While I never seem to encounter the classic British doubles that Cal Pappas routinely acquires, I do sometimes get lucky with a new rifle. In late 2012 I ordered a new Verney Carron 450 3 ¼" Imperial Grade double rifle from Ken Buch of Kebco LLC. I was hoping it would arrive for the 2014 DSC show in Dallas, but the importation paperwork was held up. So when I was in Dallas, my rifle was still in France. Jerome assured me I would love the rifle - he said it was so pretty he was sleeping with - what can I say, he's French! He also told me he had shot it, and it was very accurate. So, I took delivery of my new rifle last month, and I was not disappointed. While it is not a classic English double (and I am certainly not sleeping with it), it turned out very well. It will be going to Zimbabwe with me in August. Many thanks to Jerome Lanoue of Verney Carron for building me such a fine rifle, and to Ken Buch for all his great customer service.










......and yes, it does shoot. Here are my first two groups shot offhand at 25 yards with Hornady factory solids.

Wow!!!!

Now I'm getting a little jealous, Sub. Yes I love the original British rifles but if I had one newly constructed it would be the twin to yours.

Dutch

Simply Superb! The rifle and the way it shoots...

Love that round-body look, and that Elephant is a piece of artwork.

Dave,
Can I get you to adopt me so I can play with your collection of fine guns?
Gorgeous and it appears to be a fine shooter as well.
Congratulations

Very nice looking rifle. I think the target is just as beautiful.

Matt

Very nice.

Absolutely stunning!
I learned of your rifle a few days ago when I was helping a friend order a deer-sized double from Ken. Your rifle takes a back seat to no other. Good luck in Zim.
Cal

Your wood is tops and so is the rest of the gun.

Fantastic stock!

Dave-

Congrats on a beautiful and accurate new VC! An absolutely incredible piece! I can't believe the wood on your prize!

Semper Fi,

The detail on the stock is really spectacular from the show lines to the extra detail behind the pistol grip...
Congrats..
What is the barrel length?
A full length piuc would be nice to see
Thanks

25" barrels _ I will try to get a good full length photo and post it

Never thought I would have Desires for a French doublerifle. But I admit here in writing I can not say such rifle will never enter my gunsafe...That very rifle portraited here is a very good looking and looks to be very well done.

Thanks for sharing.

Admiral - just beautiful. And shoots well too. The elephant is perfect. The rifle and you will have a great time in the Save. The buffalo I heard are all rested up.

Mike

Lovely rifle Admiral, and we KNOW how well she shoots with handloads too! Yes I'm a VC owner but I'm telling you guys, nothing comes close to these rifles when all factors of price, quality AND aesthetics are measured! And you bet I'd sleep with "her"... Sir you need to take a "Talisker photo" of it!

What a lovely rifle. Congratulations.

Those action bolsters always remind me of a classic but fancy moustache

Love the elephant engraing.

What does she weigh?

Good hunting, Chris

Simply gorgeous - both in form and function.

Many successful hunts and years of happiness with it.

Amazingly beautiful rifle. The rounded action with the satin polish looks so classy. Great wood & great group.

Wish you a great hunt.

Here are a couple of full length photos of my rifle as requested. It weights in at 11 pounds, has 25" barrels, and has a base built into the rib for a Docter Red Dot sight. It also has a leather covered pad, grip cap compartment for extra firing pins (it came with an extra set), a flip over front night sight and it came in fitted leather hard case.

Beautiful gun in a great caliber.

Fabulous gun, and so precise in your firts shots, the only thing letf is enjoying it. Coongratulations

A fine rifle and good luck with it. Fine shooting.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by subsailor74:
25" barrels _

Great minds think alike

quote:

Dutch44: I love the original British rifles but if I had one newly constructed it would be the twin to yours.

Ditto, with a couple minors. Very nice.

More evidence to support my opinion that VC is building the best contemporary doubles today in terms of price, quality, and execution of design.

Superb Admiral!

It did turn out very nice. When I first saw this gun I wanted to go throw rocks at my 450.

Very nice!!!

Subsailor,
What a gorgeous double, and what a shooter as well!! Congrats on a very nice addition.


Cheers

Nick

Stunning!

but you do need to stain you deck railing

Subsailor or Ken, which frame is this rifle built on?
I spoke with Jerome about having an identically configured 450 built on a light 450/400 frame.

quote:

Originally posted by MotelAlpha:
Stunning!

but you do need to stain you deck railing

The Admiral's waiting on me to finish with Shootaway at Captain's Mast so he can do it as part of his assigned punishment.

I can only comment on how it looks so I say it looks nice- better than the ones I've seen before and way better than Todd's round action VC.The engraving on all VC's still look too feminine for my tastes.I would rather own this a million times over Cal's piece of junk.

shitawayyourbrains, I see that in addition to retardation, spelling is another dim bulb in your portfolio...

quote:

Originally posted by MotelAlpha:
Stunning!

but you do need to stain you deck railing

Nope - it is being replaced with a synthetic deck so I will never have to stain again!

Nice double!

quote:

Originally posted by subsailor74:

quote:

Originally posted by MotelAlpha:
Stunning!

but you do need to stain you deck railing

Nope - it is being replaced with a synthetic deck so I will never have to stain again!

Can't tell you how nervous that picture made me. If I did that we'd have an earthquake and the rifle would do a header.

As a taxpayer this may be one of the few times I agree 100 percent with military spending. Very nice rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:
Subsailor or Ken, which frame is this rifle built on?
I spoke with Jerome about having an identically configured 450 built on a light 450/400 frame.

No idea - Ken Buch will have to answer that one