Your opinion on selecting a .500 NE 3” or .470 NE?

[grand veneur]

Boxlocks are more prone to doubling ?

Certainly. One only need to look inside such an action to see what all can go wrong. It surprises me that many discussions about doubling of double rifles don't differentiate between boxlock and sidelock break-actions.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Certainly. One only need to look inside such an action to see what all can go wrong. It surprises me that many discussions about doubling of double rifles don't differentiate between boxlock and sidelock break-actions.

Hey, thanks @grand veneur
You learn something new everyday. Although I always found boxlocks to be more beautiful than sidelocks due to their more minimalistic appearance.

 

[grand veneur]

Regarding the choice between the cartridges 470 Nitro Express and 500 Nitro Express, ultimately it also depends on which rifle you can still handle well. Contrary to what many unfortunately don't want to understand, bigger is in all cases better and therefore it is never a bad decision to choose the most powerful rifle that you can still easily control. Of course, within the limits of reason.

 

[bimbo]

I could prefer 470 over 500,but only for defense after a true hard training, for availability about ammo and case look as well.I don t like cases shoulderless.

 

[HankBuck]

Everyone,

If you were faced with the decision of selecting only either a .470 NE or a .500 NE 3” what criteria would you base your selection on?

Thanks in advance.

@Schüler Jumbo - the “criteria” would be HOW MUCH OF A MAN ARE YOU?
Do you want to be seen carrying a “Woman’s” Double Rifle or move up to A REAL MANS DOUBLE? >>> I’m just kidding…<<<
I faced the same decision 20 years ago and quickly decided that a .470NE was more then enough for any African Game and while Bigger-is-Better —- I needed to be sure I could handle the recoil and shoot it accurately. I was pleased with my selection of a Chapius .470NE and it was a beautiful gun that was extremely accurate - I shot it very well in practice out to 100 yrds both with AND without quick detach scope….off hand or on-the-sticks I put 80-90 rounds thru it practicing in the weeks before my Safari and I was confident I could hit vitals on any buffalo out to 100 yrds. Then, I went to TZ and “failed” to shoot it as well as in practice - did Not return with a Buff (although my Son killed one with that .470NE). On an actual hunt, sometimes rushed setting up sticks and a bit excited, getting off a shot in real time - I was Not shooting that gun well, likely flinched, made a complete miss and later a poorly placed shot = wounded and long tracking job on Buff. For me, a .375 H&H would’ve been a better choice….or I should’ve added a good Recoil Reducer in the stock before the trip (I added one afterwards - made a difference). Get whatever Double Rifle you want but be sure you can handle it well and shoot it accurately WHEN IT COUNTS.

 

[bimbo]

@Schüler Jumbo - the “criteria” would be HOW MUCH OF A MAN ARE YOU?
Do you want to be seen carrying a “Woman’s” Double Rifle or move up to A REAL MANS DOUBLE? >>> I’m just kidding…<<<
I faced the same decision 20 years ago and quickly decided that a .470NE was more then enough for any African Game and while Bigger-is-Better —- I needed to be sure I could handle the recoil and shoot it accurately. I was pleased with my selection of a Chapius .470NE and it was a beautiful gun that was extremely accurate - I shot it very well in practice out to 100 yrds both with AND without quick detach scope….off hand or on-the-sticks I put 80-90 rounds thru it practicing in the weeks before my Safari and I was confident I could hit vitals on any buffalo out to 100 yrds. Then, I went to TZ and “failed” to shoot it as well as in practice - did Not return with a Buff (although my Son killed one with that .470NE). On an actual hunt, sometimes rushed setting up sticks and a bit excited, getting off a shot in real time - I was Not shooting that gun well, likely flinched, made a complete miss and later a poorly placed shot = wounded and long tracking job on Buff. For me, a .375 H&H would’ve been a better choice….or I should’ve added a good Recoil Reducer in the stock before the trip (I added one afterwards - made a difference). Get whatever Double Rifle you want but be sure you can handle it well and shoot it accurately WHEN IT COUNTS.

I agree in full man...I have hunted with my 9.3x74r and my father 375 HeH pg and dg without any problem ...never.I cinsider big double only for defense and for very good trained people.On DG shoot straight is everything togheter a good premium bullet

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Between the 470 and 500, I’d choose the 450NE. lol.

