Well I finally have a DR and have finally managed to take if for a test drive. This morning I had to go into town for therapy and figured that since I was away from the office already I may as well swing by the indoor range and try out the gun. I've almost had it a week.

The indoor range is limited to 35 yds. It was a little dark at 35 so I decided to shoot at 25 yds. The shooting table isn't really built for shooting while standing but I did find a rest to help some. To get a good sight picture I had to take a fairly wide stance and lean forward a bit. The first two shots are nothing to brag about and definitely show I need some practice. Sets R3/L3 and R4/L4 left me quite pleased with the gun.

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As you can see R1/L1 and R2/L2 are a bit wild.

Some of observations:
1. the brass insert in the front sight was hard to pick up at times with the lighting in the indoor range. This is easy enough to remedy
2. the comb is a bit high for me. I had to move my head back farther than I like to get good sight alignment
3. as others have mentioned, the recoil pad could be better.

I am very pleased with the fit, finish and weight of the gun. It handles well. The ejectors worked great and only ejected the fired cartridge.

Cabela's had the gun marked down and in July when I put it on layaway they had an additional 10% off Sabatti's. So when I picked up up last Saturday I walked out for less than $4500 including taxes. The muzzles are clean the the serial number is followed by an X.

Call me a convert to Sabatti-ism and now a happy double rifle owner.

Eric

Congratulations! Let us know how you progress with the rifle but you need to shoot it at 50 yards off the bench and then see where you are. jorge

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Eric congratulations on your new rifle! Given having to contort your body like a corkscrew that is not a bad group. I assume your point of aim was the white bulls eye in the middle of the target. If you will notice the left barrel's group is on the left, and the right barrel's group in on the right. That is a sign of proper regulation. I think if you get on a bench where you can shoot comfortably and hold the rifle with your hands and do not rest the rifle dirrectly on sand bags your groups for each barrel will tighten up a lot, and if each barrel continues to have it's center on it's own side of the aiming point out to the 50 and 100 yard mark and remain fairly tight composit group of both barrels, you are home free! I suspect this rifle will prove to be a shooter! Again congratulations!
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You did not mention what calibre...
Must have been fun shooting next to the 38sp and 9mm indoors.
Enjoy your new rifle

Zephyr,

It is a 450/400 NE ejector model.

It is fun. They have two ranges, one for pistol the other for rifle. Pistol is to 25 and rifle to 35. The guys next to me this morning were shooting AR's. The target in the next lane was set out at 5 yds. Whenever I fired the muzzle blast would cause it to swing. I also got a charge out of the big cartridges ejecting behind me compared to the .223's.

MacD37,

I'm going to have to work on something for a better rest. I'm also going to color the front sight to give a little better contrast.

Eric

quote:

Originally posted by ELeeton:
Zephyr,

I'm going to have to work on something for a better rest. I'm also going to color the front sight to give a little better contrast.

Eric

Any craft store will have an enamel paint pen (looks/works like a sharpie, but you shake it like a spray can) for $1.50, I have several and have done my Sabatti in white. The front bead is kind of concave so it will hold a small drop of paint well. Mine just got touched up after being painted for about 18 months. It holds well and is a MAJOR improvement. Good Luck!

Looks like you got a good one with proper regulation. I suspect your groups will tighten as you become more familiar with the rifle. Congrats!!

Can't wait to see more targets. I'm very tempted to try one in .450 NE, as these seem the best balanced to me of the Sabattis.

Bill,

I had originally considered a .450 was well. Things just sync'ed right that allowed me to pick up the 450/400 at an especially good price. Too good of a deal to pass up. I am more than happy with the cartridge choice and the rifle itself.

I'm going to try to get to the range once more before I have to head to Israel for some work. I'll post targets, hopefully with better results, if I get to the range.

Eric

quote:

Originally posted by ELeeton:
This morning I had to go into town for therapy

You can forget the therapy!
You've been bitten by the double rifle bug. No amount of therapy will cure it. It only gets worse with time too.

I know I know. I have already started to catch myself thinking about a .470

Consider a 450NE instead, if you load your own..

Much bigger selection of bullets with almost identical ballistics.

Eric:
I agree with Mike on the .450 vs. .470. In addition you can buy old Hornady 500-grain .458s at gun shows for a very low price.

For the front sight, use a dab of white out. I carry a small 1/2 ounce bottle with sponge applicator when I shoot and when I hunt. Works wonders, bright, easy to apply, quick dry, & it's cheap. In South Africa in 2002 I lost the bead off my .450-400 double and could not see anything in shade or poor light. I tried model paint but it separates and hardens in the bottle over time. White out is the answer. I think Roosevelt took a bottle with him on his 1909 safari. Mike Brooks can confirm this. He was there.

Cheers,
Cal

I would also agree that the 450 is more desirable than the 470.

However, I would suggest the 500NE instead of either. Significant increase in frontal area and energy without a corresponding increase in weight or recoil. Truly, the best of both worlds. I think the only reason the 470 was more popular than the 500 was ammo availability. That is no longer the case as the 500's popularity has come on strong of late.

In any event, you'll be handloading for these doubles in short order or else you won't be shooting them much. That being said, I can't really see an argument for the 450 - 470 class of weapon with the 500NE being available.

But, YMMV of course!

I'm setting up to reload for this one. Some of the stuff I ordered is on back order but should be here when I get back. I have a Dillon 550B but they don't make a shell plate to accommodate the 450/400. I don't shoot as much as I used to so I'll probably be getting rid of the Dillon.

A second DR is out of the question for now but it is fun to think about what could be in the future. I've always liked the 450 No.2

Don’t throw that Dillon out just yet. Well if you want you can throw it in my direction. Have you tried measuring the 450 case and comparing it to other cases? I have found I can load 470 and 500NE on my 550 with Shell plate B Locator Button 4. You might find a setup that will work.
Bill

Bill,

I called Dillon and they told me it wouldn't work on the 550B.

I have three or four caliber conversion kits and five or six tool heads. Right now I just don't want to go through the hassle of trying to sell i.e. posting someplace and such, it but will consider it once things slow down at work.

Eric