Been considering the purchase of new double rifle in either 9.3x74 or '06 and have a budget of between 4-6000.00 What's out there, if anything, that would offer solid quality, durability, reasonable accurcy to say, 200 yards within stated budget range?? Have not lately, but used to see Chapuis and Merkel's in the price range, but also have read some negative remarks from owners after initial purchase. Most issues seem to be "ironed out" eventually, but looking for feedback. All input appreciated.

martin

Tradition says go with a 9.3, although I have had a Merkel in 30-06 and loved it. I've had a Chapuis and Merkel in 9.3 liked the Merkel better. Whichever caliber you choose you'll be satisfied with it.

Martin, take a look at the Siace. I have one in 45-70 and love it. It is much more beautiful than the Merkel or Chapuis. There are a couple on gunbroker. The sellers, lbf and Kebco, are both solid people. Bob.

I have only owned one double, a Chapuis in 9,3x74R. Very light well balanced rifle that is also very accurate. My only complaints are the trigger pulls. I never measured them but suspect the front one breaks about 5 pounds, maybe 6, and the rear breaks about 2 pounds heavier.
One of these days I may send it away for a trigger job but other than that I am pretty happy with it.

If you DO NOT WANT to hunt DG with it, do the 30-06 caliber.

Ammo cost factor and, since the issue of safety questions from

a failure to eject or extract rimless rounds really does not

apply when hunting NON DG, why not shoot with the convenience

of readily available ammo?

Hello,
Have no wish or opportunity to hunt DG , have 375HH and 458Lott bolt guns and always thought a solid double in '06 would be a very useful hunting gun for all manner of game and just fun to shoot. And by the way, could not agree more with your closing comments on your posts, well said.

martin

The 'o6 is a non-rimmed high pressure round so is not really ideal for a double rifle although I personally own a Winchester over and under in 30-06. I also have a Chapuis in .470 and love it. I also recommend buying from Kebco. I know the owner personally. He imports directly from France and has the best prices. In fact I am picking up a 9.3 from him tommorrow.

MFD

I have a 9,3x74R Chapuis and I have hunted with it a lot.

Search my previous posts.

It is an excellent Double Rifle in an Excellent Calibre.

quote:

Originally posted by MFD:
Hello,
Have no wish or opportunity to hunt DG , have 375HH and 458Lott bolt guns and always thought a solid double in '06 would be a very useful hunting gun for all manner of game and just fun to shoot. And by the way, could not agree more with your closing comments on your posts, well said.

martin

Then I'll refer to you as a new friend!

Martin,

I was just browsing old posts and noticed yours. Did you find what you were looking for? I don't see many posts from non-DG double rifle shooters. I own a Merkel 140-1.1 in .308 that is a sweet shooter. If you might be interested, send me an email at bandcsmith@cox.net and I will send photos. It was the Merkel catalog photo gun in 98 with great wood. I could let you have it around your mid-range budget.

Where are you located?

Regards,
Snuffy

quote:

Originally posted by MFD:
Been considering the purchase of new double rifle in either 9.3x74 or '06 and have a budget of between 4-6000.00

For the money, it's hard to beat the Chapuis in the sub-9.3 range of calibers. My only compaint with the UGEX (which fits your budget) is the roll-stamped engraving. I'd prefer no engraving to roll-stamped. Maybe you can order it without? But - again - for the money, they are hard to beat (roll-stamped engraving or not.)

The Merkel is a good rifle too, but I'm not a fan of jack-screws and regulate-it-yourself rifles. I understand the concept, but it goes against my grain in double rifles. "One rifle, one load," that's my KISS theory.

I also prefer a rimmed cartridge. If you want 30-06 trajectory, consider the 30R Blaser.

The 7xR's and 8xR's have been getting the job done for a long time too.

[/QUOTE]
but I'm not a fan of jack-screws and regulate-it-yourself rifles. I understand the concept, but it goes against my grain in double rifles. "One rifle, one load," that's my KISS theory.
[/QUOTE]

I agree Chris! I love the look of the barrels of a well built and regulated double, but I will say that I regulated the barrels of my Blaser D99 duo with 293grn TUG bullets and it shoots like this!



By coachsells, shot with COOLPIX S4 at 2009-05-22

Its one of the best shooting double barrel guns I have.


By coachsells, shot with DSC-S980 at 2009-11-03

Ed

For a double, the 9.3 makes perfect sense to me.
Its a great hard hitting caliber for short to medium range. And with that second instant shot, it makes a great Buffalo rifle combo.

I agree with new guy on two points. Definitely take the rimmed cartridge and I don't like the regulate yourself stuff either.

That being said, you can't go wrong with the NIB Merkel 141 in 9.3x74R offered by KEBCO at $5,000. This is the last one Ken has left and noone can touch his price. The wonderful 9.3 with it's great penetration will take care of most anything on any continent.

With limited experience I can offer the advice of purchasing a Spartan in .30-06. Only double I own, so far. Able to come in on price at around or under $900. They are really hard to beat. You could pocket the extra money or put it towards another rifle. Others here have them and I was condesending at first of them, until I started using mine.

I just went and purchased 2 more cans of M2 ball surplus ammo, because I have spent so many rounds hitting Coke cans at 75 yards from a free standing position my supply was low. My gal absolutely loves that milsurp fodder. We went through about 100 rounds on Saturday without a hitch. Sore shoulders, between me and my brother but good quality rifle well under budget.

Hope this helps. Either way enjoy your new rifle.

MFD:

505ED is right. If you are looking for a 9.3, take a very hard look at the Blaser S2. They are rugged, dependable, and very accurate. In addition, they can be easily regulated with your ammo and have the best scope mounting system on the market, period!

Don't know if you have purchased anything yet, but I was browsing Gunbroker and they had a listing for a Valmet 412. Don't know if you are interested in an O/U, but this has 12ga/12ga, 12ga/30-06, 30-06/30-06, and 9.3x 74R/9.3x74R barrel sets.
For 4K you could have it all.

Am closer to making decision on double rifle and what kind of hoops must one jump through to have a Merkel fitted for scope use?? Does the factory offer mnts/rings, etc. or must they be custom made?? All input apprecited.

martin

A Merkel with QD Recknagel mounts would be great.
Oh, and regulated with the new 285grn RWS EVOLUTION rounds.

Very much appreciate all the good feedback and looks like I am going to end up w/ a Merkel 140-1-1 in non-dangerous game caliber. Believe Merkel to be a quality SXS but if any plus or minus comments, be glad to hear them.

martin