Anyone have experience with a Sabatti BIG 5 EDL

[ActionBob]

I'm not a double gun expert, but what I understand is a rimless cartrige such a 416 Rigby requires a bit more complicated machinery to extract or eject. Thinking about it, that seems logical doesn't it?

 

[Mlibizi 8182]

I'm not a double gun expert, but what I understand is a rimless cartrige such a 416 Rigby requires a bit more complicated machinery to extract or eject. Thinking about it, that seems logical doesn't it?

I only personally know one person here in Zim. that owns a rimless double (.416R). I do not remember the make. As if now he has not had a problem, but so many people have told him it is just a matter of time that he has that nagging doubt planted in his mind. Personally I would not use one as client backup. Doubles the same as shotguns went meant for rimmed (thick rimmed) cartridges only. Just my opinion

 

[norfolk shooter]

Well I’ve not had problems with mine gents

 

[cbvanb]

I think the engineering on the rimless cartridge/double issue was settled a long time ago. I wouldn't be afraid to buy one if I had a serious need for a rimless cartridge in a double, but I think you're still better off with a rimmed cartridge. If I inherited a truckload of .416 Rigby ammo I would certainly buy a rifle in that caliber. Otherwise, the 500/416 gives you basically the same terminal performance in a rimmed cartridge.

 

[CTDolan]

The method used to deal with rimless cases in a double is in essence like that used by Ruger to deal with rimless cases in their No. 1 single shot (a spring-loaded extractor/pawl which seats in place upon closing and grabs the rim upon opening). It's not as fool-proof as going with a rimmed cartridge but is, generally speaking, a viable approach.

 

[evan thompson]

I purchased one of the Sabatti 500NE that had been remanufactured with the CAB serial number. I was fully aware of some of the issues, the seller was extremely open about the whole ordeal and assured me the gun had been rebuilt to perfect standard, I would be the original owner. The seller has been mentioned already in this post Im just not sure if im allowed to plug them. The gun performed really well on paper so I took the the gun to Zim in 2017 and succesfully harvested a duggaboy at 30 yds hippo at 15 and a bushbuck at 40! The gun is fantastic and extremely glad I made the purchase, I plan to use it in the states 2018 and africa 2019.

 

[BigBore]

Not sure if it is true but I heard a rumor all ‘new’ production sabattis had an x in the serial number to help clients avoid the old stock with the problems. Can anyone confirm that for those of us who salivate for a double on a budget?

The X doesn't mean anything. All the cabalas guns serial numbers started with "CAB" then at the end of the contract Sabatti with left with several receivers already stamped with CAB so they finished them under a new deal with IFG and these guns say IFG on them. They are all fine. The latest crop of guns all have better wood grades , finer checkering and low luster finish. The EDL versions simply have even a better grade wood and have an engraved flux side plate. Functionally that are exactly the same. I have 3 Sabatti double rifles. The first one I bought was from Cabalas and did not shoot good, but I sent it to the then importer EAA and they sent it back to Sabatti who fitted it with new barrels and it shoots perfect. I since bought 2 more from Wholesale Hunter who seems to have the largest inventory and best prices. Both of those rifles were perfect out of the box. I know that Craig Boddington owns 2 of Sabatti's and laves them. He was on TV recently shooting a buffalo with a double Sabatti 9.3 and he shot his 100th buffalo with a double Sabatti.

 

[Petrovič]

I am just eyeing a different 450 EDL Express, one in a lightweight kaliber 9.3x74R O/U (ab. 3kg - 6.5lbs)! The shop dropped the price down by 1000 bucks to 2400 (brand new)! Even has ejectors and single trigger! This time I must get it. BTW both my PHs on lion hunt carried Sabatti doubles S/S, one .500 NE, the other .470 NE! (But too heavy for me, ab. 5 kg).

 

[Sabattiboy]

Anybody with Sabatti DR big five updates??

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

I am just eyeing a different 450 EDL Express, one in a lightweight kaliber 9.3x74R O/U (ab. 3kg - 6.5lbs)! The shop dropped the price down by 1000 bucks to 2400 (brand new)! Even has ejectors and single trigger! This time I must get it. BTW both my PHs on lion hunt carried Sabatti doubles S/S, one .500 NE, the other .470 NE! (But too heavy for me, ab. 5 kg).

Hi Petrovic, I would not have any problem buying a new Sabatti or would re-worked by Ken Owens. The 9.3x74 O/U may be a well made rifle, but I do not know of many people that who would want to shoot a double in that caliber at that light (3kg.) of weight.
A 5 kg .470 is about spot on. A 5kg .500 might be just a bit light.
Just my opinion
Lon

Anybody with Sabatti DR big five updates??

