Side by side or over under double rifle?

[Johnny reb]

What if any difference is there between a side by side and a over under double rifle? I've noticed a lot of times a over under is cheaper than a side by side is that due too regulating differences thanks for all replies

 

[Bert the Turtle]

One big difference in the over under has to open farther for loading than the side by side.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Johnny I am a O/U fan probably because they are not as common as side by side doubles,...

I recently picked mine up at a steal for $8K (considering the coin finish, and engraving as well as the gunsmith) a deal that will never be repeated, and just had to jump on it...

As far as opening further it probably does,. but if you are an accomplished shot with a double it should not make a difference.

I do have the 500 sabatti side by side as well and love it, but have to admit, the over under lies and holds better (maybe due to the larger fore grip it has) Just IMO.

As far as commercial doubles go the Sabatti's are still the most affordable, and then I would say Krieghoff an over under is a rare item (in Africa at least) and hence has a significantly higher on average price than entry level commercially produced side by sides.

As far as regulating goes, Reinhard has a Suhl(spelling) 470 NE it regulates as well if not better, I have been able to compare it by now to a couple of other doubles and have not picked up any regulating issues and this after being compared to 3 other side by sides (and not much playing around with loads) I am still waiting on CFR though but have the odd shooting visit with my new baby about twice a week.... going to be a long wait

As another side note Side locks are considered to be the more appealing action (not better) as they have more room for ENGRAVING, but from an engineering standpoint, the box lock is easier to produce and more reliable (all the parts are attached the same "chunk" of metal) and also has a much "stronger" stock since the stock has not been cut away for lock work attached to the inside of the locks.

Here comes the kicker!!!!! you should note that gun makers (commercial) such as Chapuis, Berretta and some well known others produce box locks with sheet metal fake side locks (don't cut away stock material) to allow for additional engraving which would then also sell at the higher end of the $ range....



If you were going for price, get the Sabatti, if you were looking for something different go with the over under....

My best always

 

[Dr.FrankB-Mimic]

Hey, Sabatti does make a big game over under, up to 500 NE. I should have to test fire it in. Month, more or less. Might be' very interesting, in my opinion

 

[duckman90]

Hey Jaco, I am glad you like your Sabatti, I had gotten the impression that they were not very well built from some of the other sites, and from other reviews that I have read? Have you seen a lot of them on Safari? Besides yours

Johnny I am a O/U fan probably because they are not as common as side by side doubles,...

I recently picked mine up at a steal for $8K (considering the coin finish, and engraving as well as the gunsmith) a deal that will never be repeated, and just had to jump on it...

As far as opening further it probably does,. but if you are an accomplished shot with a double it should not make a difference.

I do have the 500 sabatti side by side as well and love it, but have to admit, the over under lies and holds better (maybe due to the larger fore grip it has) Just IMO.

As far as commercial doubles go the Sabatti's are still the most affordable, and then I would say Krieghoff an over under is a rare item (in Africa at least) and hence has a significantly higher on average price than entry level commercially produced side by sides.

As far as regulating goes, Reinhard has a Suhl(spelling) 470 NE it regulates as well if not better, I have been able to compare it by now to a couple of other doubles and have not picked up any regulating issues and this after being compared to 3 other side by sides (and not much playing around with loads) I am still waiting on CFR though but have the odd shooting visit with my new baby about twice a week.... going to be a long wait

As another side note Side locks are considered to be the more appealing action (not better) as they have more room for ENGRAVING, but from an engineering standpoint, the box lock is easier to produce and more reliable (all the parts are attached the same "chunk" of metal) and also has a much "stronger" stock since the stock has not been cut away for lock work attached to the inside of the locks.

Here comes the kicker!!!!! you should note that gun makers (commercial) such as Chapuis, Berretta and some well known others produce box locks with sheet metal fake side locks (don't cut away stock material) to allow for additional engraving which would then also sell at the higher end of the $ range....



If you were going for price, get the Sabatti, if you were looking for something different go with the over under....

My best always

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

duckman, i have had several clients hunt wirh them without issues.... i must admit now that i have my, Franz Sodia, o\u i prefer shooting and handling it, its just in a different class as far as handling and feel goes...

my best always

 

[DUGABOY1]

Johnny I am a O/U fan probably because they are not as common as side by side doubles,...

I recently picked mine up at a steal for $8K (considering the coin finish, and engraving as well as the gunsmith) a deal that will never be repeated, and just had to jump on it...

As far as opening further it probably does,. but if you are an accomplished shot with a double it should not make a difference.

I do have the 500 sabatti side by side as well and love it, but have to admit, the over under lies and holds better (maybe due to the larger fore grip it has) Just IMO.

As far as commercial doubles go the Sabatti's are still the most affordable, and then I would say Krieghoff an over under is a rare item (in Africa at least) and hence has a significantly higher on average price than entry level commercially produced side by sides.

