High end bolt vs low end double

[dhughes66]

Here is an opinion from a country boy in Georgia whose most expensive gun purchase to date was the Beretta over and under shotgun I bought for my wife. While I would love to have a Rigby Big Game rifle or other high end bolt action, if this poor country boy can ever afford a rifle over $10,000 it will be a double rifle. I know it is not the most practical thing to buy by far, but I have dreamed of owning a double rifle since I was a kid.

 

[dogcat1]

Unless you shoot a double well, go with the bolt gun.
I have seen several Africa hunters with little to no experience try the double and cannot shoot it well. You are limited with a double to 75 yards or so on all shots. Unless you shoot a lot to get competent, go with a scoped bolt gun....

 

[grand veneur]

It’s not a myth…

"Myth" might have been too harsh a word, but the superiority of a double rifle compared to a bolt action rifle in case of an attack is often overestimated. Two shots are unfortunately quickly used in a dangerous situation without result. Maybe you have a personal experience that I don't have, but as some have written, it is all a matter of training and anyone who trains quickly feeding with a double rifle as well as with a bolt action rifle will notice where the various problems lie. In all cases it will remain a controversial discussion.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

"Myth" might have been too harsh a word, but the superiority of a double rifle compared to a bolt action rifle in case of an attack is often overestimated. Two shots are unfortunately quickly used in a dangerous situation without result. Maybe you have a personal experience that I don't have, but as some have written, it is all a matter of training and anyone who trains quickly feeding with a double rifle as well as with a bolt action rifle will notice where the various problems lie. In all cases it will remain a controversial discussion.

There is a video of the recent buffalo charge where the second very rapid shot from a double put it to rest and probably saved lives. I am bad at posting, or I would post it here. And I have seen at least one other.

 

[mark-hunter]

While I would love to have a Rigby Big Game rifle or other high end bolt action, if this poor country boy can ever afford a rifle over $10,000 it will be a double rifle.

My experience as a client is limited to two of Big 5. Buffalo and Elephant.
Both of them engaged at 100 meters.
In that kind of situation, I really appreciated a bolt-action rifle with a scope in my hand. Both of encounters would not be the same if I used a double rifle.
I think that Winchester M70, Blaser R8, ZKK 602 or CZ 550 is a perfect client rifle for a blue-collar guy such as I am.

Here is the buffalo story. (ELephant hunt report yet to be made):

Thread 'NAMIBIA: On The Banks Of Chobe River'

Jul 29, 2025

When I saw the three of them in the reeds, my legs turned to lead!
The voices around me became distant. “Leave the bino, leave the backpack, take only the rifle”. But I wasn’t listening, I was getting into the focus, with one thought only: I must not fail! And I have to get into the zone fast.

• mark-hunter
• Replies: 39
• Forum: Hunting reports Africa

• 

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Having started this thread I am seeing something interesting emerge - price is not the difinitive indicator of high or low end, it is quality. And leaning upon the thread of my friend @Muskox on bolt rifle regrets it seems that the difinitive indicator of quality is reliable performance. No high end bolt gun, no matter how well finished cuts it if it gives trouble feeding, extracting or just kicks way too much. Equally, no high end double gets any extra points if it is unreliable in any way.
But I would like to add a twist, and that is that many base end offerings in either category offer absolutely reliable, even excellent performance. So in a way the cost divide is still there, but it starts at lower numbers in each category.
Let me explain: I know it is not a bolt gun, but my scoped Ruger No1 30-06 PG rifle is to me the ultimate. There is nothing I would change, not even it's plain, but perfectly proportioned woodwork. My double is a plain Jane Heym 89, nothing fancy, but performs flawlessly. Simple perfection. And it didn't cost a fortune.
Maybe it is just me and age creeping on, bit simple quality has become my life moniker, that is why I changed my Rolex GMT Master 2 for the elegantly simple Explorer, simple perfection again.

 

[grand veneur]

There is a video of the recent buffalo charge where the second very rapid shot from a double put it to rest and probably saved lives. I am bad at posting, or I would post it here. And I have seen at least one other.

Sure, there are such situations, but I don't watch any videos from YouTube and refer in my posts to what I experienced or what was reported to me by those affected. That's why I have been told more about extremely dangerous situations where a quick second shot did not solve the problem. But it is not the topic, I don't want to destroy your thread.

 

[Bonk]

Like others here I’m fortunate to own a couple of AHR built or modified CZ550 rifles. The most expensive one was no where near $10K but I don’t see how any manufacturer at any cost could build a better more reliable hunting rifle. Prettier maybe, but not better functionally.

 

[Tanks]

"Myth" might have been too harsh a word, but the superiority of a double rifle compared to a bolt action rifle in case of an attack is often overestimated. Two shots are unfortunately quickly used in a dangerous situation without result. Maybe you have a personal experience that I don't have, but as some have written, it is all a matter of training and anyone who trains quickly feeding with a double rifle as well as with a bolt action rifle will notice where the various problems lie. In all cases it will remain a controversial discussion.

