The King of double rifle calibres, Europe and Africa..

[Pondoro]

Based on popularity and availability I will say that in Africa .470NE rule and in Europe it is 9,3 x 74R.

Personally I own and love doubles in both calibres.. For Africa, the .450/400 3" and 3 1/4NE also very good but it lacks the bloody thump of the .470..

 

[matt85]

If it hadn't been for silly British laws, the 450 NE 3.25" would likely be king. No doubt the 470 NE is a good cartridge though, it has been used to put down an enormous number of dangerous critters.

I'm also quite fond of the 450/400 NE cartridges! The mild recoil allows for relatively light guns.

-Matt

 

[Pondoro]

Yes Matt, I actually also have an old double in .475 3 1/4...wich is a .450NE necked up to a .483 bullet..
It has the same ballistics as the .470 but is definitely a handloader job these days..

 

[Pole Pole]

A lot of the 470 produced today come in at 10 1/2 pounds which seems great for carring but 1/2 pound shy for shooting? I have never shot one so you 470 men help me out on the recoil side. I’m talking about off the shelf Markel, etc., with correct stock length but no other custom stock work. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Rare Breed]

In my two I like 11 pounds. just me

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

My House of Merkel 140 chambered .470 NE weighs in at 10 lbs 11.5 oz (~10 3/4 lbs) unloaded, no sling, no optics. Perceived recoil with 500 grain @ 2150 fps is smooth not unpleasant.

 

[Xpraetor]

A question to those of you in the know regarding Dbl. SxS ..... my knowledge of Dbl. Barrels are my Savage 242 Series C - O/U .410F / .410F (been shooting since I was 10yo) & a couple SxS & O/U Winchesters.

I was reviewing charts, or claimed Ballistics for 9,3x74R & it seems with 21st Cent. advancements that cartridge is dam near .375H&H capability. In my thinking it is a viable option as an all around..... am I off in that view?

 

[PCC600]

A question to those of you in the know regarding Dbl. SxS ..... my knowledge of Dbl. Barrels are my Savage 242 Series C - O/U .410F / .410F (been shooting since I was 10yo) & a couple SxS & O/U Winchesters.

I was reviewing charts, or claimed Ballistics for 9,3x74R & it seems with 21st Cent. advancements that cartridge is dam near .375H&H capability. In my thinking it is a viable option as an all around..... am I off in that view?

But the 375H&H has moved on too . For older rifles in both calibres you are stuck with the old loads they were regulated for . If you had a double built in either then it could be regulated for whatever performance you want .

 

[Xpraetor]

But the 375H&H has moved on too . For older rifles in both calibres you are stuck with the old loads they were regulated for . If you had a double built in either then it could be regulated for whatever performance you want .

I am referring to a Dbl. Rifle built today , and I understand. 375H&H has also advanced, and that the older IR - IS , IRS rifles would probably require "reloading" ....
My point was, 9,3x74R seems to be just as versatile as the .375H&H , Ballistically speaking , the difference being the former is rimmed & better suited for Dbl. Bbl.

 

[PCC600]

I am referring to a Dbl. Rifle built today , and I understand. 375H&H has also advanced, and that the older IR - IS , IRS rifles would probably require "reloading" ....
My point was, 9,3x74R seems to be just as versatile as the .375H&H , Ballistically speaking , the difference being the former is rimmed & better suited for Dbl. Bbl.

Yes I understand . The 375 H&H I’m referring to is the Holland and Holland 375 Flanged Magnum which is the rimmed sister cartridge to the 375 Belted Rimless Magnum . A bit lower pressure cartridge than the belted cartridge - but capable of more if you are a hand loader and with a rifle regulated to handle it . I would never consider a rimless cartridge in a double rifle particularly if a hotter load . You could deregulate an older rifle to manage new loads which is a pain or just specify your load and get a new rifle made to suit .

 

[50Gunner]

I would have to land squarely in the middle of the double rifles I own, my 11.75lb Alfred Schilling 500 Nitro with 26" barrels would do to ride the river with, a simple German boxlock that swings and points like a bird gun, both 570gr Barnes banded flat nosed solids and TSX bullets at 2150 fps will do it all and them some, and as I age, do it all with substantially less recoil than the mighty V/C 577 shoulder pounding beast.

The 50 cals hit damn hard, and those solids penetrate for days.