Favorite Darling Small-Mid Bore Double?

[Wildwillalaska]

What is your favorite small to mid-bore double chambered in. Not really thinking 450/400 or 375 H&H or Flanged, smaller still.

I’ll admit I don’t have a solid handle on where big bores transition to medium or small, so feel free to share your favorites wherever they’d fall in the mix…and maybe what it is that makes you love it so much. Is it the rifle itself, or the cartridge…combination thereof?

Some of the smaller delicate British doubles have caught my eye lately, but just so many different cartridges out there, many obscure to obsolete…or maybe I’m simply ignorant to them, possibly shying away from something worth considering. There is just so many from 275 magnum to 280 flanges to 400/360 and various versions of it, to 8x57 variants, it can make your head spin. Got me thinking there are likely a gent or three here with not only experience with some of these, but possibly a true fondness for one or more.

Anyway, for those that choose to share, cheers and I appreciate the participation.

Will

 

[R eight]

9.3 x 74 R is what both of my doubles are in. Plenty of ammunition and components available and its performance is on a par with the 9.3 x 62.

I’ve got an O/U Blaser BB97 Classic (model with fixed barrels) extractor which is accurate and pleasant to shoot. I’ve also got a Chapuis UGEX S/S ejector. It’s not too bad either.

Looks wise the Chapuis wins. But the Blaser wins in every other department.

 

[Odinsraven]

Have a 318 WR double ....by BSW Shul beautiful little gun and surprisingly accurate.Thankfully secured a supply of ammo before Kynoch's closure. Have taken wildebeest and kudu with it ...Including the Randy Runt a mythical Kudu who was pissing in the gene pool on a particular lodge.

 

[318AE]

Great post. I have a 280 Westley Richards double, which is the British 7mm, ie .287. It was likely retailed in India. It’s far left below.

My favorite is my 318 WR drop lock. In any caliber, a double is a true sporting rifle.

 

[leslie hetrick]

i would jump in a new york minute on a light slim double barrel in 30-30 win-or a 38-55 win at the right price.

 

[Pondoro]

I have a Johann Fanzoj in 9,3 x 74R and a .280 Flanged NE barrel set for my .475..pic under

 

[Wildwillalaska]

@Pondoro how do you like the 280 Flanged. Have you hunted it much? Would seem like a great deer setup.

 

[pc3]

Well I only have one reference point.....the 9.3x74r in a Chapuis UGEX, I like it, it hits hard and is handy. I think the functionality of this rifle and caliber with a red dot on it will be improved further

 

[Pondoro]

@Pondoro how do you like the 280 Flanged. Have you hunted it much? Would seem like a great deer setup.

I have not hunted it..the rifle is simply to heavy and bulky with the .28o barrels.. I use the 9,3 x 74R instead, wich also is scoped.

 

[Altitude sickness]

When I wanted a big bore DR I sold my Fanzoj in 9.3x 74 to a friend. It’s still in my safe. He says he will pick it up and shoot it eventually. Its a nice small frame and is very well regulated with Swift A frames federal ammo. And Hornady.

 

[grand veneur]

I dream about something like this for years, but I don't own one. I would not consider a DR caliber 9,3x74R to be something like this, but a DR caliber 8x57IRS oder 303 British would be more my choice. However, since I am very practical when it comes to choosing my rifles and unfortunately don't have a need for a DR in these calibers, I am still hesitant to get one sometime.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I’ve always dreamt of a John Rigby & Co. back action boxlock ejector, chambered in .22 Hi-Power. The ideal sort of thing for driven Axis or Muntjac deer shoots.