Want To Buy First Double Rifle

[Rare Breed]

A very incomplete list of Professional Hunters that use Heyms:

There are more Professional Hunters carrying HEYM double rifles in Africa today than any other brand.

www.heymusa.com

I have never seen such a list for Chapuis, Verney Caron, Merkel, Searcy, or Sabatti.

Beyond Heyms, the most common doubles I see in Africa are century old Wilkes 470s which says a lot about British longevity as well.

My PH Lou Hallamore loves his Wilkes 470, nice workman’s rifle

 

[Tanks]

You are so right, I’ve bought 7 after each time saying I would not buy another, worse than drugs in their addiction

Well, as stated on the post below I am done.

Thread 'Ordered my LAST African Safari rifle at DSC this year...'

Feb 4, 2023

Last year, when I went to SCI, I stopped at Wesley Richards booth as I wanted to place an order for a double and an extra barrel. They said they were all sold outand the earliest I could have one would be in 6 years, 2028 when I would be 71!!!.

That was not acceptable, and I was disappointed. Later on, at the Rigby booth, I talked to Jerome Lanue and he was telling me about his projects at Rigby. One was a development of a boxlock double like Rigby used to make a while ago. He said he would have it all figured out by this year's show.

Well, this year at DSC (wasn't going to wait for SCI)...

• Tanks
• Replies: 86
• Forum: Firearms & ammunition

• 
• 
• 

 

[uplander01]

I'd say if you want modern and aren't rich enough to start your campfires with 100 dollar bills it would be hard to argue that Heym is the best "affordable " modern double.

That being said, there still isn't anything in the hands like an early 20th century English Double, except modern really expensive english doubles LOL. I wasn't a believer until I acquired a 1920's vintage Manton Best Boxlock in 470. Which I will sell after this year.....but I simply must take it over and shoot 2 buffalo with it this fall.

 

[The Engineer]

I agree with choosing a Heym. That is a Heym 470 in the picture and I have 2 Heym 450s. It has not been mentioned, but the interrupting sears on the Heym will prevent a discharge if the Heym is dropped. To me that is an important feature many doubles do not have.

 

[rookhawk]

I'd say if you want modern and aren't rich enough to start your campfires with 100 dollar bills it would be hard to argue that Heym is the best "affordable " modern double.

If you look at the "fine print" on many modern doubles, you'll find that they do not authorize monometal solids. Even those that do, sometimes they mean "barnes softs" and not some lathe turned, extra long, harder-than-brass solid.

A heym definitely is up for the task.

But some of the others that cannot? Well I'm stuck buying a special diet of traditional cup-and-core FMJs that are very hard to find and often haven't been produced in a decade or more. If I'm going to spend $15k on a gun that is low quality and needs a special diet, I'm sure as hell going to find a Birmingham British Gun that is a work of art and needs a special diet.

The juice has to be worth the squeeze. A British gun is worth the squeeze for me and a Heym will tolerate any hideous, high-pressure, hard monometal you can throw at it.

At the end of the day if I'm forced to feed it special food and I don't even get the pleasure of holding a British gun, its a lose-lose. That's sort of my philosophical position on the matter.

 

[SETH RINGER]

WE WENT WITH O/U FOR OUR DOUBLE RIFLES, RIGHT OR WRONG. BERETTA SS06 458WM AND A BERETTA 689 GOLD SABLE WITH 9.3X74R AND 30-06 BARRELS ALL WORKED OVER BY JJ. WHOLE PACKAGE WAS JUST A BIT MORE THAN Y'ALL ARE TALKING FOR A GOOD SXS.

 

[Houston Bill]

Well, as stated on the post below I am done.

Thread 'Ordered my LAST African Safari rifle at DSC this year...'

Feb 4, 2023

Last year, when I went to SCI, I stopped at Wesley Richards booth as I wanted to place an order for a double and an extra barrel. They said they were all sold outand the earliest I could have one would be in 6 years, 2028 when I would be 71!!!.

That was not acceptable, and I was disappointed. Later on, at the Rigby booth, I talked to Jerome Lanue and he was telling me about his projects at Rigby. One was a development of a boxlock double like Rigby used to make a while ago. He said he would have it all figured out by this year's show.

Well, this year at DSC (wasn't going to wait for SCI)...

• Tanks
• Replies: 86
• Forum: Firearms & ammunition

• 
• 
• 

@Tanks, did you take delivery yet of your Rigby Shikari?

 

[Tanks]

@Tanks, did you take delivery yet of your Rigby Shikari?

No. Just negotiated the engraving so realistically I am looking at Spring sometime.

 

[Safariswestcam]

All,
I wanted to take a minute to say thank you for all the offers, inquiries, photos and conversations as I worked to sort out my first double. I am pleased to say I was able to find and purchase a rifle that I fell in love with when it was originally offered for sale a few years ago. Originally I was not in a position to make an offer, and although I am excited about it, I am sorry for the circumstances for which it came back for sale. @K E Johnson was incredible through the process and went above and beyond to figure out the logistics of getting this rifle and all the components back East. I look forward to having this rifle in hand during our November Tanzania hunt and then in Zimbabwe for elephant next year.

