With the double rifles I've had over the years, I have always used snap caps while storing or transporting the gun.
The user manual for my old Browning Superposed shotgun states that leaving the gun cocked at all times is OK and that it will not weaken the coil springs.
So thinking about getting another double - Merkel, Verney-Carron, etc. - what is the best way for storage and travel?
And, yes I know, I could get a K-gun or a Blaser, but lets look at traditional doubles.

Where is a good source for decent snap caps in 450/400, 470, 500NE and the like?

I do not store my double with snap caps loaded in them. I either have them broken down in a hard case or stored muzzle down in my safe. I store them muzzle down to prevent crushing my leather covered pads.

Galazan's is a good source for double rifle snap caps - I have bought all of mine from Tony.

I would recommend you NOT travel with your DR assembled with snap caps in the chambers. You will absolutely panic TSA and Customs officials and will likely delay your onward progress.

I second what Lionhunter stated above. You will set off seven kinds of hell if a TSA sees snap caps in the chambers of your rifle or shotgun.

I leave mine home when traveling and only use them during the 6-7 months of no shooting here in the Alaska winters. In the summer when I shoot often, no worries.
Cal

Snap caps are ok if you are leaving the gun assembled. When you break it down to store you need a “snap block” the better/traditional ones are out of buffalo horn. This way you can put it up in the case with no tension on the springs. If you have a vintage rifle or shotgun you will probably find one in your case.
Bill

quote:

Originally posted by Vasa:

So thinking about getting another double - Merkel, Verney-Carron, etc. - what is the best way for storage and travel?

Ask the mfg after you decide on a brand. V-C does not feel it is necessary to drop the hammers for storage & will also tell you to not take the gun apart & drop the hammers.

Careful on snap caps, some have over thick rims & will cause more problems than they solve

I use snap caps and relieve the springs for storage. The reason is all my double rifles have fitted cases, and most of my shotguns as well. I don't have room in my gun vault for all of these in the cases, so the stay put together and in the vault.

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

I don't know if I am missing something here, this same question has been asked before and there was agreement from other posters with my view, you can break a gun down in an uncocked state by snapping on snap caps and then removing the forend before opening the gun. The ejector hammers, if it is an ejector gun, are contained in the forend and will always stay cocked but the hammer springs will be 'relieved'.
No need to break down in a cocked state and then use a snapping block, unless of course you have no snap caps.

I did read once where coil springs will gradually loose tension if kept compressed over a long time whereas leaf springs do not. I couldn't verify this, my experience being leaf springs break more often than coils do.

I agree with others here, do not travel with snap caps in a gun.

I have a Chapuis 470. Met Messr. Chapuis at the sci show in Reno a couple of years ago and asked him this very question. He said to break open the rifle, then keep the triggers depressed as you close the action and that decocks them.

Works !!

Not sure what part of BC you are in Vasa, but, I have seen 470 and 500NE snap caps in Calgary.
450-400 aren't avail from A-zoom, maybe elsewhere.
I made my own for my 450-400 and 30R. Easy enough to do. K-gun is nice, in that I just decock it to put it away.

Make your own. I don't remember where I saw the instructions, just take a couple of fired empties, remove old primers, drill and tap for hard plastic screws, insert with superglue on threads, cut off and polish. They work great, last, and are cheap enough. I use the plastic screws used these days for license plates; I forget the thread and tap size though.
Rick

Snap caps are also easy to make using a bit of o-ring. There is one OD of the o-ring rubber that is ~.210", about the same as a large rifle primer pocket.

De-prime a case, cut said o-ring in half, insert one end into the primer pocket and use a razor blade to cut flush with the case head. A touch of glue will help hold it in place, but I haven't had any fall out not using glue.

The durometer of the o-rings that come in an o-ring kit appears to be the same as the rubber in a $60 factory set, although with all the different materials o-rings are made of, I'm not sure which I happen to have, but would suspect viton as the material.

quote:

Originally posted by Kebco:

quote:

Originally posted by Vasa:

So thinking about getting another double - Merkel, Verney-Carron, etc. - what is the best way for storage and travel?

Ask the mfg after you decide on a brand. V-C does not feel it is necessary to drop the hammers for storage & will also tell you to not take the gun apart & drop the hammers.

Careful on snap caps, some have over thick rims & will cause more problems than they solve

THIS.

Storing barrels down also allows oil to accumulate on a rag that I sit my barrels on. That way no oil in the stock recesses. You may have seen pictures of oil soaked stocks which are weakened by the absorption of oil. Not a good thing.

Dutch

Buddy of mine showed me a neat trick for homemade snap caps. He had a deprimed case, took a hole punch that has 5 different punches on the revolving wheel, selected the right size for the primer pocket, punched the thin leather sheet, pressed the little "plug" into the pocket and it held firmly, (could also put a speck of glue in the bottom). Very slick, lasts forever and essentially free! Made me a pair for my 450NE while I stood there.