Just wondering what the accumulated wisdom is from the folks who have had their DRs custom made and from those who have years of experience with variuous DR barrel lengths.
Is there a benefit of one over the other.

I just like the look of 26" barrels, and want to stay above the 2,000 fps level to achieve good penetration. With a DR, you don't have a "receiver", per se, so the rifle will be 4-5" shorter than a bolt gun anyway. Seems better balanced to me, and doesn't look like a sawed-off shotgun.

Bob

Some guns lends themselves to 24" barrels, some to 26" barrels
- ie The Webley Long Bar action in 450/400 which is quite a thin action
just looks right with 26".

However the No 1 criteria IMHO is the balance of the gun.

I like both, short barrelled guns are quicker on the swing.
.

Being a complete DR novice my opinion carries little weight. Nevertheless, while I thought I'd want 26" barrels on my DRs, my 600NE, 450NE and 9.3x74R as well as the 500NE I no longer own all had ~ 24" barrels.

Each looks and feels "right" in my hands. I contemplate having a 600NE with 26" barrels but the upside in small (realatively) velocity gains is offset by the increase in weight.

More velocity from 26" barrels. 24" is more compact. I have a double with 26" barrels and don't find it to be overly long what so ever. I think 28" would be a little excessive.

Brett

By changing powders you can work the load so you get the same velocity
from 24" barrels.

You don't need 26" barrels just to get extra velocity.

My number one criteria is to have the gun regulate 100%, regardless of velocity so IMHO, no point in having extra velocity and the gun not
shooting straight.

These topics always seen like making excuses for double rifles. You don't need 24" at the range but maybe in the jess. More powder means more velocity. If you don't have the velocity you don't have the energy and you don't have the penetration.

Not sure I see the point of having a regulated double if the cartridges/velocities are anemic.

Can always get the thing re-regulated at the desired velocities.

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
These topics always seen like making excuses for double rifles. You don't need 24" are the range but maybe in the jess. More powder means more velocity. If you don't have the velocity you don't have the energy and you don't have the penetration.

Not sure I see the point of having a regulated double if the cartridges are anemic.

Can always get the thing re-regulated at the desired velocities.

Will, was that directed at me ?

I'm not saying anemic - 50 - 100 fps makes eff all difference in the field.

And frankly, I get the gun to shoot and as long as it is over 2000 fps, I push it
to what it will go to and still regulate and go hunting. If I need to change powders
to do it, I do. Most of my DR's have accurate loads with 2 powders.

My 9,3x74R has 24" barrels.

My 450/400 has 26" barrels.

My 450 No2 has 28" barrels.

All of them handle and balance perfectly IMHO.

On a 400 and up I prefer at least 26" barrels, and on a 450 to 475 I like the way 27" or 28" barrels handle.

quote:

Originally posted by 500N:

quote:

Originally posted by Will:
These topics always seen like making excuses for double rifles. You don't need 24" are the range but maybe in the jess. More powder means more velocity. If you don't have the velocity you don't have the energy and you don't have the penetration.

Not sure I see the point of having a regulated double if the cartridges are anemic.

Can always get the thing re-regulated at the desired velocities.

Will, was that directed at me ?

I'm not saying anemic - 50 - 100 fps makes eff all difference in the field.

And frankly, I get the gun to shoot and as long as it is over 2000 fps, I push it
to what it will go to and still regulate and go hunting. If I need to change powders
to do it, I do. Most of my DR's have accurate loads with 2 powders.

Not directed at you, per se. A "good" double rifle is not so sensitive to velocities for regulation. The Krieghoff shoots about the same (@ 25 yards) whether it is going 2000 or 2200 ft/s.

I just think it is a bit misguided to have to expect or accept anemic velocities for regulation. But as you say, different powders or different bullets or ??? may make for big differences.

I do not have the anywhere near the experience with doubles that you do, and many other posters here. I just refuse to live with low velocities.

Will

What do you class as low velocities ?


1900 fps Yes, I do class it as low
1950 fps Yes, I do class it as low
2000 fps It's getting there / minimum
2050 fps It's getting there
2100 fps Now we are getting somewhere
Anything above 2100 fps, great.


BTW - I reckon you can hold your own against most poster on here and other forums !

quote:

Originally posted by 500N:
Will

What do you class as low velocities ?


