Just started practicing with my new 500 NE DR - it's an extractor Krieghoff. Got some snap caps and loaded up some dummies and started working on basement shooting practice, emptying the fired dummies/caps and re-charging the chambers. So my questions for the experts:

What's the best way to break the rifle open to assure good repositioning of the hands for the reload? How do you prefer to tip the rifle to empty the chambers?

Which hand is used to reload - dominant shooting hand or not?

Where and how do you prefer to keep the spare ammo for a fast reload? Do you load one cartridge at a time or line both up and drop them in?

Before I try speeding up - a function of enough repetition of the right sequence done the right way IMO - I want to make sure I learn each component of the recharge as efficiently as possible.

Any advice earned the hard way would be appreciated, as the time to the next hunt may be shorter than I thought.

We dont need technique to re-charge a DR rapidly ! If you miss the charging buffalo two times, it's too late for a third shot !

On a non ejector rifle I just tilt the open rifle to the right (right handed) and the cases fall out. If I am wearing a cartridge belt I use my left hand to grab one or two two rounds and load them. On a rifle with a butt stock cartridge holder, I dump the fired rounds the same way and then use my right hand to pluck one round at a time.

How you do it doesn't really matter. The only thing that matters is that you do it well, every time. Speed is not the goal here, consistency is what you are seeking.

quote:

Originally posted by grandveneur:
We dont need technique to re-charge a DR rapidly ! If you miss the charging buffalo two times, it's too late for a third shot !

Probably right and planning for the worst, a departing elephant with 2 bullets in him will still need more shots delivered rapidly. Thus the reason for the question from a DR novice.

It's too late for a third shot because the buffalo dont miss you !

Apologies if I didn't clarify the goal of my question. The hunt I'm planning for is elephant, not buffalo, so the conditions are somewhat different. I understand the dynamics of a charge launched from close quarters. If 2 shots miss and the PH can't back up effectively, the outcome is unlikely to be favorable.

As a competitive pistol shooter for over 20 years, one of the first things I practiced when I thought I had a chance to go to Africa two years ago, was reloading. I am fine with a pistol, and got down to under three seconds for three shots with a Ruger #1 in 458. The thing to do when you decide on technique is to be smooth. Speed will come with efficiency.

4 out of a .416 Bolt rifle in about the same .
Thats keeping them in an 8 inch circle at 25 yds. Never got the chance to practice with the Doubles

Smooth is fast!

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck1911:
The thing to do when you decide on technique is to be smooth. Speed will come with efficiency.

4 out of a .416 Bolt rifle in about the same .
Thats keeping them in an 8 inch circle at 25 yds. Never got the chance to practice with the Doubles
Smooth is fast!

This summer was my first time in Africa for elephant, but I used a bolt as I have a lot of experience with them. I used a 404 Ruger Hawkeye and with practice have gotten to about the same level as you.

However, DRs are new for me. I think advice from experienced DR users is probably a good place to start, along with the practice I've already started.

6.5,

Like you, I am new to double rifles and thought your question was a good one and quite practical. Thank you Rusty for the useful advice.

I believe that there was a great deal of discussion and a few threads on this very topic some years ago. People went to great lengths to describe in detail their recharging techniques. If I can manage to find some of those threads, I will link them here.

Good luck on your elephant hunt.

Paul

Kriegs break best at port arms IMO and The Elmer Grip for the relad LOL