The Accurate Reloading Forums
Hunting with a double
12 February 2011, 15:11
Gerry MerryHunting with a double
I know a scoped double isn't to everyones taste an here let alone a modern double as well but I thought I would post a link to youtube of myself taking my eland bull in South Africa this year, the footage isn't fantastic but as usual we were caught on the hop whilst stalking and a quick bit of footage is all you get. The shot was 168 yds shoulder shot, from my Blaser S2 500/416 scoped with a Schmidt & Bender 1.5-6 x 42 Zenith. Bullet was 400 grain Barnes X. I took two other animals with it.
It may not have the classic lines of a traditional double and it may look quite utilitarian but it does get the job done.
Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu95i5YLrZAGerry
Happiness is steak on the braai
12 February 2011, 17:52
PAHunterGerry:
Great shot at 168 yards,eevn with a soped double. Nice looking bull. I chased Bulls like that for three days in Zimbabwe and never got a shot.
Regards... PAH..
The Hunters Hut
Firearms Sales & Service PAHunter/ The Head Hunter
DRSS,NRA,SCI,NAHC
www.huntershut1.com 12 February 2011, 18:19
ozhunterThe 416R certainly anchored the beast.
12 February 2011, 18:29
Dave BushYea, another Blaser guy and a .500/.416 too! The best double in the best caliber. Gerry, you da man! Good shooting.
Dave
DRSS
Chapuis 9.3X74
Chapuis "Jungle" .375 FL
Krieghoff 500/.416 NE
Krieghoff 500 NE
"Git as close as y can laddie an then git ten yards closer"
"If the biggest, baddest animals on the planet are on the menu, and you'd rather pay a taxidermist than a mortician, consider the 500 NE as the last word in life insurance." Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (8th Edition).
12 February 2011, 20:25
BiebsDave, good thing he didn't need a 2nd shot....the safety was probably on, right?????????? :-)
12 February 2011, 20:39
Gerry MerryBeibs I accept the humour with good grace

. As I'm sure you know us guys that own a Blaser love them. The recock of the mechanism isn't an issue for me as it automatically happens while mounting the rifle. Thanks for the comments guys, I've gotta say the 500/416 is a beautiful calibre and very sweet in the shoulder.
Gerry
12 February 2011, 20:51
Dave BushGerry, don't let Biebs get to you. He always busts my chops about my Blaser too. He had (has) one and while he won't admit it, he loved it

He also has a real swanky R93. He is secretly a Blaser guy.

You and I know the real deal.
Good shooting on that eland. In your .500/.416, what kind of brass do you use?
Dave
DRSS
Chapuis 9.3X74
Chapuis "Jungle" .375 FL
Krieghoff 500/.416 NE
Krieghoff 500 NE
"Git as close as y can laddie an then git ten yards closer"
"If the biggest, baddest animals on the planet are on the menu, and you'd rather pay a taxidermist than a mortician, consider the 500 NE as the last word in life insurance." Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading (8th Edition).
12 February 2011, 23:58
CCMDocThat was excellent! Watched it a dozen times. Great shooting

NRA Lifer; DSC Lifer; SCI member; DRSS; AR member since November 9 2003
Don't Save the best for last, the smile for later or the "Thanks" for tomorow
13 February 2011, 00:01
Gerry MerryDave I use kynamco brass, they're based in Suffolk UK. They load big game cartridges to old spec that kynoch used to load them.
I just purchased some brass for reloading.
Gerry
13 February 2011, 02:29
N E 450 No2Gerry
Well done.
I think a scoped double is a great hunting gun.
Every double 40 cal and under should have a scope in QD mounts.
DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
13 February 2011, 02:56
PeterGerry, the 500/416 sure hit him hard! Mine is a Krieghoff. Now, did you know where your rifle shot at ranges above 100 yards? How far out did you go? This may seem a dumb question but I have only shot my 500/416 and my 500NE out to 100 yards so I am not sure I would have attempted that shot. Do you know where both barrels shoot at the longer ranges or just the right barrel?
Peter.
Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong;
13 February 2011, 18:32
Gerry MerryHi peter
the rifle groups both barrels into 2.25 inches at 100 yds and according to my ballistics chart the bullet drop at 200 yds is nearly 8 inches so with all that in mind I was fairly cocksure that anything out to 200 yds was most difinitely killable. I also took a blue wildebeest at 177yds and a large male baboon on the move at 110 yds. it takes a bit of getting used to with a 6 power scope. Luckily it also shoots very well with irons.
NE 450 No2 you're absolutely right having a QD scope really makes them a versatile option when hunting.
Gerry
13 February 2011, 21:11
PeterThanks Gerry. I have a Blaser S2 in 500NE. I plan on loading some up and trying it at 200 yards just to see what it will do. I plan on trying the K gun as well!
Peter.
Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong;
13 February 2011, 22:07
surestrike500/.416? I'm surprised that the bullet didn't ricochet off and hit one of the hunters!

Nice shot even if it was from a space age caliber and a plastic fantastic "double" rifle..

Just kidding pard....
13 February 2011, 23:12
Gerry Merry
Thanks surestrike, gotta love the plastic space age fantastic
Peter, not used a 500 so don't know how it will perform but the rifle definitely can be accurate enough. I've not used a K gun so can't comment on them either though I have only heard good things about them. You've got a nice brace of DG rifles there
Gerry