I don't understand the title of this thread to include the word elephant. It seems any hunter would want his double rifle shooting accurately (either through regulation or load adjustment) regardless of what's the quarry--elephant or impala.
Does elephant imply greater accuracy is required due to the potential danger. Or, is less accuracy acceptable due to the close shots and the size of the brain?
Any hunter, hunting anything, should have an accurate rifle, period, wether a vintage double rifle of the newest POS stainless, synthetic, whiz bang magnum with a fluted barrel and muzzle brake.
Just my three cents.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
I don't understand the title of this thread to include the word elephant. It seems any hunter would want his double rifle shooting accurately (either through regulation or load adjustment) regardless of what's the quarry--elephant or impala.
Does elephant imply greater accuracy is required due to the potential danger. Or, is less accuracy acceptable due to the close shots and the size of the brain?
Any hunter, hunting anything, should have an accurate rifle, period, wether a vintage double rifle of the newest POS stainless, synthetic, whiz bang magnum with a fluted barrel and muzzle brake.
Just my three cents.
Cal

Hello Cal,

Thanks for the reply.

Well, I guess I wanting to know what is acceptable regulation for "Elephant Gun" doubles. Is it the same for lesser caliber doubles, or is "less accuracy acceptable due to the close shots and the size of the brain" with the biggest calibers like the .577 and .600's - which would not likely be used for long distance shooting.

The few "Old World" references I have found about makers of "Big Doubles" (.577 - .600) and their regulation, seem much less stringent back then, than today.

In additon, I have yet to find any written information about the exact specification of regulation for double rifles of any caliber, Big or Small. By contrast, there are many references from bolt-gun manufactures that advertise M.O.A specifications or expectations; some actually come with guarantees i.e., "..1-1/2" groups @ 100 for 3 shots from a cold gun.."

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
I don't understand the title of this thread to include the word elephant. It seems any hunter would want his double rifle shooting accurately (either through regulation or load adjustment) regardless of what's the quarry--elephant or impala.
Does elephant imply greater accuracy is required due to the potential danger. Or, is less accuracy acceptable due to the close shots and the size of the brain?
Any hunter, hunting anything, should have an accurate rifle, period, wether a vintage double rifle of the newest POS stainless, synthetic, whiz bang magnum with a fluted barrel and muzzle brake.
Just my three cents.
Cal

Period. The end. Amen!

Buckstix. I m new to doubles although I used a .470 on a buff in Zim 4 years ago. I ve learnt a tremendous amount from the insights and generous advice from people like CCMDoc, Mac, Todd, and Cal. My concern was also big caliber double accuracy. You raise thevquestion about past accuracy requirements for regulation. Here is a quote about what I found:
The accuracy was much better than I could have expected! I happened to be reading in the book by Dallas about the 1883 Field magazine test yesterday and with Froome shooting for H&H they had mostly a clean sweep. As many of you would know the competition required five shots from each barrel at 50,100,150 yds. The average for them was for the .450 double .7", .500 1.7" and for the .577 1.8". Supports what you were saying Cal.

Of note, the British .577/450 from the Zulu War was required to group into 20" at 1200 as I recall. So large calibers can group extremely well if well built and shot. Even as a neophyte I ve managed to group 3" at 100 yds with my .577 VC. Today I was shooting my custom .375 bolt into .5" at 200 yds. As Cal points out, all hunting rifles should be very accurate and this is achievable.

LR3
DRSS

A double should shoot at least 2 inches at 50 and 75 yards IMO..Most of mine have shot 1.5" at that range..I had a couple that did better than that..A Searcy .470 that would cut one hole at 50, another Searcy that would shoot an inch and an old beat up Jefferys and a old beat up Army Navy that both shot as well or better...

the guy that said minute of grapefruit was off base, or was just acting cute! Doubles are accurate, but sometimes you have to play with them..

A good accurate double will stick a bullet in the charging animals eye, a 3 inch gun may just get bone or horn. I believe a double should be the most accurate of rifles if for no other reason than it just might save ones life.

As for elephants, I have no idea what that has to do with anything, but that said I don't want to miss the brain and the closer to the center of the brain the better....Also I don't like the fabled close of 5 to 10 yards, I want enough distance to let my bullet stabilize and that's about 20 to 25 yards as a rule, depending on the gun and load, but one should know that before he hunts them..

In the final analysis if a double rifle is properly regulated the target doesn't matter, if it is not regulated properly the tenacity of the target does indeed matter!
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