1900 fps Yes, I do class it as low
1950 fps Yes, I do class it as low
2000 fps It's getting there / minimum
2050 fps It's getting there
2100 fps Now we are getting somewhere
Anything above 2100 fps, great.

Looks good to me.

My front sight is not clear on the 3 24" barrel DR, The one 26 " 450-400 I looked down had 26" barrel and the front sight was in sharp focis. Something to consider when you get to be 50+

JD

quote:

Originally posted by J D:
My front sight is not clear on the 3 24" barrel DR, The one 26 " 450-400 I looked down had 26" barrel and the front sight was in sharp focis. Something to consider when you get to be 50+

JD

Damn, hadnt thought of that ...

Originally posted by 500N:

"By changing powders you can work the load so you get the same velocity from 24" barrels."

But will it regulate?

"You don't need 26" barrels just to get extra velocity."

True, but no question all else being equal more barrel = more velocity.

"My number one criteria is to have the gun regulate 100%, regardless of velocity so IMHO, no point in having extra velocity and the gun not shooting straight."

Agreed.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Brett Adam Barringer:
Originally posted by 500N:

"By changing powders you can work the load so you get the same velocity from 24" barrels."

But will it regulate?

Depends - fussy guns, no, good guns that aren't particular yes.

And like Will said re the new gun above, it regulates from 2000 - 2200 fps.

Some guns are like that.

quote:

Originally posted by 500N:
Will

What do you class as low velocities ?


1900 fps Yes, I do class it as low
1950 fps Yes, I do class it as low
2000 fps It's getting there / minimum
2050 fps It's getting there
2100 fps Now we are getting somewhere
Anything above 2100 fps, great.


BTW - I reckon you can hold your own against most poster on here and other forums !

Totally agree, although I'd rather have a 500 shooting 2080fps with 570 grain NF solid than a 450 shooting 2150fps with 480 grain solid on ele's.

It's your rifle get what you want. Having said that I love the look of 26" barrels on a double rifle. If you have an opportunity to choose, get the 26" barrels and you'll never regret them!

quote:

Originally posted by CCMDoc:

quote:

Originally posted by J D:
My front sight is not clear on the 3 24" barrel DR, The one 26 " 450-400 I looked down had 26" barrel and the front sight was in sharp focis. Something to consider when you get to be 50+

JD

Damn, hadnt thought of that ...

I bet you thought ,they let me hang out here because of my good looks.


JD

Simple solution. Get 25" barrels.

465H&H

quote:

Originally posted by 465H&H:
Simple solution. Get 25" barrels.
465H&H

That's exactly what I did on my "in the works" bespoke V-C .577

Couple of pre ambles

Regulation / accuracy of a DR is paramount over velocity (within reason
as per my figures above).

I know once you get over that "2300 / 2400 fps" figure with big bores,
then it does but we are talking less velocities than that.

Since we seem to be splitting hairs re this velocity thing,
and I know everyone in the US seems to suffer from the Weatherby Syndrome

Question then.

How many people here have shot game with DR's / Bigger bores within 150 yards
(so EXCLUDING long range shots / over 200 yard shots on Plains game)
reckon or have noticed that the animal reacts differently if the bullet is going
1950 / 2000 fps versus 2150 fps.

IMHO, having used a few guns in testing Woodleigh's where we had to shoot at very high and very low velocities (to work out the recommended impact velocities),
if the bullet is in the right place, it doesn't make a difference.

Any comments.

quote:

IMHO, having used a few guns in testing Woodleigh's where we had to shoot at very high and very low velocities (to work out the recommended impact velocities),
if the bullet is in the right place, it doesn't make a difference.

I don't want to pick a fight but I totally disagree with the notion that velocity or caliber or cartridge energy doesn't matter. It is akin to the same old argument that a .338 is as good as a .375, and a .318 is just as good as a .338, etc. etc. Pretty soon you are down to a .22 LR being just as good as a .700 NE.

For example, a .375 H&H solid will not have much of any effect on a head shot elephant that misses the brain compared to a bigger, more powerful cartridge, like the .500 NE.

If you want to see the shit that a 500 can put on an elephant with a missed brain shot just watch your fellow aussie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...RosM&feature=related

quote:

Originally posted by J D:

quote:

Originally posted by CCMDoc:

quote:

Originally posted by J D:
My front sight is not clear on the 3 24" barrel DR, The one 26 " 450-400 I looked down had 26" barrel and the front sight was in sharp focis. Something to consider when you get to be 50+

JD

Damn, hadnt thought of that ...

