I've pretty much decided that I'm ordering a Verney-Carron double when I am in Dallas next weekend. I’m thinking the AZUR Safari Standard in 470NE. I currently have a Chapuis in 470NE with a Docter Optic red dot reflex that JJ installed.

In talking to Ken at Kebco it sounds like there are a large number of options available and I’m looking for some help. I was hoping that some of you guys that have a V-C (vagrouser, CCMDoc, Jorge, DoubleDon) could enlighten me. What options you ordered that like, what you ordered that you maybe don’t like, and what you might do if you were able to do it all over again.

Not sure I want to open this can of worms but I will be using it on buffalo and tuskless and I’m thinking 470NE is the caliber I want. Don’t see the need to step up to 500NE but feel free to convince me otherwise.

The plan would be to have it regulated with Hornady DGS and DGX.

Congratulations on a GREAT choice. I have had four Verney-Carron doubles, currently have two and will be adding two more in the future for a total of V-C doubles from 240 to 600NE.

If you can afford it, I would request extended top tang, hinged grip cap, 3-leaf rear and flip over front night sights, splinter forend and 26" barrels.

All are simply aesthetics but that's just how I like things.

The one functional thing I might consider on a 470NE would be their integral scope mount. It is based on the Recknagel swing-off QR scope mount and in my experience, both very quick to put on/take off scope AND 100% return to zero regardless of the number of times I have done so.

The reason I say "might" is that some may not ever want a scope on their big bore double (or any double for that matter). Nevertheless, the mount is so unobtrusive that if you don't have it and want someday to mount a scope, you will rue the day you chose not to have the mount.

My 375Fl has it, my 600NE does not. Anthing below a 577 I think I would have the mount "just in case".

Take a look a this thread for some photos:

Click here for V-C photo thread

Good luck and again, congratulations

Doing it again I would have the splinter for-end shortened down to 7.5" in length which is all that is needed and keeps it in line with the old classics.
Would stick with the 470 and 25" or 24" barrels.

I really like the way mine turned out with color case hardened receiver and a straight back edge of the action for the classic British look. I ordered mine with 25" barrels and I'm glad I did, in fact,26" might even be better(Hornady ammo is tested with 28" barrels so if you order 24" barrels, you'll get slower velocities. Maybe upgraded wood and where the caliber is engraved on the top of the rib I would have had it gold filled for accent. There are two kinds of flip up night sights, I chose the hinged "over the top" option and I really like it. Three leave express sights are sweet as well and they work!

I'll be as DSC for the whole week and Ken has my number so if you want to meet and chat about it at Ken's booth call!

I'll echo Paul and the others on making a great choice with the V-C. Are you keeping the Chapuis 470 or moving it to make room for the V-C? That would probably have bearing on my choice of caliber.
I can't link to it from my phone, but I detailed my build spec on a thread, which I assume you saw. All-in-all was really happy with the way the rifle turned out. Although some eye problems caused me to trade down to a 450/400, I'd be hard pressed to make any changes to my original order. That said, a few thoughts:

Don was spot on with his recs for 25" bbls on the 500NE. Some like 24s and some 26s. Split the difference and you're in good company with the likes of J.A. Hunter.
I paid a good premium for the bundled stalking safety and intercepting sears; if you can swing it, go for it. Don't think you'll regret it.
The trap grip and over-the-comb tang are cool, but if I were looking to shave $ would probably leave these off. The long top tang looks great, but is cosmetic on a draw bolt rifle.
Depending on caliber, I might stick with a fixed leaf rear and scope mounts and skip the folding leaves. Do go with a gold centerline as I think it helps with quick sight picture acquisition. Agree with ozhunter re a short splinter forearm.
From a pure aesthetic pov, I like a simple flat filed rib, and a straight, I.e. not scalloped action back.
Although I really don't like the looks of a palm swell and a tight radius grip, they do seem to offer more control and recoil mitigation. I'd go that route on anything over 500, and maybe on another 500.
For anything 450 and up, I'd stick with a Decelerator pad; I had a Silvers pad already which looks great but didn't soak up any recoil.