As far as regulating goes, Reinhard has a Suhl(spelling) 470 NE it regulates as well if not better, I have been able to compare it by now to a couple of other doubles and have not picked up any regulating issues and this after being compared to 3 other side by sides (and not much playing around with loads) I am still waiting on CFR though but have the odd shooting visit with my new baby about twice a week.... going to be a long wait

As another side note Side locks are considered to be the more appealing action (not better) as they have more room for ENGRAVING, but from an engineering standpoint, the box lock is easier to produce and more reliable (all the parts are attached the same "chunk" of metal) and also has a much "stronger" stock since the stock has not been cut away for lock work attached to the inside of the locks.

Here comes the kicker!!!!! you should note that gun makers (commercial) such as Chapuis, Berretta and some well known others produce box locks with sheet metal fake side locks (don't cut away stock material) to allow for additional engraving which would then also sell at the higher end of the $ range....



If you were going for price, get the Sabatti, if you were looking for something different go with the over under....

My best always

Jaco, do you really believe the things you post on double rifles?

 

[Fr8liner]

Jaco, what caliber is your o/u ? Could you post a picture?
I considering one but have always desired the traditional looking side by side, so glad to hear your support of the o/u

 

[Steve Steyr]

I prefer the traditional looks and romance of the SBS Double rifle. And they do have the advantage of a theoretical faster reload because of the shorter, one barrel diameter opening while the O/U has to be opened further. Is that a real world liability when something decides to charge? Possibly.
However I was able to purchase a near new Verney Carron Sagittaire Lux O/U rifle in 9.3x74R for a reasonable price and I really love it. I haven't yet taken the time to do any serious regulating work but my initial efforts have gotten me to 1 1/2 " low and 1 1/2" left with the second barrel at 50 yards so it's close. Also, to date, the action is so new and stiff that my attempts at reloading the rifle are anything but smooth.
To me, the balance and ease of handling is much better, or should I say more familiar, with the O/U compared to the various SBS's. The rifle feels great and carries and comes to the shoulder with ease, kind of like a Model 94 Winchester. I never got that feeling with any of the SBS rifles and shotguns I have handled and/or fired.
So, while I still wouldn't mind picking up another Double Rifle in SBS configuration, I am very happy and content with my VC O/U and am sure it would make a great hunting rifle for either close range or long range shooting.

 

[Bsums]

SBS tend to be pricier as it seems its harder to get the barrels to shoot accurately then a O/U. SBS also have a more classic safari style appeal. Reload times are expose to be faster with a SBS but hopefully you don't need to reload. Both are just as good options and is really which look and feel you prefer.

 

[AZDAVE]

It is kinda one of those what did you grow up shooting? which appeals to your eye better? Which has a better feel in your hands and when you shoulder it do the sights just seem to magically line up. I grew up shooting side by side shotguns and most anything that flys and just never got the feel for a OU. I haven't shot a OU double;e rifle my 4 double are SxS and just balance right between the hands and are a joy to shoot. Good luck on your search for a nice double of either design.

 

[CTDolan]

The most beautiful double I've ever seen was a Boss gun in 303 British. The piece was positively dripping quality and class. I've never seen another as fine, never.

Next to that, I'm extremely partial to Purdey SxS rifles (and, next to that, Westley Richards' drop lock). Either in 450-400 would be a dream come true.

 

[KWALATA SAFARIS]

Jaco, what caliber is your o/u ? Could you post a picture?
I considering one but have always desired the traditional looking side by side, so glad to hear your support of the o/u

It is a 470 NE, I understand that it opens a little further but find it negligible, the stiffer stacked barrels simply regulates better than sxs.

I like the look of it as well and it has a larger front grip which I like...

But each to his own.

 

[CTDolan]

The barrels are easier to regulate (a vertical plane of travel, when under recoil...although, the only concern in this regard is cost of manufacture). The bar in an O/U is more stiff, too, the lower chamber in particular very well-bolstered.

It's interesting that, with regard to competitive shooting (clays, trap, and all) almost everyone now uses an O/U, whereas in the realm of the rifle, the SxS has remained the strong favorite. Personally, I think there is a lot to be said for the O/U configuration.

 

[CTDolan]

This is not the Boss rifle I saw (the one I saw was in 303 British, and decadent in the extreme). These images were take from The Explora.

http://www.theexplora.com/2015/01/

 

[CTDolan]

See how well-supported the lower chamber is!? Even the upper has a lot of support.

Even so, all O/U rifles I have seen have had the classic third bite, either in the form of a Greener crossbolt, or a Rigby rising third bite (which is the form Boss & Co. employs in their O/U rifles).

By the way, each of the images below are of O/U shotguns, but obviously the configuration is the same in the case of a rifle (at least with regard to actions which employ bifurcated lumps, which is the only kind to which I've been referring).

 

[Fr8liner]

Hello Jaco, I went with the o/u in 450 NE. It has ejectors and i think with the reloading for shot 3&4 i have done that i have no concern about that fraction extra the barrels have to open.

I still think i will try and get myself a SxS just because i want to

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Beautiful double rifle Jaco. Excelent work.
Witold