double rifles

[MotelAlpha]

[URL="http://s1054.beta.photobucket.com/user/djwynkoop1130/library/#/user/djwynkoop1130/library/Double%20Rifles?&_suid=1361118904661085821276409622"]

Sorry to use this page, but could not find any instructions for posting photos

[RugerFan]

Beautiful! I'd love to pick up a nice drilling.

(Click on "IMG code" and paste the link here)

http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s494/djwynkoop1130/Double%20Rifles/DSCF1012_zpsc74601a3.jpg

[nekshot]

Yup, drilling, cape gun or one of these.......would make my year!

[smoked turkey]

That is a very nice line up of doubles. I would like to see something like a "Double Rife/Drilling Thread" devoted to pictures and descriptions of members doubles. I would then like to see each of those beautiful rifles with individual pictures showing off each one. I am sure other members here are as taken with doubles as I am. I am also sure that there are several beautiful doubles waiting for their chance in the photo gallery. Thanks for posting.

[Southern Son]

That is a very nice line up of doubles. I would like to see something like a "Double Rife/Drilling Thread" devoted to pictures and descriptions of members doubles. I would then like to see each of those beautiful rifles with individual pictures showing off each one. I am sure other members here are as taken with doubles as I am. I am also sure that there are several beautiful doubles waiting for their chance in the photo gallery. Thanks for posting.

Big +1 on that!!!!!

[BruceB]

One of my long-time "dream guns" is a side-by-side double rifle but a bit different from what we normally think of for the type.

It would be a seven-pound ejector rifle...... in .303 British.

Classic rifle, classic cartridge..... and an eminently practical and useful tool (sure... for $20,000 or so...."practical").

A rifle such as this would handle like a fine shotgun from the same maker, and the cartridge is perfectly capable of clean kills on anything up to moose size within 200 yards or so(I say this from PERSONAL EXPERIENCE).

What an entertaining project it would be, finding an accurate cast-bullet load and then getting it to "regulate" decently for good field use...

As I said..it's just a dream, but somewhat more practical than some of my wilder-eyed fantasies.

[Two Old Dogs]

BruceB, Ive acutally seen some lesser plain British doubles in .303 caliber at prices in lthe range of $6000.00 to 9,000.00. There are also a few German made doubles in calibers like 8x57JR, 9.3x72R, etc. in that same price range. Keep up the dream.

[Two Old Dogs]

BruceB, Ive acutally seen some lesser plain British doubles in .303 caliber at prices in the range of $6000.00 to 9,000.00. There are also a few German made doubles in calibers like 8x57JR, 9.3x72R, etc. in that same price range. Keep up the dream.

[nekshot]

BruceB I had the same dream for a 303 and stuck some tubes in a neat hammer gun. It is some where in the special project threads. It is not a lite weight but it shoots really well and kinda settles the desire in my heart for a double rifle for now. I doubt I have more than 400.00 in it and from my income makes me feel like a millionaire.

[elk hunter]

The problem with double rifles is that they are addicting and like potato chips, you can't stop at just one. I was looking at one in 303 a couple of years ago. It was a hammer gun, which I happen to like, that according to the description was quite heavy, something like ten or eleven pounds. I asked a very knowledgeable friend about the weight, he told me it was because some of the early barrels of doubles in 303 burst when fired with the early cordite rounds. I passed on that rifle and in consideration of my bank account have refrained from looking too hard for another.

[MotelAlpha]

Guys or Gals, I too had to refrain from DRs, but then as I got older, and figured I deserved one, I bought a big 10ga hammer SxS, and had it converted to 577...Well its all over from there. NO other of my rifles are a adictive as DRs. Everything you do enhances your shooting or reloading ability. Then when you can trade up, or save up, you will own one that you will be affraid to take out much. My Hollis on the lower photos is just that gun..I shot it about twices a year..The others about twice or more a month..Go ahead and get one, or have one built..You won't look back..Here is my complete link of photos, the lower ones are my I Hollis 12 bore with "invisible" rifled barrels

http://s1054.beta.photobucket.com/user/djwynkoop1130/library/Double%20Rifles

[John Allen]

I have always wanted a double rifle. I used to read the double gun journal from cover to cover.

