VC 500NE Range Report

[Sourdough]

Shot my Verney Carron 500NE for the first time today. It's also the first time I've fired a double rifle, and the first time I've shoulder fired a round bigger than a 45-70.

Since I shot 4 rounds today I'm pretty sure in today's Internet wannabe environment that I'm now a subject matter expert. So here goes.

When I first got the rifle the "action" (I hope I'm using the right term) felt stiff while opening and closing, but I figured after a few rounds it would begin to loosen up, and I was correct.

I loaded two rounds and took the shots at 25 yards off hand. I was aiming center of the heart holding the white bead on the front sight on top of the v in the back sight. The brown circles in the photo represent the first two shots and the green circles the second two.

For the second two shots I wanted to pick up the pace so figured as quick as I acquired the target I'd pull the second trigger. Speed would be the same as working a bolt action. I'm sure a bunch of practice will allow me to shorten that dramatically- at least I'm counting on that.

I love this gun. She packs a wallop that's for sure, but feels like a serious dangerous game gun. I've got a big grin on my face.

 

[Doug3006]

Hi Sourdough. Can you please post a picture or two of the rifle?

 

[Sourdough]

@Doug3006

I posted a few photos over in this thread (on both pages)

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/gentlemans-jewelry.69895/

 

[Doug3006]

Thanks Sourdough! That’s one exceptional firearm!

 

[yhc]

Looks good Sourdough.

Of the two shots identified as 1 and 2, is #1 from the left barrel and #2 the right barrel?

 

[Sourdough]

Looks good Sourdough.

Of the two shots identified as 1 and 2, is #1 from the left barrel and #2 the right barrel?

First shot front trigger right barrel, second back trigger left barrel.

 

[ET1775]

L

Shot my Verney Carron 500NE for the first time today. It's also the first time I've fired a double rifle, and the first time I've shoulder fired a round bigger than a 45-70.

Since I shot 4 rounds today I'm pretty sure in today's Internet wannabe environment that I'm now a subject matter expert. So here goes.

When I first got the rifle the "action" (I hope I'm using the right term) felt stiff while opening and closing, but I figured after a few rounds it would begin to loosen up, and I was correct.

I loaded two rounds and took the shots at 25 yards off hand. I was aiming center of the heart holding the white bead on the front sight on top of the v in the back sight. The brown circles in the photo represent the first two shots and the green circles the second two.

For the second two shots I wanted to pick up the pace so figured as quick as I acquired the target I'd pull the second trigger. Speed would be the same as working a bolt action. I'm sure a bunch of practice will allow me to shorten that dramatically- at least I'm counting on that.

I love this gun. She packs a wallop that's for sure, but feels like a serious dangerous game gun. I've got a big grin on my face.

View attachment 476253

Good choice of target, the most dangerous game of all!

 

[degoins]

Looks like you're ready to hunt with that beauty!!

 

[Sourdough]

Looks like you're ready to hunt with that beauty!!

Thanks. Have a lot of practice to go. A friend's father once told him "100 shots on the range for every 1 in the bush". I've still got 96 rounds left and I've got reloading equipment on its way. ;-)

 

[Sourdough]

Ok, so here is the latest 25yard off-hand target. Certainly there is an element of luck in this group, but I sure am impressed with this gun. I really need to get after the dry fire drills till I can handle this rifle without thinking.

An important thing I've learned so far is to be sure and grip the comb at the back. I apparently started gripping it where my 2nd finger was against the trigger guard and got spanked for that, yeouch. Dry fire, dry fire, dry fire.

 

[ET1775]

Ok, so here is the latest 25yard off-hand target. Certainly there is an element of luck in this group, but I sure am impressed with this gun. I really need to get after the dry fire drills till I can handle this rifle without thinking.

An important thing I've learned so far is to be sure and grip the comb at the back. I apparently started gripping it where my 2nd finger was against the trigger guard and got spanked for that, yeouch. Dry fire, dry fire, dry fire.

View attachment 478822

That is an enviable pair! Not a "group" per say as it lacks enough rounds to be statistically relevant. Well done at 25 yards offhand. I could shoot a pair like that with a .500 but you would see powder burns on the target

how stout are you finding the recoil and how many rounds do you think you could manage in a sitting before it was downright not fun anymore?

