Could some kind soul explain the working and strength differences between the Box Lock and Side Lock actions that are prevalent in modern double rifles??????? Thanks!!!

P-R-E-T-T-Y!!!

The boxlock was designed to be a working rifle and the sidelock was nad is considered a fine rifle. The boxlock has their inner workings inlet into the steel of the action from underneath.
The sidelock has the breech area left intact as the moving parts are attached to the right and left side of the action. For this reason the sidelock is considered the stronger of the two.
Having owned several of each type, I am really partial to a good best quality boxlock. I had a 470 Rigby boxlock that would shoot right and left barrel touching at 60 yards. I had a 476 Westley that would do the same.
The sidelocks are beautiful and are made much slimmer than the boxlock, that is a given. I aslo had a 465 H&H sidelock that had to be one of the worse kicking guns I ever owned. It also had a habit of firing both barrels at once if you fired the left barrel first. It was a beautiful gun but it was also not accurate. No matter what it was fed, it would not group anywhere near what my boxlock guns would shoot. I was thrilled to sell it to a fellow who just had to have it even after I told him the problems with it. I hope this helps.

I have noticed that the difference tends to be $20K+.

quote:

Originally posted by sierrabravo45:
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tp.../581101843#581101843

Thanks for the extra reading material!!!

.....Also glad to know that I am not the only one trying to educate himself about double rifles!

THIS LINK really helped me see the differences as well!!!

The hallowell link is one of the best I have seen on the net as far as explaining the difference.

Well, today I had a first hand experience with a box lock. I have the sweetest little .410 gauge side-by-side double barrel, and one of the triggers is kinda sticking. I decided to disassemble it and try to fix the dilemma since it is such a sweet shooter.

With no manual, I figured out the disassembly progress (I'm blessed with a mechanical mind), and took apart the action, sprayed it completely down with Break-Free CLP, and started moving the parts around. It had some fine surface rust trying to bind up the trigger. Now, I have decided to take it completely apart and POLISH the parts to completely remove the rust and get this sweet Spanish girl back to shooting smoothly. I think I may even redo the walnut stock while I have it apart.....might as well!!!