Hey Guys,

I'm ordering a new double rifle to be made for me by a friend who makes doubles out of quality german shotguns. He made me a 45-70 a few years back and I absolutely love it.

Now I'm considering another and was thinking of getting it in 30-30. However, before I finalize my order with him, I thought I would ask what your thoughts were on other rimeed cartridges that I might consider for this new double rifle.

So, what do you think?

What caliber or calibers would you consider if you wanted a new double?

Thanks for your time!!

Take Care!

How about the 7x57R or the 7x65R

What are you going to use it for?

quote:

What are you going to use it for?

Exactly...no use in saying something like a 470 or 500 NE if you don't plan to use it on anything needing that kind of stopping power.

I think I would look at the .303 British or if you wanted a little more horsepower maybe the .300 Super Flanged i.e. 300 H&H rimmed if you are staying in the .30 caliber. Although the 9.3x74 seems fairly popular and I can even find ammo for it where I live.

Eric

Sorry Guys,

I forgot to mention what I was going to use it for. I will probably never have the money it takes to travel to Africa and hunt game there, so I will use this gun to hunt North American game the size of deer.

Now I already have a 45-70 that shoot great and I love hunting with it. If we all had to choose just one gun and caliber, that would be mine.

But now I'm itching for a new one and thought I would go for a 30-30 since factory ammo is readily available anywhere in America, and it is cheap to reload and can kill anything I would want to shoot with it inside 100 yards.

So, before I finalize my order with my friend in Wisconsin, I wanted to check with you guys to see what your thoughts are on calibers.

I looked at the 7x57R, the 8x57R, the 9.3x74R (which is one of my favorites), and the 450/400 (which is overkill for anything I would want to hunt in NA).

So now that I've shared all of this, what do you guys think?

Your opinions are important to me and I truly do appreciate all your time and input.

Take Care!!

My first inclination would be the old .303, then the 30/30.

You already have a 45-70, which packs a hell of a punch and if used correctly, can shoot to 200 mteres. The 30-30 pretty much does the same thing so I'm thinking you would be doubling up. My first thought was also the venerable 303. It is still easily available anywhere. There is tons of loading data and projectiles everywhere and, if you do make it to Africa, you can still use it for hunting. As well, 303 will take anything on the North American continent. Lastly, for the sake of nostalgia, the 303 would be perfect. It is such a classic in a double.

Regards,

Carpediem

303 +2

9.3X74R.

Well I like the 303 but if you need a little more look at the 30 Blaser.
"RWS factory loads using 150 grain bullets advertise a MV of 3085 fps and ME of 3165 ft. lbs. RWS factory loads with 180 grain bullets feature a MV of 2820 fps and ME of 3190 ft. lbs. This makes the ballistic performance of the .30R Blaser nearly identical to that of the wildcat .30-06 Ackley Improved cartridge, which has had a small but loyal following for over 60 years.
The .30R Blaser is based on a big case that measures 2.68" long. It has a rim diameter of .531", a head diameter of .480", shoulder diameter of .441". The overall cartridge length is 3.8".
It would be fair to say that any big game hunting you could do with the .30-06 Springfield, .30-06 Improved, .300 H&H, or for that matter the 8x60S, you could also do with the .30R Blaser. The .30R Blaser is a fine all-around rifle cartridge, but there is no shortage of established rifle cartridges offering this approximate level of performance."
From an artical by Chuck Hawks
Bill

303

quote:

Originally posted by 4570NUT:
Sorry Guys,

I forgot to mention what I was going to use it for. I will probably never have the money it takes to travel to Africa and hunt game there, so I will use this gun to hunt North American game the size of deer.

Now I already have a 45-70 that shoot great and I love hunting with it. If we all had to choose just one gun and caliber, that would be mine.

But now I'm itching for a new one and thought I would go for a 30-30 since factory ammo is readily available anywhere in America, and it is cheap to reload and can kill anything I would want to shoot with it inside 100 yards.

Take Care!!