[MotelAlpha]

Then do it..You can get a conversion built for about $2500 to $4500 depending on donor and aother niceties. Or buy the sometimes malined Sabatti for about $3500 to $6000, or set up to a Chapius or Merkle for over $7000.
Often you can pick up a perfectly useable high quality older DR on GunsInternational for $4000

[smoked turkey]

MotelAlpha very nice pictures. Yes I believe every real died in the wool rifle man likes a double rife. I agree that if a person wants one, it is worth doing even if you have to liquidate a few in order to come up with the needed cash for the purchase. My son looked over one of the Sabattis at Cabelas and said it was very nice. I believe they are worth the money. I would like to have one of them and will someday.

[AkMike]

Eye Candy. 577/500 Magnum, 577/500 Magnum
Both by Alex Henry! The upper one is from 1879 and the lower one is from 1885

62183

62184

[AkMike]

From a DR shoot several years ago.

62185

[MotelAlpha]

Well, still no stopping, I told you so, trying to catch up with AKMike, just now having number 7 built in 577NE on a Zabala 10ga action very good and strong action. Four years ago, I had only dreamed of a double rifle, and now, well who know how many.Mike has 14+ and some very nice ones too. So get at it boy and girls, life is to short to not have a DOuble Rifle of any make!!

[John Taylor]

Just test fired a 416-500 this last week. Need to regulate the barrels now, seems they are at about 6" at 50 yards. This one is built on a Winchester 21
63588

[AkMike]

Didn't the model 21 have only 1 bite to hold it together?

[John Taylor]

Didn't the model 21 have only 1 bite to hold it together?
There are some ( including the owner) that believe the model 21 is the strongest American double ever made. It didn't come apart with the 416-500 so it must be fairly tough.

[AkMike]

I was wondering about the durability of it with only 1 bite.

[MotelAlpha]

There is a very well made double rifle in a usefull caliber for all NA game...very reasonably priced too. take a look
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Chapuis-Double-Rifle-Model-UGEX-in-9-3X74R.cfm?gun_id=100309376

[AkMike]

That Chapuis is going for about what I paid 6=7 years ago for mine. But I have upgraded wood.
It's one heck of a rifle!

[rbertalotto]

I have more fun playing Bwana with my double rfle / shot gun inserts in 45-70. I load up some stout loads with 500g bullets and it really sets you back! The recoil from off centered barrels is a hoot.

http://images57.fotki.com/v283/photos/2/36012/9695081/DSC_26811-vi.jpg

More pictures here:
http://public.fotki.com/Rbertalotto/things-that-go-bang/eaa-baikal-bounty-h/

I'm now building a double from a CZ Bobwhite 20g and it will be in 38-55 for deer hunting. I'll feel much better with the second barrel if they charge.....:lol:

[Artful]

Are these the .45-70 inserts you used?
http://www.eaacorp.com/parts-more-access-EAA-riflebarrel-inserts.html

[John Taylor]

customer sold me a J P Sauer 16 gauge shotgun with bad barrels. While I was looking through the cartridges of the world book to see what I could do with it another customer came in and asked what I was doing. I informed him I was trying to decide what would be a good cartridge for the double and he says 8X72R. So I turn back a few pages in the book and there it is and it is a Sauer cartridge. Next day he brings in a set of loading dies and hands them to me so there was my discussion. Got a chamber reamer from PTG and a couple 8MM barrels from GM. Cut the old barrels off just in front of the forearm lug, made chamber inserts that were threaded on the inside and used them as nuts to retain the rifle barrels. This Sauer has a set trigger for the right barrel, seemed strange on a shotgun. Still need to make up the extractor and chamber then regulate the barrels for a sweat little SXS. For those that don't know, the 8X72R looks like a 32-40 that has been stretched about another inch.

[AkMike]

That set trigger makes me wonder if it had a set or rifle barrels that went with it when it left the factory years ago.

[MotelAlpha]

My thought as well. I have not been around DRs, but have never seen one with set triggers. My only trigger issue is that I am left handed, and most are made for right handers, so the front triggers i a bit of a reach. This has caused me to do the dreaded "doubling" which is both barrels going off nearly simultaniously....It hurt but i will never do it again. From now on, I shoot the rear (left) barrel

[AkMike]

I've got a couple of Austrian baby doubles with et triggers. One even has both triggers that will set.

I'm right handed and I 'strummed' the triggers of my 450 NE... ONCE!!! [smilie=1: Now I hold them with the first joint and not the finger tip.

That will get your attention quickly!

[MotelAlpha]

Yep sure did me. When I did it, I posted on another forum, and Craig Boddington replied that he has done it, and most others too....its a lesson at least I held on, and nothing broken in my body....I think

[John Taylor]

I've got a couple of Austrian baby doubles with et triggers. One even has both triggers that will set.

