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.

 

[odonata]

I can't speak about double rifles since I don't own one. But I have three single-shot falling blocks in 303 British and 9.3x74r and I'm really fond of those rimmed cartridges. If I was going to get a non-DG double in a smaller chambering, those two cartridges would definitely be considered.

Since rimfires are used to shoot at small targets, I always questioned the practicality of a double in 22LR. But the Connecticut Model 21 was so pretty, I just assumed I would be able to find a varmint I would want to plink at just to have an excuse to wander around the fields carrying it. If I ever got charged by an irate rabbit it would nice to have that second backup round at the ready.

 

[PCC600]

James Purdey 303 snap action underlever . The perfect rifle for deer stalking “0n the hill”. Complete with bolted stalking safety . Made in 1898 with scope added by Purdey in late 1920s. I went out and shot a nice Axis Deer for the freezer as soon as I got it . A perfect little rifle .

 

[Franco]

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.

I've seen some 22 Hornet doubles, I think that would be fun.

 

[VertigoBE]

How about a 7x65r ?

 

[Red Leg]

I think the classic mid-bore is the 9.3x74R. The one below was built in Suhl between the wars. Hendershots worked up a load it loves and it will put four rounds LxR / LxR into 2.5 inches at 100 yards. It has killed a bear in BC - spot and stalk - but I would love to take it on a driven boar or red stag hunt in Europe. The engraving is exquisite.

However, my most used double is my Blaser S2 with the 30-06 barrels attached. Those barrels magically turn the big S2 into a lively light medium game gun for almost anything in North America or PG in Africa. It was designed for scope use, employing Blaser detachable mounts. Like any S2, it is proudly non traditional and is extremely accurate.

 

[50Gunner]

Very nice and most useful rifles here Gents.

Mine is a little RB Rodda top lever hammer rifle with rebounding locks and 26.5" fluid steel barrels chambered in 303 British, 215gr Woodleigh Weldcores at 2168 fps have shot through every deer or pig I've pointed it at, extremely accurate, point and shoot to a dead 100 yards.

IMHO every double rifle needs a solid load, with none available for my rifle I did a little experimenting, FL size your 303 British brass with expander ball/button removed from the die, seat 210gr CEB flat nosed #13 copper solid to just below front driving band on preferred powder charge, crimp case mouth over front drive band.

I have fired five 215gr Woodleighs from the right barrel front trigger and have yet to have the solid slip forward any at all under recoil, that bullet runs 2220 fps with the same charge of powder for the 215 Woodleigh and also regulates beautifully.

The CEB flat nosed copper solid will shatter any bones it hits at the hip/pelvic region of any large African Antelope/Zebra/Wildebeest etc, the bullet will then punch the liver, range on up and through the lungs, on through the heart and most likely exiting the chest/neck of the animal, and all that's after the animal turns to run from taking a slug hole punch from the little 215gr Woodleigh first shot.

I shot that 210gr CEB solid dead straight through a standing and live 18 inch red oak tree here at the farm at 20 yards, in and out, unreal penetration, animal tissue, bone, hide, fat, etc can't catch that one.

Not to sidetrack the thread, just wanted to put this out there in case any other 303 British fans are reading.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

How about a 7x65r ?

View attachment 730193

Gorgeous setup. What’s the barrel on the rifle chambered in?

 

[odonata]

Gorgeous setup. What’s the barrel on the rifle chambered in?

It’s chambered in 7x65r which is the rimmed version of the 7x64 Brenneke rimless cartridge.