The 30-30 is a fine choice for a double rifle for the USA, and if your friend can make the rifle with a set of very thin barrels in the 22 to 24 inch length, and regulate it with factory ammo with 170 gr bullets it will be a very handy little shooter. Ammo is available in any general store in rural America, and there isn’t a handier deer rifle than a light 30-30 double rifle with it’s very quick two shots that doesn’t break the bank for ammo! I say it matters not what others say, have it chambered for 30-30 if that is what you want!

I had one a few years ago made on a little 20 ga Belgian S/S shotgun action, and I sold it like a fool and have regretted it ever since! I say go for it!


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

For your use the 'Dirty Thirty' will be a fine little rifle!

And if your friend in Wisc. is the same one that made my 450 NE on a JP Sauer frame it'll be very well done.

I think that the .30-30 is a good choice. Relatively inexpensive to shoot and widely available.

I would go for the 303 or the 7X65R. The latter would be more salable if you decide to get rid of it at a later date & you would have a slightly flatter shooting rifle.

I have owned a Merkel 140 in 7x65R and currently own a BRNO o/u in 7x65R. Great caliber, very flat shooting. However, I really prefer the 8x57JRS for a sxs double rifle for North Americsn big game for the ranges that a double rifle is effective.

The .300H&H Flanged Magnum would also be great regulated for 200-220 gr. bullets. 220gr bullets in this caliber would be good for anything a double rifle would be effective for in NA. And what a classic caliber!!!

Mike

Nothing wrong with your reasoning for the 30-30.

Another option is 30-40 Krag, a bit heaveier bullet and still easy to feed and shoot.

Keith

http://www.snipershide.com/for...wflat&Number=3272699

Here's one ready to go! No waiting ...

I don't know the seller but, we shot a few emails back and forth FWIW.

If you want a medium .30 cal, go with a 30-40 Krag instead of a .303 since .30 cal bulllets have a much more variety to choose from, when reloading that is. .30 Blaser; I like it but hate it as brass, dies, ammo, etc, are astronomical in price and hard to get. They would have been better off making a 7.62 Russian instead of inventing the Blaser, but some countries don't allow military calibers.

Well, first of all, it takes a really good gun maker to CORRECTLY built a shotgun conversion double. Apparently you've already got that covered, but for anyone else, I would only use someone who's done it multiple times and where you can see and handle and preferably shoot one.

Second, I assume you're in agreement on the price. But, the last time I asked my gunsmith about this, he suggested it would start at about $7K and go up depending on features.

Third, there are a lot of calibers you CAN'T use DEPENDING on WHAT shotgun actions you're looking at. In other words, some won't take long term the pressures and stress. So I would probably limit this to low pressure calibers. Others can disagree with that, but it's how I feel.

Fourth, decide if you want a traditional African British or German caliber in hopes of trying to duplicate the "safari feel" to your double. Or, do you want an American themed double? If the latter is the case, go with 30-30. Many reasons including chamber pressures and ease in finding ammo and cheap ammo and light, almost non-existent recoil.

Lastly, my qualifications to even be talking about this? I am the VERY happy and pleased owner of a Parker double rifle in 30-30. At 100 yds it's extremely accurate and will wear out deer and milk cartons. I'm told its past owner also took many hogs with it. And it has the old traditional looks and came with a lot of extras, including handloaded ammo, old period 30 WCF ammo boxes, other accessories and a case that looks like it just came in off a dangerous game hunt.

Now, I admit to playing around with the thought of another U.S. shotgun conversion, but in a different caliber. The ones I personally am intrigued by most are the 348 Win and 405 Win (I wouldn't try to base those on the Parker action however). The 300 H&H also has appeal, but I fear is too much for the actions most likely to be used. That's also more the traditional long range bolt gun caliber. 30-40 Krag I also considered, but that's for me too much like a 30-06 which is something I'd not use for this project.

And btw, I also have a Searcy in an African caliber. Before buying it, we kicked around the idea of a field grade in 348 Win. Wound up skipping that out of concern it would be real difficult to get my money out of it when it came time to sell. These type things you have to think of. A 30-30 should be easier to sell.

Now, just so you'll have the whole picture in front of you...I'd consider something like a Searcy in 450/.400, then download it to 45-70 energy for your deer and hogs. That way, you have the best of all possible worlds in one gun.