I bet you thought ,they let me hang out here because of my good looks.


JD

Jab, I'm not that naive. I know its only because you "cool DR folk" feel bad for me.

It's a moot point for people like me who can barely afford an off the shelf rifle like a Sabatti, Merkel or K gun, and not a vintage English double, or a custom made new one. You takes what you can get, usually 24 inch, and you like it.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
It's a moot point for people like me who can barely afford an off the shelf rifle like a Sabatti, Merkel or K gun, and not a vintage English double, or a custom made new one. You takes what you can get, usually 24 inch, and you like it.

Yeah, really.

Opinion: shorter barrels look better on big bore doubles.

Rich
DRSS

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Opinion: shorter barrels look better on big bore doubles.

Rich
DRSS

Agree.

quote:

Originally posted by J D:
My front sight is not clear on the 3 24" barrel DR, The one 26 " 450-400 I looked down had 26" barrel and the front sight was in sharp focis. Something to consider when you get to be 50+

JD

A new pair of glasses can fix that problem. Have the doc place the focus exactly where you want it. They will work with you on this. You just need to tell them what you are trying to achieve.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Opinion: shorter barrels look better on big bore doubles.

Rich
DRSS

Looks are the last thing that I would consider important in a double rifle for dangerous game. Regulation, accuracy, dependability, velocity, caliber, ejectors, weight, barrel length, fit, balance and handling qualities are all much more important.

465H&H

quote:

Originally posted by Bob Nisbet:
...from those who have years of experience with various DR barrel lengths.
Is there a benefit of one over the other.

Bob, perhaps the most significant difference is the shorter 24" barrels ae much easier to handle in heavy brush, as found in alder thickets in Alaska, where I have been with my 470. The short barrels come into their own in the thick stuff. As to velocity, "500N" had it just right, you can get whatever velocity you want, & get perfect regulation at standard velocity, by careful reloading. Also, I shot a caribou in Alaska at over 200 yards with paper-patched cast 500-grain bullets at 1925 fps, and the result was an instant kill. The trajectory was entirely adequate.

I can't remember anyone owning a 26" barrel double who wishes they were shorter?

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
I can't remember anyone owning a 26" barrel double who wishes they were shorter?

Well, you're just old and forgetful.

I suppose you are right, ah,. . .whatever your name is?

Ive had,double rifle with barrels as short as 18 inches and still have double with barrels that are just under 24 inches, and as long a 30 inches. They all seem to ballance well, and I don't find any of them hard to handle.

The rifle I had a few years ago was a double rifle made on a Laurona 20 ga shotgun action, chambered for 30-30 Win and regulated with 170 gr round nose bullets. It had large Iron sights with a white bead front and had 18 inch barrels. It was used while chasing bear/lion dogs in the mountains of New Mexico. It was light and on a sling was easy to carry all day climbing mountains to get to treed black bear of cat! Worked like a charm, and I wish I still had that little rifle. It even made a nice brush deer rifle as well, especially from a tree or tower stand!

I've been thinking about shortening the barrels to 20 inches on my Pedersoli double that is chambered for 458 RCBS and mounting a rail on the front sling swivel, for a Sure-fire light, and replace the sighets with a ghost ring back, and a fiber optic front bead, for a follow-up rifle on hogs, lion and bear at night! Plenty of power, for the purpose, and short for going into the weeds!

I have a 470 Westley droplock, built for a maharajah with 21" barrels, probably intended as a Howdah rifle. Engraved with elephants and such. Originally built that way in 1910. In speaking with Simon Clode, owner of Westley Richards, Simon said he prefers 21 or 22 in barrels for their manueverability in tight conditions. Most elephants are shot under 25 yards in heavy brush. I do not think the velocities are compromised a bit. Don't forget the old 577 BPE's of the of the Baker type and 8 bore rifles took most of the elephants until nitro came about around 1900.
John

John, have you received it yet??

I have two Heyms's,one 26" the other 24" barrels,I like both rifles,well built and accurate,if I had to have only one,the 470 with the 24" barrels would be the one!

Don
Still waiting....

I have a heym with 26" barrels that I wish was 24". But this is after my 470 has 24". Whenever I pick up the 26" barrels they feel to long.