My K-Gun is off to Pennsylvania for a small adjustment. It should be back in less than two weeks. However for now, I am suffering from DRW (Double Rifle Withdrawals)

Now I am thinking about buying another double. First thought was to go BIG like a 577 or even a 600, but my 470 can kill anything on the face of the earth. Then I thought about something smaller like a 450-400. With all of the talk about Rigby and English guns I started looking around the internet for what is available. (I am left handed) I came across this rifle from Boswell. (I realize it is a 3 1/4" not the 3" like Hornady loads)

http://www.champlinarms.com/De...StyleID=3&GunID=1444

How would this rifle compare to Rigby or other high end rifles in terms of handling and feel?

Is this a fair price for this rifle?

How would one of Butch's doubles compare?

In the meantime I can watch videos of me shooting. I record these to watch glitches in what I am doing. Pease feel free to comment, like that request is needed. BTW I shot a 3.5" group at 25 yards in this video.

http://s135.photobucket.com/al...urrent=470NitroA.flv

Your shooting looks great to me. it appears that you handle 470 recoil very well.

The Boswell looks very nice. Searcy will make you a gun to your dimensions for a lot less than 23,000. On the other hand from a collectors stand point I think the Boswell will hold value better, maybe.

Nice reload. But using ejectors is cheating! For a gun to use in the USA, how about a 9.3x74R?
Peter.

K-Gun, extractors only.

Thought about the 9.3 by 74 or possibly a .375 flanged.

They are all good rounds.

Mike, Cool video, and good timing on the reload. Take you time and search all the sites. You can sometimes get a great price on a LH double...the dealer figures it is a much more limited market.

Mike:

That's a nice rifle. I've shot it, and liked it a lot. Excellent bores. Handles great.

quote:

How would this rifle compare to Rigby or other high end rifles in terms of handling and feel?

Very favorably. Most of Rigby's pre-war boxlocks were built for them by Webley. I don't think there's a British double rifle that handles better than those did, regardless of money. This rifle is quite similar.

quote:

Is this a fair price for this rifle?

It's in the ballpark. If you haven't done so, I think you'll enjoy doing business with Champlin.
----------------------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Mike, Cool video, and good timing on the reload. Take you time and search all the sites. You can sometimes get a great price on a LH double...the dealer figures it is a much more limited market.

You are right about the pricing, I (my wife) made a very good deal on the K-Gun.

400 NE:

Thanks for the info, I have been considering riding up to OK and visit Champlin's shop.

I bought a 8X57JRS earlier this year. It's a great little rifle.

Mike I like your 375 flanged choice, weight wise it's going to be lighter and it sure covers the lower end of the game spectrum better. Second choice in 9.3 a good one also.

Mike if that was your K gun in the video I am even more impressed with your reload! It looked like you just (imperceptably) flicked it over and the cases fell out. I will have to try that with mine (500/416).
Peter.

quote:

Thanks for the info, I have been considering riding up to OK and visit Champlin's shop.

I dont own any doubles, but I have been to Champlin's shop a couple of times. It is well worth visiting, and if any gun lover is in the area just take a ride out to the airport and drop in. They are very nice people and will let you in the safe room by yourself to handle every gun on the shelf...I did. There is some very nice stuff there, also got to visit with there Gsmith for a little bit.
I need to go back, only problem is it's about a 3 hour drive ...

Peter,

It is my K-Gun. Lots of practice with two sets of snap caps.

The rifle is at Krieghoff to fix the barrels closing slightly after I dump the spent rounds. It closes just enough for the rims to catch on the receiver. Krieghoff is adjusting it for no charge.

Things to work on:

Keep my eyes on the target. I still have a tendency to look down.

Make certain the rifle is pulled tight in the correct spot on my shoulder. The problem is more prevelant on the third and fourth shots, if it is not quite in the right place and I lift my head to readjust.

Start pulling the butt in my shoulder as soon as the empties are dumped. Have the rifle shouldered by the time the fresh rounds are loaded.

Other comments,

This is my first double. When I first started shooting the K-gun I thought I made a mistake owning a double (it was a gift from my wife). Now it is all I want to shoot.

That is a Texas Hunt Co. belt I am using. It is one of the highest quality pieces of hunting gear I own. The only problem for me is the shellholder spaces the rounds a little too far apart. I am thinking about calling them and see if they can sew a shellholder with two rounds almost touching and about a 3/4" space between the next set.

Sometimes people (or even me) think we go a little overboard with learning to shoot these rifles. Sadly there was a PH killed by an ele in Tanz recently. I leave for Zim in less than two months and would like to come home in one piece.

I am looking around at different doubles, but probably will not buy one until next year after my tax return is calculated, but you never know.

Mike.....I looked REAL hard....and if you had any real gliches...I couldn't see them. Nice work.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

quote:

Originally posted by GarBy:
Mike.....I looked REAL hard....and if you had any real gliches...I couldn't see them. Nice work.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

Except one of the shells catching on the receiver!

Mike, Mike, Mike

For the price of that Boswell added to what we have booked you can hunt ..............Gun nuts and double rifle cranks!!!!!!! Geez!

Mark

Mike,
The Boswell is a very nice gun...I have handled it several times. As to the 450/400 3.25", I was shooting the WW Greener, my friend purchased from Champlin yesterday. It is a 450/400 3.25". We were printing 2 shot groups of 0.5" to 1.5" at 50 yds.
Also shot the Joseph Lang 450BPE, from Champlins, with similar results.
If one can afford the Boswell, they will be happy with their purchase.
ND

Mike, I have a Boswell 450/400 3", I have also had a Lancaster 450/400 3.25" I kept the 3" thinking the Factory loads would be a nice advantage. not so much there is considerable variation in the bore diameter for this caliber and the factory loads do not work well in my Boswell, but do work well in my new Ruger #1. But no worries slug the Boswells barrels and choose a bullet you like ....working up a load for the 3.25" will be fun. Both of my 450/400 shoot well with 69.5 gr RL-15. I would buy the Boswell anyday over the Searcy. Champlin knows the rifle and will help you work through the details, they have been very helpful to me. Hope you enjoy whatever you buy.

I have a 450/400 3 1/4" Double rifle.

It used .408 diameter bullets.

Woodleigh Softs and Solids for the big stuff, Hawk 300gr bullets for deer and wild pigs.

It is a great calibre.

I have taken deer, several wild pigs, 2 caribou, black bear, warthog, baboons, zebra, cape buff, the wife took a cape buff with it as well, lion and bull elephant.

Mike,

Don't buy the Boswell! If you do you won't be happy with anything other than prewar British doubles

I've handled this gun and it's very nice. A Searcy won't compare.

I think there is another Boswell on Champlin website in 450/400 3" for about 17k.....470Evans is right don't but the Boswell you will be caught in that web of allure a vintage rifle has. Good Luck and Good shooting