| DUGABOY1 |
| (.400 member) |
| 09/04/08 03:44 AM |
|
Re: 2 DR's on Safari .....safety?
|
Quote:
Lets assume that you are lucky enough to be on safari with 2 DR's of your choice. In my case it would be a 9.3x74R and a 450/400 both with QD scopes.
If you want to have both rifles available at all times, then "somebody" has to carry one while you carry the other. Question: do you trust the gun bearer enough to leave the DR he is carrying loaded? Or do you leave it unloaded?
With only one DR and a bolt action backup this is simple, you carry the DR and the gun bearer carries the bolt with an empty chamber and a full magazine. But what to do now that you have 2 DR's?
As you have seen here, you will get ten differend answers to the same question from five different hunters at different times when the question is asked!
You say the rifle you prefere, are 9.3X74R, and a 450/400, both with scopes! This is a fine choice no matter what is on your bag list, IMO! This would be my choice as well, but right now my larger of this pair is a 470NE, and I'd rather it were a 450/400NE 3".
With both scoped, in I assume, QD rings and bases, on yours. I would carry the heaviest chambering always, myself, with the tracker carrying the UNLOADED 9.3X74R. I would carry the 450/400, loaded, with scope detached, and the 9.3X74R, unloaded, with the scope attached! This way the 9.3 could be instantly used for a long,shot on a plains game, or precision shot, even on the Buffalo,where a scope is needed, for the first shot through a little hole in the bush, for a brain, or heart shot, at close range, and follow up with the bigger rifle for the next two, or three, or four, or what ever. On my ammo belt I carry ammo for both my doubles, but seperated by the rifle I'm holding at the time on the point of my left hip, and the ammo for the other rifle on the back of my belt.
I have some very nice double rifles that can't be replaced, so today if traveling out of the country, to hunt, My rifles are a pair of Merkel double rifles, 140E 9.3X74R, and a 140-2 Safari 470NE! These can be replaced with the insurance money if lost in transit! If Merkel made a 450/400NE 3", that would be there instead of the 470NE.
Good luck, and enjoy your safari no matter which way you decide to do it!
