Entry level double rifles?

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Freyr_255

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So I keep looking at double rifles that I have no chance in hell of affording and it keeps making me want to get one. I know Baikal makes a SxS 45-70 and started to wonder if there are any other 'entry level' double rifles out there. I've been googling for a bit but am coming up dry.

So anyone know of any double rifle manufacturers that make stuff considered entry level? (aka affordable for people who don't have more money than they know what to do with)
 
You could always make one from an old box lock shotgun, there is info on this on the net as well as having someone else make one for you...other wise they start at about 7-10K and go up from there.
 
Entry level is a relative term. Sabatti makes some new doubles in true dangerous game chamberings for about $5500. This is probably as low as you're likely to find, and somewhat less powerful chamberings get as low as $2500. Trade ex has Sabatti's in stock.
 
I kinda figured that it was a long shot. Guess I'm probably looking at the Baikal 45-70 SxS or the O/U 30-06 for around $1k.

Question is still open for 'entry level' doubles as the $2500 realm isn't out of reach completely. The $5k range probably is until I've got a hell of a lot more money.
 
I predict that buying an "entry level" double will be a frustrating experience. You will pay more than a good quality repeater will cost, with a good chance of poor regulation of the barrels or other functional issues. As I have written previously about combination guns, it takes a lot of design skill and hand craftsmanship to make a double rifle shoot and function well. you get what you pay for. Most good double rifles will cost $10,000 or more. Some "reasonably" priced light double rifles are coming out of Italy lately, but even those are in the $4000 and up range. And try to avoid rimless cartridges! Doubles function more reliably and can be built simpler for rimmed cartridges.
 
I was just going to mention Sabatti as well. IIRC the 9.3x74R is just over $3000, and that would be a very nice little rifle indeed. The next step up would be Chapuis, and then Merkel.
 
Redlich said:
Entry level is a relative term. Sabatti makes some new doubles in true dangerous game chamberings for about $5500. This is probably as low as you're likely to find, and somewhat less powerful chamberings get as low as $2500. Trade ex has Sabatti's in stock.
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A dealer had a Sabatti in .470NE on display at Kamloops show this spring. Show price was $5,000 in your hands. Was tempted, but, will stick to my old .375 Browning and put the money towards a plains-game hunt in the future.
Cheers
Geoff
 
Freyr_255 said:
I kinda figured that it was a long shot. Guess I'm probably looking at the Baikal 45-70 SxS or the O/U 30-06 for around $1k.

Question is still open for 'entry level' doubles as the $2500 realm isn't out of reach completely. The $5k range probably is until I've got a hell of a lot more money.
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I looked at the Baikal when it first came out - do a search on the write up and photos I posted. I wouldn't buy one.

The basic Sabatti is a good deal - do a search on 24hr campfire for a bunch of talk about them. That would be the "basic" one I would look at. The 9.3x74R will serve you quite well on just about everything.

http://huntnetwork.net/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=494
 
Hugh - I have only read of one disgruntled owner. There is a thread on it on 24hr campfire.
 
Merkle are good money spent on an non dangerous game cal. rifle around $6600, I bought a Cape gun this year, very pleased with this working type gun, not fancy, just works well, cheers and good luck, Dale Z!
 
I have a baikal in 45-70 and froma rest it will group 4 shots (2 from each tube) into a 1.5" group at 50 yards. Its adjustable as well. The fit and finish is rough and its stiff to open but its an accurate reliable double. And I won't cry if I scratch it
 
I bought a Sabatti in 45-70 this year and have put through over 150 rounds and it's worked perfectly so far, shot a couple of deer with it (70lb blacktail) worked well didn't feel under gunned at all.
 
You get what you pay for, and where the benchmark of a good bolt action hunting rifle cost wise is likely about $800-900, the benchmark for the bottom end of good stuff in doubles (Merkel) is $8,000-9,000. My honest advice is don't go into doubles if you're not going in with money. Half ass measures will breed a half ass result, and given even a half ass double is expensive it's likely to end with a sour taste in the mouth. The Baikals are utter garbage, Sabatti I'm wary of and I find them gaudy. I'm building my own double, on a W.W. Greener Empire frame, it's not a process for the faint of heart. It is a tediously slow process and you quickly understand why any half decent double is ten grand. You'll also need a good amount of skill to end up with a result you can be proud of. So there's no easy route to an entry level double, I'm afraid. They're very specialized implements and will remain so I'm sure.

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blasted_saber said:
Explain to the ignorant please what makes a double rifle so expensive?
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Mostly you're paying for old world craftsmanship, particularly if you're getting a English double rifle that was built early in the 20th Century. You will observe almost seamless fitting of steel surfaces, extraordinary wood, hand engraving, hand fitted barrels that are regulated to hit the same point of aim at 40 yards, sights that are regulated to a specific load; that sort of thing. If you can appreciate the craftsmanship, and historical significance of these fine rifles, they are worth every penny, but if you're like me, they are over priced clubs and I wouldn't trade a good bolt gun for one on a bet.

Chas. Osborne .577 NE
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This is a guy who really appreciates his double rifles
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Me, not so much, even if it is a Chas. Osborne .577 NE.
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John Wilkes .500 NE that I hunted with
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blasted_saber said:
Explain to the ignorant please what makes a double rifle so expensive?
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Everything is fit by hand on a quality double, often one file stroke at a time, smoke and fitting the parts. The part is smoked with a kerosene lamp, then fit, and the high points where the smoke is rubbed off are taken down with a file stroke at a time, then stones for the final finish.

Aside from fitting, there's also the relative enigma of making two rifles that are soldered together (producing perplexing barrel harmonics) shoot to the same point of aim. Everything in a double rifle has to strike a vague balance to be just right- the soldering and regulation of the barrels, the fit of the action, even the balance of the entire rifle in the hands to make it point and handle like a double should. Two barrels can be made to fire together easily, see Baikals or any cheap SxS action. Making them do it perfectly is a whole 'nother matter.

Think even if bolt actions were made by hand, one at a time (some are, I have a Satterlee Mauser on order and they cost what doubles do as well), you're paying for attention to detail and quality. Doubles are just such niche tools they'll never see quality mass production in my estimation, and remain a craftsman's product, thankfully.
 
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