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For pics of the defective round, sand contamination, Lion teeth and claws, and all that stuff see the original article here,
http://www.morrisonarms.com/2014/04/lion-rifles-part-ii-why-i-believe-the-double-is-the-perfect-tool/
Hopefully enjoyable, my experiences by way of arms and ammunition on Lion, cheers folks.
Lion Rifles Part II: Why I Believe the Double is The Perfect Tool
Above all a rifle has to fit, and hit. Rifles to me are tools, and however elegant, they have to be functional. Don’t get me wrong, I love a gorgeous rifle, and own a scant few synthetic stocks. However each rifle I keep has been selected for how it fits, and how I shoot it instinctively. This is one reason I buy a lot of rifles to find Mrs. Right, I never could make the call at a gun counter if a rifle was going to work, at least so I tell my wife. I need to spend a week or three on the range with it, and out varminting getting a feel for it. It has cost me some money, buying fairly pricey guns I assumed would be magic, and were anything but. My much mentioned Ruger RSM .375 H&H, my most experienced rifle, is neither expensive nor magic, but it is pretty darn good. She’s a steady and sturdy gal that doesn’t fail, but with no real deep connection for me on an instinctive level. All the mechanics, the bolt throw, the safety, the feel of the action are second nature like a steady and boring relationship gone on too long. It works, but there’s no fluid synergy of rifle and man there. Maybe one rifle I’ve ever owned fit like a glove, truly in the highest sense, and I traded it in a moment of weakness. It was a customized Oberndorf Mauser that fit me like no other rifle has, it had a hideous big recoil pad on it, but the alteration of LOP caused a fit I can’t fairly put into words. It was a wand, of terrible precision and power. Now, my double hasn’t been customized at all to fit me, and perhaps one day with new stocks it will be elevated to this level, as on paper results, it is close. I hit with it quickly, and naturally, with little need for formal thought out aiming, akin to a good shotgun. It was a hands down choice for the biggest hunt I’d ever done to date; Lion.
Fast-forwarding regarding this double and considerations of rifles for Lion, having successfully hunted my Lion in February, I will share my thoughts and follow up on the experience by way of arms. Under few hunting scenarios is the choice of rifle, and one’s comfort with it more paramount than during a Dangerous Game hunt. Some would have you believe that hunting Dangerous Game is not nearly as dangerous as its reputation would have you expect, and frankly… I agree. This said, the risks while of a lower probability than many might expect, are nonetheless substantial and real. You are invading the personal space of undoubtedly some of the most dangerous animals to have existed in modern times, with intent they do not appreciate. That doesn’t always go smoothly, as several species in Africa in particular can take grave offence to your plan. When you are in scrub, chasing a creature with senses far better than yours and of many times your strength and speed, you feel very alive. Your rifle’s job is to keep you that way. Personally I see good rifle choice as no different than wearing a seatbelt when you drive, common sense precautions, even though you can go for years with no problem unbelted. Dangerous Game animals are indeed capable of sharing your personal space with startling expedience, albeit each species with its own particular characteristics. It is my belief these varied characteristics demand different rifles to have a hunter perfectly outfitted for his task. That is however another article, and when I complete the Big Five, I have no doubt I’ll muse on it. This article, will feature my experiences in the Kalahari with a Merkel 140AE .375 H&H double rifle, and budget priced Federal 300 Grain “Blue Box” ammunition. Yes, you read the ammunition right.
A couple things should, and did occur to me before departure. One of course was my choice of ammunition, certainly not premium. Of the round’s capabilities, I had little personal doubt, I’ve used them with a great deal of success on wild Wood Bison of a muscular 1,000kgs in northern Canada at spitting range, on a tough old Blue Wildebeest bull in Zimbabwe, Moose, Bear, and on smaller predators. I have heard, and believe, some horror stories with this soft, almost frangible bullet and most of my previous hunting with them was simply the result of them being what was available at the time. They had performed admirably for me however, and were easily available to busy a father of two in a small northern town, horribly starved of time at the loading bench for a spell now. I haven’t even unpacked my handloading gear since the last move, I’m perturbed to admit. So, Federal Blue Box it was, I wasn’t hunting Cape Buffalo again yet, Lions were soft, right? Now, there is some good for sure to be reported of this ammunition- it is exceedingly accurate in my .375s, being so consistent I’ve punched pairs into the same hole from the Ruger RSM. Handloading won’t improve the accuracy in my rifles, and I’m also of the belief that it closely resembles the softs of the early to mid twentieth century used in some breadth. The old soft’s basic construction and the moderate velocities of the Holland & Holland married well, and from my growing experience with the bullets, I believe this still holds true. No argument you can do better, but they certainly work.
