mchughcb
Well-Known Member
Have you shot a BBF 97? I have plenty of videos that say otherwise.
Using a double rifle for stalking
- Thread starter Pine Marten
- Start date
Have you shot a BBF 97? I have plenty of videos that say otherwise.
I have not. You can tell because I don't bang on about how perfect they are 
I will admit that there are some exceptions which build the compromise in for you.
I will admit that there are some exceptions which build the compromise in for you.
Pine Marten
Well-Known Member
So how about for instance the Chapuis X4 which has a free-floating right barrel? Surely that would enable you to at least use the right barrel as a single shot for stalking, and then both for moving game.
8x57
Distinguished Member
Similar to how I use my Unifrance Solitaire O/U. I zero the scope so that the top barrel is spot on at 100 yards and use it for woodland stalking at distances up to 150 yards. I restrict any shots from the bottom barrel to those within 50 metres. Obviously I am quite happy to take shots from both barrels at up to 50 metres which is the range that the rifle was regulated for.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
All fine double rifles require a good gun well trained gun bearer. Our friends over at Nitro Express seem to have found one
Forums.NitroExpress.com
Forums.NitroExpress.com
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If it was the case that you were to use a double as a single shot for stalking, would it not be just as simple to use a drilling or a combination with a slug in the shotgun barrel?
I have no experience of doubles but surely with the right ammo they would be of more than acceptable accuracy out to 150m.
Andy7mm
I have no experience of doubles but surely with the right ammo they would be of more than acceptable accuracy out to 150m.
Andy7mm
Thermostable barrels would seem to be a good idea, and the SX4's user-regulatable system goes a step further to putting rounds where you want them.
Recently I also came across a company called Kalix Teknik, who do a neat comb-raiser. You do have to get someone to chop the comb out of your lovely wooden stock, but the result is still rather neat. (I can feel the collective shuddering already!)
Recently I also came across a company called Kalix Teknik, who do a neat comb-raiser. You do have to get someone to chop the comb out of your lovely wooden stock, but the result is still rather neat. (I can feel the collective shuddering already!)
tackb
Well-Known Member
basically , yes you can use a double for stalking but you will be limited by its accuracy level and consistency , get the rifle , try it and then limit yourself accordingly , personally I like the limit to be my ability not the equipment because I can practice and improve my ability........
Pine Marten
Well-Known Member
A slug isn't really much good beyond maybe 40m so fine for a lot of driven shooting, but not really for stalking.
Pine Marten
Well-Known Member
Exactly, so it would be fine as a secondary use. But before forking out my imaginary cash, I would want to try the thing. And in the UK at least, that is usually almost impossible.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Lets put this accuracy question to bed:
Below is a group I shot to test some 139gn GMX bullets, and comparing the sighting to the 139 gn Softpoint. This is a 100 yd target shot off the roof of the car with my forehand supported by a folded rifleslip with a 6x scope with a thick German No 4 Reticle. The cartridges are just over 3.25" in length to give you scale.
Now it might any bench rest competition, but as far as I am concerned these are more than accurate enough to shoot any deer at any reasonable range.
There has been a lot of conversation regarding comb heights - mine is perfect for open sights, and with a simple lace on leather cheek piece I have a firm cheek weld, but even without it is still perfectly possible to use the scope.
Likewise with the cheek piece on I can use the open sights.
The scope is claw mounted and fully repeatable, cheek piece takes 15 seconds to lace on. On more than one occasion in the field I have taken the scope off and undone the cheek piece so as to use open sights.
With many of the modern Straight tubed 20mm objective lense scopes is now perfectly possible to mount a scope really quite low thus not needing cheek piece. That cheek piece is one peace of leather folded over, with three more bits glued on to raise the height and covered with a peace of leather from an old boot. Not the neatest, but cost me nothing other than about an hour's work. You can see this in work in the Photo below. And the buck was taken at 160 yds seated off sticks, with a bullet through the shoulder. Not sure that he was overly concerned about the accuracy.
Below is a group I shot to test some 139gn GMX bullets, and comparing the sighting to the 139 gn Softpoint. This is a 100 yd target shot off the roof of the car with my forehand supported by a folded rifleslip with a 6x scope with a thick German No 4 Reticle. The cartridges are just over 3.25" in length to give you scale.
Now it might any bench rest competition, but as far as I am concerned these are more than accurate enough to shoot any deer at any reasonable range.
There has been a lot of conversation regarding comb heights - mine is perfect for open sights, and with a simple lace on leather cheek piece I have a firm cheek weld, but even without it is still perfectly possible to use the scope.
Likewise with the cheek piece on I can use the open sights.
