small bore barrels would be 450/400.

With a properly sized frame 450NE or 450/400NE, then a 375 Flanged Mag and 20ga should finish out proportionally well.

 

[PerH]

Bengt Berg’s Fantastic Set of Simson Guns

The Autumn 1996 issue of the Double Gun Journal contained an article written by my good friend Fredrik Franzén of Sweden about a fantastic set of guns once owned by the Naturalist and Sportsman Bengt Berg. It is not only a story about the guns but also about Bengt’s life. Recently Fredrik shared...

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The lottery standard for sets .

 

[PerH]

And here is some good sets also of various models

https://germanhuntingguns.com/franzt-rosenberg-of-norway/

 

[AZDAVE]

It will depend on the primary barrel set it was built and regulated with. My guess is that it will be the heaviest (470 or 500) the balance will be correct for that version of the double. But when you put the smaller (7x57R or other small bore) the balance will shift towards the butt of the rifle. The lightest set (20ga) will be even more butt heavy.

If it was built on the 20 ga barrel set every thing is the opposite of above.

It is a nice idea of multiple barrels but there are tradeoffs and limitations.

 

[Philip Glass]

Hello, complete novice here, I am in the process of pricing out a new double rifle build and am highly leaning towards getting a couple extra barrel sets, so I can have a “one gun safari”. Most likely the double is going to be a 470 NE although a 500 NE is still on the table.

I would then like an intermediate cartridge barrel set for plains games which I am most likely going to go with 7x57r, although 9.3x74r and .303 British are on the table.

And finally a 20 gauge barrel set to round it out, cause why not.

I understand the 7x57 and 20 gauges would be more effective on a stand alone rifle however I’m stuck on the idea of having the multiple sets.

I guess my question is, who all out there has a large bore double with additional intermediate caliber barrels for plains game? And anyone also have 20 gauge barrels as well? Are you happy with the other barrel sets usability/balance? Would you do it again if you reordered? I’m just trying to see a consensus if this is a good idea or I’m in lala land before I drop a load of money on my lifetime rifle.

I have .470 and .450/400 barrels for my Kgun. I do wish for shotgun barrels to get more practice in. They are very expensive however. If I were you I'd get the big bore and the shotgun barrels and leave the PG to a bolt gun for versatility.

 

[Noah Hutchens]

It will depend on the primary barrel set it was built and regulated with. My guess is that it will be the heaviest (470 or 500) the balance will be correct for that version of the double. But when you put the smaller (7x57R or other small bore) the balance will shift towards the butt of the rifle. The lightest set (20ga) will be even more butt heavy.

If it was built on the 20 ga barrel set every thing is the opposite of above.

It is a nice idea of multiple barrels but there are tradeoffs and limitations.

It would definitely be built with the 470 or 500 in mind to make sure it is a 100% solid “normal” weight rifle for those calibers so no matter what it would be a great double rifle for those calibers.

Now on the other hand with it being build to the higher caliber specs without the other barrels in mind I understand it won’t be the best handling rifle when using the other barrels, but will it be good enough? I’m going to scope the 7x57 so I’m not sure if the added weight will help with the balance or not

 

[AZDAVE]

You have a solid plan.

 

[Surgeon1]

450 3 1/4” with 375 Flanged Mag barrel would be my primary choice, or 450/400 with 375 Flanged Mag.

If wanting multiple barrels sets, I wouldn’t go over 450 3 1/4” as the larger rifle will finish likely too light and prove poor balance and/or miserable to shoot, and the smaller bore would also prove too heavy for its design and barrel heavy. So I would lean away from a 470NE or 500 NE with a 7x57 or honestly even 375 Flanged Mag.

If I were dead set on a 470 or 500, then my small bore barrels would be 450/400.

With a properly sized frame 450NE or 450/400NE, then a 375 Flanged Mag and 20ga should finish out proportionally well.

I agree 100% with Will that a 450 3-1/4 with a 450-400 or 375 Flange would be ideal. And frankly a
450-400 with a 9.3x74 would be ok. A 470 or 500 with a smaller caliber is just not going to balance well. The DRs I've personally handled don't seem to swing or point well with shotgun barrels. Only one exception was a sleek 9.3x74 with a set of 20ga barrels. I've taken a lot of DG and plains game with the 450-400 and frankly on Safari's have frequently taken 300mags, 375 bolt guns and I invariably will shoot more rounds and animals with the 450-400 than the bolt guns combined. Headed to Tanzania in 26 days for a multiple buffalo and hippo (out of water) 16+ day hunt and only taking a 450 3-1/4 and a 450-400.
I will have access to a 416 Rigby (original Rigby of my PH) but doubt shooting it except at the range!
I have several Dakota Traveler's in 2 caliber sets and they are really nice so a 2-barrel set for a DR would be good. Then just take your favorite bird gun.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I had a Heym 470 with Scoped 375 barrels. Like @Wildwillalaska a 450NE with 375 Flange and either 12ga or 20Ga would be my dream set.
470 or 500 with 375 Flange and shotgun barrels also wouldn’t be a bad combo.

If I insisted on an intermediary set of barrels in something like 303, then I too would consider a caliber like 450/400 or 450NE for the smaller frame size.

It’s all about balance, and frame size matters especially on the smaller stuff and shotgun barrels.

 

[rookhawk]

Heym is probably the most famous maker for these configurations. It’s not the best thing since sliced bread.

A Heym 470NE that weights 10.75lbs ends up weighing 13.5 pounds as a scoped 375HH or 375 Flanged. The 20 gauge is a pig by shotgun standards, around 9 pounds.

The 20 gauge is still an excellent idea for general practice at affordable prices, and its an excellent gun for slug hunting bushpigs, day hunting tiny ten, and of course ground swatting guinea fowls for camp lunch.

All the above being said, a 303 Brit or a 7x57 would be a world class turd. It would have to weigh at least 15-16 pounds scoped which is why they don’t make them on 470NE frames. The size of the barrels would have to be gigantic to fit up to what amounts to being a 20 gauge breach face.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

@Tanks has the pairing I’d do if I wanted a multi-barrel set with the primary in 500 or 470. I’d do a 450/400 scoped for cats/plains game.

Since I hope to hunt till I collapse, I expect at some point to not love a 12.5lb 500NE like I do presently, which is why I’ve been working on specs for a set that I’ll enjoy and use now, but lean into as my primary as I age.

That’s what had me leaning toward the 450/400 and 375 flanged mag. Lighter, super mild recoil, and can kill what I need at extended ranges with the scoped flange.

 

[Adam Stevens]

Not exactly as per your question with new makers, but I ended up purchasing a custom double by a gunsmith who was known for multiple barrels on shotgun actions.

He had one was 9.3x74r and 16ga

Mine is 450no2 and 12ga.

 

[SETH RINGER]

WE HAVE 12GA BARRELS FOR OUR BERRETA .458WM OVER/UNDER. THEY ARE MUCH LIGHTER THAN THE RIFLE BARRELS, BUT ALLOW FOR TRIGGER PRACTICE DURING SOME SPORTING CLAYS AND WOULD BE OKAY FOR GUINEA FOWL ON SAFARI, AND THEY DID HAVE .375H&H BARRELS AVAIL BUT WE DONT HAVE.
ON OUR LIGHTER RECIEVER WE HAVE .375&H AND 9.3X74R (KINDA INTERCHANGEABLE) AND 20GA BARRELS THAT FIT THE RIFLE A BIT BETTER THAN THE OTHER GUN MENTIONED.
REALLY HARD TO COME UP WITH ONE-AND-DONE.