Double Cartridge Selection

[MRBlack]

Good day all,

I have hunted plains game twice and certainly have the dangerous game bug. That being said, I am currently thinking of upgrading my double. I currently have an older Merkel 140 in 500 Nitro. However, it is extractor and I think I would prefer ejector. I have handled a few Heyms and really liked the craftsmanship and quality. I am a young man in my early 20's and I am trying to get a quality double I can hunt with for the next 60 years. I don't want to bother with trying to upgrade in a few years. Due to cost, buffalo would probably be my main quarry, but I dream of hunting an elephant or two also. I know that bolt guns are more affordable and probably more practical, but I love the tradition and style of a double rifle. After looking over the budget and gun cabinet I have decided the best I can afford is a used Heym 88. What is everyone's preference on caliber? I'm torn between the 450/400 3" and the 470 Nitro, but find all nitro express cartridges fascinating. A few things that may make a difference- I have a 375 H&H as well as a 416 Rem. I do reload for all of my hunting guns. My grandfather has dies and components to load 470. I currently reload for my 500.

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[Muskox]

I am attracted to the 500/416 NE.

But I don't think it is a better mousetrap than a 450/400, as those little 450/400's are svelte little guns.

A suggestion, I wouldn't order a rifle I couldn't put a scope on in the future. If you are planning on hunting with this rifle for the rest of your life, at some point you will need a scope.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

I second a 500/416 as an all-around double cartridge.
Half a dozen years ago I passed up an abused Merkel double in 416 Rigby because of its single spring loaded pawl extractor. I have kicked myself ever since... The 500/416 eliminates the need for the pawl(s) built into the extractors.

 

[Tanks]

I'd just stick with the Heym 88 .500 NE if elephant is on the menu in the future. I have been very happy with mine. You have the two bolt guns for PG and backup.

Now, "all around" the .450/400 is a nice little cartridge that once scoped you can use it for PG as well though it is not as stout as a .500.

In reality these things multiply. You are in early twenties so a scoped.450/400 now and a .500 NE later when you are ready for elephant might be the more practical solution. To put it in @Red Leg 's terms. You'd then have a broadsword and a dagger.

 

[318AE]

Hard to beat a 450/400 3”. As a reloader, you will find the greatest bullet selection and availability in the 450 3 1/4. I get it that the rifle is only regulated for a single bullet, but others bullets can sometimes work pretty well if you are in a bind. Bullet availability seems quite poor for some time to come. The wall casing is much thinner on the 450 3 1/4 compared to the 450/400 3”. For that reason, bullet selection aside, I prefer to load the 450/400 3”.

 

[AZDAVE]

Since you have a 500, I would suggest the 450/400 that you can mount a scope or red dot on. If you are going to sell or trade your 500 and only have 1 double. The 500/416 would be my first choice.

 

[MRBlack]

I apologize for not being more clear in the OP. To get a heym I will either have to trade the 500 in or sell it outright.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I own a 470 but mostly because I got an unbelievable deal on it. To be honest I would prefer the 450 because of the wide range of bullet selection and for some reason I am a sucker for 458 calibre rifles. Having said all that I have seriously been considering a 500/416 for my next double, again great bullet choices available and replicates the ballistics of the bolt action 416 cartridge's which is bloody hard to beat. Also IMHO it's hard to make a bad choice with any of the calibres everyone is recommending in this thread.

 

[Philip Glass]

I know you are young and tough but I would stay away from the .500NE. When I was searching for a double I was advised to buy a .450-400 due to lower recoil and better penetration than many others. I bought a .470 and although I can shoot it I would like to have a double with a bit less recoil so I can shoot it more. So I have new barrels coming in .450-400. I have the Kreighoff. I was sold on the safety and the anti-doubling feature plus the good looks!
I was listening to a podcast where Kevin Robertson (Perfect Shot) stated that the .450-400 was the best choice for a double rifle caliber.
Philip

 

[sureshot375]

You should add .500/.416 to the list. More speed and therefore energy than the .450/.400 with minimal recoil increase. Truly excellent penetration for elephant. Flatter shooting if you did need to make a longer shot on a buff. I think it’s the best client double cartridge.

 

[calling4life]

How fast do handloaders push bullets in the 450 Nitro?

I've read people noting that it's bigger than the lott and that they can run 500gr bullets to 2400fps or so.

I like the idea of that 2300-2400 range, do we have members playing with this in doubles?

I also realize there are the 500-450 and the 450 No2 a guy could mess with, both of which still note generic loads are 2175fps for 500gr, they were built to be bigger badder and then still decided to go for whimpy loads...

Seems perhaps that potential is being wasted?

 

[MRBlack]

How fast do handloaders push bullets in the 450 Nitro?

I've read people noting that it's bigger than the lott and that they can run 500gr bullets to 2400fps or so.

I like the idea of that 2300-2400 range, do we have members playing with this in doubles?

I also realize there are the 500-450 and the 450 No2 a guy could mess with, both of which still note generic loads are 2175fps for 500gr, they were built to be bigger badder and then still decided to go for whimpy loads...

Seems perhaps that potential is being wasted?

I don’t think the issue is case capacity. I think people are committed to the 2150ish range due to regulation. If it were a single shot I don’t see any issue in increasing velocity as long as chamber pressure is safe

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

I can push a 500 gr bullet in my .458 Win Heym 88B to over 2200 FPS but it regulates best at 2140.
I shot a giraffe with this gun at 116 yards.
One hit and the giraffe was down, even with a muzzle velocity of only 2140.

 

[chashardy]

For what you describe as your present and future hunting plans, the 470 NE is probably your best "all around" double caliber.

 

[AZDAVE]

@calling4life Getting more speed isn't the problem, however double rifles are regulated with a specfic load and a 480gr at 2150 has been the standard in the 450NE since its inception. A single shot like a ruger #1 have at it. But in a double you would also exceed the pressures you should in a double rifle action.

The 450/400 is a great round and the 500/416 is an overlooked round, both make fine DG client rifles.