Gentlemen

Opinions on Krieghoff doubles, please..
I want to know more, the salesman in the shop promised alot...you all know how it is in the shop...
I sometimes follow my heart instead of my head.....!!!!!!!
I know the discussion about if a doublerifle should be used as DGR, but still I find it attractive in one of the Big Bore calibers.
What about quality?
What caliber? (I think 500NE is too much for me)
I can have a new one for 5500-7000 USD depending on caliber and engraving.
Please advice what I have to look for...it is still alot of money for me, but I like it.

//voyager

Voyager,
I don't own one, however a buddy in San Antonio has one in 500/416. He has several sets of barrels shotgun and rifle. He is very pleased with it's performance.

As far as the 500 NE goes.. . .I have only one opine. . .OUCH! I've shot two Merkels in 500 3 inch and I readily admit I'm a recoil wuss, but those 500 NEs slap me around.

The 500/416 isn't that tame, but it's destined to be double rifle classic. The .416 bullet has a proven track record as a great penetrationg bullet.

A freind of mine just got back from Africa where he hunted with his new Searcy 450/400 3 inch (.411). He reported great success and very happy with the 400 Jeffery (450/400 3 inch).

I own a 450/400 3 inch (.408). It's a great all around chambering if there is such a thing.

Back to your Kreighoff, they are well made rifles, and should serve you well. You might just find a deal on a used 470 or a 500/416. Good hunting!

Don't like them at all. don't like the arming mechanism, the gaudy engraving or the general feel of them

Love the cocking system. Good few of the top PH's here have them and are very happy with them. The .500/416 is the cal to buy if your game includes cats at any stage in the future.

I have one in 470 NE. It is described as a "European Model" with very little engraving and is all blued.

It is the safest gun in the field as it is carried in the "uncocked position". When I bring to my shoulder it is cocked in the same motion.

another vote against the (obviously safer) cocking mech.

voyager
I hunt a lot with doubles. I have a 450 No2, a 450/400 3 1/4", both British, and a Chapuis 9,3x74R.
I have shot a Krieghoff in 500/416, and handled several others.
If you like the rifle and it fits you it will serve you well.
Once you get used to the combi cocking system I think you will like it.
I use a similar cocking system in my Blaser R 93 and K 95.
I would not have any problem with the Krieghoff double.
If you are going to do a lot of elephant hunting get a 470, if not the 500/416 is a very versatile caliber.
Of course you can always load 350 and 400 grain bullets in the 470.

They just don't point and feel good to me and I don't like the cocking system..Guess that what makes a horse race, dog fight and Chev and Ford being in competition...

I have 2 Krieghoffs. One with 2 sets of barrels - 500/416 and 9.3x74R. The other is a .30-06 scoped with a 1.1x4 Kahles in the 30mm tube.

They fit me well, shoot with amazing accuracy for doubles, are made of modern steel, and I like the way they feel in my hands. The cocking mechanism/safety is no problem with very little use and I like the cock on opening/non-auto safety feature.

I found that it regulated well, with some minor adjustments, using the Remington 180 gr Swift A-Frame loads. Anytime I can get a factory load to shoot that well using a premium bullet, I'll use it and save my reloading time for my more obscure cartridges.

Different bullets have little effect on regulation in the '06 other than what I have also experienced with bolt rifles. I plan on trying to load up some 220 gr Woodleighs, just because doubles need big high quality round nose bullets.

My hunting friends and I recently spent an afternoon shooting a varitty of rounds I received when I got the rifle which included the 500/416 at a 12" steel plate set at 100 yards. We went through over 80 rounds both free hand and off sticks. We rang the plate most every time. (Until we shot it too much and the heavy chains it was hanging from broke. Amazing how far it flew.)

I think the good luck with different rounds is the modern steels and technology used in these doubles.

The only thing I wish was that Krieghoff made some smaller calibers in the standard Classic. The smallest available in the 7x57R and I just want something smaller for varmints and possible pronghorn hunting. Plus there are plenty of Coyotes out here in northern MN that need shooting.

If you like them they are a good deal for the money. I used my 30-06 in RSA this year with good sucess. My shots were from 35 yards to over 210 meters. The 500/416 is going to Mozambique next year and the new set of 9.3 barrels will come with it so I have a DG and PG gun in one.

If you like it, it fits you, and you want one - go ahead. Ray is right - It's the old Ford Chevy debate all over. I'll not make negative comments about my fello hunters choices of rifles. I'll simply encourage and support their right to engage in this most honerable of sporting ventures.

Mike

USD$5500 is quite a low price for a Krieghoff.

Personally I do not like the cocking system.

I have shot a few of them,and would choose a Heym over the Krieghoff.I would take a Krieghoff over the Merkel anyday.As JBoutfishn stated the "european model" with the minimal scroll is what I like as well.I would sooner spend the money on wood upgrades then engraving.

The cocking system was one of the factors in choosing my Krieghoff. I have a 500 that I bought earlier this year. Shoots great! With the BreakO tube in the stock, it really isn't too bad even off the bench. I also use a PAST shoulder pad for bench work with the big bores.

