I was looking at a Kodiak double rifle the other day. It was a new hammer gun and it was chambered in 9.3x74R. Cabela's is running a special on them for $1999 bucks apiece.

Does anybody have any experience with them? I'd like to know what the barrels are regulated for etc... Also, what is your honest opinion, Are they worth the $$$?

Mac

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When hunting and fishing get in the way of your job, it is time to quit the job!

Mac,

I have a Kodiak MkIV chamber in 9.3X74R. The rifle shoots about 4-5 inch groups at 100 yards. Which is what Pedersoli says they regulate the rifle for. I have had absolutely no problems with the rifle.

Todd E

Didn�t Kodiak once make a double in .45-70? I think they put separate sights on each barrel.

The 9.3x74R should be fine, though. The more I listen around, the more people swear by it.

Good shooting! H

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I have a couple D. Pedersoli doubles, one in 45-70, and another one re-chambered from 45-70 to 458RCBS. The little rifles are very strong, and both mine shoot far better than 4" 100 yds. PWN just bought one, also
chambered for 45-70 and he is getting 2", four shot groups with his! I see no reason the 9.3x74R shouldn't shoot as well, once you find the load it will shoot best.

aHUNTER, they were never made with a sight on each barrel, but the older ones had two WILLIAMS type flip up adjustable sights, but both mine shot the same POA with one sight, so I adjusted the back one to 100yds, and the front one to 200 yds.

This rifle is an exact copy of the 1878 COLT double rifle. The idea for this rifle was from the late COL Powasnic of "TRAIL GUNS ARMORY" League city, Tx, back in the mid 80s, after the good COLs passing, it was unavailable for some time, then NAVY ARMS picked up the contract from Pedersoli, Cabella's was a late commer. The rifles are now fitted with a express sight with one standing, and two flip-ups that are un-cut, so you may file them in for what you want!

I do not have a pedersoli chambered for 9.3x74R but I do have a Merkel 9.3x74R that shoots 2.5" at fifty with SELLIER&BELLOT soft point factory 285 gr bullets. Where Buffalo are concearned, I would far rather have a 9.3x74R double, with proper loads, that a 45-70, Hence the reason one of my 45-70s was re-chambered to 458 RCBS! For the money involved the Pedersolis are a good buy, IMO!

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..Mac >>>===(x)===>
DUGABOY DESIGNS
Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art

Again Mac, I�m impressed! You sure take Your hobby seriously!

Good shooting! H

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As Mac said in his reply, I purchased one recently. It has a custom ghost ring peep and will keep a r/l, r/l 4 shot group in less than a two inch square at fifty yards. I had it out this evening shooting some Osage oranges (these make very good reactive targets) just for fun and it snaps right into position and is very quick into action. I was able to connect on each target from 5 yards to 50 yards without much trouble.

I really like the 45-70 caliber, but would dearly love to rechamber to some case that would permit 2100 fps with a 450 or 480 grain bullet so I can feel a bit more comfortable using it on big biting, stomping, scratching critters in the future. As of now, I am going to ventilate some hogs and whitetails with it this fall and pretend I'm hunting bush pigs and bush buck. I bet it will be a little cool dressed in my shorts and T-shirt.

Perry

MacD37:

Please let us know the details of the conversion to .458 RCBS. I have "Favorite Loads" by Waters and it has data for this caliber, but in a weak rolling block (at least I think it was some "old" rifle). What performance do you get in the double. I would think you could safely go to .30/30 pressures?????

Could it be rechambered to 450 nitro express ? (45/70 model of course

Or what about 450 Dakota?

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God Bless and Shoot Straight

The re-chambering from 45-70 to 458RCBS is a little bit of a chore, and should be done by only a very capable smith. Mine was done by "Williamson Precision Gunsmithing" in Hurst, Texas. The reamer had to be made from a reamer for a 458 Win mag. One of the problems with this operation is that the barrel assembly must be hald stationary, while the reamer is turned, instead of vice-versa. This operation must be done slowly, and very carefully. The under lugs are held in a mic-vice, after centering, between the centers, Then very carefully chambered by hand in the lathe. This requires a lot of bench time. I'm sure Williamson still has the reamer, if anyone is interested. His address is:
Williamson Precision Gunsmithing
117 Pipeline Rd.
Hurst,Texas

Phone No. (817)285-0064

In my rifle I use the powder charge for the 500 gr bullet, useing a 400 gr bullet. The powder I found to group well in my rifle is 65.0 grs of IMR4064, 400 gr speer, or 400 gr Barnes SP with a .035 hard jacket. This load get 2100 fps average 10 ft in front of the barrel. I used some Barnes 400 gr super solids, but had to back off the powder by two full grs. The 65.0 load was too hot, and though it shot well, the extraction was sticky to say the least. The final load of 63.0 grs of IMR4064, 400 gr super solid, pennetrated 16 pieces of 3/4" plywood spaced 2" apart, and placed 50 yds in front of the rifle,the bullet was not recovered, more than adequate, IMO! The Barnes, or Speer soft points will absolutely slap a big russian boar on his tail at 50 yds, with a shoulder shot.

I think if I were going to do a re-chambering, now, it would be to 450#2 NE and re-regulate the barrels. I might go this route with this rifle still, but I'm thinking of adding a doll's head third fastener.

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..Mac >>>===(x)===>
DUGABOY DESIGNS
Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art

[This message has been edited by MacD37 (edited 10-20-2001).]