| DUGABOY1 |
| (.400 member) |
| 21/03/12 12:22 PM |
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Re: double rifle
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Thanks for your input. I know that the .450/400 and the .500 are at different ends of the spectrum and I have always wanted a .50 caliber. I was always intrigued by the .505 Gibbs and had a .500 Jeffrey bolt gun being built for me, but just couldn't get past the rebated rim (had some issues with reliability of feed in a .284 Winchester and .425 Westley Richards). Stopped the .500 Jeff project and decided on a .500 Nitro double. Guess I will go with the .500 Nitro. Didn't need too much of a nudge.
Nyati50 first let me say the word “NEED” has nothing to do with the acquisition of a double rifle! The fact that you want one is all the “NEED” that counts!
Having said that IMO the fact that one has bolt rifles or single shots in the same or similar chamberings is not a draw-back to having a double rifle in those same chamberings or ballistic class. Bolt action, single-shot and double rifles all have pluses and minuses that each do things the others can’t do as well. SO! That is no draw-back to having a double rifle either. As you may have already known there are things double rifles do far better than any other type of hunting firearm.
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I looked at one the other day. Yes it was a Sabatti with extractors. Probably will get Butch Searcy to build me one. The Sabatti was nice and balanced relatively well, but I heard there were some issues with improper regulating practices (grinding off some of the rifling in the offending barrel). I saw no telltale signs of that as both barrels seemed properly crowned and all of the rifling was sharply cut. The wood to metal fit was as good as most Merkels and Krieghofs I have encountered. I have no idea about their lock system, but I understand that they do not use coil springs so I would appreciate that.
It has always been my opinion that anyone new to double rifles should buy “NEW” or newly made double. My reason for that opinion is unless you are well schooled on double rifles, the buying of a vintage double is not only very expensive, but can be a real money pit of loss with some of the dolled up junk on the market today. Most of the newly made doubles are good buys, and are most times far cheaper to buy in the long run. The are made from modern steel, and have not been abused by some cretin with a pile of sandpaper, steal wool, blueing salts and a plumber’s license.
I would stick to the mainstream new doubles however like Chapuis, Krieghoff, Merkel and Varney Carron for off the shelf buying. Or most of those same names and some others like B. Searcy or Heym made to fit you for a little more money, and time for delivery. Right now I would shy away from the Sabatti product till they bring up the quality of their manufacturing practices. One other I would not recommend in a dangerous chambering is the Blaser S-2 because of it’s automatic de-cocking if opened for any reason, and must be re-cocked before it can be fired after a reload. The Krieghoff has a similar system but one cocked and fired or opened for any reason either re-cocks itself and is ready to fire as soon as it is closed.
Your comment on coil springs is without merit IMO. Unless absolute top quality leaf springs are far more prone to work hardening and breakage than just GOOD coil springs. Coils are far easier to carry a spare set for repair in the field if the need arises’
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I am not convinced that ejectors make that much noise, but they most definitely create that metallic ping that may give your position away in the thick jess, but I don't know if I could be fast enough with just extractors. These are the goofy things that go through my mind.
I wouldn’t worry about the noise made by the ejectors unless you plan on hunting a lot of tuskless cow elephant in tight bush. It matters little to cape buffalo, and a wounded lion or leopard once he realizes you are near sound doesn’t play a big part in his desire to rip you to shreds. A quality set of ejectors is a life saver sometimes with buffalo, and almost always with the cats.
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You can see that I am a mere rookie with double guns, but I have made the commitment and I will live or die with the commitment. I am going to Africa with a double and from the input here, it sounds like it should be a .500. I am pleased with that. Thanks again for your input. I would probably take the .450/400 Nitro Ruger Number 1 as my second rifle. I love my Rigby, but the Number One is so sleek and with modern powder, I am pushing that rifle to factory Rigby levels anyway. With a single loader I don't have to worry about factory regulated barrels. I think I am driving the 400 grain at about 2300+ fps.
Nyati50 (Michael)
Michael I believe in your case the 500NE makes sense. No1 you are used to large bore rifles, so the 500NE will be no unpleasant surprise to you. With the 450/400NE Ruger No1 as a back-up rifle you will be well fixed for weapons. One word of caution here, with the 450/400NE ammo being loaded too hot for double rifles, you need to label all your ammo for the Ruger as “HOT: not for use in double rifles” in case someone tries to use it in an older double rifle. If you don’t have a scope on the Ruger I would install one preferably with a 2-7X40mm or 3-9X40MM illuminated reticle like the Trijicon.
What ever you decide have fun and enjoy your double rifle but be guided by the knowledge that double rifles are addictive, and what ever you buy, it wont be the last one you buy! Don’t forget to put the DRSS (Double Rifle Shooters Society) in your sig line and welcome!
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