I am thinking of buying one of these as a all around hunting rifle. Where is the best place to purchase? About how much should you pay for a
basic model with detachable scope mount. Is this a practical all around rifle for the deer lease and huntig abroad. I have a fixed 4x Schmidt & Bender that I was thinking of putting on it. What do you think of that combo. Thanks in advance for any help.

It's hard to beat J.J. at Champlin Arms. The rifle is excellent.

Do aq search for the Chapuis Group buy on this site. I can't remember the persons name who was doing the deal but his prices were great and he was a very nice/helpful guy to talk to.

The person you should contact is Dale Nygaard (DLN). If you can't find him via a search on this board, PM me and I will send you his email address.
Peter.

I made the mistake of shooting a two of the Chapuis rifles at the DRSS this weekend. They were quite pleasant to shoot, very accurate and were perfect weight-wise. If they just weren't built in France by a company owend by John Kerry and Al Gore....

Kidding aside, the France thing is the only excuse I could come up with to not buy one and after shooting a couple, and my resolve if fading fast.

Despite the French drawback, I love my Chapuis. The 9.3x74R is pleasant to shoot and it is extremely accurate. I just wish it was legal to hunt DG with in Tanzania. If it was I can promise you it would be in my case. It is also an extremely well pointing gun, almost like a nicely balanced .410 double barrel shotgun.

there is a real nice merkel 9.3x74 at the local gun shop up here

called the buffalo gun center. http://www.buffaloguncenter.com/

they also have a merkel 470.

The Chapuis in 9,3x74R is a lovely little rifle. Mine has a 1.5-6x42 Schmidt&Bender scope and 20 ga barrels.

Light, great balance, fast moving.

Have only used mine in the US ... but it has performed perfectly on deer, pigs, and birds including chukkar and pheasant.

I recommend 286 gr Nosler partitions.

Very, very nice.

I can't thing of a better rifle and caliber for hunting elk or deer in heavy timber.

465H&H

I'm in on the group buy through DLN.Really good price;it would be worth your time to contact him.Looks like we're looking at a November delivery date at this point.I'm anxious.

It's versatile to about 150m provided you can find good ammo for it. You can increase it's range by mounting scope over one of the barrels while using iron sights for second tube. DRs are best in .450-.577 size at 50+/-25 paces for species that "shoot back".

A couple of months back,450No2 wrote a post on the use of his on his last trip to Africa.Really great read.I think it was in the African hunting forum,but not sure.Perhaps if he checks this thread,he'll relay the location.I had already ordered mine,but after reading his article,I was sure I'd made the right decision.(not much doubt really,but nice to get positive reinforcement).

The French thing WAS a draw back for me, BUT now I have one coming in October. Get a price from Chris at Double Rife Imports.

Norman Conquest
Check the African Hunt Reports I sent it back to the top.

You should be very happy with your Chapuis.

Thanks for all the usefull info. It looks like this is what I want. I think it will be after Christmas before I can finish saving enough for it. I'm getting married in September and we're spending a week in Alaska so that will cut into my funds.The Leica binoculars I just ordered for trip did'nt help either.

< The French thing WAS a draw back for me >

The American thing was never a draw back for me. I always loved and purchased products from Nosler, Swift, Apple etc. And I carry my S & W Centennial Airweight on a daily basis, even if the name of the American president is GWB...

Think about it, the French have owned Winchester for quite a while...

After all I bought my Chapuis from an American.

I buy my Gin from England [Bombay Sapphire]...

My Scotch from Scotland [Islay]...

My Winchester 1895 Big Medicine 405 from Japan...

Big Bore Doubles from England...

Everything else comes from China... or so it seems...

Heck I am an International Trader...

Tony,

I am right there with you...

I own a winchester...
I buy my gin from England (Bombay)...
My whiskey for Ireland (Bushmills)...
And I have a growing collection of cz rifles and shotguns.

Go figure.

With respect to the French thing, I figure that this company can't be very popular in France - they make rifles for HUNTING, not wine, cheese or whine. They are probably as popular in France as a Republican in San Francisco.

Yet they continue and make some damn fine rifles.

So, piss off a French socialist buy a Chapuis!

quote:

Originally posted by Paolo9,5x73:
It's versatile to about 150m provided you can find good ammo for it. You can increase it's range by mounting scope over one of the barrels while using iron sights for second tube. DRs are best in .450-.577 size at 50+/-25 paces for species that "shoot back".

Why on Earth would you mount a scope over one barrel, and use the irons for the other?

