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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles
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AzGuy
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Reged: 23/03/06
Posts: 388
Loc: Prescott, Arizona, USA
Med. Doubles---- Weight? Why So Much???
      #73191 - 05/03/07 02:15 PM

I would love to spend my money on a classic medium bore DR!!

But why to they tend to weigh so much?

Looking around the market/internet I've seen 375's @ 10.5+ pounds, 450/400's @ 11.5 pounds and even a 7x57 @ 9.5+ pounds (all weights are without scope).

Can good "medium bores" be built @ 8 pounds? MY thinking is a medium bore should be "light & handy".
Put a scope on it and it should still weigh under 9 pounds.

Am I crazy or just optimistic?

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hoppdoc
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Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA
Re: Med. Doubles---- Weight? Why So Much??? [Re: AzGuy]
      #73203 - 05/03/07 08:16 PM

Two barrels and the action required adds up to signifigant weight.This is good for recoil but a negative in the carry department!

I don't think any medium Doubles makers feel motivated to try titanium alloys etc to make the guns lighter. Interesting proposition though---

--------------------
An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.

Edited by hoppdoc (05/03/07 08:17 PM)

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Kalunga
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Reged: 16/06/06
Posts: 328
Loc: Germany
Re: Med. Doubles---- Weight? Why So Much??? [Re: hoppdoc]
      #73206 - 05/03/07 10:08 PM

I must confess that I like heavy rifles and rather make some exercise to get fit than blame the rifle.
And when I`m hunting I care even less because hunting gives me a thrill that makes me forget such minor inconveniences.

Kalunga

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JTOMLINSON
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Reged: 16/02/05
Posts: 188
Loc: York, England
Re: Med. Doubles---- Weight? Why So Much??? [Re: AzGuy]
      #73207 - 05/03/07 10:19 PM

Arizona

Many medium doubles weigh what they do as they were built on action forgings made for larger calibres which in turn used larger diameter cases hence the barrel reinforcing diameters were larger, when a smaller diameter cartridge is used on a medium or large action frame then the barrel thickness at the reinforcing around the chambers becomes much thicker, hence the weight increases, in modern built doubles this is not seen too often nowadays as the makers, especially those with CNC capability have easy recourse to make the action to suit the chosen cartridge, but 50 plus years ago things were different, action sized mainly catered for few variations in case doameter, hence you will see many .375's and 450 /400's built on the same action size that the 450 - 500 class used, in turn this would keep the weights of many .374 - 400 class weapons artifically high by as much as 1 - 1.5 lbs.

The extra weight in the area of the chambers is not usually a problem as it centres the weight between the hands and usually offers a well balanced, but slightly heavy gun, if you can handle the extra weight the the further advantage is that the recoil is often slightly less noticeable that it would have been had the gun been made that much lighter. The extra weigh IMHO is certainly not a substantial reason to reject a period double in any good medium calibre, providing of course that condition and balance look and feel right.

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AzGuy
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Reged: 23/03/06
Posts: 388
Loc: Prescott, Arizona, USA
Re: Med. Doubles---- Weight? Why So Much??? [Re: Kalunga]
      #73223 - 06/03/07 03:57 AM

Kalunga,

Good point about the "excercise & getting in shape" versus the extra 1.5-2 pounds on the rifle.
Most of us could probably stand to lose 5-10 pounds.

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500Nitro
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Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Med. Doubles---- Weight? Why So Much??? [Re: AzGuy]
      #73226 - 06/03/07 05:25 AM


From the one's I've handled the Chapuis "seems" to be the lightest, handiest, dandiest.

I am more interested in how it fits, feels and blanaces than what it weighs - I have guns that weigh 13lbs but feel lke 9 and vice versa.

It's only at the end of the day you notice.

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DM
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Reged: 12/02/07
Posts: 107
Loc: mid west USA
Re: Med. Doubles---- Weight? Why So Much??? [Re: 500Nitro]
      #73231 - 06/03/07 06:59 AM

Here's another vote for a lighter double...

The argument about loose 5 pounds body weight doesn't wash with me, as that weight is spread all over my body, not just on one shoulder or in my hands...

Over the years i've found i shoot very good with lighter rifles too includeing with my DG rifle, BUT i don't use any rifles larger than .375 cal either...

DM

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4seventy
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Reged: 07/05/03
Posts: 2210
Loc: Queensland Australia
Re: Med. Doubles---- Weight? Why So Much??? [Re: AzGuy]
      #73255 - 06/03/07 05:59 PM

Quote:

Can good "medium bores" be built @ 8 pounds? MY thinking is a medium bore should be "light & handy".
Put a scope on it and it should still weigh under 9 pounds.




Yeah, my "allrounder" double in 400-350 NE is a capable killer and just touches 8.3 pounds with the detachable scope removed.
Fit up the scope, which is a 2.5 Leupold in steel rings, and it goes 8.9 pounds.
It's an absolute pussycat to shoot whether using 250 gn Hornady semi round nose at 2350 fps, or for more serious stuff, 310 gn Woodleigh RN soft or solids at over 2100 fps.
I often take this rifle into steep country and the weight is fine.

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Kebco
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Reged: 22/05/06
Posts: 104
Loc: PA, USA
Re: Med. Doubles---- Weight? Why So Much??? [Re: 4seventy]
      #73258 - 06/03/07 09:25 PM

Not classic, but you can get a new made Merkel model 141 in 9.3x74R that will weigh less than 7 lb and several other makers have guns under 8lb

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Otto
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Reged: 15/09/05
Posts: 111
Loc: Arizona, USA
Re: Med. Doubles---- Weight? Why So Much??? [Re: Kebco]
      #73263 - 06/03/07 10:56 PM

My experience is limited to Chapuis and Merkel...both 9.3x74r...both scoped.

Chapuis weighs 8 1/2 lbs, Merkel weighs a pound more, and is measureably thicker.

Not yet seen a 7 lb Merkel.

The thin leather slings that are "correct" on DRs are instruments of torture. A "stretchy" wide modern sling, which you only install in the dead of night behind a big rock, will make a 10 lb DR, feel much lighter.

BPE DRs are MUCH lighter than their nitro counterparts. Some 450 BPE DRs weigh about 8lbs, and are very capable rifles for medium game at reasonable ranges.

Otto

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JPK
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Reged: 31/08/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Chevy Chase, MD
Re: Med. Doubles---- Weight? Why So Much??? [Re: Otto]
      #73323 - 07/03/07 02:17 PM

I have seen Chapuis 9.3x74R advertised in the 7 3/4lb range and I believe that 450 NE No2's is in that range too - bare of course.

I think the new smaller frame Merkel is actually lighter that the 7 3/4lb Chapuis.

I think that range would be great. I would love a 375FM at 8 1/4lbs and a 450/400 at no more than nine.

I would also love a 300fl range rifle at 7lbs or less.

Too bad so many rifles weigh too much, whatever their chambering.

Kalunga - never been elephant hunting? I don't care how fit you are, every pound hurts at the end of a ten hour walk. Ain't fun after six or seven on tracks either. Lighter is better - within reason. 11 pounds is the end of "within reason" for me. If I'm going to hump 11lbs it better be a cartridge worth it, like a 500. Best route loos the extra weight around the middle and loose the extra weight on the shoulder too. You will hunt better.

JPK

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