I just recently found out about this interesting little guy. All I know of its history is that it was developed within the past 20 years by necking down readily available .500 NE cases to use readily available .416 caliber bullets, giving .416 Rigby-ish performance at double-gun friendly pressures. The Blaser S2 has really taken off with the cartridge, it seems, in their claims of long range shooting with a double rifle. Not too worried about long range with an express, but rather how this caartridge compares with the .470, .450-400, .500, and other intermediate NE cartridges in both handling, range, recoil, and performance. I have a feeling the only plus it really has is range and bullet availability, but I want to hear from those who have used it. If you have one, how do you like it? What is ammo availability like on the dark continent?
... And can I see some trophies?

I have a K-gun is this caliber but have not taken any game with it. I think it is a fantastic cartridge because it gives you bolt rifle performance in a double. I have never shot factory ammo. I just load all my own.

I think it's a great cartridge although the traditionalists will want to fry me for that statement.

That said, I'd stay as far away from the Blaser S-2 as possible and go with the K-Gun instead. One is a great, safe, suitable rifle for hunting dangerous game (K-Gun). The other is likely to get you stomped on in a fire fight with DG due to the auto safety (S-2).

An even better option would be to have Butch Searcy build you one.

quote:

I think it is a fantastic cartridge because it gives you bolt rifle performance in a double

Dave, that's a great compliment! Of course, you could always just buy a bolt rifle :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:

quote:

I think it is a fantastic cartridge because it gives you bolt rifle performance in a double

Dave, that's a great compliment! Of course, you could always just buy a bolt rifle :-)

If the choice is a bolt gun or the S-2, why not go with the bolt gun? At least the bolt gun's momma and daddy were actually married!

It's basically 470 NE brass necked down. I read somewhere recoil is like
470 NE instead of the pleasant 450/400 NE; which but for 5/1000" diameter
is the same bullet essentially. Imagine what the D/R shooters of today would
be saying about it IF John Rigby would have given it to us on the same day
that he gave us the rimless version, that we all think is quite good! It has
equal muzzle energy to the 470 NE and supposedly very similar recoil, but it
has flatter trajectory if you need to press it for a long shot and it pene-
trates better than a 470 using the same make and model bullet. I just wish
it was straight like Ed Hubel {Hubel 458 here on this site and many others}
espouses. Better case life would be had. I'd have Bailey Bradshaw make mine:
http://www.bradshawgunandrifle..._Double_Rifle_1B.php
as the falling block action is SO,SO strong!

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
I think it's a great cartridge although the traditionalists will want to fry me for that statement.

That said, I'd stay as far away from the Blaser S-2 as possible and go with the K-Gun instead. One is a great, safe, suitable rifle for hunting dangerous game (K-Gun). The other is likely to get you stomped on in a fire fight with DG due to the auto safety (S-2).

An even better option would be to have Butch Searcy build you one.

Todd:

You have been drinking to much of MacD37s Kool Aid again. Blaser owners, we're loud and we're proud

Come on Todd! You have GOT to let that go. I agree that it is possible to get stomped but I didn't. I shot my biggest buffalo 2 years ago in Moz with my S2. Faced a charge with the lowly S2 and won. Stompin' can occur with any rifle. Be it a more traditional DR or a bolt gun that runs empty or malfunctions. Push feed or Controlled Round feed, you pays your money and takes yo chances.

Pago:

They ain't never going to let go of the cocking feature on the S2. MacD37 got that started and now Todd has jumped on the band wagon. As I said, most of the Blaser bashers have never even seen one.

For guys that are new to double rifles, it's just as hard for them to learn how to deal with two triggers. In a panic, they will tend to keep pulling the same trigger. Some guys on AR scoff at our friend Will and his single trigger guns but I understand his point. A double trigger is not intuitive for most of us. However, that's why you practice with your double before a dangerous game hunt so operation of the gun becomes second nature. Would I prefer a cocking mechanism like my Krieghoff. Yes. However, once you get to know your gun, the cocking mechanism on the Blaser is no problem.

quote:

Originally posted by pagosawingnut:
Come on Todd! You have GOT to let that go. I agree that it is possible to get stomped but I didn't. I shot my biggest buffalo 2 years ago in Moz with my S2. Faced a charge with the lowly S2 and won. Stompin' can occur with any rifle. Be it a more traditional DR or a bolt gun that runs empty or malfunctions. Push feed or Controlled Round feed, you pays your money and takes yo chances.

How simple would it be for Blaser to simply not build a Dangerous Game rifle with an auto safety? Just like the K-Gun! Makes no sense at all. Why is it built that way? Again, the auto safety is fine for shooting quail or deer but IMO, not DG. I know you faced a charge with one and survived. From what I understand, Buzz is using one now as well as he hasn't been able to get his Hyem into the country. Sure, you can get stomped with other types. But I'm in the habit of eliminating all the possible things that can go wrong in the heat of battle. If using a bolt rifle fot DG, I'm going to use a CRF 100% of the time, unless I end up having to borrow a camp gun that is push feed. A person might be able to learn to overcome the auto safety through practice. However, it is one more thing in the possible chain of events that CAN go wrong. There is no logical need for this potential link in the chain to exist. Just take the auto safety off of the S-2 in calibers designed for DG. 1 problem solved!!

Then they could work on the looks!

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Pago:

They ain't never going to let go of the cocking feature on the S2. MacD37 got that started and now Todd has jumped on the band wagon. As I said, most of the Blaser bashers have never even seen one.

For guys that are new to double rifles, it's just as hard for them to learn how to deal with two triggers. In a panic, they will tend to keep pulling the same trigger. Our friend Will sometimes makes some good points. However, that's why you practice with your double before a dangerous game hunt so operation of the gun becomes second nature. Would I prefer a cocking mechanism like my Krieghoff. Yes. However, once you get to know your gun, the cocking mechanism on the Blaser is no problem.

Dave, this is not true with me and you know that. I robustly endorse the cocking device on the K-Gun. I think it is the absolute safest way to carry a loaded double rifle. But the K-Gun works differently than the S-2 with that auto safety. It has nothing to do with Mac as far as I'm concerned. Sure, I listen to him, but I had my mind made up on this item long ago prior to joining this forum. BTW, I have a friend who previously owned an S-2. I've shot it numerous times. I just find it cumbersome for use in a DG scenario from the auto safety to the overhang on the barrels.

That Farquharson double is probably one of the neatest things I have ever seen. As for the Blaser v. Krieghoff case, ultimately I would geuss it's a matter of one's proficiency with that particular rifle. I can't afford either yet, so it's of no immediate bearing to me. Though i do find this debate interesting and educational on the features of each rifle.
What kind of field experience have you folks had with the .500/.416? Has it proven to be as effective as a .470?

Todd,
I will call Blaser in San Antonio on Monday to determine if it is possible to dis connect the auto safety feature. If it is, I'll loan it to you for your next trip if you want.

I think at this point, we should agree to disagree and forget it. My feelings are starting to really get hurt!

quote:

Originally posted by pagosawingnut:
Todd,
I will call Blaser in San Antonio on Monday to determine if it is possible to dis connect the auto safety feature. If it is, I'll loan it to you for your next trip if you want.

I think at this point, we should agree to disagree and forget it. My feelings are starting to really get hurt!

I thought you didn't have feelings!

Awww Crap! Busted! I forgot.