I am heading home a few days early after a successful safari. I used my VC 500 NE to take 3 elephants. I have the following comments/questions:

1-I have a Doktor Optik (spelling ?) on the gun. In spite of being beat to hell and back, it held its zero.
2- Use of the DO makes the rifle extremely fast IMHO.
3- The ability to get off a quick second shot has made a double believer out of me. My bull may have required follow up had it not been for this.
4- I used Hornady DGS ammo. The ammo worked well and had some extreme penetration. However , I would NEVER use the DGX.
5- This was my 3rd elephant hunt with the 500 NE. I have taken 7 elephants with it. I carry it over my shoulder holding the barrels. I am seeing some wear where I hold it. Should I be seeing wear? What do you recommend to prevent the wear?
6- Carrying this gun 20 miles in extreme heat has cured me of wanting an even heavier 577 NE.

I will give you a couple of highlights.

I made a perfect side brain shot on a tuskless . She dropped and I heard the bullet richochet off a gomo hundreds of yards behind her.

We had a hard time with the wind . It screwed us many times. We finally got up on the bull I was going to shoot. We were in THICK jess. It was not the clearest shot in the world . The bulls had made us and were going to high tail . I took the shot (frontal brain). While I hit the elephant, I did not get the brain . Regardless, at the shot, his head went up. I hammered him with the second barrel in the chest. The shot ended up hammering the lungs and going straigh through the heart. The speed at which this could be done with a double was impressive. No way could I have gotten a second shot off with a bolt gun.

Larry, great job...getting that one broken in right! You're right on carry...the 500 NE seems to be the best combination of power and weight, unless you have a tracker carry a 577 or 600 :-)

Great Larry sounds like you had a good hunt. 500 NE is hard to beat for the big stuff. Hope you got it all on video.

Sam

I'm a fan of the Doc Optik as well. On my double, makes for extremely fast acquisition! Wear on end of barrels will show due the sweat and rub of the hands. Never tried but I've seen leather made wraps that go over the barrel. Hands perspire and go against that, not the finish of the barrels. Not sure what they line it with inside. Maybe others can input.

Hi Larry,

I have seen one of Mark’s annual clients that hunts several 21 day safaris each year (in multiple countries) use a rather simple technique that has reduced the wear on his blued barrels where he grasps and sweats. He has a very small shop size rag that he has lightly sprayed with some gun oil. He just puts that in his hand and then grabs the barrels. Seems to work fine for him and is a simple solution.

When he has a shot opportunity he just moves the rifle to his shoulder and the cloth falls to the ground. This is a small cloth mind you and not soaked in oil. When he gets back to the truck he wipes down his rifle and slips it back in the soft case. Seems to do what he wants it to do. I am not personally into having anything in my hand so I just wipe down the rifle every time I return to the truck as it just takes a second or two.

The other option of course (as you know) if you are in the field a lot during the year is not to worry about it at all and just have the barrels re-blued as often as you need to keep it looking the way you want it.

Congratulations on your safari!

Shawn

Way to go Larry. I look forward to the complete report.

I carry my rifles the same way and every one of them shows bluing wear after a single hunt. My hands sweat which I am sure contributes to the problem but holding a rifle that way for five, six hours some times even longer, is going to wear the bluing. I figure it just adds character to the rifle . . . a signature that says, been there, done that.

Larry,

Personally, I don't worry about the wear on the barrels. At first, it was hard to accept seeing it begin on my rifles as well, but I now see it as character added to a rifle that is being used for its intended purpose. That rifle of yours is no safe queen, shouldn't look like one, and doesn't!

I agree with you 100% on the 500NE. It gives the max performance on game without the unnecessary added weight of the 577NE and larger. Having used both on elephant and buffalo, my choice is the 500NE hands down!

Your comments on the double's quick second shot is spot on as well. That quick second shot could never be pulled off as quickly and accurately from a bolt gun. On my lion video from last October, you'll notice I fired the second barrel squarely into the cat's chest as it rolled down the hillside, striking him just before he fell off the embankment. This was accomplished with the aid the Trijicon with post and triangle, sighting with both eyes open. I find the aid of an optical sight on a double to be very beneficial for my aging eyes.

Congrats on a great hunt with CMS. They are tops! 6 weeks and I'll be in their camps again. Counting the days my friend.

