sxs

[pmwojtek]

Looking for double rifle for DG!

Piotr

 

[Biebs]

A friend of mine has a Blaser S2 in 470 NE. He only wants $6,500 for it. Great starter double.

 

[Velo Dog]

Pmwojtek,

Since money is hard won in my life, I am quite fond of Heym.
Likewise, for even a bit less money than Heym, I have heard nothing but good things about Verney-Carron and Chapuis as well, regarding reliable / acceptable performance in affordable double rifles these days.

If money was no object, I would definitely have a Westley Richards drop lock.
The cartridge choice would be a real struggle, as I like more than one DG caliber very much.

My top 3 at the moment listed in order of preference are:

.450/400 NE 3"
.450 NE 3.25" straight taper (but the 3.5" bottle neck would do, in fact that is what I shot the buffalo in my avatar with)
.500 NE 3"

Personally, I prefer ejectors on any double rifle but especially on a DG one.
So far I have only shot one DG animal (buffalo) and the rifle I had at that time did not have ejectors.
No problems occurred but, some day it might be an issue so, I prefer them, just in case.
Also, barrel length is probably a very personal matter for each person but, I prefer barrels of about 26", a semi-pistol grip and hinged front trigger.

What specie / species of DG do you plan to hunt with a double rifle?

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[matt85]

my advice is to by new! used doubles are not worth what ever savings you may get.

as for chambering, i like the 450 NE 3.25" or the 500 NE 3". i also prefer ejectors in my doubles. for barrel length my opinion is the longer the better, with 28" barrels being my ideal.

-matt

 

[pmwojtek]

Pmwojtek,

Since money is hard won in my life, I am quite fond of Heym.
Likewise, for even a bit less money than Heym, I have heard nothing but good things about Verney-Carron and Chapuis as well, regarding reliable / acceptable performance in affordable double rifles these days.

If money was no object, I would definitely have a Westley Richards drop lock.
The cartridge choice would be a real struggle, as I like more than one DG caliber very much.

My top 3 at the moment listed in order of preference are:

.450/400 NE 3"
.450 NE 3.25" straight taper (but the 3.5" bottle neck would do, in fact that is what I shot the buffalo in my avatar with)
.500 NE 3"

Personally, I prefer ejectors on any double rifle but especially on a DG one.
So far I have only shot one DG animal (buffalo) and the rifle I had at that time did not have ejectors.
No problems occurred but, some day it might be an issue so, I prefer them, just in case.
Also, barrel length is probably a very personal matter for each person but, I prefer barrels of about 26", a semi-pistol grip and hinged front trigger.

What specie / species of DG do you plan to hunt with a double rifle?

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

Buffalo in Africa and Australia.
I shoot 2 x buffalo in Zimbabwe.First with broken shoulder and punctured thorax went 1.5 km and were found by locals few days letter. Second I shoot to upper shoulder - we seen the bullets entry and we didn't find animals. During follow up we have ancounter with lions - they following the same wounded buff.
I had 375 HH ,fixed scope , high grass. No more with small 375. I was scared like hell.
No chance to stop buff from 5 - 8 meters

I will try to hunt also in rain forest in Cameroon.

So i need something reliable, without big recoil.
Cheapest is Krieghoff - but decoking system is not my favorite. I could not trust in fast action.


I will see Chapuis, Merkel, Searcy or .. will go back to lovely CZ in Rigby


Thanks for letter.

Regards-piotr

 

[Velo Dog]

Buffalo in Africa and Australia.
I shoot 2 x buffalo in Zimbabwe.First with broken shoulder and punctured thorax went 1.5 km and were found by locals few days letter. Second I shoot to upper shoulder - we seen the bullets entry and we didn't find animals. During follow up we have ancounter with lions - they following the same wounded buff.
I had 375 HH ,fixed scope , high grass. No more with small 375. I was scared like hell.
No chance to stop buff from 5 - 8 meters

I will try to hunt also in rain forest in Cameroon.

So i need something reliable, without big recoil.
Cheapest is Krieghoff - but decoking system is not my favorite. I could not trust in fast action.


I will see Chapuis, Merkel, Searcy or .. will go back to lovely CZ in Rigby


Thanks for letter.
Regards-piotr

I understand and I agree with you that for buffaloes, the .40 and larger calibers are more comforting.

 

[Jumbo]

450NE is the calibre...................I have a 470NE at the moment, but still covet a 450NE.

I agree with the Heym recommendation. I currently have a Krieghoff and really enjoy it but concede the cocking mechanism takes some getting used to.

 

[lreynold1]

Thoroughly happy with my Chapuis .450/400 3 inch NE. Regulates very well with Hornady DGX and DGS.

 

[robertq]

Ihave a 500 NE Merkel for sale at a good price if you are interested in it.
Robert

 

[paladin100]

Robert, where are you based?

 

[paladin100]

Hmm, on further checking, I see New York.

 

[robertq]

Yes, New York.
Do you have interest in the Merkel ?

 

[James.Grage]

Checking the gun stores in SA.
I saw that they had a few boxes of the following for double rifles:
450 NE 3.25 inch
470 NE
500 NE

Rifle wise. Look at What you can afford. Purchase quality.
Look at handling the rifle, some rifles will balance better than others in your hands.
Hyem - Merkel - Krieghoff to name a few quality makers.
Depending on your bullet selection look at a rifle near 10 lbs.