 

[Sourdough]

@ET1775 I've generally been shooting four rounds at a time and then calling it a day. But what I'm seeing is with this caliber any slight deviation from the proper technique (which I'm still sorting out what that is) and it will let me know. My finger up against the back of the trigger guard is a good example. Smacked the heck out of it leaving a bruise. I had to wear a glove on that hand to continue and I didn't start shooting again for four more days to let the soreness in my finger subside.

But a couple of times I've stumbled onto perfect technique and was surprised how comfortable it is to shoot, but deviate and I go "ow".

My goal, and hopefully not beyond reach, is to get where shooting this is no different then any of my lessor calibers. To accomplish this I think I need to:

1. Dry fire a lot so I don't think about pulling the trigger. Right now I'm slowly squeezing it like I would with my 300 with a 2lbs trigger taking a 400 yard shot. That isn't going to work on dangerous game 10 yards away. I'm going to need to get where as soon as the guns up and on target I'm at that fine line between squeeing the trigger and jerking it, and I think dry fire will help that a lot- at least I hope so.

2. Get a least a hundred rounds down range with the best technique I can muster each time so it becomes just like any other gun.

It's not so much the pain when the technique isn't perfect, that isn't such a big deal, it's the- dare I say- "violence" that occurs when it goes of. A little startling each time. The "startling" will subside the more rounds I shoot and already is- slowly.

I'll say this. It's the first rifle I've owned that makes me feel like I've got something more than adequate to stare down an elephant, or heck, even a T-Rex. And that is really cool.

Next week I'll up my round count to six at a sitting. Again, if I can get the perfect technique the round count won't matter. It's those not perfect times that make me say "okay I've had enough for the day".

 

[ET1775]

@ET1775 I've generally been shooting four rounds at a time and then calling it a day. But what I'm seeing is with this caliber any slight deviation from the proper technique (which I'm still sorting out what that is) and it will let me know. My finger up against the back of the trigger guard is a good example. Smacked the heck out of it leaving a bruise. I had to wear a glove on that hand to continue and I didn't start shooting again for four more days to let the soreness in my finger subside.

But a couple of times I've stumbled onto perfect technique and was surprised how comfortable it is to shoot, but deviate and I go "ow".

My goal, and hopefully not beyond reach, is to get where shooting this is no different then any of my lessor calibers. To accomplish this I think I need to:

1. Dry fire a lot so I don't think about pulling the trigger. Right now I'm slowly squeezing it like I would with my 300 with a 2lbs trigger taking a 400 yard shot. That isn't going to work on dangerous game 10 yards away. I'm going to need to get where as soon as the guns up and on target I'm at that fine line between squeeing the trigger and jerking it, and I think dry fire will help that a lot- at least I hope so.

2. Get a least a hundred rounds down range with the best technique I can muster each time so it becomes just like any other gun.

It's not so much the pain when the technique isn't perfect, that isn't such a big deal, it's the- dare I say- "violence" that occurs when it goes of. A little startling each time. The "startling" will subside the more rounds I shoot and already is- slowly.

I'll say this. It's the first rifle I've owned that makes me feel like I've got something more than adequate to stare down an elephant, or heck, even a T-Rex. And that is really cool.

Next week I'll up my round count to six at a sitting. Again, if I can get the perfect technique the round count won't matter. It's those not perfect times that make me say "okay I've had enough for the day".

Thanks for the thorough response. It sounds like you have a solid plan and achievable goal in mind.

 

[Backyardsniper]

That is some serious training! Its all about that muscle memory.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

A job done properly is a good job.

 

[Daniel Cary]

Very Cool .. Still, stunning VC!
thought it was around 12lbs, could be far off .. trying to compare Krieghoff's weight.

 

[Sourdough]

Very Cool .. Still, stunning VC!
thought it was around 12lbs, could be far off .. trying to compare Krieghoff's weight.

Thanks. 11.6 pounds is what mine weighs.

 

[AZDAVE]

When dry firing MAKE sure you have snap caps in the rifle. Double rifles and shotguns shouldn't be dry fired without them as firing pins are more likely to break than in boltguns or pistols.