While I considered the possibilities of the bullets not acting as I wished, what I did not expect with this ammunition was factory defects. A defect perhaps best described in the words of a friend and experienced Lion PH, those being, “THAT will get you killed.” Thankfully, discovery of the faulty round occurred during sight in and gear check in a comfortably late first morning on the impromptu range in the Kalahari. We had arrived a tired group of two young children, a patient but clearly tired wife, and an anxious father and husband attempting to keep it all together, in order for the hunt not to be remembered as a disaster. Jason immediately recognized and took pity on this situation and suggested a late first morning, much to my relief. While on the range that first morning, something became apparent. Not a huge surprise sadly, but many clients can’t shoot, as my iron sight shooting proved very pleasing to the PHs much to my surprise, as beyond a good group from the right barrel that would fall under a Loonie (Canadian $1 coin), it seemed to me sufficiently average and the group was achieved at only 50 yards. Their relief at this, and even a mention of it in camp by a distinguished third party and guest of the evening who had heard, allows me to reflect on the single most important aspect of any bullet’s performance; where it is placed. You can do an awful lot with a bad bullet in the right place, and terrible little with an excellent one in the wrong place. Apparently a god awful lot of terrible placement occurs, and is responsible for much of the drama amongst Lions.
I reckoned, my mediocre bullets placed correctly would suffice, and indeed they did. I learned some things along the way. In the middle of musings on shooting, I asked if they did not mind if I took the opportunity to shoot more, as I had brought plenty of the cheap Blue Box and appreciate any opportunity for practice I get- especially immediately before something as important as Lion. Right at the end, I pulled another round to load, only to find the neck of the case folded back on itself, right out of the box. It would never have chambered, and if it was the reload I needed to count on, very well could have had a Southern ending. I have not contacted Federal yet, but likely should make mention of it to them, especially in a cartridge as likely to be used on dangerous game as the .375 H&H. Other than this one, relatively severe hiccup, despite highs of 40 degrees C or more the ammunition proved perfectly reliable and ejected cleanly in all but one case in which it still extracted, and this likely had to do with a sandy chamber- more on this shortly. I’ve shot and bought a great deal of this Blue Box and it is the first time I’ve encountered anything like it. I’m unsure whether I was incredibly unlucky, and incredibly lucky to have spotted it before it went into my cartridge carrier, or if this a somewhat known issue. Needless to say, I carefully checked every round going forward before it entered my cartridge carrier. This is a step that should always be undertaken, especially on Dangerous Game, however one that with the consistent quality of modern ammunition many of us can become complacent with and forget.
One change with my rifle and ammunition I found upon my arrival in Africa, very much to my surprise, was a drastic change in point of impact for one of my barrels. The right remained bang on, while the left actually shot to the right a bit- nothing that would matter, but both barrels grouped well, and distinct of each other. Back home in -25C practicing, with the same ammunition albeit different boxes, they piled right on top of each other at 50 yards. I am admittedly no expert on the regulation of doubles, but this change was quite a surprise to me. Everything was still hitting the target, and each barrel was grouping perhaps tighter than ever each on their own, but the change in regulation with what I presume had to be the temperature was quite the surprise. I can think of no other explanation beyond variations in lots of ammunition. Following discussions on the regulation and faulty round, carrying the rifle to the Land Cruiser to return to camp I was smitten with the ease of unloading and handling a double around a vehicle. The curt overall length, and completely smooth exterior make it feel like a beefy carbine, not a .375. One feature of the rimless chambering double rifle I unexpectedly fell in love with was how the extractor / ejectors retain loaded, unfired cartridges. You can leave two rounds in the disassembled barrels and they stay put forever until you pull them out, or fire and eject them. This is actually quite handy for having a disassembled rifle ready in a flash on unexpected small predators or the like, when travelling cross-country and not expressly hunting. For carriage on foot, I opted for no sling, a modification I’ve made to my gear since Cape Buffalo hunting in Zimbabwe, as a slung rifle will never be as fast as a bare one to bring into play. It also has far greater chances of hanging up on bush or the like when you need it free and lively. While I don’t take everything PHs do as gospel, I’ve yet to meet a PH who uses a slinged rifle as well, I’m sure they are out there, I just haven’t seen one.
