The Odd Duck

[Ardent]

They offered and made them all the way to the early 90s, using NOS parts til they ran out.

 

[Suther]

Very cool project!

 

[skeeter317]

This thread is a joy to read! Looking forward to seeing how it performs.

 

[Decker9]

A man of amazing talent! This is a super cool project you’re doing! Iv never had a double in my hands before (other then a couple grandads shotguns as a wee kid). But Iv always been intrigued on the rifled doubles. Definitely following along here!!

 

[Ardent]

I suspect we share the same dysfunction buddy… just doing things you find interesting, and wanting them done your way as you know things will be lost in translation if you hire it out. And once you’re started, only one way to head from there. Hardest part for me is leaping, once underway the projects are usually easier than I worried they might be.

Not to say it doesn’t take a lot of time, it certainly does. But before you know it, if you thought it through enough you have something you are really pleased with. Something satisfying, to steal a term from my sons, about turning a daydream from a year ago into a reality you can hold today. I know you know what that’s about.

Next up, once my reamer gets here is regulating. Then I’ll set the indexing of the sleeves where they regulate best, and make the extractor / ejectors.

 

[brybenn]

Good call, 9.3x74R is a solid chambering and mighty practical, also quite available in doubles. I can see the attraction of a .360 double kept trim too, but would have a hard time embracing it over the .375 Winchester that essentially adds a just shy of 1/4” more powder to the same case with my preferred bullet diameter.

I was dangerously tempted to buy a factory Model 21 double rifle out of the states in .375 Win. But this project was far more sensible once I broke myself out of the spell it had on my imagination, and came to face the poorly considered risk to my savings account.

Sad day telling the excited boy hidden somewhere inside you to stuff it, for financial sensibility. Fortunately he got excited again with this, very affordable project.

The draw for the 360 would be easy and cheap components and it's more than enough cartridge for deer and black bear. 225gr Spitzer hotcor should work fine inside 100 yards and the rifle could be build very light and trim
Still waiting for a single to come to Canada so I can play with the cartridge. 444 marlin would be almost the same. More punch and a heavier bullet but be fine for the same type of hunting
I agree the 9.3x74r is a solid choice and one I think every double gun maker chambers. I shoot a 9.3x62 as well so I'm already buying bullets for the 9.3
My only double rifle currently is a 4570. It's ugly but ultra reliable and has knocked down black bears with authority

 

[Ardent]

I can certainly understand the .360 logic on components, .375 Win brass doesn’t abound although formed .30-30 works well enough in a pinch. You will find the .375 Win paid the same attention to loading and modern powders, is ahead of the .360 although if it’s enough to matter is indeed very debatable, personally I just like .375 and stock it heavily so that’s my bias.

Both have good bullets readily available for a double, no concerns on nose profile without a tube mag, opening up all the 235gr .375s and 260 Accubond, TSX and the TTSX, as good options. You get even more out of a .375 Win in a double than the book shows, as you’re not constrained to deep seating like in a lever, but the .360 would benefit the same with the appropriate throat dimensions.

All of these class, the .360, .375W, and .444 deserve to be shot and show their best attributes without going to the heavy end for caliber. .444 at 200-265, .375W at 200-235, .360 at 160-200. Just my small change.

 

[leelad]

Fantastic project Ardent, very nice work. I look forward to seeing the finished product and hearing about the adventures it goes on!

 

[Ardent]

Well underway, out having fun with it as a 12g while the reamer takes its sweet time. Kind member offered use of a .444 reamer, very tempting, but I really like the idea of being able to shoot .44 Mag from the custom reamer’s chamber and would likely kick myself if I just went with the straight .444.

Here she is in old familiar places with old familiar plant life.

 

[MartyT]

Wow!!!! Now that is a great project, done by an even better craftsman!

Love these type of things!

Are you going to make a fancy stock for it?

 

[Ardent]

Don’t plan to on the stock frankly, have a .375 I’m stocking through winter, and one more planned after that. I kinda like seeing the years weathered on her.