The scope is claw mounted and fully repeatable, cheek piece takes 15 seconds to lace on. On more than one occasion in the field I have taken the scope off and undone the cheek piece so as to use open sights.
With many of the modern Straight tubed 20mm objective lense scopes is now perfectly possible to mount a scope really quite low thus not needing cheek piece. That cheek piece is one peace of leather folded over, with three more bits glued on to raise the height and covered with a peace of leather from an old boot. Not the neatest, but cost me nothing other than about an hour's work. You can see this in work in the Photo below. And the buck was taken at 160 yds seated off sticks, with a bullet through the shoulder. Not sure that he was overly concerned about the accuracy.
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jthyttin
Well-Known Member
As for your primary use, most scabbards won't easily fit a S/S rifle. And even if it fits, plan on rebluing etc. after a week on horseback.
And since you want to fit a scope, there's a lot of better options in O/U rifles. I admit, S/S is the "true" double rifle but still...
And since you want to fit a scope, there's a lot of better options in O/U rifles. I admit, S/S is the "true" double rifle but still...
People seem to love over complicating things.
Standard off the shelf rifles vary, and generally shoot 1 - 1 1/2" /100m groups with factory. Yes I know some shoot far better, and home loading can tighten the group, but there are plenty of people who stalk with a rifle shooting 1 1/2", and shoot very successfully.
We also know that rifles can shoot very differently after cleaning, and from cold, to hot. We take this into account, and get on with it !
What is different with a double ? 1st barrel will shoot to A, and the second to B. There is no reason why a well made double, will be any less consistent than a well made single, especially when you are only ever likely to take two shots, one from each barrel !
A correctly regulated double should see the POI parallel to each other, at any distance, ideally, the same distance apart, as centre barrel, to centre barrel, be it on the vertical for over, & under, or horizontal for side by side. Although that's wishful thinking !
This is apart from the fact that if using a double, you're almost certainly going to be shooting free hand, and +/- 1" really becomes a mute point................. for 99% of us !
At some point I'll take the double stalking, but to be honest, I don't think the 9.3x74 is that well suited, but I am looking out for something like a 6.5x57, or one of the 7mm rimmed cartridges, in a double.
Standard off the shelf rifles vary, and generally shoot 1 - 1 1/2" /100m groups with factory. Yes I know some shoot far better, and home loading can tighten the group, but there are plenty of people who stalk with a rifle shooting 1 1/2", and shoot very successfully.
We also know that rifles can shoot very differently after cleaning, and from cold, to hot. We take this into account, and get on with it !
What is different with a double ? 1st barrel will shoot to A, and the second to B. There is no reason why a well made double, will be any less consistent than a well made single, especially when you are only ever likely to take two shots, one from each barrel !
A correctly regulated double should see the POI parallel to each other, at any distance, ideally, the same distance apart, as centre barrel, to centre barrel, be it on the vertical for over, & under, or horizontal for side by side. Although that's wishful thinking !
This is apart from the fact that if using a double, you're almost certainly going to be shooting free hand, and +/- 1" really becomes a mute point................. for 99% of us !
At some point I'll take the double stalking, but to be honest, I don't think the 9.3x74 is that well suited, but I am looking out for something like a 6.5x57, or one of the 7mm rimmed cartridges, in a double.
mchughcb
Well-Known Member
I once regulated my 9.3x74R double at 100m. Wound up to get it 8cm high at 100m for a 200m zero. Check two groups at 200m both barrels then then started shooting deer out to 250m. Slays them like the hammer of Thor.
250m for a double at deer with a 6 power scope is a sensible maximum. Any more then you are kidding yourself on the stalking bit.
250m for a double at deer with a 6 power scope is a sensible maximum. Any more then you are kidding yourself on the stalking bit.
mchughcb
Well-Known Member
tackb
Well-Known Member
he needs to buy your rifle then , my limited experience was much worse !
Pine Marten
Well-Known Member
Well, two data points do not make a trend.... I guess in the end, it depends on the specific rifle, and the specific shooter!
Pine Marten
Well-Known Member
Could I ask what load you were using please? I've been digging around a bit on configurations, loads and so on. So far is seems to me that the Merkel 141, with its' light weight and 55cm/22inch barrels is going to be uncomfortable to shoot and will lose velocity because of the barrel length. The 140 has 60cm/24inch barrels and a bit more heft, so I suspect is more appropriate for the 9.3x74R. Looking at bullets, the 250g Swift A-Frame looks like a winner. Load data from Viht suggests something in the region of 48g of N-140, which is nice because that's the powder I use for everything else... It's fun this fantasy gun buying.
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