Trying to choose which caliber for a new double rifle

[KJE81]

I am in the process of ordering myself a new double rifle, most likely it will be a Krieghoff Classic/Big five. But since we have quite strict gun legislation here in Sweden (maximum 4-6 guns) it would be nice if it could fill several roles, like beeing usable for mosse/elk hunting and bear aswell as boar hunting here in Sweden while still be feasible to use for both plains game and Buffalo, Elephant, Hippo and big cats in africa in the future. For smaller game at home I have other guns, and since that is my main hunting diet those other guns are taking up 5 of the 6 spaces in my gun cabinet in accordance with Swedish law in this matter.

And since I would prefer a rimmed caliber I am presently looking at two options, one beeing the .375 Flanged Magnum and the other being the .500/.416 Nitro Express, the question is if the .375 Flanged Magnum is enough for the above or if I should look at the bigger caliber instead? There would probably be much more of the other game then those in the Big Five.

One upside with the .375 Flanged is that it can be ordered in the regular Krieghoff Classic which means a slender, lighter gun than the Classic Big Five, making it more suitable for hunting that involves a lot of walking. On the other hand the big upside of the .500/.416 is of course that it gives more effect when it comes to the bigger animals.

With regards to gun makes, I think that I will go with the Krieghoff since I feel I get more bells and whistles for my money with this make ie engraving and wood quality then with Heym which was my other contender Also looked at SIACE and some second hand guns of spanish or italian make but in all honesty I am quite fond of buying a completly new gun to my own specifications and also some of these brands seem to have a so-so reputation.

So if anyone feels like they have some input in this matter it would be greatly appreciated

 

[RockSlinger404]

Why not a 470NE? It is the most popular double caliber and also the one I chose for a new Krieghoff Classic Big Five. Ammo and component availability is my main concern.

 

[KJE81]

Why not a 470NE? It is the most popular double caliber and also the one I chose for a new Krieghoff Classic Big Five. Ammo and component availability is my main concern.

Thanks for you answer, but the answer is that it is due to my desire of using the gun for anything other then elephants and buffalos, trying to get it to be as versatile as possible

 

[Challer]

375 will suit your needs. And the marvelous K classic can be fitted with a variety of barrels like 30 06 and 20G, giving this gun great versatility

 

[KJE81]

375 will suit your needs. And the marvelous K classic can be fitted with a variety of barrels like 30 06 and 20G, giving this gun great versatility

That sounds great, do you know if it is possible to order additional sets of barrels for the Krieghoff Classic after then gun itself has left the factory without having to send it back for fitting I mean? I find that the costs for adding more sets of barrels right now is a problem, but it is likely less of a problem in a year or two to add yet another set of barrels if needed.

 

[Philip Glass]

I am in the process of ordering myself a new double rifle, most likely it will be a Krieghoff Classic/Big five. But since we have quite strict gun legislation here in Sweden (maximum 4-6 guns) it would be nice if it could fill several roles, like beeing usable for mosse/elk hunting and bear aswell as boar hunting here in Sweden while still be feasible to use for both plains game and Buffalo, Elephant, Hippo and big cats in africa in the future. For smaller game at home I have other guns, and since that is my main hunting diet those other guns are taking up 5 of the 6 spaces in my gun cabinet in accordance with Swedish law in this matter.

And since I would prefer a rimmed caliber I am presently looking at two options, one beeing the .375 Flanged Magnum and the other being the .500/.416 Nitro Express, the question is if the .375 Flanged Magnum is enough for the above or if I should look at the bigger caliber instead? There would probably be much more of the other game then those in the Big Five.

One upside with the .375 Flanged is that it can be ordered in the regular Krieghoff Classic which means a slender, lighter gun than the Classic Big Five, making it more suitable for hunting that involves a lot of walking. On the other hand the big upside of the .500/.416 is of course that it gives more effect when it comes to the bigger animals.

With regards to gun makes, I think that I will go with the Krieghoff since I feel I get more bells and whistles for my money with this make ie engraving and wood quality then with Heym which was my other contender Also looked at SIACE and some second hand guns of spanish or italian make but in all honesty I am quite fond of buying a completly new gun to my own specifications and also some of these brands seem to have a so-so reputation.

So if anyone feels like they have some input in this matter it would be greatly appreciated

With the list you want to hunt I would recommend a .450-400. I have a Kgun in .470 and have the .450-400 barrels coming soon. I’ve had several experts tell me the .450-400 is the way to go due to less recoil and better penetration on ele brain shots etc. The downside is ammo availability. You can go .375 flanged and be ok but may want more gun for ele.
I agree the Kgun has more quality and features than the others. I like mine.
Philip

 

[Major Bonkers]

I suggest that you have a look at the Chapuis double rifle range. I have a 9.3x74R, which is essentially the same as a .375 H&H. It is an excellent rifle, points like a shotgun, works straight out of the box, and very good value for money. In heavier calibres, though, it is supposed to be unbalanced.