Now, speaking of what PH’s do, my survey to date of four PHs over three trips who’ve hunted Lion brings a break down of arms consisting of:
-1 FN .458 Win Mauser
-1 Winchester Model 70 in either .458 Lott, or .375 H&H (the latter is stainless)
-1 Zastava .458 Win Mauser
-1 Custom South African Made .470 Nitro Double
Please note three highly experienced Lion PHs above have a different preference than I am about to express, so my opinions apply to me. Everyone will have to run drills and see what works for them. I love my Ruger RSM, but I don’t find it overly quick. Perhaps something lighter and livelier is called for in my bolt action selection, though I tried the 20” Sauer 202 Forest 9.3x62 mentioned in Lion Rifles Part I, and it still didn’t hit instinctively like a double for me. And while I can work the RSM’s action like lightning, that’s not the issue, it’s the pointing and bush carry. Now the RSM is still among my favourite guns to use of all time, and my most experienced. It will also almost certainly be used on my winter Rhinoceros hunt. This leads me to what I believe are sound reasons for selecting slightly different rifles for different dangerous game, even if the rifles are of the same chambering. My double, while it points like magic, carries effortlessly, and has a perfect safety for being called into play in a heartbeat suffers a major shortcoming. That being you are limited to one load, 300 grain at just over 2,500fps in my rifle’s case. Anything else will not be guaranteed to regulate, and likely won’t. From my experience even large temperature swings change things. 300 grain .375 will of course take down anything that walks, though I prefer a 350 grain load for chasing something with the mass and build of Rhinoceros. It is the second largest animal walking the planet, and likely ties for the toughest. If anyone doubts their tenacity and speed watch some video of a Rhinoceros fighting a Cape Buffalo; they make the Buffalo look like a punk teenager in a grown man’s fight, wading into the middle of a group of bulls to finish the bastard that pissed him off. I digress…. This article pertains to Lion however, and 300 grain is perfect for the task, and the speed of handling and the two rapid shots supersede any bullet weight versatility concerns.
This consideration, speed, is one to be held with high regard when discussing Lions. When things go south with Lion, it happens at a pace perhaps only a Leopard can match. I am of the opinion two shots, without any break of the rifle’s hold or changes whatsoever, is not only all you’re going to get, but the best solution currently available in a gun cabinet as it has been for more than a century. There are some misconceptions about doubles that go in their strike column unfairly, foremost being that while fast, accuracy is “emergency sufficient”. In my experience, sighting in and using your first barrel, typically the right for the front trigger, as a single shot allows shot placement as good as any standard bolt action especially if scoped. I never hunt with a scope, so in my case I find my double to act the same as my RSM over the irons, and hit more naturally offhand, such as my finishing shot on Lion to his neck as he watched us from behind a bush. Lions move with astonishing speed, capable of 80kms/h for burst such as on a charge, and accelerating to that velocity in a mere handful of paces from a standstill. Their acceleration makes sports cars look a lazy, and given you’re often forced into facing Lion at 50 yards or less in thick stuff, they can be on you before you exhale. This is why I favour a double. The two most experienced Lion PHs I’ve mentioned here and regard highly had different takes. One, that a double was too expensive and too limited for the other work he calls on his rifle for, culling, following up client wounded plains game, etc. The other felt his .470 Nitro double was the only tool he’d wield with complete confidence on Lions, sharing the justifications I subscribe to as well. Both have faced charges and know their business, and both are right. As a matter of fact the .470 fancier shot a Lioness off a fellow PH not that long before, with video to prove it.
Now something else I found is double rifles are not immune to conditions, as often portrayed. The coarse, red Kalahari sand of the consistency of fine ground pepper was a different animal than the floury red dust I had encountered by the banks of the Limpopo on the Botswana border and which still line the hidden crevices of my Ruger RSM, and wholly different from the packed soil of Zimbabwe. While a double is certainly closed to all elements, nearly perfectly, it is every bit as susceptible to contamination of the barrels and open action as any good Mauser. I ended up with sand in my barrels, despite my efforts to avoid it, and I found it adhering naturally to any trace of oil. The rifle wasn’t called upon fortunately in this phase and I cleaned it thoroughly to remove it. I did experience one failure to eject I attribute to a sand contaminated cartridge, the slight oil from the leather of my cartridge case attracted the finer particles of sand to the then lightly oiled cartridges like a magnet. I didn’t even notice until I watched a video of it from a camera I was wearing on my chest with Jason the PH, but in the reloading sequence on my Gemsbok while I was running I had to manually pluck a spent case from the chamber, the ejector did not kick it clear. Traces of the sand were found later on the cartridges and in the chamber, and I’m convinced this was the culprit. To the Holland & Holland’s credit, its generous taper and brass spring back as a result allowed the brass to be plucked free by hand despite the extreme heat and the grit. So easily I should add, I hadn’t noticed I’d done it until I saw it on video.
