| DUGABOY1 |
| (.400 member) |
| 07/07/08 03:28 AM |
|
Re: What caliber for a 1st Double??
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"and almost without exception, their first choice for chambering was a 600NE"
Mac, you and I must hang out in different circles! That having been said, 600 doubles are sufficiently rare (and expensive) that there isn't much danger of a new guy buying one until the has throughly sucumbed to the DR bug.
The thing is, you and I know the 600NE is a rare bird, but most of the young guys who have never even seen a real double rifle, simply assume that the biggest thing they have heard of would be the thing to get. They have listened to Mark Sullivan mouth off about his 600NE. As I said that was their first responce,and that never makes sense to anyone who knows anything at all about double rifles. When that is shown to be, not only hard to find, but requires a king's ransom, to obtain,and a mule to pack it, then it is the next thing they have read in a gun rag, or seen on a film, a 470NE. At that point I usually offer to let them shoot a 470NE, or a 500NE. After a couple shots they decide that is a little too big after all!
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I agree that the 9.3X74R would make a great first caliber. Not so powerful as to be intimidating, not too expensive for a decent 'shooter' quailty gun, and is suited for scoping for those who are transitioning from scoped bolt guns. I think the 375 flanged would be even better (more familiar to most in US) if ammo and brass were readliy available.
That is the fishhook in the pudding, availability of ammo, and componants for the 375 Flanged. That is one of my all time favorites, but like some other chamberings, they are also rare on the market, expensive, and a pain in the butt to load for. For the first timer, the 9.3X74R is a far better choice,for a convencience standpoint.
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After that, I'd say 450/400. A classic caliber but a bit more powder/recoil than some deer/occasional elk hunters may be used to.
That may be true, but a well ballanced 450/400NE 3" double rifle is far less punishing from recoil that the typical mountain rifle chambered for 338 win mag, or a 340 Wby mag.
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And finally, I agree with Tinker that a 22 DR would be and awesome set up! I acquired an Italian 410 a few months back with just such a project in mind, but have been waffling between a 22 Hornet and 22 WRM (with the attendant firing pin work).
The .22 lr double is a fine little toy, but I think if you are looking for somthing rare that is the chambering to look for. I don't think a first timer who wants a double rifle is rarely thinking about .22s, but nitro express rounds, and doubt they would pay what it takes to buy a s/s double rifle chambered for .22lr.
If the guy NEW TO DOUBLES where as well versed on double rifles as you and I, they wouldn't have suggested a very large chambering in the first place, you think?