I personally would not worry about the wear and agree that it adds character but, it is not my gun! If you are worried about it, do a search for leather barrel protector for sxs shotguns. They are common in the UK for driven pheasant shooting as the barrels really heat up and the splinter forearm does not give much to hang onto without touching metal.

If you need one from the UK, pm me and I will sort one out for you. I am moving back to Texas in December and can just bring it with me.

quote:

Originally posted by BwanaCole:
I personally would not worry about the wear and agree that it adds character but, it is not my gun! If you are worried about it, do a search for leather barrel protector for sxs shotguns. They are common in the UK for driven pheasant shooting as the barrels really heat up and the splinter forearm does not give much to hang onto without touching metal.If you need one from the UK, pm me and I will sort one out for you. I am moving back to Texas in December and can just bring it with me.

No need to bring them back from the UK. Jeff's Outfitters (http://www.jeffsoutfitters.com/store.aspx?categoryid=73&panel=1) has them in stock in four sizes.

I have nothing but envy for the man who can say he wore the blueing off the barrels of his double in the pursuit of Elephant.

Well done Larry!

No question that the red-dot on a DR makes for fast and accurate shooting. I am not a fan of over the shoulder carry and have a Vero Vellini (German made) neoprene sling on my German made Merkel. It is 500NE, as have been all 3 of the DRs I've owned. A superb caliber!

Larry,
Again well done. I also took 2 ele last month with CM with my VC 500 double shooting a mixture of HOrnady DGS and hand loads.
All DGS were full penetration and none recovered. They worked a treat.

I have experimented with the DOctor optic mk2 on another 500 double I have, and it does work great at the range. I am just not as confident it could take the field battering of a safari.
I am more comfortable using the open sights, having installed a fibre optic recknagel foresight gives me a quick aimpoint and worked good for me on 3 ele so far!

As to wear from "African carry" . It is only an aesthetic problem, and a re-blue can fix it. I doubt there is much you can do to prevent it if that's how you want to carry it.

I personally am not a fan of this form of carry, I sling my double with TRader Keith's sling with QD swivels and remove it when stalking in close for a shot. Works for me and the gun suffers no wear.

Cheers

Nick

I have nice tight fitting gloves from Griffin and Howe.
They are deer leather.
Why not carry a light 400 NE and have one of the
PH's staff carry the 577 NE?

quote:

Originally posted by nickh:
Larry,
Again well done. I also took 2 ele last month with CM with my VC 500 double shooting a mixture of HOrnady DGS and hand loads.
All DGS were full penetration and none recovered. They worked a treat.

I have experimented with the DOctor optic mk2 on another 500 double I have, and it does work great at the range. I am just not as confident it could take the field battering of a safari.
I am more comfortable using the open sights, having installed a fibre optic recknagel foresight gives me a quick aimpoint and worked good for me on 3 ele so far!

As to wear from "African carry" . It is only an aesthetic problem, and a re-blue can fix it. I doubt there is much you can do to prevent it if that's how you want to carry it.

I personally am not a fan of this form of carry, I sling my double with TRader Keith's sling with QD swivels and remove it when stalking in close for a shot. Works for me and the gun suffers no wear.

Cheers

Nick

This DO certainly stood up to a beating .

I am always concerned with the sling getting hung up in thick brush should the shit hit the fan.

Great report Larry thank you. One question, can you cite a specific issue with the DGX bullet that led you to not recommending them? thanks, jorge

Collen van Der Linden had a client shoot a giraffe with his double using the DGX. The bullet shattered and only penetrated about 3 inches.

There are others.

quote:

Originally posted by D R Hunter:
I have nice tight fitting gloves from Griffin and Howe.
They are deer leather.
Why not carry a light 400 NE and have one of the
PH's staff carry the 577 NE?

When it is 120 or more outside, gloves aren't comfortable. Plus they gather grit which can make them harder on the bluing.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Collen van Der Linden had a client shoot a giraffe with his double using the DGX. The bullet shattered and only penetrated about 3 inches.

There are others.

Thank you sir.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:

quote:

Originally posted by D R Hunter:
I have nice tight fitting gloves from Griffin and Howe.
They are deer leather.
Why not carry a light 400 NE and have one of the
PH's staff carry the 577 NE?

When it is 120 or more outside, gloves aren't comfortable. Plus they gather grit which can make them harder on the bluing.

