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Assuming you have all the tools and the ability to make a double rifle. What are you looking at cost wise for parts and how many hours are tied up in the project. I would really love to try and build one, but are you better off just buying one. I would get a ton of satisfaction out of the build, but I am torn. I have just recently got the DR BUG big time and need to make a move. Please let me know your thoughts.

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I've been a member for awhile now, lurking, and absorbing info.

My answer is, cost depends. One of these days I would like to make a really nice, preferably elephant capable caliber, double rifle build from a nice shotgun. Still shopping for a suitable donor, that I can actually justify spending the money for. I may have to farm part of the work out, it's all just in the dream stage now, but should still wind up well under $1,000.

In the meantime I picked up an older hammer double, for $80+. The plan on that one is to line the original barrels with a couple of .45 muzzleloading barrels I got for abour $20 each, chamber for .45 Long Colt, cut the barrels to maybe 22"-24", and viola, got me a double rifle. And, yes, I know, regulating it is going to be a bear. Oh yes, almost forgot, I'm thinking about using just blackpowder loads. So that's around $120 so far. I'll be doing all the work myself, so it won't be much more than that when finished. It'll be used for putting holes in soda cans mostly. I'd like something chambered for a larger caliber, but I know this will stand up to .45LC, so I'll stick with that.

I have a line on a better double, for around $140-$160. This I know will stand up to a large caliber, but I will just go with a .45-70 build. Lining the original barrels again. I figure cost on this should be no more than about $250, max.

I know lining barrels will add weight, but I don't hunt any more, so the only carrying around will be from the house to my vehicle, from the vehicle to the shooting place, and back again, so weight is not a big deal for me.

If I ever get to the position where I can do an elephant caliber double, then I'll do it the 'right' way. Monoblock, express sights, really nice wood for the stock, handmake the stock and forearem, fitted case, the whole nine yards. Which, now that I think more on it, will probably push the end price up a bit more than I originally figured. No prob. At least then if the squirrels around here decide to start rampaging I'll have something on hand that would easily stop them.

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Theo
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It ain't what you're told, it's what you know. - Granny Weatherwax

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