I shot bolt actions for the past 40 years without ever considering a double. Then I got one... And shuck. I like these things. As if one needed any more "Sumfin'-to-lust-after" in his life!!!

Now I a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y need another one, you know the feeling, newer, more so-and-so, better fitting, more loveable, etc.

I live in Africa, and have plenty of occasions to beat around the bush. I'm not really interested in ele, although I might have a shot at some PAC one of these days. Got plenty of buff around, and a shot at it once in a while is definitely in the program but is never going to be the mainstay.

I mostly have shots at cobs, bubals, roan, warthogs, and most plain game.

Lion is aplenty in the places I go to, and one never knows what will be behind the next bush when trotting around at dusk.

I have a .375 Brno that I can shoot all day, point and reload in a blink, got so used to it that it just feels natural in my hands.

I'd like to get a double that will become like that Brno, that I'll carry all day and use on everything, with which I'll be able to hit anything I'm aiming at, even after 20 miles lugging the darn' piece around and being a bit short of breath, something I know I can put a sufficient number of rounds through without flinching to become proficient with.

So one of these days (rather sooner than later) I'll get myself a side-by-side, most probably in 450/400. Already drooling over some candidates... As said above, you know the feeling or you wouldn't be here in the first place.

Now my question... Does it make any sense keeping a 9.3x74R along a 450/400?

Oh, I hope so! I own a 450/400 3 inch and a 9.3X74R. I really bought the Chapuis so I wouldn't have to put a scope on my Hollis.

There is nothing wrong with owning both.

Yes, I have a Chapuis 9,3x74R and a 450/400 3 1/4" both doubles both scoped.

They maka a great pair. The Chapuis only weighs 7 1/4 lbs [without scope].

It is a great replacement for your 375. I have used mine quite a bit in the states and on 3 Safaris to Zim. I have taken buff and elephant with it as well.

Like Rusty and Tony, I have both. It is the "dog theory". We do it because we can.

Any sense in having a 9.3X74R and a 450/400?

Philip A.,Yes, absolutely, there is! The combination of a 9.3X74R double rifle, especially if mounted with a QD scope along with good express sights, and a 450/400, or larger double rifle makes a fine two rifle battery for a safari!

I have two Merkel double rifles, one a mod 140E, 9.3X74R, and the other is a safari mod 140-2, 470NE double with express sights, and they are being fitted into one Pelican break down case. With the proper bullets, these two can take care of anything you run into in any country in the world, and are replaceable, if lost, or stolen.

You made a bad mistake in buying your first double rifle, and learning how well suited to general hunting they are! Like popcorn, nobody can take only one taste!

With Mac aboard, looks like I'm in some august company!

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
With Mac aboard, looks like I'm in some august company!

Judge,

You can put flower necklaces on sows...that don't make'em Hula girls. BTW, it is still July where I come from!!

quote:

Originally posted by Philip A.:

I live in Africa, and have plenty of occasions to beat around the bush. I'm not really interested in ele, although I might have a shot at some PAC one of these days. Got plenty of buff around, and a shot at it once in a while is definitely in the program but is never going to be the mainstay.

I mostly have shots at cobs, bubals, roan, warthogs, and most plain game.

Lion is aplenty in the places I go to, and one never knows what will be behind the next bush when trotting around at dusk.

Based on what you will be hunting, I think that you will be just fine with your 9.3x74.

If you WANT a 450/400, I understand

As the Judge said, "Becasue we can"... go for it!

Thanks all for your sustained efforts in dissuading me from committing a terrible mistake...

Az and Mac, I know that the 9.3 would take care of all my hunting needs as I described them (there was that Finn Aagard's friend who used a 9.3x62 for buffalo culling for years and then had to switch to a .375. Said he: "I KNOW that the .375 is a far better caliber, but in all honesty I've never been able to tell the difference on game...").

However, I'm not hunting with a PH, only with local trackers and hunting buddies. So I'd like to pack a little more wallop than the 9.3, while staying in my comfort zone. The 470, like the .458, is something I can shoot, but that is beyond what I term "comfort zone". Don't want a caliber that becomes a pain in the rear end at the range after just a few shots... Hence my zeroing on the 450/400.

Also, I do intend to use a scope on it. The Swaro Z6 1-6 illuminated, with long eye relief, seems an ideal candidate.

After trying for several years to figure out the perfect pair, I chose these:

Here is the .450/.400 3" Searcy



And the Merkel in 9.3x74

Perfect choice, Judge!

one of the laws of nature is that you can never have enough guns or ammo I have spent much of mylife trying to abide by this law and have found it to be true

I think it was Rudyard Kipling who said something like, "There's no such thing as too many good books, too much ammunition and too much good wine." He could have added "too many rifles" to that. Sorry if I got the quote wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
After trying for several years to figure out the perfect pair, I chose these:

Here is the .450/.400 3" Searcy



And the Merkel in 9.3x74

Judge,

I think I have that perfect analogy figured out as well jorge

quote:

Originally posted by AzGuy:

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
With Mac aboard, looks like I'm in some august company!

Judge,

You can put flower necklaces on sows...that don't make'em Hula girls. BTW, it is still July where I come from!!

.........Your meaning?

Mac:

I think he's just complimenting you in a sarcastic way... or at least, he should be complimenting you! Anyone who likes good Scotch and doubles, they gotta be good folks... and he's "funning" for using such a big word as "august", particularly at the end of July?

Mac,

JudgeG got it right! It was intended as a backhanded compliment


Certainly hard to not like someone who is so knowledgable, drinks good Scotch, and enjoys DR's.

The absolute PERFECT pair is probably what my ol' classmate Linda Stanley brought in her bra this past weekend to our 42nd class reunion ..... however, for guys as ugly as the Judge & myself, a pair of scoped SXS's - 9.3X74R & 450/.400 3" - is likely as close to perfect as we'll ever get ........

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
After trying for several years to figure out the perfect pair, I chose these:

Here is the .450/.400 3" Searcy



And the Merkel in 9.3x74

JudgeG,

Well done and done well!!

i'd go for the 9,3 for light rifle and a 450 straight for the other.

more bullet choices for the 450 than the 400

and weight wise could be close to the 450-400 but a lot more powerfull