.600 nitro...but that's just me.
Cal

Mine is in 32-20, but then I only shoot paper. I would go for .303 British next time....

Rule 303

There have been some nice Belgian doubles made in .405 WCF. The .405 WCF was designed for a 300 grain bullet, but you can shoot anything from 225 g up through 400 g. if you tell the maker to allow the right freebore.
If you reload, think of all the fun you can have working out loads that will regulate with that range of bullets. Then if you do get to go to Alaska for big bear or Africa for DG, you will have just the ticket and a unique ticket at that..

I have a Heym double rifle in 30/30.

It is the model 26B, an O/U.

It is light, short, and very accurate. I Use the Heym QD scope mount, and it goes back to zero 100%. I have taken several deer and wild pigs with it and 3 coyotes, on at 166 yards.

I even killed an alagator snapping turtle, that has a hold of the head of one of my ducks in the pond. The wife had a hold of the ducks feet and was in a tug of war with the turtle.
One shot of the Heym 30/30 ended the tug of war...

This 30/30 double has become one of my most favorite hunting guns.

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:
I would go for the 303 or the 7X65R. The latter would be more salable if you decide to get rid of it at a later date & you would have a slightly flatter shooting rifle.

Me. too. If neither of those, I would likely have him make it for a 7.62x54R...just so I could have .30-06 ballistics and still use a rimmed case. That case is also available inexpensively world-wide.

And I'd ask for it to be regulated for 174 grain bullets or an available weight very close thereto for any one of the three.

Don't do it at all.

Save the $$$ and go to Africa.

Trust me on this.

I think the .30-30 would make a wonderful rifle for deer. The .30-30 is a handy round as is but you could also use some of the many .30 caliber pointed bullets in a double.

Others have made some nice suggestions. I would add that .25-35 makes a nice light double (I had one for a while). If you reload, you might also consider 7.62x54R (30 Russian) with a standard .30 caliber bore to shoot .308" diameter bullets.

My next double will be a 6.5X57R.

I do like the notion of 7.62x54R

The 8x57 IRS is a very good choice imo..

M

If I ever get a medium bore double made to order...I am gonna get a .348 Winchester. I think it would be an awsome double cartridge.

quote:

Originally posted by 4570NUT:
Hey Guys,

I'm ordering a new double rifle to be made for me by a friend who makes doubles out of quality german shotguns. He made me a 45-70 a few years back and I absolutely love it.

Now I'm considering another and was thinking of getting it in 30-30. However, before I finalize my order with him, I thought I would ask what your thoughts were on other rimeed cartridges that I might consider for this new double rifle.

So, what do you think?

What caliber or calibers would you consider if you wanted a new double?

Thanks for your time!!

Take Care!

4570NUT,


I wish you well in your new rifle build!

But, I've always pictured a double rifle in 45 or bigger caliber. So...I won't be of much help with your new project.

Good luck to you

Since you asked, I am about to pull the triggers on having a 240 Flanged Nitro built for me ...

But as to you and your intent ...

For the reasons you mentioned particularly that you can practically walk into a grocery store (outside of NJ) and buy ammo - you can't go wrong with the 30-30

Doc, but after your experience with the 577, 585, and 600 NE, you wouldn't be able to tell when a 30-30 DR went off! :-)

Having worked my way thru this same decision, I know this for sure.

If you like double rifles all this much, what you'll find after you go to all that trouble is, you'll want still another but in a traditional African caliber.

So unless you ultimately want to wind up with TWO guns I'd skip the lesser, and go straight to the African dangerous game double now and save yourself a lot of trouble and expense.

Go with a nice 450/.400 Nitro Express and shoot it as is at your deer and such, or, work up some low power loads for it and you're ready to roll.

If nothing else, you'll look good walking thru the deer woods with it. You might get some that just plain die of fright when they see what you're carrying - "he's bought a what?!?"

Deep down it's what we all really want...

I took the plunge on a Krieghoff Classic. Haven't got it yet. I went with the 30R Blaser for something different. Should be interesting.

I don´t know what your chap is charging you but you can order an AYA No.2 or No.1 in 20 guage with a spare set of barrels (made and regulated in Belgium in .44 rem mag) best, Mike

9,3x74R !