Words of experience vs my guess.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I am heading home a few days early after a successful safari. I used my VC 500 NE to take 3 elephants.<<<<snip


SNIP>>>>I took the shot (frontal brain). While I hit the elephant, I did not get the brain . Regardless, at the shot, his head went up. I hammered him with the second barrel in the chest. The shot ended up hammering the lungs and going straigh through the heart. The speed at which this could be done with a double was impressive. No way could I have gotten a second shot off with a bolt gun.

Welcome to the DRSS Larry!


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

Great report thank you.
Bill

I like reading larryshores' threads and posts.
Factual and informative, time and again.

Sounds like you had a great time Larry. I agree with your sentiment on the DGX's . I've had similar experiences with my own 500 NE using these bullets . The DGS's work very well though. So which bullets would you replace the DGX's with ?

Great job Larry! Thanks for the report!

Larry what size dot do you have on your DO?

thanks, now what sort of optic to put on my 10 Bore...

Way to go. Sounds like you have got it down pat. Double and two quick shots.
My double has hand discoloration where I grip it also.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
Great job Larry! Thanks for the report!

Larry what size dot do you have on your DO?

Rusty:

I am not certain.

I speak of Blasphemy.. Roguard/Robar your piece.. I have rifles and shotguns done with this coating some that are 10 yrs since.. Damm tough finish..

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jan Dumon:
Sounds like you had a great time Larry. I agree with your sentiment on the DGX's . I've had similar experiences with my own 500 NE using these bullets . The DGS's work very well though. So which bullets would you replace the DGX's with ?[/QUOTE
Jan:

I use the 570 grain Swift A Frames.

I cant wait to get my Searcy 500NE.I cant wait to try it out off the bench at 50 and 100yds.I will feel great if I get good groups and it shoots bullseye.

I have to believe that the blue wear adds character to the rifle. You cana look at the blue wear and remember how it got there. If it finally gets bad enough, there is always the re-blue if aesthetics is an issue. Congrats.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
.......... my Searcy 500NE.I cant wait to try it out off the bench at 50 and 100yds.

You'll feel punch drunk doing it off a bench.

Suggest you get or build a standing rest, even a temp one. If you can't build it, Milk crates with sand bangs work as a good rest for your forearm and something to lean into.

I have shot my 458 Lott at full loads from 2007 to 2012 two sometimes three times a week-at least 50rds a week sometimes 150rds(put me out of service for 2 years).I know about recoil and its effects.I do not plan on shooting it much because I cant any longer or can only tolerate a few.It makes no difference off the bench or offhand.Drunk is not how I will feel off the bench or otherwise.I wish I would feel drunk that way I would be still shooting it.

"It makes no difference off the bench or offhand."

Not in how much recoil but in how YOU feel it
and certainly in how YOUR body reacts to it.

Muscles, tendons etc get torn when they can't move where they want to go or move fast enough.

You do what you want since you are so obviously experienced in recoil having put yourself out of action for 2 years.

If you have experience off the bench you will see that you can use it to reduce or absorb recoil.Standing on the other hand-your whole body will absorb it.

I have experience off the bench, the odd time I really needed to shoot something 458 and above
in a sitting position.

You can't Reduce the recoil. The recoil is determined by the load.

Your body absorbs the recoil. If you are sitting, you can't as easily move back with the force where as when standing, you can "go with the flow" so to speak.

You can bury the stock in sandbags and push down so that there is drag-like a lead sled.Standing up there is nothing you can do.There is also shock vibration.A guy sitting a few seats down on the bench will feel the vibration from the recoil shock-that is vibration that the bench absorbed.Standing you get the whole thing.

Shootaway

We are talking double rifles here.

I do not believe in lead sleds or sand bags.

I believe in holding the gun and shooting it.

That is unless you go DG hunting from a bench !

We will agree to disagree on this subject.

No problem 505G.I enjoyed our little disagrement.

In my experience with my 500 double over the last 2 years, i only shot it off the bench once, it wasnt fun. I found it much better shooting standing using a tripod to rest my forearm holding the forend. this gave me a steady aim, and also reduced felt recoil and definitely muzzle rise as opposed to shooting off the bench.

having got my loads worked out and regulating , i just now practice totally offhand,as per shooting in the field at distances of 10,20 and 35m.

i plan on doing the same with my 600 when it arrives in a couple of months. definitely no shooting off the bench with that calibre!!!

Nick