Again, just some thoughts and know you can't really go wrong! Ken and the V-C family are great and listen to their advice. If I can answer any further ?s, please ask.

Bill

I don't have a VC but when the funds are there i have two in mind. Having said that why get a .470NE if you already have one? i would go for a 500NE or a 450-400NE either side by side or under and over with a QD scope. This is one of the guns i want to get and apart from not having the funds i am now unsure as to if i want a basic U&O or a nice SxS with the works????

GD, Have shot a few of the VC's and also know Ken well. Good handling firearms and people at VC will work with you. The 450/400 is a great choice and the 500NE will be a crusher on animals.

Mike

You have a .470, I say go big or go home!

I assumed you would sell the Chapuis 470NE and wanted the Verney-Carron in the same caliber to make use of the brass, bullets and dies you probably already have on hand.

If it were me and I was going to keep the Chapuis 470NE then I would either go larger - 500/577/600NE - or smaller i.e. 450/400 or 375Fl.

The 470NE is good for anything and everything - particularly the Cape buffalo and elephant that are on your list. So are all of the other calibers mentioned, though some might argue the 375Fl is just not enough for elephant.

No matter what, you can't go wrong with whatever you decide.

Thanks for the suggestions and thoughts. I don't intend on parting with the Chapuis so it looks like I'll be stepping up to the 500NE.

One can never have too many 470 double rifles!

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
One can never have too many 470 double rifles!

Or 600s

Regardless of the caliber you go with, enjoy and congratulations. DoubleDon's V-C 500NE and vagrouser's V-C 500NE are two of the most beautiful doubles I have ever seen. I wish I could buy either one!

Add the splinter forearm and file cut rib.

quote:

Originally posted by DoubleDon:
Add the splinter forearm and file cut rib.

Oh yes - absolutely!!!

BTW - Don, how is DSC? I could not make it and thats probably a good thing for my bank account and credit card ... But I sure am sorry I missed the opportunity to get together with you

Doc, great show, great time. Sorry you could not have attended. I had the pleasure of meeting Jorge, Sid and Butch (BEGNO) yesterday. As usual Ken, Jerome and Guillome are the best. There may be a V-C .375 flanged in my future.

Oh, and I'd get the more traditional English chequering around the pistol grip.
The V-C rib finish is nice but I would go the File finish next time round (as ordered)

"Bundled stalking safety" ? Do you mean a bolted safety ? If so I wouldn´t have one of those on a DG rifle, best, Mike p.s. pm me if you want to know what they are called in the trade

I am picking up my 577 V.C. next week. A plain jane model, but still looking forward to shooting it.

Hey Go Dawgs,
like you I ordered my V.C at the show after talking at length to Ken in the lead-up.

Mine will be the new round body "p.h" model .500NE, 23.5"bbls (finished matt-black), case-colour action, ejectors, single leaf rear sight (stippled for contrast),standard front sight (which is interchangable with all other standard dove-tailed front sight blades), custom stocked with slight palm-swell,sling swivels, shadow cheeck-piece, splinter fore-end with design finish weight criteria of 10.5lbs.

All in all very much a "plain Jane", if you could possibly call any of V.C's work that, but this will be a working gun that may take some knocks and bruises on the way !

The 6 - 10 months of waiting is excrutiating !

Ken,

Looking forward to some pictures when you get it!

Stay well,

Paul

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Truccolo:
Hey Go Dawgs,
like you I ordered my V.C at the show after talking at length to Ken in the lead-up.

Mine will be the new round body "p.h" model .500NE, 23.5"bbls (finished matt-black), case-colour action, ejectors, single leaf rear sight (stippled for contrast),standard front sight (which is interchangable with all other standard dove-tailed front sight blades), custom stocked with slight palm-swell,sling swivels, shadow cheeck-piece, splinter fore-end with design finish weight criteria of 10.5lbs.

All in all very much a "plain Jane", if you could possibly call any of V.C's work that, but this will be a working gun that may take some knocks and bruises on the way !