In closing, I feel that as a hunter, not a PH, the double is the perfect purpose built tool for fighting fast moving game like Lions. I mention the PH aside, as for many, their rifle is a work tool in which they cannot be overly invested, and the vast majority of time serves mundane culling and follow up tasks on non-dangerous game. Some PHs, like some craftsmen, select a niche and high quality tool suited for a particular task as well, such as the .470 operator I mention in this article. It is very much every man for himself, I myself prefer the double as it brings me to my shotgunning roots and the rapid, reflexive shooting that entails. This natural instinct to “level the deck” of a double’s barrels across your target and send it the Holland Bros.’ regards in a flash allows me to deliver lethality in a way I just cannot train into myself, yet, with my bolt actions. From the moment I got to know a double, I went from skeptic who would rather spend his money on hunts, to distinct admirer of the blue collar German double and its strengths. There is something very sporting in a double in one’s hands, and it is not merely a man and a rifle’s odd romance. Backing up the double’s allure my speed shooting on the range with it embarrassed my much practiced with RSM’s times for two hits on a rushing target, using Northern Canada’s finest clothesline setup. It also wins for gun low, safety on, for one snap shot on close targets for both speed and placement, and the same for moving while shooting. The double is a tool, that for me, is very much worth its (substantial) pile of salt. This said, my first double I’ve come to know will be sacrificed to partially fund my Rhinoceros hunt- the experience always beats the tools. Hell, if I had no other choice, I’m sure I’d try it with a Remington 700.
Always sweet to end on a joke, no? Cheers folks.
http://www.morrisonarms.com/2014/04/lion-rifles-part-ii-why-i-believe-the-double-is-the-perfect-tool/
Hopefully enjoyable, my experiences by way of arms and ammunition on Lion, cheers folks.
Lion Rifles Part II: Why I Believe the Double is The Perfect Tool
Above all a rifle has to fit, and hit. Rifles to me are tools, and however elegant, they have to be functional. Don’t get me wrong, I love a gorgeous rifle, and own a scant few synthetic stocks. However each rifle I keep has been selected for how it fits, and how I shoot it instinctively. This is one reason I buy a lot of rifles to find Mrs. Right, I never could make the call at a gun counter if a rifle was going to work, at least so I tell my wife. I need to spend a week or three on the range with it, and out varminting getting a feel for it. It has cost me some money, buying fairly pricey guns I assumed would be magic, and were anything but. My much mentioned Ruger RSM .375 H&H, my most experienced rifle, is neither expensive nor magic, but it is pretty darn good. She’s a steady and sturdy gal that doesn’t fail, but with no real deep connection for me on an instinctive level. All the mechanics, the bolt throw, the safety, the feel of the action are second nature like a steady and boring relationship gone on too long. It works, but there’s no fluid synergy of rifle and man there. Maybe one rifle I’ve ever owned fit like a glove, truly in the highest sense, and I traded it in a moment of weakness. It was a customized Oberndorf Mauser that fit me like no other rifle has, it had a hideous big recoil pad on it, but the alteration of LOP caused a fit I can’t fairly put into words. It was a wand, of terrible precision and power. Now, my double hasn’t been customized at all to fit me, and perhaps one day with new stocks it will be elevated to this level, as on paper results, it is close. I hit with it quickly, and naturally, with little need for formal thought out aiming, akin to a good shotgun. It was a hands down choice for the biggest hunt I’d ever done to date; Lion.