Here is a video of an elephant charge where the client puts it down with the second shot while the PH is still cycling the bolt.

 

[dogcat1]

Here is a video of an elephant charge where the client puts it down with the second shot while the PH is still cycling the bolt.

Again, experience rules the day....If you can handle a double and can shoot it well with lots of practical and realistic practice, by all means use one. Otherwise, they are a hinderence.

 

[BryceM]

If you want a double, and can afford a double, just get one.

If you can only have one, pick the bolt rifle every time…… unless elephant (and possibly buffalo or hippo) are all you ever intend to hunt with it.

If you are practically minded, get the bolt gun.

If you aren’t willing to buy and source incredibly expensive ammo, go with the bolt gun.

If you aren’t willing to learn how to shoot a double well, go with the bolt gun.

If you’re a PH, and you’re frequently hunting DG, get a double.

I’m interested in owning one, but for now that same $$ fulfills my goals better by applying it to daily rates and trophy fees.

 

[uplander01]

If I had 10k to spend on 1 DG rifle it would be the best 10k bolt rifle I could find,....which you can get a really good one for that amount. I personally don't think you can get a good double for under 15k or so, and that would be a heym, if you can get to 20k you could have vintage in good working order.....but if you can't swing those numbers on a double, I wouldn't do a double.

 

[Tanks]

Again, experience rules the day....If you can handle a double and can shoot it well with lots of practical and realistic practice, by all means use one. Otherwise, they are a hinderence.

I think that statement applies to any gun. Transitioning to a double from a bolt if one can shoot is simple. I don't know why people think it is rocket science. Personally speaking, I bought a used Heym 88B and some months later shot an elephant and a cape buffalo with it with no problems.

In reality it is easier to handle than a bolt rifle, better balanced and shorter overall length than a bolt with the same barrel length.

I have taken shots out to 200 yards with my lighter double as well. I have shot two impala for bait one time, shot one switched to the other before it could run and shot it with the other barrel. Would I have been able to do that with a bolt? Who knows.

 

[Kynadog]

I love them both, however, Sureshot375 nailed it when he said “When it comes to the role of a client, whose primary job is to get the first shot right, a double is a disadvantage.”

 

[Tanks]

I love them both, however, Sureshot375 nailed it when he said “When it comes to the role of a client, whose primary job is to get the first shot right, a double is a disadvantage.”

Oh, I don't know seems not to be much of a disadvantage I think.

Just a couple of examples.

 

[Safari Dave]

I love DR's, but IMO, a "cheap" one is not worth owning.

Good DR's are expensive by the very nature of how they are crafted and regulated.

Before I got my Heym, I looked at, and handled several less expensive options (converted SxS shotguns, hammer .45/70's, some rifles without good wood to metal fit, etc.)

I'm glad I held off.


A good quality BA can be had for less than half the price of a poor quality DR (CZ, Winchester, Brno). Heck, I would even go push-feed, like a Post 64 Winchester Model 70, Remington 700 or a Weatherby, long before I would go with a cheap DR.

Plus, a scoped BA can help you make shots that would be almost impossible with an open-sighted DR.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

There is a video of the recent buffalo charge where the second very rapid shot from a double put it to rest and probably saved lives. I am bad at posting, or I would post it here. And I have seen at least one other.

Yes. Is that the same video where the PH fires into thick brush as wounded buffalo charges. Then as it breaks into the open the PH either shoots and misses the second barrel or it hits too high to do any good. Dust flies behind the bull. Meantime client panics and/or short strokes his bolt rifle. Poor PH attempts to reload double rifle backing up while buff is trying to hook him. PH backs into a bush about the time he fortuitously finally manages to get another round in the double, somehow close it, and shoot buff in the head. Sorry, I didn't see anything in that video that at all enamored me of double rifle utility in dangerous game situations. I'm sure I could reload my Mauser much quicker and more safely while dodging a buffalo's horns than running backwards with a broke open rifle flopping in my hands.

 

[Deepfork]

This is an interesting thread! I only became interested in hunting Africa a few years ago and am hooked. I have been twice and plan to go many more times, already have the next trip booked. But I have no desire to own a double, or even a "high end" bolt gun. Its personal with me. I own a whole bunch of Ruger M77s, Winchester M70s and Savage 110s because those are what I grew up with in my family and friend group that I hunted with. Some of the ones I own now have been re-barreled to cartridges the original rifles were not offered in. Custom stocks glass and/or piller bedded, new triggers, modified bolt handles and more. Its not a money thing its nostalgia. I am also really good at killing stuff with these rifles.

 

[IvW]

There is a video of the recent buffalo charge where the second very rapid shot from a double put it to rest and probably saved lives. I am bad at posting, or I would post it here. And I have seen at least one other.

Only because the first shot did not get the job done.....

 

[Pondoro]

Please have a look at this..

Lets say you hunt elephant or buffalo in dense bush..look at the response time.. Will you have the time to cycle that bolt rifle..? I would choose a large bore anytime over any boltrifle..my 2 cents..