OK.......First...I know why double rifles should have double triggers.

Suffice it to say, that I have had some significant hand injuries, that will not allow me to use double triggers.

I was hurt in an oilfield accident in 1985 ....mashed off all of my fingers and both thumbs...except I have a complete little finger and 2/3rds of my ring finger on my right hand.

I know it's hard to visualize,........ the best way to do it, without seeing me in person, is to take a pair of gloves.....fold all of the fingers and the thumb under on the left .....right where the finger begin to split off of the palm.
On the right, just leave the little finger sticking up and only fold down the top 1/3 of the ring finger...fold all the rest under.

My hands were huge, prior to the accident I wore a size 14 ring.......now with using these 1 2/3 fingers to do every damn thing for the last 21 years they are even bigger. My size 14 high school ring will not even go past the second knuckle of.....my little finger! The close spacing on the double triggers just will not work.

Needless to say it has not stopped me or even slowed me down that much...just adapt and overcome.

So to make a short story long......I am headed over to Namibia for a 12 day PG hunt followed by a 10 day Buff/Tuskless hunt in Zim from mid-July until mid-August.

I would like to carry a double not only for all of reason everyone else wants to too on DG.......but additionally my hand injuries, leave me a little slow and awkward on the bolt working (I have to modify the bolt handle on the heavy recoiling guns) I heat'em up bend the bolt forward 3/8 to 1/2 inch and grind off the back half of the bolt knob to keep it from hitting my nub ......like a 4# sledge hammer when it is fired. Oh yeah... I shoot a 458 win mag.

This damn African bug has been lying dormant for many many years, but is now a raging epidemic .....the reason I say this is to qualify my next statement...I'm not..repeat.... not rich, and am struggling to pay for all of the hunt + trophy fees...etc...

I have been reading up on and studying all of my options (that I can afford)....my research so far has lead me to Valmet 412/Tikka 512 in 9.3X74R...but I see it (the cartridge) as just OK on Buff and VERY marginal on Elephant.

What other options are there.....both gun wise and cartridge wise that will fit both me and my sorely overtaxed budget??

BTW.... is there anyone in the North East TX/Louisiana area that has a Valmet 412 (or other single trigger double) I could link up with and shoot?? (I'm 50 miles from Shreveport, LA)

Thanks in advance for all of the helpful advice and comments.

HAMMER'em

HAMMER'em.......and keep on Hammering on them until all 4 legs are sticking straight up!

A single trigger shouldn't be a problem. Some of the 9.3x74R are available with single triggers, and I hear that some manufacturers can supply single triggers on the bigger stuff on special order.

I would not be worried using a single triggered double, in fact some of the old and new pro Ele hunters prefer this set up.
9.3 will be ok and Beretta make two nice under/overs, the "silver Sable" and Golden Sable" at a reasonable price.
ozhunter

Based on your situation I would think a Single Trigger double would be the best option for you. I believe you can have several doubles made with a single trigger. To try this set-up find someone with a single trigger shot gun. A rifle will function the same way.

Good luck!

I would have preferred a single trigger on my 470 Merkel but it was to much extra for me to afford at the time. I had 2 Valmets in many calibers including 9.3x74r (which I was fully prepared to take on elephant with backup) and both actions had single triggers that gave absolutely no problems. The new Merkel 141 in 8x57JRS I have has a single non-selective trigger. I actually prefer a single trigger, all my shotguns with the exception of an older Berreta ASE have a single trigger. Have NEVER had a single trigger malfunction. Go for it and take a BIG one.

Hammer'm, I think, in your case, the single trigger is about your only option. Almost any double rifle can be fitted with a single trigger, and most O/Us come that way. There is no need to limit yourself to 9.3X74R doubles to get a single trigger rifle. many have been made in 375H&H, and 458 Win Mag, and they are not hard to find.

Ordinarily, the O/U configuration, a single trigger, and rimless, or belted rimless chamberings, are the very things I DO NOT reccomend on any double rifle. However the reason for my condimnation for these features are dirrected a the individuals who have all their working parts.

The O/U is too slow to reload, but in your case quick reloading will not be too quick, no matter the configuration of the double, and is not a drawback.

The single trigger is the one single item that, if it fails, will totally disable the double rifle. However, in this case, you have no choice, and a single trigger is far better than no trigger at all, or triggers you cannot opperate!