 

[Sabattiboy]

Hi Petrovic, I would not have any problem buying a new Sabatti or would re-worked by Ken Owens. The 9.3x74 O/U may be a well made rifle, but I do not know of many people that who would want to shoot a double in that caliber at that light (3kg.) of weight.
A 5 kg .470 is about spot on. A 5kg .500 might be just a bit light.
Just my opinion
Lon

My Sabatti 500 NE weighed 9.3 lbs or 4.09 Kg. At that weight the calculated recoil was 100 ft lbs.
Again, as others have said, hunters do more carrying then shooting. Usual weight would be 11-12 lbs or 5.0 to 5.45 Kg for a 500 NE.
I sent mine to Ken Owen and he tuned the action and installed a mercury recoil reducer then re-regulated it. Current load and weight calculate to 80 ft lbs recoil, about a 20% reduction.
I worked up 50-140 sharps loads and 500 BPE equivalent loads with 400 to 530 gr bullets that are fun to shoot.

 

[Rare Breed]

I haven't seen a number recently, but a few months ago the latest model Sabatti was retailing around $7000 where a more common one was around $5000, and I'm not sure if this is the $7000 rifle or not.

Brand new top-end retails at $8,450. Used between $5-$7,000

 

[Rare Breed]

My Sabatti 500 NE weighed 9.3 lbs or 4.09 Kg. At that weight the calculated recoil was 100 ft lbs.
Again, as others have said, hunters do more carrying then shooting. Usual weight would be 11-12 lbs or 5.0 to 5.45 Kg for a 500 NE.
I sent mine to Ken Owen and he tuned the action and installed a mercury recoil reducer then re-regulated it. Current load and weight calculate to 80 ft lbs recoil, about a 20% reduction.
I worked up 50-140 sharps loads and 500 BPE equivalent loads with 400 to 530 gr bullets that are fun to shoot.

with your reducer from Ken what does your rifle weigh now please? thanks!

 

[Sabattiboy]

with your reducer from Ken what does your rifle weigh now please? thanks!

10.4 lbs or 4.72 Kg. That is still a little shy of perhaps ideal weight but closer.
I do not have any way to measure what the Mercury recoil reducer provides, besides the added weight. I think it expects to slow the recoil speed that is commonly around 25 mph on a 500 NE. Watch some slow motion video on Youtube and you will see that recoil speed.
I fired a proper weighted Merkle in 500 NE with full power loads and it didn't noticeably change what my body experienced compared to my Sabatti.
The California man that developed the 700 Nitro Express found 160 ft lbs of recoil in I believe a 16 lb plus rifle. After experiencing 100 ft lbs it is hard to imagine feeling 160 ft lbs.

 

[Sabattiboy]

There is still nothing like the feel of holding a DG rifle with that much power.

 

[Rare Breed]

You are spot on with my findings. I have a Sabatti 500 NE that weighed 9.5 pounds before a reducer of 8 ounces was added to take it to 10.3. I am adding a small lead additional weight if I can hoping to get it closer to 11. Ken regulated it with IMR3031 at 80 grains. I had the stock refinished and JJ Perradeau fix a red dot ramp and new front sight. I get the barrel back Friday and hope to shoot it for the first time this weekend

thanks!

 

[Sabattiboy]

You are spot on with my findings. I have a Sabatti 500 NE that weighed 9.5 pounds before a reducer of 8 ounces was added to take it to 10.3. I am adding a small lead additional weight if I can hoping to get it closer to 11. Ken regulated it with IMR3031 at 80 grains. I had the stock refinished and JJ Perradeau fix a red dot ramp and new front sight. I get the barrel back Friday and hope to shoot it for the first time this weekend

thanks!

That is great to hear.
Mine used 81gr of 3031 and I sampled up to 82gr ending at 2088 to 2108 fps so lost maybe 75 fps off Hornady published 2150 fps. This makes zero difference in DG performance.
Ken is a master with double rifles. I had been reading about him for some years before someone posted his contact information. The stock actually broke on mine, but Ken was able to save it. This made me wonder if all high recoil rifles had stock trouble.
A friend uses Cutting Edge bullets that are lighter than the 570gr standard bullet but he also gets higher velocity. His Merkle regulates them well and has performed very well on game in Africa.
I have looked at those bullets but not tried any. If I hunt mine it will be in north america so am not concerned about using Hornady bullets, or the Montana Bullet Works cast lead I worked up loads for.
I hope you get much enjoyment from your Sabatti.

 

[Sabattiboy]

You are spot on with my findings. I have a Sabatti 500 NE that weighed 9.5 pounds before a reducer of 8 ounces was added to take it to 10.3. I am adding a small lead additional weight if I can hoping to get it closer to 11. Ken regulated it with IMR3031 at 80 grains. I had the stock refinished and JJ Perradeau fix a red dot ramp and new front sight. I get the barrel back Friday and hope to shoot it for the first time this weekend

thanks!

I might add that I have considered a Red Dot sight but have not ventured toward actually obtaining one. An adjustable sight would be handy for me.
I did order a variety of front sight inserts from New England Custom Gun to correct my vertical point of impact. This was also needed for the cast lead reduced power loads.