I have a Krieghoff in 500/416 as well. Haven't shot anything with it yet, and to be quite honest, I have only handled one other double rifle. The rifle is very accurate and I do shoot GS Custom solids out of it. Recoil is very manageable. Love the gun.
Peter.

quote:

Originally posted by voyager:
Gentlemen

Opinions on Krieghoff doubles, please..
I want to know more, the salesman in the shop promised alot...you all know how it is in the shop...
I sometimes follow my heart instead of my head.....!!!!!!!
I know the discussion about if a doublerifle should be used as DGR, but still I find it attractive in one of the Big Bore calibers.
What about quality?
What caliber? (I think 500NE is too much for me)
I can have a new one for 5500-7000 USD depending on caliber and engraving.
Please advice what I have to look for...it is still alot of money for me, but I like it.

//voyager

Voyager, If the Krieghoff fits you, and it is what you want, the price you quote is really quite low, compared to the prices in the USA! If you can live with the cocking system, and extractors, then it is the rifle for you, especially if it is the only double rifle you will be shooting. The change from the Krieghoff system, to a conventional system, and back again with another type could be problematic when faceing a charge that required a re-loading of the rifle for the 3rd, and 4th shots. My advice is if you intend haveing more than one double rifle, then they both should have the same system, but if you will be useing only one then it doesn't matter!

Krieghoffs are quality, and strong, well made rifles, and though they are not my first choice, if I were to have only one double rifle I could learn to live with the Krieghoff system. As to takeing a Krieghoff over a Merkel,as someone suggested, let me just say, I have two Merkels, and no Krieghoffs.

A friend of mine has one in 9.3x74 and I own a Merkel in 470NE, I think the KRIEGHOFF would be nice in 500/416 for all game in big game country, but you must like the safty.
I do think this safty is ideal for a client who has people in front and behind him constantly while huntig in Africa, not the best imo for a PH who needs an instant safty.
I use my 470NE for everything from Foxes on up[Yet to take a rabbit.} so a swing on scope on a 500/416 sounds great, scope on for lion on twilight etc, scope off for Ele in the Jesse etc.

Gentlemen..
Thank you very much for all your comments..I really appreciate that..
I still fancy the Krieghoff, but I have taken all of your comments into my considerations..one of these days I will contact the shop again for some more "inspection" of my "gun to be".

500grains:
Sorry my mistake....not USD but EURO ofcourse..
5500 EURO is in the cheap end if you can settle with a simple engraving...the price is ofcourse not from the main importer of Krieghoff guns.
In europe civilian guns can be traded across borders if the proper paperwork is in order...
The gun I am looking at, is simple engraved and I can have it in either 500/416, 9,3-74, or 8-57 jrs.
Exact price 6200 EURO.
The more exotic calibers with deluxe engravement is ofcourse more expensive...7000+ EURO

//voyager

quote:

Originally posted by voyager:
In europe civilian guns can be traded across borders if the proper paperwork is in order...
The gun I am looking at, is simple engraved and I can have it in either 500/416, 9,3-74, or 8-57 jrs.
Exact price 6200 EURO.
The more exotic calibers with deluxe engravement is ofcourse more expensive...7000+ EURO

//voyager

Voyager, look at Franconia sporting goods in Germany.They too where a good source for Krieghoff doulbe rifles.

Watch the QC! I just squashed a deal on a Krieghoff SxS Shotgun due to poor quality control!

No Joke!

Something has gone wrong over Germany! BMW and Mercedes have been suffering in QC as well!

Jeff

I bought a used Krieghoff. The serial number says it was made in 1997. Quality control is perfect.
Mine is a Classic Big 5 in 470, with a set of 9.3x74R and a set of 7x65R barrels also.
All three barrels came with Ziess Diavari 1.5-6 power scopes and the 470 also has open siights.

After I bought it Krieghoff restocked it and adjusted the triggers for a lefty. It's my only double so the cocking mechanism doesn't seem to be an issue or a problem. The gun and all 3 barrels shoot well. The 9.3x74R is a tack driver and the 7x65R is getting there. The 470 shoots well. I also had the recoil reducer put in the stock and the 470 is manageable.
Knowing what I know now I would buy it again. Then again I got a great deal.

There seems to be some confusion (being polite) about the cocking system. Once the the cocking lever has been pushed forward to the cocked/ready position and fired, the weapon will be automaticly be cocked when it is reloaded. It will remain cocked when reloading until the cocking lever is moved to the rear.
own one, been there, done that.

quote:

Originally posted by JBoutfishn:
There seems to be some confusion (being polite) about the cocking system. Once the the cocking lever has been pushed forward to the cocked/ready position and fired, the weapon will be automaticly be cocked when it is reloaded. It will remain cocked when reloading until the cocking lever is moved to the rear.
own one, been there, done that.

That also makes breaking the gun open on reloading a bit easier as it is not being cocked in the opening.

I am not hot on the cocking systen either, however For the price you've mentioned I'd have a hard time turning one down as they are a very nice rifle.

Good luck and enjoy your new rifle..Whatever you decide...

quote:

That also makes breaking the gun open on reloading a bit easier as it is not being cocked in the opening.

Ah but it is. When in the cocked position, opening is noticably harder.