Okay, let's say a law was just passed limiting everyone to two doubles (no political responses please). What caliber(s) would you pick. I love my .375 flanged but I would probably go with a 9,3X74R. Nice, light, and handy and good for everything but the big stuff. My other choice would be a 500 NE. Big enough for everything yet at around 10.5 pounds, still easy enough to carry. What say you guys?

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Okay, let's say a law was just passed limiting everyone to two doubles (no political responses please). What caliber(s) would you pick. I love my .375 flanged but I would probably go with a 9,3X74R. Nice, light, and handy and good for everything but the big stuff. My other choice would be a 500 NE. Big enough for everything yet at around 10.5 pounds, still easy enough to carry. What say you guys?

Agree, would pick the same.

Well, when you speak or read the likes of Ivan Carter (Ivan speak up! , Craig Boddington, Graham Wright, not to mention Taylor and a few more, they are all in unison: The 450NE 3 1/4" so I'll pick that and the 375 Flanged.

My choices, a .450/.400 and a .500. I would probably have a scope or red dot on the .450/400. With that brace I think you would be good to go for anything that walks the face of the earth.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
My choices, a .450/.400 and a .500. I would probably have a scope or red dot on the .450/400. With that brace I think you would be good to go for anything that walks the face of the earth.

I'd have to hide one because I couldn't live with just two double rifles!

' My pick would be the same as Dave's with the 450/400NE 3 inch added in the middle!

With those three you can go from Texas Jack rabbit to Ele with out a missing a beat!

......................................................................

A 577, with a backup 577 :-)

No, actually, I'd opt for what I ordered from Bailey, a 500 NE and a 450-400.

Since I have no desire to go back to Africa and have killed more than my share of Alaskan critters my choices would be the Blaser 30R and a 450/400.
But until such a law passes I'll still enjoy my 9,3x74R and 450 NE as much as possible.

Just one point of fact to add Dave, concerning the 9.3X74R not being capable of handling the "big stuff" from your OP comment. Although not ideal, plenty of "the big stuff" has been taken with that little cartridge. I took the lion in my signature line below with it, but I haven't ventured into buffalo or elephant. However, I shared camp last October with a fellow who claimed 28 buffalo with his 9.3X74R. Most were of the cape variety with a few being the South American type. IIRC, Tony, 450 No. 2 here on AR, has taken elephant with it as well. It can do the job done if necessary.

I also like the 450/400NE as others have mentioned, but I have little experience with it. In fact, the trip to the Houston Range that I, Jines, and Rusty made Friday is the first time I've shot this caliber. I was really impressed with it and I think there will be one in my near term future! But I like the added velocity of the 9.3 for the lighter gun. I was able to take a warthog at 150 yards and a kudu cow for bait at just under 250 yards last year with it. And no, I don't have the scope sighted for the right barrel only, effectively making it a long range single shot. It is sighted for both barrels and my loads are properly matched to regulation. I will admit, it took extensive work to find a load capable of this, but it's sorted out now.

My only question on the 450/400 would be whether or not it can handle the few longer range shots as well since it starts at 200 to 300 fps slower than the 9.3. That usually wouldn't be a big issue, but we are talking about relatively slow velocities to start with. IMO, 300 fps is much more critical in the 2,100 to 2,400 fps range than it would be if we were talking 2,600 to 2,900 fps! All that being said, most safari shooting is done at reasonable ranges as compared to something like elk or sheep hunting. So maybe it's a non-issue. Again, I was really impressed with the 450/400! I need more experience with it!!

For me, I've gone to the double, double rifle safari battery. I've chosen exactly these two calibers based on the 500NE being the heavy, with the 9.3, topped with a low power but removable scope, being the versatile medium, capable of taking all plains game at any and all reasonable hunting ranges, but having the ability, with proper bullets, to take over ALL duties in case something happens to the 500NE.

quote:

And no, I don't have the scope sighted for the right barrel only, effectively making it a long range single shot.

