500 grains - The rifles' accuracy went south before a single handload was fired in it, so I don't think the Nosler is the problem. In fact, the Chapuis was regulated at the factory using the same brand and load of ammunition I had fired in the rifle, so I don't accept that the problem is ammunition based. All of the bullets that were used originally and up to it's accuracy going south were the S&B 286 gr. SP factory loads, the same load for which the rifle was regulated according to the target sent with the rifle.

Quite frankly, I respect all of the info I've received via this board and the experts thereupon. That's why I haven't used any of the Swifts or Barnes bullets that reside on my loading bench. On the other hand, others have allowed as how the bullets I have used, and those I have considered using are OK in this rifle. Those recommendations include the dealer from whom I bought the rifle. If that dealer will approve other bullets, and accept that he will have to pay for repairs if the bullets cause damage, I suspect that they probably are OK, since he is willing to put his money where his mouth is, so to speak. He has indicated that he has spoken to Chapuis directly about these other bullets, but as noted below, I intend to confirm that at the SCI convention at Reno the end of January.

I accept the preposition that the Woodleighs are more than OK. On the other hand, at this point I'm not convinced that the recommendation for the Woodleighs exclusively isn't based to a certain extent upon heresay vs. hard data. Clearly using the Woodleighs exclusively, one won't experience a problem with barrel damage. I have no doubt that the older British doubles have problems with the harder bullets (partitions, TSX and any similar bullets). I also have no doubt that at some time in the past a rifle had its' rib shot loose using those other bullets, perhaps more than one rifle. What I don't know is if that specific rifle might have had problems regardless of what bullet was used. Have other modern rifles had this specific problem? If so, I haven't read or heard of this being common. As noted in my earlier post, this DR gunsmith has fixed three Chapuis with loose ribs and I seriously doubt all of them used Noslers or Barnes or any other bullet exclusively, although I do not know that to be factual. I do know that the smith di NOT identify ammunition as the basis of the loose ribs in those Chapuis he has fixed. This DR smith has been recommended to me by one of the larger dealers and has all of the work he can handle. Based upon that info, and the fact that the DR community is rather small, he is most likely pretty good or the word would be around to avoid him. He lightened the triggers in my double, and he also reworked the comb for me. I am perfectly satisfied with what I've seen of his work to date. He works on DRs exclusively. Pilgrim