Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact
NitroExpress.com: Birdhunter50 Beretta DR finds a new home in Texas

View recent messages : 24 hours | 48 hours | 7 days | 14 days | 30 days | 60 days | More Smilies


*** Enjoy NitroExpress.com? Participate and join in. ***

Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Building Double Rifles & Gunsmithing

Pages: 1
crshelton
.333 member


Reged: 10/11/15
Posts: 379
Loc: Republic of Texas
Birdhunter50 Beretta DR finds a new home in Texas
      #318761 - 04/08/18 02:40 AM

This very nice Beretta .45-70 DR has moved to Texas where it will be hunted again:



Bob and I had planned a .45-90 DR for me just before he passed. I did not know of his personal .45-70 DR hunting rifle until recently when Marie and I were exchanging emails about the nice engraved shield that I had added to the Simson Suhl .405 WCF double that Bob sold to me in 2015.


This led to discussions of her progress on selling some of Bob's gun making items and ended up with me buying the Beretta DR. It is now in Texas and going to the range this weekend. Here is an overview of the rile lifted from an email to a hunting friend:
==============++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I had a chance to pick up this one with 26 inch barrels and think it might be a way to get the .45-90 double that I wanted by merely extending the chambers by .3 inch. This would allow use of .45-70 or .45-90 ammo as I do in my 1886 .45-90 for which I have brass, bullets, etc. It is from the estate of Bob Hynden who made my Simson .405 WCF double; it was his personal hunting rifle.

One of the interesting features is the circa 1964 Beretta GR 2 action with coin finish, double triggers, extractors, and 3 point lockup (two under lugs plus Greener cross bolt). Beretta USA emailed the user manual PDF for the GR 2 to me!
Plus cocked hammer indicators and articulated front trigger.
Plus American made 26 inch barrels. I am trying to determine the maker.
Plus Leupold variable 1-4 shotgun scope regulated at 75 yards with Remington 300 grain bullets that print a R and L in one inch.
Plus very nice wood and checkering with cheek piece, thick recoil pad, and ¾ inch sling swivels for European style sling.
Plus Anson release of semi beavertail fore end.
================++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Bob finished the rifle in 2008 and posted details on Nitro Express and I located that thread which contains much detail for the provenance.

Link to Bob's original 2008 post on his rifle:
Enjoy
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=108506&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1


I plan to follow up on this thread with results from the range and more facts as I learn them and update the provenance document.

--------------------
CRS,NRA Benefactor Member, TSRA, DRSS, DWWC, Whittington Center
Android Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/

Edited by crshelton (04/08/18 02:44 AM)


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Birdhunter50 Beretta DR finds a new home in Texas [Re: crshelton]
      #318762 - 04/08/18 03:25 AM

Congrats on the purchase..

Should be very enjoyable to shoot and a great caliber..

What do you plan to hunt with it?

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
crshelton
.333 member


Reged: 10/11/15
Posts: 379
Loc: Republic of Texas
Re: Birdhunter50 Beretta DR finds a new home in Texas [Re: Ripp]
      #318766 - 04/08/18 04:49 AM

+1 on enjoyable - at 8 pounds bare and 9 pounds with the scope, + the great stock, recoil will be minimal with most loads.

Hunt?
Initially, deer, feral hogs, black bear and exotics which are easily taken with the caliber.

If I stretch it out to .45-90, who knows? My 1886 .45-90 has already taken ele, leopard, multiple cape buff, and a bunch of NA game, so,,,

One of the nice things about the caliber is the wide range of ammo available plus that which can be hand loaded. Should be fun!

--------------------
CRS,NRA Benefactor Member, TSRA, DRSS, DWWC, Whittington Center
Android Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
crshelton
.333 member


Reged: 10/11/15
Posts: 379
Loc: Republic of Texas
Re: Birdhunter50 Beretta DR finds a new home in Texas [Re: crshelton]
      #319441 - 30/08/18 12:09 AM




Quick first range report:
Fired from the bench only 10 rounds of Bob's 300 grain hand loads:
1. Slick action and triggers!
2. Fits me like a glove right handed and is passable left handed.
3. Last 2 R&L groups fired= 50 yard group of 2 inches and 100 yard group of 1 3/4 inches!
4. It is a shooter and I am still learning it.

--------------------
CRS,NRA Benefactor Member, TSRA, DRSS, DWWC, Whittington Center
Android Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/

Edited by crshelton (30/08/18 12:11 AM)


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
tinker
.416 member


Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
Re: Birdhunter50 Beretta DR finds a new home in Texas [Re: crshelton]
      #319442 - 30/08/18 12:40 AM

Excellent!

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
93x64mm
.416 member


Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 3954
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: Birdhunter50 Beretta DR finds a new home in Texas [Re: crshelton]
      #319444 - 30/08/18 05:51 AM

Quote:




Quick first range report:
Fired from the bench only 10 rounds of Bob's 300 grain hand loads:
1. Slick action and triggers!
2. Fits me like a glove right handed and is passable left handed.
3. Last 2 R&L groups fired= 50 yard group of 2 inches and 100 yard group of 1 3/4 inches!
4. It is a shooter and I am still learning it.




Is it still in .45-70 or have you increased the chambers to .45-90?
If doing so surely this will affect the regulation?
Bloody good grouping by the way!


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
CHAPUISARMES
.416 member


Reged: 16/01/08
Posts: 2908
Loc: DUBBO, NSW, AUSTRALIA
Re: Birdhunter50 Beretta DR finds a new home in Texas [Re: 93x64mm]
      #319463 - 30/08/18 07:55 PM

Hi crshelton,

I have looked at your post and that of 'Bobs' post and was glad to see that you have provided such a good home for this excellent weapon. From an 'oldies' point of view, I would leave perfection alone in .45-70 and always know that 'Bob' created this masterpiece as is.

When reading 'Bobs' post another deceased members name came up, namely 'Bramble' He was also a member of this forum, always helpful, and was a fine artisan in firearms, mainly English style bolt actions but some double rifles as well.

So in closing, all I can say is that your a very lucky man being the new owner of such a fine weapon.

Cheers,



Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
crshelton
.333 member


Reged: 10/11/15
Posts: 379
Loc: Republic of Texas
Re: Birdhunter50 Beretta DR finds a new home in Texas [Re: CHAPUISARMES]
      #319468 - 30/08/18 11:10 PM

All,
Thank you for the fine comments on Bob and his gun making. I am fortunate to own two of his creations. Having shot this Beretta .45-70 rifle and being very pleased with it, I have no plan to modify it. In fact, it will be my first choice for an upcoming October boar hunt.

I also have plans for serious range time with a variety of compatible .45-70 factory ammo gathering dust in my gun closet and will report results upon completion.

--------------------
CRS,NRA Benefactor Member, TSRA, DRSS, DWWC, Whittington Center
Android Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/


Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Pages: 1



Extra information
0 registered and 8 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator:  CptCurl 

Print Topic

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Rating:
Topic views: 2371

Rate this topic

Jump to

Contact Us NitroExpress.com

Powered by UBB.threads™ 6.5.5


Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact


Copyright 2003 to 2011 - all rights reserved