Which would you pick for a double rifle? This is if your favorite double rifle showed up in these 2 calibers and were sitting on the shelf which one would you take home? If I had one or the other already I think I could live, but if you had a choice?

[This message has been edited by Terry P (edited 04-27-2002).]

I just made that decision: 500 NE.

I want some power. The 470 is fine, but the 500 is more of a good thing. But if you do not reload, then the 470 is probably a better choice due to ammo availability.

My last double was in 500N.E. and I would buy another in the same caliber if I'm ever smitten with double fever again!

The 500 N.E. for me, if I'm going to get the bejesus kicked out of me I want it to hurt on the other end to..the 500 is considerably a better killer of big animals. I think I can actually SEE the difference in it and the lesser big bores...

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Yes Ray, they do kick don't they!! I shot a 470NE from the bench about 10 times in a row and I wasn't set up just right. I swear that thing rattled my brain. I went to bed that night and my head was sore. Not like a headache...just plain stiff and sore!!
I bet either would feel just fine with a buffalo close by though!!

The 500 NE. No contest.

Todd E

Todd E:

I asked Richard Harland this question, and he giggled at the question. Damn, I was hoping he was going to insist that a 500 was much better than a 470 and I could justify a new purchase (when I had the scratch).

Considering the cost of a new 500 & ammunition, shot placement, etc., I guess he was right. Poop.

Will

Will,

My answer was given on the premise the you currently owned neither a 470 or a 500. Therefore I chose my preference. I am not saying that if you already have a 470 to go get a 500. To me that would be somewhat redundant. The 500 is a bit better, but not enough to justify owning both. If I had a 470 and wanted a better stopper I would not get a 500 I would get a 577.

This is my current position and the Boss still says no. Her position is since I am not going back to Africa anytime soon (because she won't so I can't) I don't need another "elephant gun".

Todd E

Todd E

I feel sorry for you for your "marital" problems. I just go and pay for it later!

From what I have read the .577 sometimes doesn't have penetration like a 470, 500, 500 Jeffery, or the Lott. If I were looking for a new SxS I think it would be a 500 NE.

Or another 470. The problem with trying to switch to the second 470 in a pinch is that the gunbearer would be dissappearing over the hill when you turn to grab it!

Will

[This message has been edited by Will (edited 04-27-2002).]

I bought a 470 because of price of the gun and availability of the ammo. If I had it to do all over again I would go for the 500. More power and the recoil is not that bad. I shot a 500 and then my 470 last year and you could tell the difference but it was not so bad. Of course always best to have both.

BigB

I too would chose the 500 NE, it seems the better stopper on paper for those big critters that would like to play toss the hunter.

I once watched a video of Peter Capstick shoot an elepant with a .470 and it didn't impress that bull elephant much before running off with two shots to the heart/lung area.

Will,

I have never heard anyone say that a 577 NE did not have enough penetration. I am speaking of people that have taken game with the 577. I have also been told by those in the know that the 577 generally has about the same penetration as the 500. That is not to say that the 577 will penetrate as deeply as a high performance bolt action cartridge which is loaded to higher pressure and velocity. I am only saying that the 577 has enough penetration to get the job done.

As far as the marital issues, I think I am winning. She just got a new Jag so I am now entitled to something nice! I am thinking Searcy Underlever Deluxe 577 NE!!! Drives better than any car!

Todd E

[This message has been edited by Todd E (edited 04-27-2002).]

Todd E:

I'm heading out in August to chase those ele's again, or vice versa.

I just bought the wife her first car, a 1976 VW Beattle that needs restoring, but it runs sometimes. That makes us even, heh?

Will

Butch has his personal rifle (577 NE underlever presidential grade) for sale for $16,500. It weighs in at 13 pounds and shoulders quite nicely. the only issue is being fit enough to carry that rifle 20 miles per day, day in and day out.

Anybody that carry that thing is a whole tougher than I. Even Sutherland had gunbearers for his .577's, and he was a lot tougher than me.

The 500 NE puts you into stopper-land @ 5,800 ft.lbs., with a gun weight that still makes sense.

Sure a 500 NE makes sense. I will take one if I can get it made to weigh 11 pounds or less. That is about the limit I can carry all day and not feel besot with too much gun.

Having the gun in your hands when you need it, and shooting quickly and accurately when the time comes is more important than brute size or "KO" values.

That makes a 500 NE about the tops for me, but a 470 NE will do nicely. As would also a 450 NE or 450 NE #2, maybe just under 10 pounds? That might be the ultimate. To heck with recoil on any of them. It is just portability and swingability that is important, so you can hit well and fast when up close.

5000 ft-lbs. and a good bullet are more than enough for any job, if the shooter hits the mark.

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RAB

The 577 has as much penitration as a 500 for all practical purposes and is hell on elephant and stands Buffalo stright up from frontal shots on ocassions...It is hell on wheels and kills like the hammer of thor..Leaves blood trails like a fireplug being drained and animals go empty pretty quick...

Downside is the .577 is too heavy to pack, gun bearers are fewer these days ( they don't do window either ), Cost is too much to pack around on airlines; and recoil is heineous! that pretty much voids the great old .577

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

My old W-R 500 weighed 10 pounds, I can't say it kicked any harder than a similar weight 470 that preceeded it. Now, my 577 weighed 13 pounds and that's just way too much to lug around all day. I would never buy a double again in any chambering but 500-3", absolutely the most effect for the least amount of trouble.