Which double rifle calibre would you buy?
- Thread starter odsixer
- Start date
That would be my choice as well. For a bolt action, I had a 505 Gibbs and now think that I would like a 500 Jeffery!
Bigfoot 870
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
.375 h&h
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I love the workmanship and artistry that goes into the better examples of a double rifle, but I'll never own one. To my way of thinking however, there are two Nitro Express cartridges that stand out above the others, the .500 and the .577. Should I ever decide on a custom Ruger #1, chambered for a NE cartridge, either of these and the 450-400 3" would be in the running.
Aren't you the guy who blazes away with .50 BMG rifles with reckless abandon? The only thing too much for you about a .500 for you would be the letdown. When I inadvertently harped the triggers and doubled the one I hunted with, it took the rest of the day to get the smile off my face. The .500 does recoil strongly, but it certainly isn't too much for a seasoned rifleman who is used to dealing with recoil, and shoots it offhand. To put it in perspective, the .500 fires a bullet that weighs only 70 grs more than the 500 gr bullet of a .458, at the same 2150 fps. You wouldn't be nervous about shooting a rifle that spit out a 70 gr bullet at 2150, in fact it would be quite inconsequential, so if you can shoot a hot loaded .458, the .500 is well within your tolerance level.
Aren't you the guy who blazes away with .50 BMG rifles with reckless abandon? The only thing too much for you about a .500 for you would be the letdown. When I inadvertently harped the triggers and doubled the one I hunted with, it took the rest of the day to get the smile off my face. The .500 does recoil strongly, but it certainly isn't too much for a seasoned rifleman who is used to dealing with recoil, and shoots it offhand. To put it in perspective, the .500 fires a bullet that weighs only 70 grs more than the 500 gr bullet of a .458, at the same 2150 fps. You wouldn't be nervous about shooting a rifle that spit out a 70 gr bullet at 2150, in fact it would be quite inconsequential, so if you can shoot a hot loaded .458, the .500 is well within your tolerance level.
I do love the big bores but realy have no us for them for hunting .if I could have a double rifle I would like to have one in a 270 and a rifled 20 g shotgun in a double .I found one on the web realy nice shotgun for deer ,Dutch
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
For a client rifle for dangerous game in Africa it's pretty much a chop pot between the 470 and 500 NE. The 450 would do pretty well but the 450-400 is lighter than I would want for elephant.
If you're not thinking about Africa then you might as well just put a double out of your mind, or at least, a big double. One of the various 9.3x74s would be a nice eastern deer rifle or rifle for baited bears. But the Baikals are simply a pale placebo for people that want a double but refuse to pay for quality. In reality there are few situations in North America where a double is the best tool to have in your hands.
If you're not thinking about Africa then you might as well just put a double out of your mind, or at least, a big double. One of the various 9.3x74s would be a nice eastern deer rifle or rifle for baited bears. But the Baikals are simply a pale placebo for people that want a double but refuse to pay for quality. In reality there are few situations in North America where a double is the best tool to have in your hands.
I can think of only one....... and that would be following a wounded coastal bear into the thick sh!t or possibly even just hunting them in the thick sh!t.
I have been using the over unders for a few years now and really enjoy using them for hunting. Advantage over the single shots is the extra round. I did buy a baikal sxs 4570 this fall and used it for hunting and really enjoyed it. I seem to like a shorter gun and lighter weights for hunting in the bush. For the baikals they are cheaper made with out the fine detail and since i do put scratches in them from use, you will not see me on kneeling on the ground and looking up and saying why me god when it gets beat up. As for the average person ( with tight money) it is hard to lay down the cash for a double or o/u, hence the baikals have a place.
I have a 45-70gs which is great so it would make sense in a double, I think you can load it up to near 458 win mag levels, I think if i were to buy a double it would have to be something crazy like the 500ne, hey its good enough for james bond right?
25/20 or 25/35
30/30
9.3x74r
450/400 3"
45/70
470 nitro
50/70
500 nitro
577 nitro
That's my list. My next double will be 450/400 3" unless I can convince a buddy to build me a custom 50/70 double on a shotgun frame.
I hunt thick cover for bear and wolf and the double in 45/70 is perfect. Sure wish I had it with me when a bear climbed the tree I was in and for the walk out in the dark with an angry sow that had twin cubs still up trees. My 458 wm was a Lil to much gun to try to lean over the stand and pop him without having it on my shoulder
They're short fast and we'll balanced. How often do we really need a second shot if hunting close? It's nice to have that instant shot if it's needed
I love my cheap baikal double and wish they'd bring in the 9.3x74r
30/30
9.3x74r
450/400 3"
45/70
470 nitro
50/70
500 nitro
577 nitro
That's my list. My next double will be 450/400 3" unless I can convince a buddy to build me a custom 50/70 double on a shotgun frame.
I hunt thick cover for bear and wolf and the double in 45/70 is perfect. Sure wish I had it with me when a bear climbed the tree I was in and for the walk out in the dark with an angry sow that had twin cubs still up trees. My 458 wm was a Lil to much gun to try to lean over the stand and pop him without having it on my shoulder
They're short fast and we'll balanced. How often do we really need a second shot if hunting close? It's nice to have that instant shot if it's needed
I love my cheap baikal double and wish they'd bring in the 9.3x74r
synthetic stainless double, you Doug ??????
