doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Purdey DR in 450/400 2 7/8"

Yes, I bought the gun at Cowan’s. It has 28” barrels and a 15 1/4” and weighs 8lbs 1 1/4oz. It was regulated for 90 grains. There is no mention in the records on bullet weight. Nick Harlow assumes it was for a lighter eley pp bullet.

As far as a case, this one was fitted out with everything and was for the 2 3/8” gun. Purdey Raj

Ken

I do not clean between pairs with a BPE DR. It's not necessary with a correct wad column/grease cookie with a period paper wrapped bullet.
We are talking hunting accuracy here - these are not bench rest rifles, a 4" group at 100 yards (3R/3L) would have been considered very good when your rifle was built.

Thanks Mike. The reason I'm asking is not because I want to make a double into a benchrest gun, but because I'm trying to reduce variability in my results testing loads for regulation. That may not make sense to anyone but my squirrel brain.

I had a great phone call with the folks at CH4D yesterday, and to my surprise, they can and will be sending me a complete set of dies for this cartridge. I'm so pleased by this, as I fully expected to be told they weren't willing to make a set, given how uncommon the 2 7/8" version of the 450/400 is. Those dies will actually arrive before the set of 500/450 No1 Express dies I also ordered for my Tranter single shot.

The 500-450 #1 dies are made of unobtainium. No clue why, I ordered a set 18 months ago and nothing yet.

Chris,

Glad to hear CH4D were able to provide you with dies. They seem to be the only ones making old caliber dies anymore.

Ken

It took over a year for me to receive a 6.5x58R S&S sizing die from CH4D. From my discussions with them, I learned that if they don't have the requested dies "on hand" you have to wait until they have enough orders to make the "set up" for that particular caliber worthwhile. When they do have enough orders and start producing the dies, they make an extra set for stock (maybe more?). If you call when they have the requested dies in stock, they will ship right away, if they don't have them, you have to wait. It in their business interest to do it this way and it is very much in our interest for them to be able to stay in business.
Mike

Resurrecting an old thread here but I found the photos intriguing.
No one commented on the safety lock being opposite of the normal direction. Normally they are PULLED to right. This one appears to PUSH to left if using the right thumb.

Thanks.

Hi Richard,

I never noticed that the bolting safety disengages in a different direction than other rifles, but I find this setup comfortable to use. While I have hammer double rifles, this is my only hammerless with a bolting safety, so I can't say this version is in anyway better than the others. As with all things, you could order what you wanted if you had the money.

In looking through pictures of other Purdey hammerless doubles, I saw what you observed...some disengage towards to the right. I also saw a nice .577 with no bolting safety, which would give you less to think about if you needed to shoot in a hurry.

Thanks for bringing this thread up again. I need to get back to load development for lead vs jacketed bullets so I can bring this to Rick's match next spring.

Chris