In reply to:

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What Double do forum members think is the maximum useful working Double gun for carry on a DG safari and also fills your need for a stopper?

9.3 x 74R
450 class
470 class
500 class
577 class
600 class
??other??

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I think they all are good for someone, but given the down side of many chamberings, and their attendant weight,and quick use restrictions, some are not nearly as useful as others!

For me, I don't consider anything above a 577NE double to be a gain in effeciency, and in fact are almost useless, except for the "LOOK AT ME" factor, at the local range!

For hunting of dangerous game, up to, and including Buffalo, anything from 9.3X74R, to a 500NE will do, with my pick being from the 400s up to the 500NE. If I had to include elephant, then I'd likely pick the 500NE as first choice.

The 470NE is the golden boy of today, but IMO, it will do nothing better than the verious .450s, and in fact I'd rather have a 450NE 3 1/4" double for everything accross the board, for everything in the Big five, than the 470NE. It has the widest range of componants available to the loader, and the rifles can be made lighter, while still being quick to get off the second shot. When I move above the .458 dia double, I would go all the way to the 500NE without looking back.

For a double that I would use for North America, as well the cats, and Buffalo of Africa, then a 10 pound 450/400NE 3" double, would fill the bill quite nicely!

For a combination of doubles for All African hunting, my choice would be Idealy, a little 8.5 pound 9.3X74R double with a QD scope, and a 450NE 3 1/4", 10.5 pound double, for everything.

If I were a PH I would have two doubles as well! They would be the 9.3X74R, and a 500NE double, to switch between depending on the hunt at hand!

My "go to" SET today, as a client hunter, is a pair of Merkel S/S double rifles! A 140E 9.3X74R, and a 140.2 Safari 470NE!

Opinion, opinion, opinion! We've all got one, and that one is my short opinion! However, given an unlimited bank account.......................................




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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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