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Post by 45spades on Mar 2, 2015 9:10:35 GMT -5
Been thinking about a double rifle or a single shot. I don't have a huge budget. Maybe $1500-$3000 if I save, rake and scrape for a couple years. I'm looking for suggestions on caliber and guns. I'm looking for something quick handling and semi-compact. The game of choice would be hogs and whitetail. Of course I would also be dreaming of an African hunt for plains game. Maybe buffalo too. Of course with buff that means at least a .375.......but other than the .375 give me some ideas on the rifle and cartridge! Thanks guys!
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Post by magnumwheelman on Mar 2, 2015 9:21:26 GMT -5
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Post by Ken O'Neill on Mar 2, 2015 10:56:12 GMT -5
Those Russian/Remington doubles are really rare. Congratulations for finding one.
The least expensive doubles are usually 9.3X 74R. Brass & bullets are available. Last time I looked, both Chapuis and Kreighoff made them. The power level is .375 -like.
New, though, the selling price is still not cheap. Used, may offer better pricing if you can find one.
The Ruger Number 1 Single shots offer many great "african" calibers, classic styling and reasonable pricing. The .45-70 Sporter offers a 22" lighter (non-bull) barrel that handles well, is accurate, and easily runs a 400 gr. bullet close to 1900 fps. A friend "had to have" mine a few years ago, so he does.
They've also made the Number 1 in .458 Win. Mag., .416 Rem. and Rigby, 9.3X74R, 450/400, .375 H&H, .475 Linebaugh, .405, and no doubt some other old classic heavyweight calibers I've forgotten about. Personally, I prefer the Ruger to the doubles.
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shorty500
.327 Meteor
too many dirty harry movies created me!
Posts: 934
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Post by shorty500 on Mar 2, 2015 12:19:42 GMT -5
the Remington/Russians offer a lot of bang for the buck too! snagged two doubles- one in .45-70 and the other in .30-06. they joined my pair of russkie O/U in .22lr/.410 and 12guage/7x57mmR Mauser
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Post by Stump Buster on Mar 2, 2015 13:10:52 GMT -5
If single shots are a serious option for you, a 458Lott No.1 w/ 350gr TSX's works great for 99% of anything on the planet earth (and probably the other 1% too in a pinch)! You could also load it up or down as needed.    Post pics of whatever you decide on! |
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Post by buckheart on Mar 2, 2015 20:35:19 GMT -5
My Russian double imported by Remington in 45-70 is an interesting toy  I'm partial to the side by sides... but they also made an over under, in 30-06... I'd love to have a traditional English double in an African cartridge... but these were quite reasonably priced, & use a "jack screw" adjustment between the barrels to adjust barrel regulation...    I have one of these in 30-06. Sorry to say it has been nothing but trouble. I had sent it back to the place in Florida that was to do the warranty work on them, sent it back twice, and it came back worse every time. First time back it was for a side that wouldn't fire and head space issues. It came back with the same firing problem but minus the head space issue so I sent it back a second time. Came back with the cocking springs adjusted so tight that after firing you have to break it open with a hand on the barrel a hand on the but stock and your knee on the barrel hinge.I got so frustrated with the thing it's been sitting for years. |
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Post by seancass on Mar 2, 2015 20:57:18 GMT -5
I got pretty close to buying a Sabatti, even freed up some cash. I just couldn't get past the initial bad reviews they got. I still want one and still not sure I'd buy one. They even use a cheap coated wood stock, it's basically cheap wood with a picture of nice wood glued to it.
Pedersoli makes a beautiful double hammer gun, but it's more expensive and extremely rare, even for a double rifle.
Good thing I'm feeling poor right now, i always want a double! But that's a long ways down the road...
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Post by boxhead on Mar 2, 2015 21:30:56 GMT -5
I would save up for a used Chapuis in 9.3x74. I see them go for a bit under $5k. A nice quality piece.
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Post by Thunderjet on Mar 3, 2015 0:40:04 GMT -5
Best bang for the buck in my opinion is the Chapuis UGEX in 9,3x74R. I used mine to shoot two nice Alaskan bull moose. Very accurate and with ejectors to boot. I still own one in 30R Blaser along with a Heym 450/400 and a Searcy 450 Nitro Express.
At one point I owned three of the Baikal 30-06's and one in 45-70. All were pretty accurate after you fine tuned the regulation but the comb was high on all of them and the stock iron sights were useless and the triggers were terrible. Yes, they are worth the money once you spend some time sorting them out but they are still ugly as sin plus the barrels on the 45-70's are so thin after two shots from each barrel they are to hot to hold.
Another company has picked up the Sabatti's and rumor has it they will be imported again (not Cabelas). They seem like good value for the money but customer service has been almost non existent.
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Post by cas on Mar 3, 2015 17:33:35 GMT -5
I would think in that price range, you'd be better off with a nice single, rather than a crappy double.