Fast-forwarding regarding this double and considerations of rifles for Lion, having successfully hunted my Lion in February, I will share my thoughts and follow up on the experience by way of arms. Under few hunting scenarios is the choice of rifle, and one’s comfort with it more paramount than during a Dangerous Game hunt. Some would have you believe that hunting Dangerous Game is not nearly as dangerous as its reputation would have you expect, and frankly… I agree. This said, the risks while of a lower probability than many might expect, are nonetheless substantial and real. You are invading the personal space of undoubtedly some of the most dangerous animals to have existed in modern times, with intent they do not appreciate. That doesn’t always go smoothly, as several species in Africa in particular can take grave offence to your plan. When you are in scrub, chasing a creature with senses far better than yours and of many times your strength and speed, you feel very alive. Your rifle’s job is to keep you that way. Personally I see good rifle choice as no different than wearing a seatbelt when you drive, common sense precautions, even though you can go for years with no problem unbelted. Dangerous Game animals are indeed capable of sharing your personal space with startling expedience, albeit each species with its own particular characteristics. It is my belief these varied characteristics demand different rifles to have a hunter perfectly outfitted for his task. That is however another article, and when I complete the Big Five, I have no doubt I’ll muse on it. This article, will feature my experiences in the Kalahari with a Merkel 140AE .375 H&H double rifle, and budget priced Federal 300 Grain “Blue Box” ammunition. Yes, you read the ammunition right.
A couple things should, and did occur to me before departure. One of course was my choice of ammunition, certainly not premium. Of the round’s capabilities, I had little personal doubt, I’ve used them with a great deal of success on wild Wood Bison of a muscular 1,000kgs in northern Canada at spitting range, on a tough old Blue Wildebeest bull in Zimbabwe, Moose, Bear, and on smaller predators. I have heard, and believe, some horror stories with this soft, almost frangible bullet and most of my previous hunting with them was simply the result of them being what was available at the time. They had performed admirably for me however, and were easily available to busy a father of two in a small northern town, horribly starved of time at the loading bench for a spell now. I haven’t even unpacked my handloading gear since the last move, I’m perturbed to admit. So, Federal Blue Box it was, I wasn’t hunting Cape Buffalo again yet, Lions were soft, right? Now, there is some good for sure to be reported of this ammunition- it is exceedingly accurate in my .375s, being so consistent I’ve punched pairs into the same hole from the Ruger RSM. Handloading won’t improve the accuracy in my rifles, and I’m also of the belief that it closely resembles the softs of the early to mid twentieth century used in some breadth. The old soft’s basic construction and the moderate velocities of the Holland & Holland married well, and from my growing experience with the bullets, I believe this still holds true. No argument you can do better, but they certainly work.
While I considered the possibilities of the bullets not acting as I wished, what I did not expect with this ammunition was factory defects. A defect perhaps best described in the words of a friend and experienced Lion PH, those being, “THAT will get you killed.” Thankfully, discovery of the faulty round occurred during sight in and gear check in a comfortably late first morning on the impromptu range in the Kalahari. We had arrived a tired group of two young children, a patient but clearly tired wife, and an anxious father and husband attempting to keep it all together, in order for the hunt not to be remembered as a disaster. Jason immediately recognized and took pity on this situation and suggested a late first morning, much to my relief. While on the range that first morning, something became apparent. Not a huge surprise sadly, but many clients can’t shoot, as my iron sight shooting proved very pleasing to the PHs much to my surprise, as beyond a good group from the right barrel that would fall under a Loonie (Canadian $1 coin), it seemed to me sufficiently average and the group was achieved at only 50 yards. Their relief at this, and even a mention of it in camp by a distinguished third party and guest of the evening who had heard, allows me to reflect on the single most important aspect of any bullet’s performance; where it is placed. You can do an awful lot with a bad bullet in the right place, and terrible little with an excellent one in the wrong place. Apparently a god awful lot of terrible placement occurs, and is responsible for much of the drama amongst Lions.
I reckoned, my mediocre bullets placed correctly would suffice, and indeed they did. I learned some things along the way. In the middle of musings on shooting, I asked if they did not mind if I took the opportunity to shoot more, as I had brought plenty of the cheap Blue Box and appreciate any opportunity for practice I get- especially immediately before something as important as Lion. Right at the end, I pulled another round to load, only to find the neck of the case folded back on itself, right out of the box. It would never have chambered, and if it was the reload I needed to count on, very well could have had a Southern ending. I have not contacted Federal yet, but likely should make mention of it to them, especially in a cartridge as likely to be used on dangerous game as the .375 H&H. Other than this one, relatively severe hiccup, despite highs of 40 degrees C or more the ammunition proved perfectly reliable and ejected cleanly in all but one case in which it still extracted, and this likely had to do with a sandy chamber- more on this shortly. I’ve shot and bought a great deal of this Blue Box and it is the first time I’ve encountered anything like it. I’m unsure whether I was incredibly unlucky, and incredibly lucky to have spotted it before it went into my cartridge carrier, or if this a somewhat known issue. Needless to say, I carefully checked every round going forward before it entered my cartridge carrier. This is a step that should always be undertaken, especially on Dangerous Game, however one that with the consistent quality of modern ammunition many of us can become complacent with and forget.