Todd, now what knucklehead would have suggested that? :-)

The best two. That's easy:
.600 ne with solids
.600 ne with softs.
Cheers to you,
Cal

My two DRs would be: 450/400 and the 577.

If I had two own just two. I would choose 450/400 3 inch and a 475 #2 Jeffery.

If you have one 450-400 you don't need another rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
If you have one 450-400 you don't need another rifle.

. . . unless you are hunting something nasty and dangerous.

I will keep my 450#2 but add the 500 as a crusher.

Mike

450-400 and a 470 NE. (Hidden in a rust proof sack buried in the dirt floor of the basement would be a 375 H&H Flanged! )

Only two?

Have owned-
577, 500 (x3), 470, 458 WM, 450 3 1/4(x2), 45-70 (x3), 45-90, 45-120,(one of the 45-70 rifles re-chambered x 2)
450-400, 405,375 H&H, 9.3 x 74, 375 Win, 360, 8x57R,303,30-40,30-06,308,280,7x65R,7x57R,243,22HP

Down to 3 currently-

My thoughts- for one double-
(not your question , I know)-

Unless you are a PH or hunt alone-
As the client-
The 450-400 is a near perfect double-
it kills efficiently-
doesn't recoil severely and -
properly built is not too heavy to carry-
41 cal pistol bullets as plinkers or hard cast gas checks- and the 400 gr for the DG load-

You could get by with just it-

Or if you must go larger-
the venerable 450 3 1/4-
with 300,325,350,405,480 or 500 loads-
as a one rifle- it can handle anything-

If 2 rifles-
as a client, pretty much your call-
for the Heavy rifle-
450-400,450,470,500

For the light rifle-
My preferences are 375 Flanged Magnum
(or 9.3x74R)
or 8x57R
(not that I wouldn't love to have a 300 Flanged Magnum)

We all have our favorite calibers-
myself-
too many-

As always- your mileage may vary

9.3x74 with a claw mount scope

and, a 450 3 1/4"

English, and at least 80 years old - or from Heym ;-)

9.3 x 74 and a .500 Nitro.

470 NE and a Rigby 350 No 2

9.3 x 74 and 450 NE

.333 Jeffery Flanged and a .470 N.E.

450-400 and a 500 NE.

quote:

No, actually, I'd opt for what I ordered from Bailey, a 500 NE and a 450-400.

Sam, great minds think alike :-)

.450 Rigby & .350 Rigby

I almost said 350 Rigby but don't own one. Would like too!

Depends on the intended game and shooter.

For the shooter that is not fond of recoil, does not reload, and never expects to shoot anything larger than an elk, a 9.3x74R as a "heavy"and a 8x57JRS as a lighter cartridge for general use on deer and other lighter game works well

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
The best two. That's easy:
.600 ne with solids
.600 ne with softs.
Cheers to you,
Cal

..even the 600 Nitro firing blanks is better than the rest..

The first: 9.3x74r in a lightweight, trim double. There's a "North America" gun if there ever was a North America Double to talk about.

The second: this is where it gets hard....450/400, 450 3.25", .470 NE, 500? I dunno...I'll have to study this one for a good, hard long while. .450/400 is a cartridge I've wanted to own for a long, long time...and it just calls to me...

Since I can't have 500NE i must say .450 3 1/4

I'm sticking to my original post along with my "fellow experts" ...

I vote for the .375 Fl and the .450 #2.

Whatever two I can pick up from the cast offs!!!

9.3x74R and a 500!

Ed

I love my Baikal 30-06 and my Sabatti 450NE. Anything, anywhere, and all on a beer budget!
P.S. The doctor said that my case of leprosy may never heal!

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:

A 577, with a backup 577 :-)

+1

I agree with Dave and Mac. 9.3x74R and .500 Nitro. A .450/.400 3" in the middle would be perfect. A 3 gun DR battery that would handle everything.

Painful. This is like the blonde, brunnette or red head question. No good answer.

577NE for the small stuff

600NE for the big