doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com New Double

Most of what I see is strictly personal preference I suppose.

.375 Flanged Magnum sounds like a good choice for your needs. I'd recommend that you specify regulation with current Kynoch rather than Romey. Holland uses both. I had a really nasty experience with the Romey in a double, and have heard of others. I'll never trust it again.

26" barrels on a double rifle are already really short. Nothing is gained in handling by going shorter, and velocity is lost.

One standing for 50 and one folding for 100 for a .375 Magnum strikes me as odd. I use 100 and 200 on doubles chambered for cartridges that don't shoot as flat and really like that combination. I've never found a need for a 50 yard leaf. 100 and 200 is ideal for a .375.

I vastly prefer the claw to Holland's proprietary mount. I know, it ain't Holland, but if you're going to hunt with it.....you're already departing from tradition with the palm swell anyway.

You'll probably get away with the beavertail on a .375, but why take the chance on something you're going to use on dangerous game? A failed solder joint on the fore-end loop leaves you with a club, and that's more common with beavertails on DRs. On a double rifle, if a beavertail is protecting your fingers from the hot barrels, you're not holding it correctly anyway.

Congratulations on your new rifle. I'm sure you're excited. Patrick seems like a nice guy. I'll bet HE'S happy.

I though the African hunting laws prevented the use of any caliber under .400 for dangerous game(buffalo?). IMO: The 470 Nitro is the best bet from an investment perspective.
Jim

Mike, I would go with a leather covered recoil pad, and I didn't see anything in your list about triggers: single or double.

Enjoy the gun!

Triggers! How could I have missed that? I would opt for double triggers, if only I were the person doing the ordering (and owning)...

This will be quite a gun indeed. I envy you a bunch...


Brent

PS. I'd go with side clips myself.

Good discussion.

I like the 9.3x74R for an all-round medium bore too. It is actually legal for dangerous game in most countries based on ballistic performance. You do need to check beforehand on this. Read Kevin Robertson's "The Perfect Shot", he loads his 375s down to 9.3 velocity and has great things to say about it. It actully has better sectional density than the .375 and with solids, is even adequite for elephant (no way a stopper, however). What are the advantages? Lots of good ammo available, a very good cartridge for Africa, and elsewhere and a joy to shoot. Double triggers go without saying.

I would have full coverage engraving if you can afford it. The American-style "negative space, less is more" coverage falls short in the marketplace and aesthically, IMHO. On the other hand, it's your gun; have fun.

C. K.

Kofoed,

You mention that there are a number of loads for .375. Did you mean .375 H&H or .375 flanged?

Phil

Dear 400 Nitro, can you explain to me the problem of a semi beavertail fore end ? That has me a little worried. Ref the iron sights I am planning one folding leaf that is 2" high at 100 yds and a rear ghost ring aperture that can fold down that is spot on at 50 yds. I have seen a 1950's Purdey .400/.360 (I think that was the calibre) that had one of these and it was spot on. Many thanks for all the input, rgds,Mike Bailey

Mike,

The weight of the beavertail forend is a lot more than the splinter. If the forend lug or the locking mechanisim is under enginered(engineered for a splinter), the forend is likely to part company with the barrels. Stories attesting to these events are posted about twice a year. I would opt for the splinter. You're never going to shoot the gun to the point that you'd require a beavertail. We hope. BTW if the forend fails extraction and ejection would be a problem. Not to mention the problem of the gun coming apart upon opening.

Someome else pointed out double triggers, and I agree. But, I've not read anything about ejectors vs. extractors. The ideal gun would have both with a selector switch. Alas, not many are designed this way. If I had to choose, I'd choose ejectors. They should be faster for reloads. They're more complex. But, if they fail, they should become extractors.

Phil

Mike,

What a great dilemna, how to order your H&H DR. For a rear sight I would consider a standing at 100yds. and a folding at 200yds. Add a foresight with a flip-up high vis bead. The addition of the foresight (aka. jungle sight) gives great visibility at short yardage and because of the different profile can be regulated to 50yds. if you wish.

Now, considering that I am spending your money, I would make sure that the gun had disc-set strikers and articulated front trigger (may be standard on a Royal?). I'd add an extended top tang, the most elegant of all DR appointments and a shadow cheek piece. Lastly I would have turn screws and reloading tools added to the case. The last is really useless but would make it somewhat unique should you ever decide to part with it. See, I told you I was spending your money not mine.

A new gun is going to collapse in value. You're better off buying a used one and then having it restocked and fitted to you.

The only way your kids are going to make money on the guns is if they hold on to it for 50 years. Even then, they would be better off with a nice index fund.

You're H&H is going to come back from Africa as a $75,000 (US) rife - at the most. And it won't be as nice as an older one, either.

Here's one that you can get a much better deal on:

http://www.rbsiii.com/collection/rifles/H&H_375flanged/H&H_375flanged.htm



OWD