One change with my rifle and ammunition I found upon my arrival in Africa, very much to my surprise, was a drastic change in point of impact for one of my barrels. The right remained bang on, while the left actually shot to the right a bit- nothing that would matter, but both barrels grouped well, and distinct of each other. Back home in -25C practicing, with the same ammunition albeit different boxes, they piled right on top of each other at 50 yards. I am admittedly no expert on the regulation of doubles, but this change was quite a surprise to me. Everything was still hitting the target, and each barrel was grouping perhaps tighter than ever each on their own, but the change in regulation with what I presume had to be the temperature was quite the surprise. I can think of no other explanation beyond variations in lots of ammunition. Following discussions on the regulation and faulty round, carrying the rifle to the Land Cruiser to return to camp I was smitten with the ease of unloading and handling a double around a vehicle. The curt overall length, and completely smooth exterior make it feel like a beefy carbine, not a .375. One feature of the rimless chambering double rifle I unexpectedly fell in love with was how the extractor / ejectors retain loaded, unfired cartridges. You can leave two rounds in the disassembled barrels and they stay put forever until you pull them out, or fire and eject them. This is actually quite handy for having a disassembled rifle ready in a flash on unexpected small predators or the like, when travelling cross-country and not expressly hunting. For carriage on foot, I opted for no sling, a modification I’ve made to my gear since Cape Buffalo hunting in Zimbabwe, as a slung rifle will never be as fast as a bare one to bring into play. It also has far greater chances of hanging up on bush or the like when you need it free and lively. While I don’t take everything PHs do as gospel, I’ve yet to meet a PH who uses a slinged rifle as well, I’m sure they are out there, I just haven’t seen one.
Now, speaking of what PH’s do, my survey to date of four PHs over three trips who’ve hunted Lion brings a break down of arms consisting of:
-1 FN .458 Win Mauser
-1 Winchester Model 70 in either .458 Lott, or .375 H&H (the latter is stainless)
-1 Zastava .458 Win Mauser
-1 Custom South African Made .470 Nitro Double
Please note three highly experienced Lion PHs above have a different preference than I am about to express, so my opinions apply to me. Everyone will have to run drills and see what works for them. I love my Ruger RSM, but I don’t find it overly quick. Perhaps something lighter and livelier is called for in my bolt action selection, though I tried the 20” Sauer 202 Forest 9.3x62 mentioned in Lion Rifles Part I, and it still didn’t hit instinctively like a double for me. And while I can work the RSM’s action like lightning, that’s not the issue, it’s the pointing and bush carry. Now the RSM is still among my favourite guns to use of all time, and my most experienced. It will also almost certainly be used on my winter Rhinoceros hunt. This leads me to what I believe are sound reasons for selecting slightly different rifles for different dangerous game, even if the rifles are of the same chambering. My double, while it points like magic, carries effortlessly, and has a perfect safety for being called into play in a heartbeat suffers a major shortcoming. That being you are limited to one load, 300 grain at just over 2,500fps in my rifle’s case. Anything else will not be guaranteed to regulate, and likely won’t. From my experience even large temperature swings change things. 300 grain .375 will of course take down anything that walks, though I prefer a 350 grain load for chasing something with the mass and build of Rhinoceros. It is the second largest animal walking the planet, and likely ties for the toughest. If anyone doubts their tenacity and speed watch some video of a Rhinoceros fighting a Cape Buffalo; they make the Buffalo look like a punk teenager in a grown man’s fight, wading into the middle of a group of bulls to finish the bastard that pissed him off. I digress…. This article pertains to Lion however, and 300 grain is perfect for the task, and the speed of handling and the two rapid shots supersede any bullet weight versatility concerns.
