I'm aware of the high dollar doubles from places like Merkel and Krieghoff, but these are way too fancy for me. I'm looking for a very simple, plain, functional double rifle chambered for something around .375 bore for a sane price.

I know EAA makes some basic doubles that have been discussed here before. They look ok, and the price is great, but none of their calibers are what I need. I've got more than enough bolt/single shot guns that cover their complete range. Plus, the jackscrew arrangement between the bbls does nothing for me. In all reality, I'm sure it works great, though. They seem to be a pretty practical company. Anyone actually receive and test fire their EAA doubles yet?

I see that most places do chamber their doubles for some rimless rounds. The various single shots from many different companies are also available in rimless cartridges. Just how important is the rimmed vs rimless configuration? All the high-end european doubles seem to use the 9.3x74R rather than any rimless rounds. I'm sure there are instances where the extractor failed on a rimless case - but does anyone know really how common that is? I'd like one in 375 H&H, as the brass for the 375 Flanged Mag and the 9.3x74R is tougher to find here in the states. Is it truly a requirement to have a rimmed cartridge in a double rifle, or is this more of a concession to tradition in modern guns? Also, are there preferences as to extractors vs ejectors? My current rifles are all ejectors.

Does anyone make doubles in 375 H&H or 9.3x74R for a reasonable price - say $3000 or less? I can do without engraving and gold inlays completely, as this will be a purely working gun not a showpiece. I'm not a collector or an investor at all. I'd like something trim and handy, with good iron sights regulated to 100 yds - not some huge caliber stopper gun that is pretty much useless here in the US. Plain jane is actually better for my needs as long as it is strong, reliable, and shoots well. Think of it as maybe the Savage of doubles.... Is this asking too much at this price?

Are there other rimmed cartridges out there that might fit the bill, and be more available as standard chamberings as well? What kind of pressure limits do you want to avoid in a double? I see them chambered in 308 and 223, which are pretty high pressure rounds. What about wildcat cartridges? What if you were to neck the 348 Winchester up to .375 - kind of a 375 Alaskan (if it hasn't been done as such already)?

I know some people are building doubles out of shotgun actions, but I'm not sure that is a project I want to tackle. Are there any manufacturers you can recommend? How about availability in the US, etc? As you can tell, I'm just starting on this double rifle journey. The more I read and think about them, the more they make great sense, especially the ones like the Quadro drilling from Krieghoff - twin 9.3x74R barrels over a 20 ga! Of course, I'd prefer that they were over a 12 ga, but that's just me. Any other tips on selection would be great. Any recommended books, etc on the subject of doubles? Thanks, maxman

You can order a pedersoli, or could, in 9.3x74, for 2800.

yep, it's out there.

http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/eng/search_rec.asp?item=s892&code=0030&titolo

jeffe

[ 09-22-2003, 23:52: Message edited by: jeffeosso ]

maxman

If you like the Drilling in 9.3 x 12 than why not try and find a used one. $3000 should find you one although a 16 would be more likely.

Krieghoff and Merkels are low end doubles if a $8000 can be considered low.

$4000 might even get you a reasonable 9.3. It would certainly be a highter quality than a Pedersoli.

The reason for no rimless is two fold. Not very reliable extraction and to high pressure.

Gator1,
I shot Mac's Merkel 9.3X74R and it is a well made double rifle. The 9.3X74R make a good double rifle round. In that chambering the Merkel points like a fine double .410 shotgun.

Just go to Google and type in "Merkel 9.3X74R" you'll get a bunch of returns. Also go to GunsAmerica.com, AuctionArms,com and Gunbroker.com check them out. I think you find a good price on a Merkel.

Hope this helps.

Rusty
We band of brothers!

Too bad Cape Outfitters went under after Don died, they had new Merkel S/S double rifles chambered for 9.3X74R with cocking indicators, and selective ejectors, in a fitted case for $4695! I bought one, and it is fast becomeing my favorite double rifle!

There are two reasons double rifles shouldn't be chambered for rimless cartridges, one is the extractors are weak, and prone to break, or at least fail to extract a sticky case! The sticky case is usually a rimless case, because most rimless cartridges are high pressure, and that is the second reason! The chamber pressure, above 30,000 PSI is Not good for break top doubles, and "WILL" cause them to shoot loose far quicker than a cartridge that produces less than 30,000 psi! A rifle that commands a price in the $5000 range to start, is not something you want to damage, but something you want to hand down to your grand kids!

For the North American hunting fields, an 8 lb double rifle chambered for 9.3X74R is just about perfect! The componants for loading it are redily available, with Brass bought in 100 piece bulk from HDS, and 286 gr bullets of Nosler Partition, are available from HDS or Nosler as well, and are up to the mark for hunting anything you would want to hunt in North America! Sellier&Bellot also has factory ammo that is fine for deer, and hogs, or just stump shooting!

The high cost of double rifles has little to do with deccoration, and more to do with the very labor intencive work by skilled craftsmen. The average S/S double in field grade work rifles, requires 400 man/hours to complete, even with the labor saved by CNC machineing. The CNC can only get close, and the fitting, and regulateing must be done by hand! If made yesterday, and of the best steel, the double rifle is still 19th technology, and will not tollerate high pressure for long! The double rifle is certainly not the place to go looking for "MORE VELOCITY" which translates to higher pressures! The double rifle is the only firearm in the world that was designed for one purpose only, and that is HUNTING! Factory spec ammo is all that is required for that purpose, and is the only way the rifle will opperate properly!

Unless you are lucky, you will not find a double rifle of reasonable quality for under $3000, even used! The $600 item everyone is talking about is not what I would consider to be reasonable quality! Although if it shoots loose it is no big loss! The Pedersoli offering, chambered for 8X57, 45-70, or 9.3X74R are well made rifles, and in 45-70, or 9.3X74R are good hunting rifles for the USA! My choice would be the 9.3X74R, if I had to pick one of them. I have serial No 134, a 45-70 prototype made for Trail guns Armory, ordered before they were available to the public, back in 1988! I have another one that has been rechambered to 458 RCBS, and both shoot well, and have given ZERO trouble. The 9.3X74R was not available when I bought either of mine!

If the $600 EAA suits you, then by all means, buy it, but please restrict your shooting to low pressure handloads tha do not excede the factory ammo the rifle was designed for! Personally, I would save a little longer, and buy a Merkel, or Chapuis, or at least a Pedersoli, if those are too dear! One thing to keep in mind is, if you choose to hunt with a double rifle, then one must be willing to put up with some difficulty in obtaining the proper loads for it, be they handloads, or factory! It's worth the effort, IMO!