I’m admittedly presently in my 450NE fanboy phase, and it made my 470 appear redundant as I get same ballistics (actually slightly better) with 500gr bullets as I did with the 470 and superior sectional density for penetration. After hearing Kevin Robertson discuss his experiences with 470’s over the years and preferences for clients shooting them to avoid front brain shots on ele’s, it got me nerding out on sectional density comparisons. He really keys in on it in several discussions in few podcasts, and has preference for the 450NE or 500NE. I’m not going to argue with the man, he’s certainly not an armchair expert or internet hero, he’s guided a client or two and examined a wound channel or few in his years, so I took a little of it as grains of wisdom. We all have opinions and feelings on guns and calibers, as we should, but there are some out there that have amassed a level of first-hand experience that’s hard to argue with. And enjoy his anecdotal accounts of his friends Heym 88b in 450NE shooting Northfork solids diagonally through elephants for a living. Some guys have all the fun.

Doctari speaks, I listen. Same for our esteemed @Hunter-Habib. We can speak our opinions and we should, but maintain the ability to recognize wisdom as well when it’s shared.

I also just traded out my 88b 470 for the same in 500. Hoping to see a package from JJ within the next couple weeks.

End of the day, we aren’t PH’s, we aren’t ivory hunters where we might have the opportunity to experience a frontal brain shots on the regular…which brings so much of this discussion to Ford/Chevy/Dodge (well, maybe not Dodge)…shoot what you like. Carry what makes you happy. We should feel cool and confident in what drive and shoot.

And think 600NE may be like big ocean boats and airplanes. What’s better than owning one, having a friend that does. Hunter-Habib, when you get that dream Heym 600, I’d enjoy an invitation to travel over and shoot it.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Between the 470 and 500, I’d choose the 450NE. lol.

I’m admittedly presently in my 450NE fanboy phase, and it made my 470 appear redundant as I get same ballistics (actually slightly better) with 500gr bullets as I did with the 470 and superior sectional density for penetration. After hearing Kevin Robertson discuss his experiences with 470’s over the years and preferences for clients shooting them to avoid front brain shots on ele’s, it got me nerding out on sectional density comparisons. He really keys in on it in several discussions in few podcasts, and has preference for the 450NE or 500NE. I’m not going to argue with the man, he’s certainly not an armchair expert or internet hero, he’s guided a client or two and examined a wound channel or few in his years, so I took a little of it as grains of wisdom. We all have opinions and feelings on guns and calibers, as we should, but there are some out there that have amassed a level of first-hand experience that’s hard to argue with. And enjoy his anecdotal accounts of his friends Heym 88b in 450NE shooting Northfork solids diagonally through elephants for a living. Some guys have all the fun.

Doctari speaks, I listen. Same for our esteemed @Hunter-Habib. We can speak our opinions and we should, but maintain the ability to recognize wisdom as well when it’s shared.

I also just traded out my 88b 470 for the same in 500. Hoping to see a package from JJ within the next couple weeks.

End of the day, we aren’t PH’s, we aren’t ivory hunters where we might have the opportunity to experience a frontal brain shots on the regular…which brings so much of this discussion to Ford/Chevy/Dodge (well, maybe not Dodge)…shoot what you like. Carry what makes you happy. We should feel cool and confident in what drive and shoot.

And think 600NE may be like big ocean boats and airplanes. What’s better than owning one, having a friend that does. Hunter-Habib, when you get that dream Heym 600, I’d enjoy an invitation to travel over and shoot it.

@Wildwillalaska

I'd consider it to be a real pleasure. You could use it to shoot a saltwater crocodile with me.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I’m in. Don’t have to threaten me with a good time. I think traveling to swap gun stories and shoot with gents is time and effort well spent for sure.

 

[HankBuck]

Mark Sullivan disagrees as he considers the .500 as a starter caliber.

@Tanks - you just gotta like Mark Sullivan, a little “odd” but in a good way, would be a fun guy to share a hunting Camp with - and of course he can handle a Double Rifle better then most ….especially When-it-Counts.

 

[Mountaineer]

I own a 500 Nitro, but have not mastered its recoil. It will take time. It’s not a man bun caliber. If I was not a hand loader I could never afford to get proficient with the gun. It would cost several thousands of dollars for met to train enough I should be DG hunting with it.

 

[bimbo]

@Tanks - you just gotta like Mark Sullivan, a little “odd” but in a good way, would be a fun guy to share a hunting Camp with - and of course he can handle a Double Rifle better then most ….especially When-it-Counts.

O Sullivan is a great PH doubtless but he have to walk always upon a propaganda 's wave which go for those caliber which nobody will never buy