I'm a neophyte when it comes to DR's but am considering a purchase. Because of the cost of ammo for the NE's I was looking for something in a 458 Lott or 458 Winmag. The 458 Lott seems like a natural as it hits harder than a 470 NE. These calibers seem to be as rare as hens teeth.

Can the experts here give an opinion as to why? Obviously, resale value would be a consideration as well.

Belted case, too much pressure and too much back thrust.

If you'll allow me a gross generalization, double people are interested in nostalgia. If you're interested in resale value, none of the calibers you listed would probably attract someone else.

Since you don't seem bogged down by tradition, perhaps one of the CZ over unders? If everything came together, you MIGHT be able to flip the lack of interest on a shop and swoop in for a steal. They're discontinued and in today's tactical climate I could see one gathering dust on some shelf somewhere for a long time.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products...xpress-double-rifle/

[QUOTE]Originally posted by daniel745:
...in a 458 Lott or 458 Winmag. The 458 Lott seems like a natural as it hits harder than a 470 NE. These calibers seem to be as rare as hens teeth.
QUOTE]

Yes, and for very good reasons.

daniel

On paper it might "hit harder".

In the field at the distances normally involved,
it won't make a bit of difference to the animal
or trajectory.

Secondly, if you want to "hit harder", you go up to a .510 cartridge like 500 Nitro or above.

Traditional big bore double rifles - slow and heavy works (as in velocity and bullet weight).

Daniel 745: "I was looking for something in a 458 Lott or 458 Winmag."
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These cartridges are belted; were designed for bolt action rifles, while double rifle cartridges are rimmed and designed more for double rifles. Double rifles can be built for some non rimmed or belted cartridges, they generally are not, due to excess breech pressures involved, which are not suitable for break open double rifle actions, and due to inadequate ejector/extractor grasping of cartridges. Bolt action guys tend to have difficulty transitioning to double rifles, due to preconceived ideas about things, many of whom were or are brainwashed by the likes of people such as Roy Weatherby.

Thanks. The mechanical explanations make sense. I'll move my search upward a bit.

You should consider the 450-400 for a first DR caliber; but definitely none of those belted bolt action, high pressure rounds you are considering, even if you could get one built. 450 Nitro is good, as is 470. Just make sure you get one in a traditional caliber if you ever plan on selling it. You do not need any more power than the old ones offer and there are good reasons they have lasted these past 100 years and are still the most popular DR rounds. Also, a Chapuis 9.3 makes a great first double rifle. Oh, cost of ammo is tempered when you reload your brass.

500NE! It's what all the other NE cartridges hope to be when they grow up!! Worth saying yet again!

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
500NE! It's what all the other NE cartridges hope to be when they grow up!! Worth saying yet again!

I agree! The 500NE double rifle is the sweet spot in rifles for hunting dangerous game. There are larger, and smaller rifles that do a great job in this arena, but the 500NE will do anything, the smaller does, better. The larger ones have real draw-backs with little gain in effect on the game.

The only draw-back with the 500NE in my opinion is, they need to fit the shooter very well, and be weighted properly, but that applies all double rifles but is critical in the 500NE and larger, and gets more important as the size goes up from the 500NE.

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