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  1. #11
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    Default Re: Double rifles : How practical/user friendly for the South African hunter??

    Quote Originally Posted by Toxxyc View Post
    Stupid question because I really just don't know - how does the side-by-side barrels affect the sighting-in process of a double rifle when using a scope? Or are we talking exclusively open sights here? I would believe the two barrels would have different impact points, or perhaps "cross over" each other somewhere, and I would love to know how you handle this when using a scope.

    EDIT: That being said, I'd love a double rifle in a more "realistic" biltong hunter's caliber, like .308 Win or .30-06, for short-range hunts in the bush.
    Double rifles are regulated with specific ammunition at a specific distance. Definitely not for long range work and not a practical alternative for the biltong hunter but sometimes just wanting to own something special is enough reason.

  2. #12
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    Feb 2012
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    Pretoria
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    Default Re: Double rifles : How practical/user friendly for the South African hunter??

    Double rifles seem to have some appeal amongst the DG PHs. I have seen one in use by a field guide as well. A few hunters opt for RMR setups. I think the cost factor turns most away from doubles.

  3. #13
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    Mar 2011
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    West Rand, Gauteng
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    Default Re: Double rifles : How practical/user friendly for the South African hunter??

    I know of only one guide ("the bearded one") who regularly uses his .470 Nitro for guiding. He is a gun nut so maybe that's part of the reason but he also practices the reload ad-nauseum! Bang, bang, reload two takes a bit of time without practice. Even more if it's an extractor gun rather than ejector.

  4. #14
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    Jun 2017
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    841

    Arrow Re: Double rifles : How practical/user friendly for the South African hunter??

    Quote Originally Posted by Peter Wells View Post
    I know of only one guide ("the bearded one") who regularly uses his .470 Nitro for guiding. He is a gun nut so maybe that's part of the reason but he also practices the reload ad-nauseum! Bang, bang, reload two takes a bit of time without practice. Even more if it's an extractor gun rather than ejector.
    The reloads ready between the fingers ....

  5. #15

    Default Re: Double rifles : How practical/user friendly for the South African hunter??

    Quote Originally Posted by Brenneke View Post
    The reloads ready between the fingers ....
    And here you are again....didn't notice any double RIFLES in that long list of firearms that you used to own.....but maybe you have infinite experience with that .410 SxS?

  6. #16
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    Mar 2011
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    West Rand, Gauteng
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    Default Re: Double rifles : How practical/user friendly for the South African hunter??

    Yup - but it's not as easy as it sounds and an unexpected charge will almost certainly catch you without those two extra rounds in your weak hand. Keeping eyes on a charging beastie at the same time makes it worse.

    Quote Originally Posted by Brenneke View Post
    The reloads ready between the fingers ....

  7. #17

    Default Re: Double rifles : How practical/user friendly for the South African hunter??

    Gert

    I would really love to own a double rifle. Preferably in one of the classic calibres - something like a 450/400 3". My personal preference is for one that is in a flanged cartridge design. I have shot a .416Rigby (not the #2) in a double, and the more complicated (and I believe less robust) extraction claw just did not seem to fit with the idea of old world charm. a 375H&H Flanged would also be a pretty cool thing, in my view. Of course most things with the "Nitro Express" as part of the cal description have an coolness appeal about them.

  8. #18
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    Jul 2011
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    BFN Freestate
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    Default Re: Double rifles : How practical/user friendly for the South African hunter??

    The question is how many of you guys will take a double for a normal day's hunting?
    I think not many will.
    I don’t think the double is primarily a hunting rifle these days, I think the double is a super big bore charge stopper. A 375 is something you can put a scope on and hunt all animals in all terrain, a double is not designed for that. So it you ask me it’s a specialist rifle, which holds appeal for many but not something most hunters will ever use.

    I think all of us would like to own one, but few will be willing to spend that much money in this economy on essentially an expensive toy/safe queen.

  9. #19
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    May 2011
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    GP, but in my mind, hunting for Ivory in the 1930's
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sweet View Post
    Gert

    I would really love to own a double rifle. Preferably in one of the classic calibres - something like a 450/400 3". My personal preference is for one that is in a flanged cartridge design. I have shot a .416Rigby (not the #2) in a double, and the more complicated (and I believe less robust) extraction claw just did not seem to fit with the idea of old world charm. a 375H&H Flanged would also be a pretty cool thing, in my view. Of course most things with the "Nitro Express" as part of the cal description have an coolness appeal about them.
    I think you have summed it up rather well, a double in the hands of a biltong hunter meets an emotional, classical, need. I’d love one too, in 450NE, because “feelz”. James Dunlop of African Rifles has some real beauties in his safes. When you pick them up you can almost smell the elephant dung.
    Don’t take life too seriously, no one gets out alive.

  10. #20
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    Jun 2017
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    841

    Arrow Re: Double rifles : How practical/user friendly for the South African hunter??

    Quote Originally Posted by Peter Wells View Post
    Yup - but it's not as easy as it sounds and an unexpected charge will almost certainly catch you without those two extra rounds in your weak hand.
    Keeping eyes on a charging beastie at the same time makes it worse.
    As do the spare rounds in the special top pocket ?
    I guess there is a difference between the old African hunters like Taylor and Hunter -- and modern day Americans ...

    NO I do not own a double rifle -- a good friend of mine does have a couiple
    NO I have not hunted or shot with a double rifle -- but I have with a .375 H&H in the Zambezi Valley

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