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rgp
.30 Stingray
Posts: 245
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Post by rgp on Mar 4, 2015 3:27:28 GMT -5
Pedersoli makes a couple of double rifles, I believe in 9.3x74R and .45/70 as well as a muzzleloading one. I have seen one of the Pedersolis but have not shot one. It looked pretty good though.
Short of poisoning a rich uncle for his money, I don't think there are any really affordable options other than the Pedersoli and the Baikal. Granted there are over and under double rifles that aren't that expensive but an over and under double rifle just ain't right.
One I would also mention that occasionally pops up at a semi reasonable price on the used market is a double that was made by "Joseph Manton." They look British and the name sounds British and they appear to be of good quality, but they were actually made in Calcutta. I've only seen two of them, both in a shop in Balwyn, Victoria, Australia, and one was in .405 Winchester and I think the other was a 450/.400.
What I'd go with that is very reasonably priced is one of the Ruger No. 1 Tropicals in .450/.400 3" from the run made for Lipsey's in 2014 and I'd have a gunsmith put on a good quality single leaf express sight with a big white bead up front. You can still find some of those #1's new in shops. I'd avoid the Boddington version which was chambered in .450/.400 3 1/4" because that is a different cartridge and costs a lot more for brass and dies.
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Post by nolongcolt on Mar 4, 2015 15:40:51 GMT -5
Pedersoli makes a couple of double rifles, I believe in 9.3x74R and .45/70 as well as a muzzleloading one. I have seen one of the Pedersolis but have not shot one. It looked pretty good though. Short of poisoning a rich uncle for his money, I don't think there are any really affordable options other than the Pedersoli and the Baikal. Granted there are over and under double rifles that aren't that expensive but an over and under double rifle just ain't right. One I would also mention that occasionally pops up at a semi reasonable price on the used market is a double that was made by "Joseph Manton." They look British and the name sounds British and they appear to be of good quality, but they were actually made in Calcutta. I've only seen two of them, both in a shop in Balwyn, Victoria, Australia, and one was in .405 Winchester and I think the other was a 450/.400. What I'd go with that is very reasonably priced is one of the Ruger No. 1 Tropicals in .450/.400 3" from the run made for Lipsey's in 2014 and I'd have a gunsmith put on a good quality single leaf express sight with a big white bead up front. You can still find some of those #1's new in shops. I'd avoid the Boddington version which was chambered in .450/.400 3 1/4" because that is a different cartridge and costs a lot more for brass and dies. Last statement is incorrect. The Boddington rifle was the same as the other main run. 450-400 3 ", not 3.25". |
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Post by magnumwheelman on Mar 4, 2015 15:46:05 GMT -5
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rgp
.30 Stingray
Posts: 245
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Post by rgp on Mar 4, 2015 18:11:08 GMT -5
Pedersoli makes a couple of double rifles, I believe in 9.3x74R and .45/70 as well as a muzzleloading one. I have seen one of the Pedersolis but have not shot one. It looked pretty good though. Short of poisoning a rich uncle for his money, I don't think there are any really affordable options other than the Pedersoli and the Baikal. Granted there are over and under double rifles that aren't that expensive but an over and under double rifle just ain't right. One I would also mention that occasionally pops up at a semi reasonable price on the used market is a double that was made by "Joseph Manton." They look British and the name sounds British and they appear to be of good quality, but they were actually made in Calcutta. I've only seen two of them, both in a shop in Balwyn, Victoria, Australia, and one was in .405 Winchester and I think the other was a 450/.400. What I'd go with that is very reasonably priced is one of the Ruger No. 1 Tropicals in .450/.400 3" from the run made for Lipsey's in 2014 and I'd have a gunsmith put on a good quality single leaf express sight with a big white bead up front. You can still find some of those #1's new in shops. I'd avoid the Boddington version which was chambered in .450/.400 3 1/4" because that is a different cartridge and costs a lot more for brass and dies. Last statement is incorrect. The Boddington rifle was the same as the other main run. 450-400 3 ", not 3.25". Thank you but now I wish I had bought one of the Boddington ones. I had it in my head since day one that they were 3 1/4's. Curious if you or anyone else would know if the Ruger single leaf express sight as used on the Boddington #1's and the 77 Africans etc will fit a standard 3/8" dovetail? |
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Post by cas on Mar 4, 2015 21:22:32 GMT -5
i REEEEALLY wanted a No.1 in 450-400, but a tiny bit of common sense finally won out and I bought a .475 Linebaugh. Easier on the wallet, easier on the shoulder, and plenty powerful enough for anything I'm likely to shoot with it. If you want something different than a Ruger, get a Merkel K3 in 9,3x74R.... and get me one too.  |
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I'm partial to the side by sides... but they also made an over under, in 30-06... I'd love to have a traditional English double in an African cartridge... but these were quite reasonably priced, & use a "jack screw" adjustment between the barrels to adjust barrel regulation...