The 6 - 10 months of waiting is excrutiating !

Paul, Ken had a 500 similar to that description if I'm not mistaken. That was one fine looking weapon with all the nice things one would want, but still a hunting rifle. I've thought about that rifle a lot over the last couple of weeks.

I'm sure you'll love your new gun! Congrats!

G'day Todd.

I had made the decision to purchase a V.C well before D.S.C but had absolutely no knowledge of the round-body offering until I saw it on their rack at the show.

I fully intended on purchasing the standard "square" shaped action until I laid eyes on this model and was immediately taken with it.

The one you saw at the show is very similar to what I have ordered with matt flat finish on the barrels, a few other extras and custom fit stock.

I absolutely love the way that rifle felt and handled.

I can't wait to get my grubby little hands on it and flatten a few buff and Oxen with it !

Cheers,
Paul.

Hey Paul,
I've got three mates with V-Cs. Perhaps one day we might have to put together a group Verney-Carron hunt for wild Oxen and Boar that you offer at http://www.southernsafaris.com...ontact/en_ontact.htm .

Hey Adam, how's it all.

You know, this double rifle purchase for me has been a long, long process. I've been looking at doubles for most of my life. Justifying the use and purchase price being the main obsticles, as they must be for a lot of people.

I looked at less expensive models, trying to convince myself I could do with that and even at many used rifles with lower prices on them.
In the end it was my phone conversations with Ken and the learned advice of greatly more experienced double shooters (S.Rose in particular) who helped make up my mind.

I'd like to make the point that at no time was there anything near to sales pressure with Ken, just straight-up advice based on his experience, and help.
Then, several days before this year's D.S.C Sam was generous, and kind, enough to join me at a mutual freind's house, where my wife and I were staying,and brought down two of his .500 for me to test shoot.
(A Process I highly encourage anyone contemplating the purchase of a double to go through first, before buying)
One of which was a V.C very similar to what I was thinking of buying. The rifle was an absolute joy to shoot, and had I not felt quite so guilty about the expense of the ammunition that I was consuming I would have gone on to shoot many more than the couple of dozen rounds that I fired in quick succession.

Ken and the fellas then measured me at the show, deposit was sent as soon as I got back home and now I sit like and expectant father !
(Hope your reading this Ken).

Adam, I just got a decent sized power boat for my hunting area partially to access miles of coastline, thick jungle type scrub, where many wild Oxen see out their days in relative security.
WELL, NO MORE !!!!

We get doubles in our camp from time to time, the hunting in our area, particularily early-mid season, really lends itself to that type of shooting. By all means get your buddies together, come up and lets smoke over some bulls.

Apologies to Dawgs and others on this thread for digressing.

Cheers,
Paul.

Hey Paul, Met you at DSC was with Pierre van Tonder. One or two rows over from you.That 500 is going to be the ticket in Australia. I know someday I have to make it down there.

Mike

Paul,

You should not have felt guilty about shooting that ammo, that was the whole reason I brought it was for you to shoot. Glad you enjoyed shooting what you did.

Sam

Mike (Retreever), was an absolute pleasure meeting with you at D.C.S wish I had more time to spend with you and learn more from you.
Look forward to next year.

Some of you guys are just so generous with your hard won/bought knowledge that it humbles me, and Sam I did not feel guilty about the ammo because of anything you said or did, it's just the way I am.

I feel lucky enough to be in a position to graft some of the wealth of knowledge you guys have accumulated which has helped me in avoiding some very costly mistakes that, when made, can't be reversed, I do not want to abuse that privalige.

Sam, the oportunity you provided me in getting to shoot your V.C was extremely pivital to my decision. It literally answered any remaining doubts that I may of had if that was the right gun for me. Yes it was !

(Don't forget that I had also rapid fired some 25 odd rounds from Mikes 500 Ultra mag before picking up your 500 NE !).
Sometimes you and Mike forget that the rest of us are mere mortals !!

To cap that day off with that deep fried Turkey was something that will take quite some time to erase from my memory. Deidi and I still talk about it today !.

Cheers,
Paul.