I'm thinking aobut taking one more shot at a double rifle that won't be used in Africa so I don't need a .470 etc. Two animals come to mind and they're black bear and wild boar -- not feral hogs, but I really want to try driven boar in Europe.

The rifle I'm interested in (an O/U with a single-trigger) is available in both 9.3x74R and .30/06.

Pros and cons of each choice would be appreciated -- remember it isn't going to Africa.

9.3 in my book. Great selection of doubles, good resale, better on the hogs and bears...

Easy choice for me.

. . . and besides, the 9.3x74R cartridge just flat ass looks cool.

Yep, 9.3 X 74. You can get rifles from all the good makers at a huge discount from what the .450 and up rifles cost.

9.3X74R hands down!, with a good QD scope mount, carrying at least a 2-7X40MM, illuminated German post reticle! Perfect for Europien driven boar shooting! That set-up is also perfect for North American bear, including the Brown bear!

................Good hunting Bill

9.3X74R would get my vote.

Actually I would use my Merkel SxS 8x57R but ideally I would use a 9.3x74R. I like the caliber so much it's the license Number on Mustang.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
9.3X74R would get my vote.

One more vote..

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
9.3X74R would get my vote.

One more vote..

And another.

Four votes (or is it six?) for the 9,3x74R.

All of the below, plus a # 1.

I would certainly go for the 9.3x74R. And don't forget that .30/06 is not allowed for hunting in certain European countries (because it is used in military rifles).

Bill, which rifle are you looking at?

Out of the cartridges you mention, my vote goes to the 9.3x74R. However if 8x57JRS was also on the list, my vote might go that way.

Have a look at the Beretta 689 Gold Sable. I've handled one in 9.3x74R. It felt great but I don't know too much else about these Beretta rifles. Just a thought.




cheers,
- stu

1)9.3x74R

2) 30-06

3) 375 H&H

How bout the extremely exotic '7.62x51R' ? Then you could get them at about any hardware store.

I like O/U rifles with the upper bbl in a smaller cal than the lower bbl, as well as those with both bbls in the same cal. Have

you thought of that option? One of the calibers could be a common one and the other a less common, caliber. How about a

second set of bbls, one with say a pair of .358 cal bbls and the other set a 30R Blaser over a .375 H&H belted mag?

quote:

Originally posted by BigFiveJack:
I like O/U rifles with the upper bbl in a smaller cal than the lower bbl, as well as those with both bbls in the same cal. Have

you thought of that option? One of the calibers could be a common one and the other a less common, caliber. How about a

second set of bbls, one with say a pair of .358 cal bbls and the other set a 30R Blaser over a .375 H&H belted mag?

BFjack The combination negates haveing one sight for both barrels, and certainly doesn't work well with a scope! In fact I have converted a couple of shotgun/rifle combos to double rifles by replaceing the shot barrel with one of the same chambering as the factory rifle barrel, and regulating them, turning them into double rifles. I like you sugestion of haveing two sets of barrels with each a different chambering but still the same on each barrel set. combinations only work well with one barrel a shotgun, and the other a rifle!

One conversion I did was with a cheap Savage O/U 30-30 over a 20ga shotgun combo. My youngest son was about 12 yrs old, and express a desire to have a double rifle to hunt deer with. I took the new Savage, removed the 20 guage barrel, and replaced it with a .30 cal barrel and chambered to to 30-30 as well. Regulated it for 150 gr Winchester Silvertips, and my son took several muledeer with it in New Mexico. I mounted a little 1.5-4x20 scope on it, and he was deadly with that little ugly thing on running deer! Cheap, and ugly, but deadly in Kevin's hands. He couldn't shoot my doubles because he has a left master eye, and shoots left handed, but give him a Ruger No1, or that old Savage, and look out!

LOL. I love to hear MACD37 and his experiences. Always interesting. My solution is one poo-poo-ed by some here. But it was a decision made by a low paid state employee. The 412/512 can be bought with double calibered barrels in shot or rifle calibers, or a combination can be bought where there are multiple species to be hunted. I bought 12 Ga and 9.3X74 sets. They have done all I asked of them. Good luck in whatever you do. God Bless. Packy

quote:

Originally posted by Antlers:

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
9.3X74R would get my vote.

One more vote..

And another.

Me too!!! - I'd choose the 9,3x74R over the 30/06

I have taken quite a bit of game with a 9,3x74R double, from coyotes,bobcat, turkeys, deer, wild pigs and black bear to several different African game animals including cape buff and elephant.

I have found the 9,3x74R to be a most excellent hunting calibre.

I have taken a lot of game with a 9,3x74R double, from coyotes and turkeys, to deer, wild pigs, black bear, and all sorts of African game including cape buff and elephant.

I have found it to be a most excellent calibre.