True Love

[jaustin]

“Good night sweetheart”, the first few nights I said this, my wife thought I was talking to her. She now realizes that I am talking to the picture of the double rifle that I have pinned to the headboard above my pillow. Unfortunately, I do not own this rifle, and probably never will. The cost of a double rifle, even the least expensive models is more than most of us can afford. I have even considered borrowing the money to buy one but have so far resisted the temptation. When I look at the price of the gun I equate it to all of the hunts that I could make if I don’t buy it. I have only shot one double, a Krieghoff 470 N.E. and it was a wonderful experience, but not as great an experience as shooting a cape buffalo with my Ruger 416 Rigby. My point is that the buffalo hunt cost about the same as the Krieghoff, and I would rather hunt. But there is just something about a double rifle that can’t be explained. At least once a day I visit two or three sites on the web that sell doubles, always looking for a great deal. Even though I know I can’t afford one I still dream of owning one. The last P.H. I hunted with has it as bad as I do and we spent a lot of time discussing doubles, and Cindy Garrison. I thought that maybe this was the year that I would break down and do it, but then I got the call. Hey Jim, I have an elephant permit in the Caprivi, still interested? That night when I went to lie down in bed, “I’m sorry sweetheart, maybe next year.

 

[Shallom]

Jaustin,
i know exactly what you are going through with the love of the double... you are right not to jeopardize your hunting opportunities for a gun, but i was in the same frame of mind at one time, until i made some adjustments and today i am a proud owner of a Krieghoff .470 NE aka "Humping Rabbits". It took me five years to save for this lifetime investment and i just love it. The gun was custom-built for me and its likean extension of me during my hunts guiding in Tanzania.

I used a Remington .416 since my teenage days, which was also hard to part with as it served me very well for about ten years. I realised that the double is not ever going to get any cheaper and hence decided to put away a little amount every year towards my double dream. After five years, and many sacrifices I could finally realise my dream. It is something you simply have to own if you are into African dangerous game and a frequent hunter. Nothing like hunting the tall grass and close quoarters with a double!

Wishing you all the very best in your pursuit for a double. Cheers,

 

[Skyline]

You aren't alone Jim. I have been lusting for a double for years. Sadly I think it is an itch that will never get scratched for the same reasons....but it doesn't stop you from thinking about it all the time. Why don't you guys talk about something different and take pity on me?

 

[Safari Chick]

How romantic...

What a great post, but I couldn't decide if I felt more pity for you or your wife. I hope for her sake that you will write a love note with as much longing and deep affection as you have posted here about your dream double. And as for the "humping bunnies" is that what you've named your rifle Shallom?

 

[Skyline]

Safari Chick.............remember he spends a lot of time in the bush.

 

[Shallom]

What a great post, but I couldn't decide if I felt more pity for you or your wife. I hope for her sake that you will write a love note with as much longing and deep affection as you have posted here about your dream double. And as for the "humping bunnies" is that what you've named your rifle Shallom?

Yes indeed Safari Chick - that's what i have named my double. It comes from the engravings I ordered on it. The engraver for Krieghoff is actually a lady and she did a fine job. It took Krieghoff about 3 months to actually go ahead with my engraving request as they were very unsure about it - but i am very glad they did it. Today i own a very unique and well known gun. Different from all the big-five band-wagon. Will upload a couple of photos... Enjoy - Cheers.

 

[Shallom]

See for yourself...

 

[Skyline]

Ryan, to be honest I had not looked very closely at the engraving on your double at the top of your website page.......and there they are, humping bunnies.

By the way you have some great photos on there. I can see why you have all those puku in the book.

 

[Safari Chick]

I'm in awe!

Ryan, that is absolutely hilarious and cool at the same time, a difficult combination to pull off. It's the bunny Karma Sutra on a giant gun balanced with amazingly well done engraving... it works! But tell me what is this fascination with bunnies, is it simply the effect of protracted stays in the bush as Skyline suggests? Or something more sinister...

Anyway, I'm starting to feel like chopped liver over here, the day before Valentine's Day and all of these men are professing their love to their rifles or fantasy rifles...how can a girl compete with that

 

[jaustin]

First of all, I adore my wife and if it was not for her I doubt I would have been to Africa as many times as I have, if at all. She has been with me every time I have been there and has spent many days in the field with me hunting in North and South America as well. My trip to Africa this year will be without her due to the fact that I will be hunting elephant from a fairly primitive tent camp and she is afraid of elephants (me too).
Ryan, what a fantastic rifle! I can only imagine what it would be like to own such a wonderful gun.