If your loads are proper for the regulation of your double rifle, and the rifle was regulated properly,in the first place, the scope will work for both barrels exactly the same way the irons do!

NE 450 No2 has scopes on two of his double rifles, and regularly shoots game at 200 to 300 yds with a double rifle chambered for 9.3X74R!
There is a misconception that a double rifle will only shoot to point of aim at the "regulated distance" and that is simply wrong!

"Regulated distance",which is a missnomer,there is no such thing! Regulation is from the muzzles to infinity. The distance on each rear sight is simply where that rear sight places the shots,of both barrels, at that distance,for windage, and elevation, nothing more. If the loads are correct, the barrels shoot paralell no matter the distance. The barrels are physically converged, but the bullet paths are paralell,because of proper barrel time, causeing the bullets to exit the muzzles at a point that is paralell to the other barrel at it's time of exit, if the loads are properly loaded.


The other misconception is that all double rifles cross at some point, and this is wrong as well!

It is amazing to me, how many people who have owned double rifles for years, and very knowledgable gun people, simply accept the lie that all double rifles cross their shots at the mythical "regulation distance", and continue to widen as the shots go down range! This is simply not true! Loads that cross, may serve your purposes, but if they do, the load you are shooting is not a regulating load!

If you look at a H&H Royal, with one standing, and four flip-up sights for ranges to five distances, stop and think! These sights were not installed by the maker for nothing more than decoration, they work! The problem is, everyone works up loads that cross at the point of the standing rear sight, instead of centering the groups side by side on each side of point of aim at that distance, but close enough that both barrels make an acceptable composit group. If you will notice the line on the face of each of those flip-ups is in line with the next one for the next range! This alone should tell you the barrels are sending the bullets of a regulating load paralell, down range! This way all the down range sights will be on target for it's range no matter which barrel you fire. The same applies to scope use on a double rifle, and if it doesn't then the loads are not shooting to the regulation properly!

Mac is correct.
I have fired my 450 No2 at 200 yards with the 200 yard leaf, and my 450/400 at 200 and 300 yards with the proper leaf. on rocks in the field The bbls do not cross, near as I can tell.

I have shot my Chapuis 9,3x74R at 200 and 300 yards with the scope on paper. The shots do not cross.

With my iron sighted 450 I have hit game at 188 yards. With my 450/400 I have hit game at @150-170 yards.
With my scoped 9,3 I have hit a coyote at 271 yards and a kudu at a little over 300.
All shots were in front of witnesses. All but one on film.

It has been my experience that I can shoot doubles in the field as good as a bolt gun from hunting positions, when the guns are of similar calibres, with similar sights.

I would like to have a "long range double" in something like a 7x65, 8x75, 318 Accelerated express, etc.

Of course me being the "Radical" of the DRSS that I am, maybe even a Chapuis in 300 Win Mag.

The Chapuis seing mount, is it made by the factory special for their rifle, or can I use rings from eaw for instance?

I seem to remember that the Chapuis mounts I got when I bought the rifle were from Ernst Apel. Later I got a second set of rings that fit the pivot mount and they were marked Chapuis and had a different lever,locking mechanism.

Both go back to Zero 100%.
A Leupold 2.5-8 and a Swarovski 1.5-6 fit the rifle perfectly.

If you like a smaller scope a 1.1-4 Schmidt & Bender would be a good choice.
I recommend an illuminated reticle.

On a 9,3 I like at least a 6X.

Search some of my previous posts...
I feel the 9,3x74R chapuis is one of the best hunting rifles under 40 cal.

If yo9u get the Chapuis let us know how she shoots and how you like it.

I have been very happy and well pleased with mine.

hey N E 450 No2! thank you for your advice. I think I have read all your posts regarding this DR, thank you, it has been very informative and highly entertaining. I am buying the gun, hope the straight stock will work out ok. Turns out it comes with a Leupold VXII, 1-4x20. I like a larger front opening for twilight conditions, as it is legal to hunt during that time here in Norway, and due to the fact that we are far north in the world, our twilights lasts longer than they do in Africa for instance. I have a Leupold LPS 1.5-6x42 with 30mm tube and a German #4 reticle that I think would work fine on this gun. I need new rings though, and wonder where to buy, Where did you get yours? If I keep this rifle, that is, if I can shoot it well, I will get a SuB scope with illuminated reticle for it down the road.

jan[just another norwegian]
I think the factory rings and bases come from from Ernst Apel. I would keep the 1-4 leupold as a spare scope and mount your LPS as primary.

Sometimes some people get their second finger banged by the trigger guard.

