500 NE Double.... but which one???

[Heym SR20]

With a big bore double you have pretty much two choices to make:

1) To go with a traditional British built rifle from one of the traditional makers - Westly Rihcards, Holland & Holland, Jeffery etc etc. Here I would be looking in the auctions and speak with the likes of Buy guns from vintage guns, J Roberts & Son, Holland and Holland, Francis Lovell etc. I would concentrate on finding one in good condition, that is tight on face, with good bores and that fits well. I would n't worry too much about calibre per se, rather go for quality of the gun. I doubt there is much difference between a 470 or 500 etc. And make sure you can also get or at least component parts of the ammo. I would then worry about getting the appropriate variation etc.

2) Have a new rifle - Verny Carron and Chapuis are French, Heym, Kreighoff are German, or Zoli are Italian. I would go straight to the manufacturer to start off with. Indeed if I was going to have a rifle built and spending a few thousand that's what I would do as in the UK there will be few who really understand the intricacies of big bore double rifles.

I too am left handed, but suspect that like me, you are totally happy shooting a normal double shotgun where push the top lever away with your thumb. Most important is how it is stocked and its pretty easy to have the stock on guns bent at least straight, or slightly cast on.

 

[bowji john]

Penetration and momentum for a variety of medium and large calibers

 

[A Guy Out West]

What an awesome running boar gun that .500 would make!

 

[User00003]

What an awesome running boar gun that .500 would make!

I think it would get pretty tiresome pretty darn quick!

 

[sh1kar]

I think it would get pretty tiresome pretty darn quick!

Kynamco do a nitro equivalent of the black powder load for a 500. From memory its 450g instead of 570g and lower velocity. Wasn't too bad at all to shoot in mine and could probably manage the shots on a boar shoot (say 10 max) When mine was built and we were regulating it with full fat loads I could manage 8 rounds then had to pack it in and go back the next day

S

 

[palmer_mike]

Kynamco do a nitro equivalent of the black powder load for a 500. From memory its 450g instead of 570g and lower velocity. Wasn't too bad at all to shoot in mine and could probably manage the shots on a boar shoot (say 10 max) When mine was built and we were regulating it with full fat loads I could manage 8 rounds then had to pack it in and go back the next day

S

Yep there’s a .500 3” nitro load with a 440gn projectile available from Kynamco!

Kynoch .500 3" Nitro for Black

 

[sh1kar]

Hi All,

I have my cert in for variation for a DG double at the moment and drawing a bit of a blank as to my research into which one. I shot a 500 NE double made by Verney Carron in SA recently and loved it, shoot sweet and I found the recoil to be very manageable.

However I can't for the life of me find VC guns, specifically express rifles, for sale in the UK, can anyone help?

Other option is more than likely a Merkel 140 AE. Does anyone have any other suggestions as to manufacturers? Budget is up to £15K but the sweet spot is about £10K ideally

Cheers!

I suspect if you talk with Paul Roberts you could look out for a decent second hand older English double from a good but not ridiculous money gunmaker (or keep an eye on Holts) and then look to get it restocked for a leftie. If you PM me I can give you contact details of the best (london name) stocker on the planet who will do that for you at a sensible price. Such a shame Ron Wharton isn't still around A few thoughts either way

Boxlock not sidelock - less to go wrong out in bush
A non ejector for same reason
A Rigby or African safety ie you need to press a button on top of safety then push forward - you don't want standard - if you have one your gun carrier messing about and shooting you or someone else ( depends if you are a bearer in front Africa carry fan)
A V back sight and decent sized front bead - don't mess about with a U back sight and fine bead front sight - you want fast acquisition and also know how much front bead to cover at different distances
Folding leaf sights are dangerous - Leaf can flip up without you realising and you shoot high or low - you need one rear sight V then learn how much bead at distances - you are not going to shoot this above 75 yards. They are short range rifles
A non auto safety, if sh!t happens and you panic with a reload and forget to switch safety off again you are dead
A pistol grip compartment that carries a spare front sight. If you knock one off in the bush the rifle maker is a long way away
A 12 bore leather hand guard - you won't wear gloves in Africa and after 1 shot the barrel is too hot to hold - unless you are a shortie you will be gripping some of barrel to prevent muzzle flip and a black eye with a splinter forend
A classic Silvers pad - you need something that will not slip in your shoulder - wood butt or pigskin covered pad will not cut it And get the toe rounded to assistant fast mounting

S

 

[sh1kar]

Oh and mounting. Try several times mounting with your eyes closed then open them If you are not looking down the rib and sights forget it When you buy this you need to be thinking about the shot and bush practicalities, not does the rifle look good etc And you definitely need to shoot before you buy to check regulation And don't expect stalking rifle precision If you get a 2 inch group at 30 yards off hand or same 75 yards off a lectern its fine
Good hunting for the rifle and beyond

S

 

[sh1kar]

Oh and mounting. Try several times mounting with your eyes closed then open them If you are not looking down the rib and sights forget it When you buy this you need to be thinking about the shot and bush practicalities, not does the rifle look good etc And you definitely need to shoot before you buy to check regulation And don't expect stalking rifle precision If you get a 2 inch group at 30 yards off hand or same 75 yards off a lectern its fine
Good hunting for the rifle and beyond

S

Oh and also wear your safari kit when mounting. Ie just a canvas shirt to get the right lop
S

 

[sh1kar]

Oh and also wear your safari kit when mounting. Ie just a canvas shirt to get the right lop
S

Sorry a final thought. Don’t mess with soft in one barrel and solid in another. You will get confused in trigger and poi will differ if left then right vs right then left Keep everything simple and intuitive and shoot as a shotgunalways use solid

And ALWAYS bang in an insurance shot when walk up to your animal. And be aware of ricochet to you when you do. Ie stoney ground

Seen it happen!

S

 

[Fosbery Holster]

A Double rifle in 470 by B Halliday (Birmingham) has just come onto Westley Richards used gun page, as yet no price ‘but’ again a right handed double maybe worth a look.