 

[Shallom]

Glad you folks appreciate the gun... it sure is a good combination and works very well for me. There is no obsession with bunnies, but everyone enjoys the lighter side of the gun while on safari and if anything, it leaves a lasting impression even when not brought to use in the field. Basically, there was too many big-five engravings being done on Krieghoff's double rifles for africa and i just wanted something my own - i figure nobody is going to ever have humping rabbits on their .470 NE so that is what i got. Wait till you see whats on my 20 gauge krieghoff shotgun (will take a few years still). Cheers!
Enjoy your Valentine's Day... Let the rabbits set the tone.

 

[Calhoun]

It's just to bad someone can't make a double rifle without all the engraving so some of us poor folk could own one. Like when I was a kid I saved my money & bought a new model 311 stevens 16 gauge double barrel shot gun for $99.99. I wouldn't even consider not using it for rabbits or pheasants. It handles nice gets the job done built well but it is plain Jane!

 

[Vetaikaran]

I have been lusting after a nice English DR for over 30 years. I handles a pair of Wesley Richards in 1976 (originally built for a Maharaja & his Queen) & I used one of them at a driven pig shoot in India. Since then I have seen a few in India & here in New Zealand.

Last year I had the great fortune to visit friends in the US & both of them were DR crazy. So we did a big DR shoot with about 5 or 6 of their several DRs. I got to shoot a Webley 450/400, a Chapuis 470 (did not fit me & so it booted me like crazy), a Damas 45-70, a Damas 577 NE & a Jeffrey 600NE! I have that sequence of Jeffrey shots with lead & full nitro loads on video! What a rush that was. I even got to hunt with the 450/400 & missed a white tail doe in the woods just on dark.

I'll keep dreaming & hope I can own a British DR one day!

 

[GWH]

I'd also love one, definitely something about them, I have a mate with some very nice old greener doubles, one in 577 nitro and one in 404 jeff - I have seen him head shoot a running Boar with the 577, emphatic would be the word. The best thing is, he still carries them in the field!!!

As ofr a cheap double option, there has been some talk on another website I am on of fashioning doubles out of SXS shotguns, there are a couple of fellows who have pulled it off and have unique rifles now as a result - just an idea...

 

[peter weismann]

thats is the coolest krieghoff engraving I know and I would not have run a bet for they would do it! It is a great idea with that on a .470, just great!

Msyself, I do not feel that attraction by DR, but can understand what you telling about, because I am towards single-Shots in similar way.
I loaded however a couple of DR, including 500 and 600NE what are fun by itselfs. Boy, there is plenty of room for powder! but loading is not as easy as with other shells, becuase they have to keep on low pressure levels and still burn the powder, not easy and no much air for experiments: blown away 600Ne are no nice experience, for sure, but tell this the owner!
I ever imagined, what a fun it would be, getting a charging buffallo in front of one and let it come to a save distance to let it roll in the shot (you see: infected by that bunnie stuff...)
No doubt, this doubles, well ballanced and fast handling, every step without the need of thinking about handling, just done naturally, are very good choices for one who needs them.
I doubt however, that there are realy that much sold to hunters, I mean, hunters who hunt with them. They seem to be a status symbol.

Therefore, I stay with jaustin: rather hunting with any rifle than the most desired one in the cabinet and no ammo.

 

[Shallom]

Peter Weismann - wait till you see the next piece of art. Thanks for the compliments on the humping rabbits. Am still composing the next edition of unique engraving and will let you know, once i can afford to make it happen.

I am not a big fan of anything over the .500 NE, but can understand the impact of a point-blank 600 NE on a buffalo (could be quite a stopper). But am sure you know that the .470 NE is all the gun you need for anything dangerous and in need of instant stopping. Cheers,

 

[Mike70560]

"True Love"

I will brag a little bit, my lovely wife bought a 470 Krieghoff Double for me as a 10th anniversary present. I had lusted after that rifle, but was too cheap to buy it myself. All it ended up costing me a Rolex for my wife but it was worth every penny.

 

[oscar1975]

If double rifles are too expensive to me I have a modest EGO caliber 470 N.E., but with my salary is impossible. This rifle it manufactured in my country, in the North and I believe that the larger calibre for which it manufactured was the 375 H & H Magnum. Dream friends, it's free.

Oscar.

 

[Calhoun]

MIKE you are one lucky @#$% you don't find a woman like that everyday!! I've lusted over guns for my 29 years of marriage & never once did she even remotely think about buying me one or funding me on a hunt!! Oscar I'm wearing my mind out dreaming!! Mike I hope that gun shoots great & don't let that woman get away !!

 

[RayAtkinson]

I love my 450-400-3" on the new small frame by Searcy..It shoots an inch at 50 yards so I can shoot a buff in the eye if I have to!

But doubles as much as I love them are mostly nostalgia, and when push comes to shove I'd probably grab my Mauser 404 Jefferys or my .416 Rem Mauser, maybe! and my good old English Mauser in 375 H&H that is so super accurate it scares me to death is always a good option...

I actually put more emphisis on a well constructed bullet of proven design and good shooting over caliber or make, at least within reason.