Thanks again and all the best....
Cheers,
CK

 

[rookhawk]

All,
I wanted to take a minute to say thank you for all the offers, inquiries, photos and conversations as I worked to sort out my first double. I am pleased to say I was able to find and purchase a rifle that I fell in love with when it was originally offered for sale a few years ago. Originally I was not in a position to make an offer, and although I am excited about it, I am sorry for the circumstances for which it came back for sale. @K E Johnson was incredible through the process and went above and beyond to figure out the logistics of getting this rifle and all the components back East. I look forward to having this rifle in hand during our November Tanzania hunt and then in Zimbabwe for elephant next year.
View attachment 663355

Thanks again and all the best....
Cheers,
CK

Very few people make good choices on first doubles. Congrats, you're member of a very elite club that didn't buy something they'll deeply regret. It's a very nice vintage double.

If you're not an expert handloader, for a pittance you can send that rifle to Ken Owen and have him work up all your loads, delivering you detailed instructions and targets that prove what works exceptionally well. If you're a good handloader that is conservative, you can certainly work through that process all by yourself.

 

[franzfmdavis]

Congrats! Im not as knowledgable
as many others to know what it is based on the picture. May I ask the make/model/caliber?

 

[Safariswestcam]

Very few people make good choices on first doubles. Congrats, you're member of a very elite club that didn't buy something they'll deeply regret. It's a very nice vintage double.

If you're not an expert handloader, for a pittance you can send that rifle to Ken Owen and have him work up all your loads, delivering you detailed instructions and targets that prove what works exceptionally well. If you're a good handloader that is conservative, you can certainly work through that process all by yourself.

This has rifle is the result and culmination of 15 years worth of researching and wanting, and upon its delivery, I could not be happier! It is truly craftsmanship with a soul and I am thankful for the privilege to own such a fine rifle.

I am not a handloader, so I appreciate the advice to contact Mr. Owen. I have talked with him over the years and may reach out once I have had a chance to run some rounds at the range.

 

[rookhawk]

I am not a handloader, so I appreciate the advice to contact Mr. Owen. I have talked with him over the years and may reach out once I have had a chance to run some rounds at the range.

@Safariswestcam I'm not sure I understand what you mean? You're not a handloader, maybe you'll call a handloader, but first you're going to shoot the gun? That infers you're going to shoot factory ammunition out of it? Don't do that. It's a perfectly good gun, it may not be, and you may not be in good working order if you start stuffing modern factory ammo down a vintage British Double.

A fellow on this forum disregarded similar advice above, blew his gun to bits at a near $30k loss, and could have/should have lost his life.

 

[deewayne2003]

@Safariswestcam I'm not sure I understand what you mean? You're not a handloader, maybe you'll call a handloader, but first you're going to shoot the gun? That infers you're going to shoot factory ammunition out of it? Don't do that. It's a perfectly good gun, it may not be, and you may not be in good working order if you start stuffing modern factory ammo down a vintage British Double.

A fellow on this forum disregarded similar advice above, blew his gun to bits at a near $30k loss, and could have/should have lost his life.

In the sale listing for the rifle it mentions having loaded rounds that come with the rifle.

While I would definitely use the rounds that were loaded for the rifle and not factory rounds; I'm sure @Rare Breed conveyed the regulation load data along with all the supplies.

 

[Safariswestcam]

@Safariswestcam I'm not sure I understand what you mean? You're not a handloader, maybe you'll call a handloader, but first you're going to shoot the gun? That infers you're going to shoot factory ammunition out of it? Don't do that. It's a perfectly good gun, it may not be, and you may not be in good working order if you start stuffing modern factory ammo down a vintage British Double.

A fellow on this forum disregarded similar advice above, blew his gun to bits at a near $30k loss, and could have/should have lost his life.

That is in fact what was inferred based off of a green light from JJ who went through and shot the rifle. If I need to heed further advisement, I am all ears but having the blessing from him seemed sound enough direction. The only caution I was given was not to shoot "older solids" as I would likely print the rifling on the exterior of the barrels. Modern loads he assured are fine for the one off elephant hunt but to avoid shooting solids just for fun.

I have lots of handholds for the rifle that came with it and I knowing they were worked up by a very respected member on this forum, I still cannot tell you it does not come with a great deal of hesitation to even consider pulling the trigger on those, as I have to take on faith..... they knew what they were doing.

 

[Safariswestcam]

In the sale listing for the rifle it mentions having loaded rounds that come with the rifle.

While I would definitely use the rounds that were loaded for the rifle and not factory rounds; I'm sure @Rare Breed conveyed the regulation load data along with all the supplies.

I have a ton of handloads and all the reloading components, so working up loads is not an issue. JJ very clearly said it was not a problem shooting modern ammo and I took that as gospel as from everyone I have ever met... he is regarded as the authority on DR's. That being said.... I am open to any and all wisdom.

 

[deewayne2003]

I have a ton of handloads and all the reloading components, so working up loads is not an issue. JJ very clearly said it was not a problem shooting modern ammo and I took that as gospel as from everyone I have ever met... he is regarded as the authority on DR's. That being said.... I am open to any and all wisdom.

Glad to hear you have things sorted out, I imported all those Woodleigh soft points for Rare Breed when he had the gun.

 

[rookhawk]

I have a ton of handloads and all the reloading components, so working up loads is not an issue. JJ very clearly said it was not a problem shooting modern ammo and I took that as gospel as from everyone I have ever met... he is regarded as the authority on DR's. That being said.... I am open to any and all wisdom.

Yes. You're using handloads based off of JJ's recipe. That's kosher. When I read your post, it seemed as though you might go down to the hardware store and buy a box of Federals and take it for a spin. (that would be potentially very bad)