Preferred caliber choice for a double rifle?

N

Northern Shooter

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A double rifle is on my short list and I'm trying to narrow down the caliber options.

If you were in the market for a double rifle today, what caliber would you be selecting?

I plan on using it domestically on all of our NA large game with plans to take it to Africa, one day.

Given today's ammo availability and ballistics, which would you go with?

I've decided I'll be going with a dangerous game cartridge, even though they provide more than what's needed for our Canadian game.

450/400 NE?
470 NE?
500 NE?

375 Flanged? 9.3X74R?

From the research I've done, it appears that 470NE is the most commonly available factory ammo with 500NE coming in a close second.
 
Honestly If I was planning on doing something similar and wanted a talking piece etc. I would go with the 500NE cause if you’re going to spend the money and do it might as well go for broke!

B
 
bdb.hunting said:
Honestly If I was planning on doing something similar and wanted a talking piece etc. I would go with the 500NE cause if you’re going to spend the money and do it might as well go for broke!

B
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I am considering the 500NE as well. There are a handful of Canadian retailers that carry ammo for it and it's only slightly more expensive than the 470NE.

Another plus for the 500NE is that it would be a healthy step up from my 458WinMag, which has closer to the 470NE.
 
Northern Shooter said:
A double rifle is on my short list and I'm trying to narrow down the caliber options.

If you were in the market for a double rifle today, what caliber would you be selecting?

I plan on using it domestically on all of our NA large game with plans to take it to Africa, one day.

Given today's ammo availability and ballistics, which would you go with?

I've decided I'll be going with a dangerous game cartridge, even though they provide more than what's needed for our Canadian game.

450/400 NE?
470 NE?
500 NE?

375 Flanged? 9.3X74R?

From the research I've done, it appears that 470NE is the most commonly available factory ammo with 500NE coming in a close second.
Click to expand...

Look for a Merkel in 450/400 NE. They're well-made and capable of taking anything in North America as well as in Africa. Bullet choices are good and, if you want to play around, you can cast a 400+ gr bullet, (mine is a Montana Mold Co. 410 gr with gas check) and use Trail Boss for a powder puff load (the one I had regulated for 50 yards).

It's a meaningful increase in power over the 375, while still being shootable if you want to do 20 - 30 rounds in a session at the range.

(Don't get a Verney Carron. Mine was a $15K disappointment (back in 2011) that literally stopped working due to a mechanical problem on the morning of my first DG hunt, not to mention the design flaws in the stock.)
 
A-zone said:
Look for a Merkel in 450/400 NE. They're well-made and capable of taking anything in North America as well as in Africa. Bullet choices are good and, if you want to play around, you can cast a 400+ gr bullet, (mine is a Montana Mold Co. 410 gr with gas check) and use Trail Boss for a powder puff load (the one I had regulated for 50 yards).

It's a meaningful increase in power over the 375, while still being shootable if you want to do 20 - 30 rounds in a session at the range.

(Don't get a Verney Carron. Mine was a $15K disappointment (back in 2011) that literally stopped working due to a mechanical problem on the morning of my first DG hunt, not to mention the design flaws in the stock.)
Click to expand...

I've actually been eyeing the pair of Merkel 140/160's at Wolverine suplies, however they are both in 470 NE. I get the feeling that both rifles and ammo for 450/400 are harder to come by? I haven't been seeing any.

Good to know about the VC. I was considering those as well as Chapuis as I was unsure how they compare to the German offerings.

I'll most likely go with a Merkel, Krieghoff or Heym.
 
From what I've been seeing only a handful of retailers seem to carry double rifles (Ellwood Epps, Prophet River, Wolverine Supplies and Calgary Shooting Centre).

Any others?
 
I've decided my next rifle will be an 8x57 jrs double. Probably take a while.

If realistically most of your hunting will be in North (Bay :dancingbanana:) an 8x57 JRS, 9.3x74r, or 45/70 is probably your best bet. Considerable savings ammo wise too
 
conor_90 said:
I've decided my next rifle will be an 8x57 jrs double. Probably take a while.

If realistically most of your hunting will be in North (Bay :dancingbanana:) an 8x57 JRS, 9.3x74r, or 45/70 is probably your best bet. Considerable savings ammo wise too
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This rifle will mostly be used for upcoming guided hunts in Western Canada and abroad although I'd still like to take a black bear or moose with a big bore double.
 
Northern Shooter said:
This rifle will mostly be used for upcoming guided hunts in Western Canada and abroad although I'd still like to take a black bear or moose with a big bore double.
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I shot my bull moose with my side-by-side this past autumn, he was on the trot at 125 yards. That's way I purchased the rifle, for moose and bear, maybe some other critters as well.
 
How are you.going to take your 400 yard cross valley shots on elk on your upcoming guided hunts with a 500 nitro?

:dancingbanana:
 
conor_90 said:
How are you.going to take your 400 yard cross valley shots on elk on your upcoming guided hunts with a 500 nitro?

:dancingbanana:
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With a 45 degree angle and a hail mary?

But sure, I'll play along.

According to Hornady's ballistic tables here are the following drops at 400 yards for the following:

500 NE - 67.5"
470 NE - 68.1"
450/400 NE - 71.5"

So as you can see here, the 500 is clearly the long range elk thumper of the Nitro Expresses.

I'm picturing shots on Moose, bear or bison within 100m. I'll save the long shots for the 338.
 
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