 

[spike.t]

Go for 450/400 ...can use on boar upwards...and will work on ele down from other end of the scale ...and it's a classic calibre

 

[KJE81]

With the list you want to hunt I would recommend a .450-400. I have a Kgun in .470 and have the .450-400 barrels coming soon. I’ve had several experts tell me the .450-400 is the way to go due to less recoil and better penetration on ele brain shots etc. The downside is ammo availability. You can go .375 flanged and be ok but may want more gun for ele.
I agree the Kgun has more quality and features than the others. I like mine.
Philip

Thanks for the input, so you think that .450-400 is more versatile then lets say .500/.416 or do you mean .450-400 plus another set of barrels? By the way, since you have ordered a new set of barrels for your K-gun, I guess you know if it is necessary to send the gun to Krieghoff in order to fit the new set of barrels or not?

 

[KJE81]

I suggest that you have a look at the Chapuis double rifle range. I have a 9.3x74R, which is essentially the same as a .375 H&H. It is an excellent rifle, points like a shotgun, works straight out of the box, and very good value for money. In heavier calibres, though, it is supposed to be unbalanced.

I have found several double rifles in 9,3x74R with very nice engraving of african animals and actually had that caliber before but in a o/u doublerifle so I know its a really nice caliber. My only concern is that it as far as I understand it is not legal for big five?

 

[KJE81]

Go for 450/400 ...can use on boar upwards...and will work on ele down from other end of the scale ...and it's a classic calibre

What about plainsgame?

 

[AZDAVE]

Since you have elephant on your list, the 500/416 will fill the roll you are talking about quite well and be enough for all the smaller. 450/400 would be an option too. I have a Kgun in 500/416 and love it. if you take the elephant off the list you could easily add the 9.3x74 or 375 flanged. I would think that a Kgun with a 3 barrel set 1. 500/416 or 450/400. 2. 9.3x74 or 375 flanged. 3. 20ga shotgun. Provided that Sweden counts the gun as the receiver and not by barrel set.

 

[homeless]

To be worth so much for moose, bear and buffalo without a doubt I would choose the 450/400

The 375, I see very fair for the buffalo.

 

[renierh]

I am in the process of ordering myself a new double rifle, most likely it will be a Krieghoff Classic/Big five. But since we have quite strict gun legislation here in Sweden (maximum 4-6 guns) it would be nice if it could fill several roles, like beeing usable for mosse/elk hunting and bear aswell as boar hunting here in Sweden while still be feasible to use for both plains game and Buffalo, Elephant, Hippo and big cats in africa in the future. For smaller game at home I have other guns, and since that is my main hunting diet those other guns are taking up 5 of the 6 spaces in my gun cabinet in accordance with Swedish law in this matter.

And since I would prefer a rimmed caliber I am presently looking at two options, one beeing the .375 Flanged Magnum and the other being the .500/.416 Nitro Express, the question is if the .375 Flanged Magnum is enough for the above or if I should look at the bigger caliber instead? There would probably be much more of the other game then those in the Big Five.

One upside with the .375 Flanged is that it can be ordered in the regular Krieghoff Classic which means a slender, lighter gun than the Classic Big Five, making it more suitable for hunting that involves a lot of walking. On the other hand the big upside of the .500/.416 is of course that it gives more effect when it comes to the bigger animals.

With regards to gun makes, I think that I will go with the Krieghoff since I feel I get more bells and whistles for my money with this make ie engraving and wood quality then with Heym which was my other contender Also looked at SIACE and some second hand guns of spanish or italian make but in all honesty I am quite fond of buying a completly new gun to my own specifications and also some of these brands seem to have a so-so reputation.

So if anyone feels like they have some input in this matter it would be greatly appreciated

From my experience the 470NE is the winner.

 

[KJE81]

Since you have elephant on your list, the 500/416 will fill the roll you are talking about quite well and be enough for all the smaller. 450/400 would be an option too. I have a Kgun in 500/416 and love it. if you take the elephant off the list you could easily add the 9.3x74 or 375 flanged. I would think that a Kgun with a 3 barrel set 1. 500/416 or 450/400. 2. 9.3x74 or 375 flanged. 3. 20ga shotgun. Provided that Sweden counts the gun as the receiver and not by barrel set.

I think that it will probably only be one elephant due to the costs, and perhaps it would be okay to rent a gun for that. But still, one would like to have everything in one package

Swedish gun law sees the action as the gun (simplified) so up to 12 additional barrels/sets of barrels are ok for the total gun cabinet so to speak.

 

[KJE81]

From my experience the 470NE is the winner.

I think it would be perfect for buffalo and elephant, just worried that it will not do well on plainsgame and be far to much for game at home.

 

[Rubberhead]

Would one receiver and two sets of barrels count as one gun, or two?

 

[homeless]

Would one receiver and two sets of barrels count as one gun, or two?

Yes!!!!!!!

I have one in two barrels, the first and principal barrel 470NE and the second in 375H&H

But the answer is only one barrel, the winner is 450/400

 

[spike.t]

What about plainsgame?

If you can shoot it accurately no reason you can't use it....people use 404 ....and ....416 for everything...so 450/400 no reason you couldn't...just need to get closer and maybe miss out on taking some shots...but all part of the fun....and in future you add extra barrel sets as and when you want or can....seems good way of getting around your limited gun rules

 

[Rell]

450-400 3” is marvelous and ammo is more available then 375F or 500/416.