Finally, the rimless, or belted rimless cartridges in a double rifle are another thing I often condemn, because, most are fairly high pressure, and the tiny parts involved in the extraction, and/or ejection are problematic at times, and tough they can do their job for many years without a problem, they are to be avoided if possible.

My opinion of these items have not changed for folks who can opperate the alternative systems, but when one has a disability, he must use what works for him, and for him, it is acceptable! For anyone with all their parts working properly,to choose these items when buying a double rifle to be used on dangerous game,is a little like useing a wheelchair, to move about when he has legs that work. In that case the person is purposefully handicaping himself, needlessly!

I say get your double with single trigger, in O/U configuration, and with a rimless cartridge that is big enough to do a proper job, and enjoy you Elephant hunt.

sutherland used a pair of single trigger westleys in 577. they never let him down.

get something heavier for your elephant than a 9,3 a 450 would be better

** if you find a rifle you like but it is not available with single trigger i can have one put onto if for about $450 in europe

HAMMERem

I would recommend you get an ejector double with a single trigger. I would prefer a side by side.

Take a look at the Chapuis in 9,3x74R.

Get in on a group buy.

Thanks for all the insights so far.

I shoot a SXS 12ga with a single trigger, it is inertia operated...and I've had it misfire, and then you have no second barrel immediately available. With a manual cocking gun that wouldn't be quite as potentially dangerous.

(I learned something I didn't know/didn't think of.... by reading another post here on AR....by working the selective safety on a inertia gun, instead of opening action/slamming the butt to reset, is a faster option of getting off the other barrel) While I know quite a bit about most other types of firearms, my main problem is that I am quite uninformed about all of the possibilities/configurations available on DR's.

This site is a GREAT wealth of information, and I've shamelessly gleaned a lot of otherwise hard to come by info from just reading. A heartfelt thanks to all of you and especially Saeed for hosting it.

I've heard that the 412 series is manual. I still am looking for a bit more knowledge on the others. For instance...I found a 2021E Merkel Over & under, 9.3x74R, Single Trigger, for $4300, but have no clue #1 what the particulars of this model is or #2 if thats a decent price.

I have found a 412 with 3 barrels...12/12, 7x57R/7X57R, and 9.3X74R/9.3X74R for $3500, but again, I am out of my depth on pricing...is this a fair price or ?????????

Can you find other barrels for this set up reasonably priced? I have found a 412 in a 20/20ga strictly shotgun for $775, if 9.3 barrels could be had for a decent price, I might could back into one for much less $$.

I very much like the ability to switch barrels.....putting several hundred rounds of shotgun shells thru your actual DR rifles action on clays and birds HAS to be good practice on fit, function & operation. Add to the fact that another set of rifle barrels for PG all in one small case would make the trip (flying) a lot easier.

I would like a bit more oomph than the 9.3x74R but have to consider $$ very carefully.

TOMO's post assures me that I can prob get most double trigger rifles converted to single. I appreciate that tidbit very much. However I keep hoping someone....with a disgusting SINGLE trigger DR rifle....will decide to part with their very worthless specimen ......to upgrade to the more proper double triggers......and I'll ............make off like a bandit!

Anybody ready to upgrade???


Things were much simpler when I was just uninformed bolt trash. Damn double rifles!

Hello Hammer

I had a 412 Valmet set 20 years ago and put at least 2000 rounds through it, mostly in its 222/12 Gauge configration - I know that not a lot, but it was used it extensively in NZ's very wet and tough climate and it never once failed me. I would be very surprised to hear of a malfunction or breakage from one of these, provided it is shot extensively before heading off.

Cheers - Foster

Isn't the selector the weak link in a single trigger setup? I'd explore ditching it and have it always be L bbl then R bbl firing order.

My Krieghoff has a single trigger but has mechanical hammers, so it matters not whether the first barrel is fired to fire the second barrel.

I asked JJ once about converting a double trigger to a single and he flat out refused, for whatever reason, so I wouldn't hang my hat on that option.

I talked to Norbert (used to be "the man" at Krieghoff about betting a double rifle changed over to a single trigger and he told me that it would be OK up to and including the 9.3x74R but starting at .375 H&H Krieghoff's are only available with double triggers.

I had the same conversation with JJ and he told me he didn't have any problems with single triggers as long as it wasn't more powereful than the 9.3x74R --- he didn't seem to have any problem coverting a Chapuis to single trigger and estimated cost to be around $800.