This consideration, speed, is one to be held with high regard when discussing Lions. When things go south with Lion, it happens at a pace perhaps only a Leopard can match. I am of the opinion two shots, without any break of the rifle’s hold or changes whatsoever, is not only all you’re going to get, but the best solution currently available in a gun cabinet as it has been for more than a century. There are some misconceptions about doubles that go in their strike column unfairly, foremost being that while fast, accuracy is “emergency sufficient”. In my experience, sighting in and using your first barrel, typically the right for the front trigger, as a single shot allows shot placement as good as any standard bolt action especially if scoped. I never hunt with a scope, so in my case I find my double to act the same as my RSM over the irons, and hit more naturally offhand, such as my finishing shot on Lion to his neck as he watched us from behind a bush. Lions move with astonishing speed, capable of 80kms/h for burst such as on a charge, and accelerating to that velocity in a mere handful of paces from a standstill. Their acceleration makes sports cars look a lazy, and given you’re often forced into facing Lion at 50 yards or less in thick stuff, they can be on you before you exhale. This is why I favour a double. The two most experienced Lion PHs I’ve mentioned here and regard highly had different takes. One, that a double was too expensive and too limited for the other work he calls on his rifle for, culling, following up client wounded plains game, etc. The other felt his .470 Nitro double was the only tool he’d wield with complete confidence on Lions, sharing the justifications I subscribe to as well. Both have faced charges and know their business, and both are right. As a matter of fact the .470 fancier shot a Lioness off a fellow PH not that long before, with video to prove it.
Now something else I found is double rifles are not immune to conditions, as often portrayed. The coarse, red Kalahari sand of the consistency of fine ground pepper was a different animal than the floury red dust I had encountered by the banks of the Limpopo on the Botswana border and which still line the hidden crevices of my Ruger RSM, and wholly different from the packed soil of Zimbabwe. While a double is certainly closed to all elements, nearly perfectly, it is every bit as susceptible to contamination of the barrels and open action as any good Mauser. I ended up with sand in my barrels, despite my efforts to avoid it, and I found it adhering naturally to any trace of oil. The rifle wasn’t called upon fortunately in this phase and I cleaned it thoroughly to remove it. I did experience one failure to eject I attribute to a sand contaminated cartridge, the slight oil from the leather of my cartridge case attracted the finer particles of sand to the then lightly oiled cartridges like a magnet. I didn’t even notice until I watched a video of it from a camera I was wearing on my chest with Jason the PH, but in the reloading sequence on my Gemsbok while I was running I had to manually pluck a spent case from the chamber, the ejector did not kick it clear. Traces of the sand were found later on the cartridges and in the chamber, and I’m convinced this was the culprit. To the Holland & Holland’s credit, its generous taper and brass spring back as a result allowed the brass to be plucked free by hand despite the extreme heat and the grit. So easily I should add, I hadn’t noticed I’d done it until I saw it on video.
In closing, I feel that as a hunter, not a PH, the double is the perfect purpose built tool for fighting fast moving game like Lions. I mention the PH aside, as for many, their rifle is a work tool in which they cannot be overly invested, and the vast majority of time serves mundane culling and follow up tasks on non-dangerous game. Some PHs, like some craftsmen, select a niche and high quality tool suited for a particular task as well, such as the .470 operator I mention in this article. It is very much every man for himself, I myself prefer the double as it brings me to my shotgunning roots and the rapid, reflexive shooting that entails. This natural instinct to “level the deck” of a double’s barrels across your target and send it the Holland Bros.’ regards in a flash allows me to deliver lethality in a way I just cannot train into myself, yet, with my bolt actions. From the moment I got to know a double, I went from skeptic who would rather spend his money on hunts, to distinct admirer of the blue collar German double and its strengths. There is something very sporting in a double in one’s hands, and it is not merely a man and a rifle’s odd romance. Backing up the double’s allure my speed shooting on the range with it embarrassed my much practiced with RSM’s times for two hits on a rushing target, using Northern Canada’s finest clothesline setup. It also wins for gun low, safety on, for one snap shot on close targets for both speed and placement, and the same for moving while shooting. The double is a tool, that for me, is very much worth its (substantial) pile of salt. This said, my first double I’ve come to know will be sacrificed to partially fund my Rhinoceros hunt- the experience always beats the tools. Hell, if I had no other choice, I’m sure I’d try it with a Remington 700.
Always sweet to end on a joke, no? Cheers folks.
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Was fun doing it, look forward to trying the .375 H&H on the true megafauna.
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