double rifle makers

30 March 2002, 11:11

<lb404>

double rifle makers

I am in the market for a 450-400, 3" double. Each time I locate one that I like, it is sold. I know that many have favorite brands, Jeffery, Hussey, etc. Is there any difference in them if they were made to english standards and have similar features(chopper lump barrels, bushed strikers, third fastener). If they are accurate and in good working order can one go wrong? How does the name Rodda fall in line with those I mentioned? I am a little more than worried about buying one as they are so difficult and expensive to repair.
lb404

30 March 2002, 11:35

<FFg>

Names don't necessarily mean a lot until you go and try to sell. The ï¿½namedï¿½ guns (Westley, Holland, Rigby, Purdey, Boss and Woodward) are always more popular and bring a premium. For a working gun, there were a lot of excellent guns built by many no name makers. In fact, some of these makers built guns for the big boys and just put their names on them. Rhoddaï¿½s have a good reputation.

My advice is to ask a lot of questions, look at as many doubles as you can, buy from a reputable dealer and take your time. Try the gunshop.com site for info.

Seeing where you are located, I also suggest that you go to the Tulsa gunshow next weekend. You will find a number of doubles at that show.

Good luck! Theyï¿½re fun guns, but be careful as many people are pretty proud of some wore out junk.

30 March 2002, 12:16

MacD37

Ib404, you are in luck, just go over to Champlin's in Enid, OK talk to George Caswell. He has as many double rifles as anyone in the country, and you can absolutely trust what he tells you! He had a 450/400 3" a couple weeks ago that was plain, but a very good rifle, and for a decent price. Check out their website, click on the "GUN VUALT" Then choose Double rifles, for an instant search.
www.champlinarms.com

..Mac >>>===(x)===>
also DUGABOY1
DUGABOY DESIGNS
Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art

[This message has been edited by MacD37 (edited 03-30-2002).]

30 March 2002, 14:23

Heritage Arms

Call Herschel Chadick at Chadick's in Terrel Texas he has always come through for me.

If Kreighoff is your interest call Norbert at the US plant for a new gun

30 March 2002, 16:51

Atkinson

Most of the doubles were made by the same company and the different names and embellisments were added by the name on the gun....

Army/Navy, Jefferys, Rhodda are all great working guns and a bunch of names noone has heard of are good guns..

Personally I believe, for some reason, Jefferys doubles shoot the best or that has been what I have seen and thats why I shoot them. referencing English guns only.

I would want a 5 day inspection and I would have to shoot the gun or know the seller well...If Bob Francis at Westly Richards, USA, tells me a gun will shoot then I know it will. that is the most important aspect of a double, second it should be tight and not off the face..Have it checked by an expert.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

30 March 2002, 19:05

<coon>

There is a Rodda double hammer gun in 400/450 on auctionarms.com

Item number (I think) 2533481

If that isn't the item number you'll have to find it under search.

I know it has been on auction at least one other time (a week ago) The buyer might take less for it. No one has bid on it yet. Asking start bid is $4,???.

coon

30 March 2002, 19:20

<lb404>

I go to Enid as often as my business will allow. George had a jeffery -plain frame out to turnbulls for re coloring and I was going to look serriously at it but it is off their web-site now as it was sold in Vegas. I was in the negotiations for a 475 No. 2 but now Champlin's has it ! I surf the net for many bargains and have been rewarded many times for my effort. Bob Francis and I have had numerous talks about doubles but again I am a cheep bastard. I am cheep and try to buy things at their rock bottom dollar value, but with double rifles I know that there are many things that can be wrong with them and this is one of the areas that I am uncomfortable with so I am reluctant to buy one even at scavenger prices.
lb404

31 March 2002, 02:57

<Rusty>

Circa 1910-1930 A House like Jeffery made very few if any of their own actions. Most of Jeffery's actions came from Daniel Leonard.

That's why Ray's and other Jefferies from that era look just like my A. Hollis. They were the same barreled action. Usually these were bought in the white and finished by the "Named" Houses.

Here is the key to the Daniel Leonard actions. Near the barrel hook where the forearm attaches, there will be a 4 digit set of numbers. Those numbers are Leonard's.
Any action with a 4 digit number near the hook is a Leonard action!

Thanks to George Caswell at Champlin Firearms, my buddy Mark Cash and I have seen some of Jeffery's records. Those records proved that Jeffery used a bunch of Leonard's barreled actions.