I'm right handed and I 'strummed' the triggers of my 450 NE... ONCE!!! [smilie=1: Now I hold them with the first joint and not the finger tip.

That will get your attention quickly!
I shot a 450 NE with just one shot and I'm still feeling it 6 months later. Got me a lead sled for the 416-500.

[AkMike]

For the big boomers use a 'sissy pad'. If you're at a bench sit the rifle up higher so you are upright and can absorb the recoil easier. Hunched over the bags hurts! A standing rest is the best.

[257]

about 1971 i passed on a ferlach dr 257 roberts+2 sets 16 gage barrells heavly engraved birdseye maple stock, fited oak and leather case for 1800.00 last year i ran into the same gun at a major gun show they were asking 89,900.00 and would not budge on price

[AkMike]

" Cudda, Shudda and Woulda"

Don't you wish you could have..

[John Taylor]

I finally got the 416-500 finished and sent out. Muzzle blast and recoil are a little more than I like. Maybe I will find the time to finish my 8X72R.

73481

[MtGun44]

The one is a paradox gun, I believe. Shoots either shot or ball. Beautiful guns.

Are these your collection?

Bill

[xs hedspace]

I built a 45-100 DR on a Merkel 1970s 12 ga. Took forever, and scared the gang out at the gun club, regulating it with hose clamps, and temporary shims between the barrels. Got it regulated within 2" at 50 yds with 350 gr RN jacks and 4064 powder at about 2300 fps. Dropped a wild boar like The Fist of God at about 60 yds. Used the book Building DR on Shotgun Actions for technique. German shotguns were proofed at 32000 psi, so it's tough!

[John Taylor]

Just got word back on the 416-500, it is going back to the stock maker to add length. Customer said it kicks to hard. I was using a lead sled when testing but the muzzle blast would make someone a little dingy after a few shots.

[theperfessor]

I wonder if anyone has ever designed a double rifle that takes advantage of modern (CNC) manufacturing techniques? In all honesty I can't see why a good double rifle action couldn't be made for $2500 or less.

[elk hunter]

I wonder if anyone has ever designed a double rifle that takes advantage of modern (CNC) manufacturing techniques? In all honesty I can't see why a good double rifle action couldn't be made for $2500 or less.


As I understand it most of the makers of double rifles do use CNC for major portions of the basic machining, but there is still a lot of hand work involved with finishing. Combine the hand finishing with a small market and the price per unit is higher than for the more common action types.

In all seriousness, if you start making quality double rifles or even just barreled actions, say like the quality of my Chapuis, for $2500.00 retail, I'll be a fan and a customer. I'd like one each of the following calibers: 7 x 57R, 30-40 Krag, 9.3 x 74R, 375 Flanged, 450-400 3" NE, 500-416 NE, 450 NE, 470 NE, 500 NE, 577 3" NE and 600 NE. On second thought you could skip the 9.3 since I already have one.

[Southern Son]

As I understand it most of the makers of double rifles do use CNC for major portions of the basic machining, but there is still a lot of hand work involved with finishing. Combine the hand finishing with a small market and the price per unit is higher than for the more common action types.

In all seriousness, if you start making quality double rifles or even just barreled actions, say like the quality of my Chapuis, for $2500.00 retail, I'll be a fan and a customer. I'd like one each of the following calibers: 7 x 57R, 30-40 Krag, 9.3 x 74R, 375 Flanged, 450-400 3" NE, 500-416 NE, 450 NE, 470 NE, 500 NE, 577 3" NE and 600 NE. On second thought you could skip the 9.3 since I already have one.

Are they expensive because few people buy them? or do few people buy them because they are expensive? I would love a double rifle, any mid range cartridge (around .303 British if it has to be rimmed, .308 if not). I don't need it to be as beutiful at a Holland and Holland Sultan Special, just clean lines and straight shooting. Down here, double rifles start at $5-6000.00, and that will be an old, unknown maker English or a modern German, but second hand and not in great shape. Mate, for $2500.00, I would be all over that like a fat kid on a pavlova.

[AkMike]

They're expensive because of the time needed to build them right and to regulate them so they shoot properly.
Sabatti tried to cut corners with their first batch in order to fill a larger than expected order. They've got a long ways to go to overcome that error. Even though they've got their act together now their reputation still is damaged.