I already own a 9.3X62 in a Simson Oberndorf action with an octagon to round barrel with full rib. An old rifle that was restored & I love it.

I have until now stayed away from a 375H&H as it is so close in performance to a 9.3X62 with 286 gr bullets at 2450 fps.

I am now looking at a 375 Flanged Magnum rifle only because it is a double & I always wanted to own a nice double. It is at an attractive price & a good name.

The Flanged version is about 50 fps slower than the belted cartridge. I do not see the 375 Flanged Mag doing anything that the 9.3X62 cannot do. It just meets the theoretical legal minimum for most African countries for DG.

Given the limited budget and costs, is it worth the 375 Fl rifle or should I wait for a 450/400 or 450 NE etc. as a step up from my 9.3?

I certainly will not get a second rile!

I have shot all three calibers and never could tell much difference in them. The 450-400 has always been my favorite big bore double, but if I had a chance at a really nice 375 Flanged double at a good price I'd probably jump on it and never look back.

However, inasmuch as you have a 9.3x62 and its the equal of a 375 Flanged, you might consider holding off for the larger 450-400 or even a 450-3.25 for Dangerous Game..

Such decisions have to be a personal thing, and you can get a hundred opinnions on such a question..All of which will probably be reasonable for that matter.

at CIP pressures, same length barrel, fastest to slowest
375hh
9,3x64
9,3x62

the top two are legal for dangerous game throughout africa, by cart designation.

I side with Ray on this--
I own several doubles--

Unless you cannot stand to see this one pass you by-
Wait for a larger one-
Though I love the 375Fl--
you already have a good 9.3-

The 450-400 with its 400gr bullet would certainly open up your possibilities beyond the 9.3x62.

I see that Norma make brass, as do Jamison & BELL.

I found a reference to using the 45-120 Sharp brass but the implications are not pretty.

Is there any reasonable way of forming brass for practice etc. that might cost less? $5 per piece of Norma brass is stiff.

An initial outlay of 100 brass should last a life time I guess.

The 450/400 double is the one.

If it's an original flanged magnum I don't think you'll regret it, but if it's one of the larger number (at least by my experience) of doubles that were just rechambered from .375 2-1/2" flanged I'd definitely pass.

I will have to admit, though, that a 450/400 makes more sense to me for a double rifle. Double rifles are used up close, and the 400 has more of what you want when you're nose to nose.

If it is a nice 375 Flanged Magnum double, get it. I like the cartridge.

Look forward to some photos.

Cheers, Chris

Just a thought - was the conversion of 375 NE 2.5" common in the Uk or only in the US? In the UK they would have to re-proof it of course.

A serious double is a stopper.A 500NE or 450NE is the rifle to have in your hands when you are in the African bush.The rest of the work can be done using a bolt rifle.It might be good to have a back up stopper double and have two 450 NE's or a 500NE and a 450NE.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
A serious double is a stopper.A 500NE or 450NE is the rifle to have in your hands when you are in the African bush.The rest of the work can be done using a bolt rifle.It might be good to have a back up stopper double and have two 450 NE's or a 500NE and a 450NE.

A big double does indeed make a great stopper rifle. However, a light double in say 9.3x74R or 375F with their almost instant second shot make for an almost unbeatable hunting rifle for most African (or Australian) large game.

I just found out from Holts that the rifle is a 2.5 inch chamber converted to a magnum. It has a broken stock too. Well - there goes my dream of my first double rifle!

http://auctions.holtsauctionee...fno=+++96623&image=0

Looks like a great rifle.

Looks a very nice rifle and nothing wrong with rechambered 2 1/2" 375. Lots were rechambered once the 375 Flanged Magnum appeared in 1912.

That is a very good price, if it sells in that range.

Cheers, Chris

Nakihunter,
You can make 450-400 brass from other rimmed Nitro cartridges but you gain nothing as 450-400 is probably the cheapest of the Nitro Express brass..and I assume this is an issue in New Zealand and some other countries, unfortunately the bottom line is Double rifle cartridges are expensive to shoot, end of story..

There are some "wow" rifles in that auction! Does anyone know how close their price estimates are to sale prices?

In the past the sale price is usually below max estimate. Unsold items are offered at a fixed price and they are a bit above mid estimate.

I bid on a really nice 500 BPE Alex Henry in Dec and for some reason I did not win it but they then offered it for sale at around what I bid! By then I had diverted my budget elsewhere!