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Although there have been a handful of posts here about the George Hoenig Rotary Round Action double rifles, there has been very little discussion of what I believe is a unique and fascinating double.

The aphorism that the more things change, the more they stay the same can be applied to most DRs. The basic design of the double, SXS or O/U has changed little since the late 1800s. While there have been some variations in types of locks, fasteners, and other details, the fundamental design has remained fairly static. From time to time, new lines of development emerge, such as the Fuchs double barrel bolt or a side by side falling block (wish that Martini & Hagn would build them again, but they are not planning on doing so according to my last discussion with Ralf) but those have been few and far between.

George Hoening's Rotary Round Action has been around for a few years and it is both unique and thoughtfully different. Built in very small numbers by a long-time engineer and gunsmith, the current delivery time is four years. Those that show up on the secondary market do not last long and sell for at or over replacement cost. Nonetheless, they remain little known outside of their owners.

The Hoenig Rotary Round Action is a unique O/U action, built by a perfectionist and, in fit, finish, and function, IMHO one of the best DRs extant. The photos below show the basic design and operation and need little further explanation.

Assembled and ready to shoot, the rifle looks little different from any other (admittedly rare though they are) round action O/U:

This photo shows the rifle broken down into its component parts:

A close up of the action shows the unique design:

You open the action by pulling forward and then twist the receiver over 90 degs to load. Drop in the rounds and return to vertical and pull back into battery. That is all it takes to get to here:

All of the DR versions I have viewed use George's simple and very functional scope mount. The receiver is grooved to accept the mount:

George also offers his doubles in shotgun form. I don't know if he will build an interchangeable set of barreled actions, but I see no reason why that would not be possible.

I own two of the DRs. A 9.3X74R (the largest caliber available on the 'normal' action, although I understand George is now building a larger action for the 375 H&H) and one in 17HMR, the smallest ever built and, as far as I know, his only rimfire DR.

Okay, why a 17 you ask? Why the hell not? I love small DRs. Can't get much smaller, and this little puppy will reach out to 100+yards and put two quick rounds into a single, slightly elongated hole. No noise, no recoil, two fast and inexpensive shots that do the job expected of them.

Sure, its a lot of money for a result I could get out of a sub-$500 bolt rifle, but who the hell said we buy a double to make sense? We buy it for fun, and this one is a hoot and a half.

The 9.3 has been used quite a bit my me since I got it a year ago. The rifle is fun just to assemble, the components fitting together like the proverbial Swiss watch. Now I KNOW I am going to get keel hauled for saying this, but I will put the fit and finish of the Hoenig up against any 'best gun' ever built. Period. This is a labor of love by a talented, brilliant, and perhaps obsessed individual. That shows in the way these rifles look and function. The gun is precise in function, the movement of the action in opening, rotating, and then returning to 'battery' done with no slop, just enough effort to tell you that each phase of loading is complete, and then back on target to offer accuracy that is like the build -- superb.

I have seen a few comments that the number of movements in operation is slower or more awkward than the conventional O/U. Perhaps it is given the extra step of the twist to the side to open the action. In real world terms, once you use it a few times, the extra time needed to shoot, open, empty, reload, and close the action is negligible. Would it make a difference for dangerous game use? Sure, but these rifles are not built in DG calibers nor intended for such use. Horses for courses.

So much for the discourse on what I believe is a unique DR. And one that I doubt will survive George when he finally decides to retire or go to that Big Machine Shop in the Sky. In any event, an original and one I feel should get the recognition it truly deserves. Dave

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Time Wounds All Heels

Edited by dnovo (30/04/08 11:06 PM)

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