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I voted for the 9.3X74R for a "FIRST" double rifle! My reasoning is that in a lot of cases, people want a double rifle, and change their mind once they get one, and find out the attendant problems this type of firearm often presents! My three favorite chamberings for a double rifle are the 9.3X74R, the 450/400NE 3", and the 500NE. With that in mind, two things seem prudant to me! They are first, and foremost, simply because a person has a burning desire to have a double rifle, doesn't mean that rifle is the best choice for that person. No. two, is most who want a double rifle tend to buy one with a chambering that is too large for practicle heavy use, for general hunting. Over the last fifty years I have talked to a very high number of people who expressed a desire to own a double rifle, and almost without exception, their first choice for chambering was a 600NE, and most of those people had never shot anything larger than a 30-30 saddle carbine, or a bolt actioned 30-06. Can you imagine the reaction to their first shot of that field cannon.

The double rifle is saddled with a learning curve, that requires a lot of shooting to become profecient with it. How many rounds do you think the guy who buys a 600NE double will put through the barrels over the first year? My prediction is, there will be a 600NE double for sale shortly after he fires the first ten rounds. NOW! for the guy who has owned a double before, and has learned the ins, and outs of it's care and feeding,but wants "ONE" double rifle for everything, I would reccomend a 450/400NE 3", with ficility for mounting a QD Illuminated scope. That rifle, like the 9.3X74R will allow you to shoot it a lot, and is better suited for everyday hunting of everything from Jackel, to elephant.

When the new guy finds he doesn't really understand the way a double rifle works, and finds it a frustrating contraption, that they can't make shoot worth beans, he will usually dump the rifle, and go back to an idiot proof bolt rifle, that he can get ammo for at Wal Mart. If he as bought a 470NE,500NE,577NE, or 600NE with a tow bar, and wheels. That dumping will be a loosing proposition for sure, but he'll gladly take the loss.

If, however, he buys a little 9.3X74R double rifle NEW at far less than the cost of anything larger, at least the rifle will get a fair trial, before the divorce, because he will be able to shoot the rifle a lot, at much lower financial pain. If he decides he is not a double rifle man, then the smaller rifle will be far easier to sell, and if he decides he's made the right choice of rifle types, then the little 9.3 double can either be traded in on a larger bore, or kept for his light rifle to back up the bigger double he wants now.

I have always advised against a guy new to double rifles buying a used, are (USED UP) old double rifle, and paying a premium unless he has someone who,is knowledgable, who is willing to help him in picking the right rifle. He can get burned saverely with some of the dolled up junk on he market today. Buy new, and buy small, that way if you change your mind, it is much easier to get out of without financial ruin.

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..........Mac >>>===(x)===>
DUGABOY1, and MacD37 founding member of DRSS www.doublerifleshooterssociety.com
"If I die today, I have had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"

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