A friend of mine did not only get his second finger banged by a Chapuis 470 hes finger was cut durring a range session.
I and another DRSS member both shot his Chapuis several times, and we never even felt the trigger guard touch our second finger.

If It hurts yours there are rubber and leather rings that will help solve the problem.

It seems to be an individuals grip.
I have never had my finger banged by any rifle including 500 bolts, doubles or even Doc 52's 577.
Same is true for a 12 ga English Stock shotgun.

PS, if you reload and can get Woodleigh 286 gr RN Softs they seem to be the best allround Soft for the 9,3.

I have taken game from bobcat to cape buff with perfect performance. The 286 gr Nosler Partition has done great too.

286 Woodleigh solids on giraffe and cow elephant suprised not only me but my PH and Videographer.

450 No. 2
I love my new Chapuis 9.3, but find the triggers a bit heavy. Did you lighten them any or just shoot them as they came from the factory? I wouldn't consider lightening triggers on a heavy double, but this rifle is so accurate and the recoil so reasonable that I might have these worked on. Thanks for any thoughts.

Dev
I have not adjusted my triggers.
Mine do not seem to be too heavy.
They are crisp.

I would rather have a trigger that I thought was a little heave than one that was too light.

Tony,
do you have ejectors in your rifle? I ordered mine with extractors but wonder if this will be a problem when shooting with a scope on the rifle. Not sure how difficult it will be to pluck out the fired brass. thoughts?

I have ejectors on my Chapuis.
Stand by I will get it out and give it a test.

Roscoe
I do not see a problem. When I break the double open I am "reaching" in from the side to pick out the brass, the right bbl first the left second.
The scope does not seem to be in the way.

Thanks for the info...I will stay with the extractors then.

Roscoe

Roscoe,
I bought mine with ejectors,the price difference was only $300.00,extractor's I am sure will work fine for you,but the added price makes the ejector's a bargain to add to the rifle at least that's what J.J seemed to recommend!

Roscoe, when you're not in a hurry, plucking 'em out won't be a problem. If you're in a hurry, just let 'em fall out. The only double rifles that really need ejectors are the rimless chambered guns. Extractors will be fine on a 9.3.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

Cool rifles, Don't bash the French while waving an American flag read American history and if you must bash a country make it England.Just my opinion.remember Lafeyette

quote:

Originally posted by Rug:
Cool rifles, Don't bash the French while waving an American flag read American history and if you must bash a country make it England.Just my opinion.remember Lafeyette

My god, someone on AR actually knows a little history! You're the first.

Brent

We bash the French because of their lack of a spine. They are capable of making a good gun, although I have my suspisions that they actually import the people who actually do the work. Probably from the Czech republic or similar. I personally had a hard time when it came to the decision of whether or not to buy a Chapuis. I finally had my mind made up for me when I found a new Merkel at well below dealer cost.

In terms of value received for the money spent on a new double rifle, the Chapuis UGEX is the best deal there is. They're not best guns by any stretch, but they're rugged, accurate, serviceable little rifles.

We, and others, bash the French for "lack of spine", but we haven't walked a mile in their shoes. The French fought WWI on their own soil against an invader that outnumbered them. The total of American servicement killed in action in all of our wars, from our War of Independence to Vietnam, doesn't quite come up to the 1,364,000 French servicemen killed in action in the four years and three months of WWI. The French fought well and without them the Allies would have lost. Spineless? Bullshit. In the 1940 invasion, the French and British armies, once again outnumbered, were crushed by a force that no modern Western army of the day could have resisted, least of all the US Army of that time. It was a very different US Army that went ashore in Normandy. No nation could have endured two such horrific events in such a short time unchanged. The Frogs drive me nuts too, but maybe they've earned the right to.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

Rumor has it that there is a photo floating around cyberspace of 400NE shooting a Chapuis....even worse...it had a scope on it........say it aint so Mark....say it aint so!

Roscoe:

Shhhhhh. That photograph was posted without my permission.
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"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

400 Nitro
Tell the truth, you liked the Chapuis.
We both know it "ain't" British, but it is a GREAT hunting rifle, especially for the money.

Most hunters scope a 375 bolt rifle, they scope a 9,3x62 bolt rifle.
A scope on a 9,3x74R is a natural.

Many hunters scope a 404/416 bolt rifle.

A scoped 450/400, or a 500/416 again is a natural.

The scope on my 450/400 puts it into a WHOLE NEW WORLD.

Even John Pondoro Taylor was a big fan of a scope.