Folks may recall my posting after acquiring an 1897-made H&H double in .303 British earlier this year.

Elections finally finished up in Afghanistan in early November and I am now in Namibia with the .303, that has enjoyed some of JJ Perodeau's attentions. With a larger, higher front bead it shoots better than I do. What I discovered, however, is that the back sight does NOT use set screws to lock it in place. It, rather, has two screws into the rib. This makes adjusting for windage very difficult, although I have been able to edge the backsight enough to the left to make up about two inches of the needed move of the composite group at 100 yards.

So, for 400 Nitro and other fundi on doubles: Is it possible that such earlier rifles actually screwed their back sights down? Or is this some hamfisted gunsmithing after production? In any case, it's bad design and I'll be asking JJP to redo the backsight so that it can actually be drifted to adjust for windage. Oh, the back sight also has a piece of old metal ruler under it used as a shim, presumably for ensuring proper fit that also argues for once-upon-a-time gunsmithing...

Oh, yes, it does shoot and the 215 grain .303 has taken a Hartman's Mountain Zebra and a number of gemsbok so far. Pix will be forthcoing.

Regards, Tim

Tim,
I just last week returned from a trip to eastern Tennessee where my partner and I each made instant kills on Russian boars in the 225-250 pound class with my .303 British double rifle. This was with the 174 grain Hornady RNSP that I regulated the rifle for. The old .303 is far from dead!

Tim: Yes, pix please! Same goes for you, Ron.

Tim:

Yes, I've seen this on several (where the screws are not set screws). It's usually used with the front being drift adjustable for windage, but not always. I don't like it either.
-----------------------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

Tim-

Have fun with that rifle.
You've earned it!


Here's Tim's images taken from another thread on another site.
First the rifle as he got it, then the peep sight that JJ built for it (during a re-regulation at his shop), and an example of the accuracy at 100 yds over that peep sight!














Cheers
Tinker

Very good indeed. Great accuracy.

Probably THE strongest action Holland ever built.

Nice, nice thing to call one's own...

Glad to hear that gorgeous .303 is serving you well, Tim!

Thanks all for replies -- AT, especially appreciate your posting photos from other Board. Back home on Saturday and will post hunting pix to photobucket and then here.


Regards, Tim

Pix here from 15-30 November hunt in Namibia. Full story will feature, eventually, in a Double Gun Journal article with the .303 British and a Darne 10 gauge.

Regards, Tim


Tristan and Ron after bird-shooting of pigeon, sandgrouse and errant guinea fowl


Zebra stallion taken with the .303 British double


Gemsbok cow and the .303 double


Good-sized warthog, the right barrel of a double that included a gemsbok for camp Christmas rations taken just after with the left

Tim-


That's a beautiful Zebra.
Looks like you've been having a good time.
Good for you!



Cheers
Tinker

I am sure that you will know that Holland's are very co-operative if you just telephone or e-mail them and would be delighted to tell you what the rifle was set up for AND any odd features of the sights.

Tim: Congratulations on obtaining such a lovely, lovely .303 double and for putting it to such outstanding use. I believe it was Edouard Foa who found such a double very useful indeed.

I love the peep ... just the ticket for us old farts! Great to see you putting rifle to good use. Now when are we going to see pics of the Hornet??

Russ,

Bailey Bradshaw tells me he'll have the damascus .22 that you've seen abuilding on this forum completed at Dallas and that my .22 k-Hornet will be there in the white.

Best for the New Year, Tim

Hey, there's a Purdy 303 DR hammer gun on Gun Broker with a $12K minimum (or Best Offer) if someone just has to have one.