Another possible key is again, on the under rib between the barrels as it meets the barrel flats there may be a very small "DL".

I think you will be very pleased with a 450/400 3 inch! I like mine! I consider the 450/400 3 inch a great "all around" chambering. You get a long .408 or .411 (need to make sure on which!) 400 grain bullet that penetrates well! The recoil doesn't beat you up. You can use the 450/400 on smaller game and still be able to swat a buff should one pop up!

I prefer the 450/400 3 inch over the 450/400 3 1/4. The long neck on the 3 1/4 is a bit of a hassle reloading. The 3 1/4 was origanlly a black powder round they converted to Cordite.

Hope you find the double you are looking for. If you can't find an old one, I think Butch Searcy will make you a NEW 450/400 3 inch?

Rusty
WE band of brothers!

31 March 2002, 03:38

MacD37

quote:
Originally posted by Rusty:

Hope you find the double you are looking for. If you can't find an old one, I think Butch Searcy will make you a NEW 450/400 3 inch?
Rusty
WE band of brothers!

Rusty, I asked Butch at the Dallas Safari show, if he would make a 450/400 3" and he said "NO" the barrels are to hard to come by in the qualiry he needs. Though they are around, one usually has to wait a long time till they make a run of blanks!

IB404, the 450/400 3" is a real nice choice in a double rifle, especially if you want to use it in North America, as well as Africa. Unless you find a 450/400 3.25" that is defenetly NITRO PROOFED, then I would stay away from the 3.25" New ammo for the 3" is available, and is much easier to reload than the 3.25", which isn't available in factory ammo.

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..Mac >>>===(x)===>
also DUGABOY1
DUGABOY DESIGNS
Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art

31 March 2002, 06:54

MacD37

lb404, check out #38531 at www.capeoutfitters.com It is a 450/400 3" top lever, hammer rifle, with quarter ribbed 26" barrels, 95% blue, and exc wood by MANTON.

The price is $7250

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..Mac >>>===(x)===>
also DUGABOY1
DUGABOY DESIGNS
Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art

31 March 2002, 07:32

<Terry P>

Check out Westley Richard's website. They had 3 Jeffrey's at SCI. 2 were 450/400 and 1 475#2. The 450/400's were priced at $8500 and $9500. The 475 was $13500. I liked the $9500 450/400. It was it real good shape.

A little off subject.. but there is a Lon Paul 458 Lott rifle for sale under custom guns at Guns America for a reasonable price.

31 March 2002, 07:50

<Rusty>

Mac,
My mistake it had been a year or so since I had chatted with Butch about a 450/400 3 inch. At the time he said it would be extra, but he thought he could make one.
I did not discuss that with him at the Dallas show.

Rusty
We band of brothers!

31 March 2002, 11:12

<lb404>

Thanks aell, I am on the run to secure a 450-400. I was e-mailed the specs. of a Rodda 24" non-ejector that he says will shoot 1.25" 4 shot group at 50 Yd. with custom ammo by Safari Arms. The rifle looks good. Is Safari Arms a US company? Do you think that a Rodda will be a worthy rifle if it will shoot as he suggests?
lb404

31 March 2002, 14:15

<Rusty>

lb404,
If the bores look good and the barrels are on the face and it shoots good then you'll be happy!

Remember the best double rifle is the one you bought!

Rusty
We band of brothers!

31 March 2002, 15:27

<FFg>

I saw the advert for the Rodda. If it's as advertised, it's a good buy. Get a 3 day test fire inspection if you can. I believe it came with ammo didn't it? Good luck!

Greg

01 April 2002, 05:41

MacD37

quote:
Originally posted by lb404:
Thanks aell, I am on the run to secure a 450-400. I was e-mailed the specs. of a Rodda 24" non-ejector that he says will shoot 1.25" 4 shot group at 50 Yd. with custom ammo by Safari Arms. The rifle looks good. Is Safari Arms a US company? Do you think that a Rodda will be a worthy rifle if it will shoot as he suggests?
lb404

lb404, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Rodda rifles, they made very good rifles, the key here, is the condition of this particular rifle, if it is in good shape, and shoots well, then it is a quality rifle. If the price is right for YOU, then buy it with the understanding the final sale depends on how it shoots!

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..Mac >>>===(x)===>
also DUGABOY1
DUGABOY DESIGNS
Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art