What about a double appeals to you most?

[spike.t]

Come now laddie, sell everything and get one, fantasies are to be indulged.

I wish....

 

[Tom Leoni]

To me what's appealing in a double rifle is that it's a classic, perhaps the classic African gun in the collective imagination. Yes, Mausers and Mannlichers were amply used in Africa, but they were ubiquitous also outside of the Dark Continent. The double and its express cartridges, on the other hand, were perfected and employed almost exclusively for Africa.

Plus, for us handloaders it enables us to engage in the art of recreating these cartridges, many of which are no longer in production, prohibitively expensive and hard to find, or not "just right" for our rifle.

Modern, scoped doubles, although not having the "halo" of the classics, are appealing for much of the same reasons, especially the first. And thanks to their being scoped, they are eminently usable even by those of us that are getting a little long in the tooth and short in the eyesight.

So I would argue that for the modern sportsman who treks Africa accompanied by a PH, there are few practical advantages that I can think of (e.g., quick second shot); but owning one is a pleasure that those who have been bitten by the bug can ever forego.

 

[degoins]

Tom nailed it.

 

[cal pappas]

The quality of pre war doubles from the UK, combined with the history if one can document the original owner puts the old doubles over the top to me.

 

[Arkansas_Traveler]

I grew up in rural Northeast / North-central Arkansas quail hunting with my Grandfather's Fox BSE 20ga SxS shotgun. It wasn't my first firearm (my Stevens single shot 20ga was my first, followed by a Marlin .22LR), but it was what I carried the most as a pre-teen and teenager.
When I was a young adult, that shotgun was stolen by a local meth addict and never recovered. I have not replaced it yet, as I don't bird hunt anymore due to the poor quail population on the properties I have access to hunt on (nor do I have bird dogs any more) - but someday I probably will.
However, one thing that shotgun did was instill in me an appreciation for the lines of a SxS firearm (they're just sexy, and I don't know any other way to say that), and a love for the way a well made SxS shoulders and how naturally it comes to bear on target. I've never handled a bolt action rifle (or a pump or semi-auto shotgun for that matter) that balances, mounts, and handles like that SxS did.
Combine this with the fact that they're generally chambered in classic cartridges, which I'm also drawn to by nature, and you have a perfect combination.
Unfortunately, they're still a bit beyond the price range I'm comfortable diving into. At least for the time being.
Perhaps one day.....

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I grew up in rural Northeast / North-central Arkansas quail hunting with my Grandfather's Fox BSE 20ga SxS shotgun. It wasn't my first firearm (my Stevens single shot 20ga was my first, followed by a Marlin .22LR), but it was what I carried the most as a pre-teen and teenager.
When I was a young adult, that shotgun was stolen by a local meth addict and never recovered. I have not replaced it yet, as I don't bird hunt anymore due to the poor quail population on the properties I have access to hunt on (nor do I have bird dogs any more) - but someday I probably will.
However, one thing that shotgun did was instill in me an appreciation for the lines of a SxS firearm (they're just sexy, and I don't know any other way to say that), and a love for the way a well made SxS shoulders and how naturally it comes to bear on target. I've never handled a bolt action rifle (or a pump or semi-auto shotgun for that matter) that balances, mounts, and handles like that SxS did.
Combine this with the fact that they're generally chambered in classic cartridges, which I'm also drawn to by nature, and you have a perfect combination.
Unfortunately, they're still a bit beyond the price range I'm comfortable diving into. At least for the time being.
Perhaps one day.....

Arkansas Traveler it sounds like you have all the right reasons to aim for your double and get one. I hope it happens soon for you. Do you have any ambitions to come to Africa with it?

 

[Arkansas_Traveler]

Arkansas Traveler it sounds like you have all the right reasons to aim for your double and get one. I hope it happens soon for you. Do you have any ambitions to come to Africa with it?

I definitely hope to hunt Africa in the next few years. A hunt for dangerous game is likely several years away at best, but is absolutely a hope / dream. I would love to use a double on DG, and honestly love the idea of hunting PG with a double in 9.3x74R as well - although I'm not going to let the lack of owning a double keep me from hunting... I'm quite sure I would enjoy the hunt just fine with a bolt action if that's what I own when the time comes.
We shall see....

 

[Red Leg]

I grew up in rural Northeast / North-central Arkansas quail hunting with my Grandfather's Fox BSE 20ga SxS shotgun. It wasn't my first firearm (my Stevens single shot 20ga was my first, followed by a Marlin .22LR), but it was what I carried the most as a pre-teen and teenager.
When I was a young adult, that shotgun was stolen by a local meth addict and never recovered. I have not replaced it yet, as I don't bird hunt anymore due to the poor quail population on the properties I have access to hunt on (nor do I have bird dogs any more) - but someday I probably will.
However, one thing that shotgun did was instill in me an appreciation for the lines of a SxS firearm (they're just sexy, and I don't know any other way to say that), and a love for the way a well made SxS shoulders and how naturally it comes to bear on target. I've never handled a bolt action rifle (or a pump or semi-auto shotgun for that matter) that balances, mounts, and handles like that SxS did.
Combine this with the fact that they're generally chambered in classic cartridges, which I'm also drawn to by nature, and you have a perfect combination.
Unfortunately, they're still a bit beyond the price range I'm comfortable diving into. At least for the time being.
Perhaps one day.....

There are still areas with abundant coveys of wild quail. I pursue them as passionately with my SxS's as I do a buffalo in the Caprivi. That is dream that requires focus. The collectors premium on a replacement B or BSE would be a very real obstacle. But the Sterlingworth built 20's and 16's can still be found at something less than a second mortgage type investment. And of course, folks like Rizini are building modern renditions of the classic SxS "Burd" gun at relatively affordable prices. Grab one and go shoot some birds along the Red River.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I definitely hope to hunt Africa in the next few years. A hunt for dangerous game is likely several years away at best, but is absolutely a hope / dream. I would love to use a double on DG, and honestly love the idea of hunting PG with a double in 9.3x74R as well - although I'm not going to let the lack of owning a double keep me from hunting... I'm quite sure I would enjoy the hunt just fine with a bolt action if that's what I own when the time comes.
We shall see....

Or a Ruger No1 - classic, Africa flavour all over it, and very affordable.

 

[Arkansas_Traveler]

There are still areas with abundant coveys of wild quail. I pursue them as passionately with my SxS's as I do a buffalo in the Caprivi. That is dream that requires focus. The collectors premium on a replacement B or BSE would be a very real obstacle. But the Sterlingworth built 20's and 16's can still be found at something less than a second mortgage type investment. And of course, folks like Rizini are building modern renditions of the classic SxS "Burd" gun at relatively affordable prices. Grab one and go shoot some birds along the Red River.

I've actually been invited to join a small hunting lease with an old college friend in Red River county, TX this fall. If I do so, I will have to keep an eye open for a covey or two. I haven't shot any quail in years. If that lease has a huntable population, that alone would be worth the lease fees. The deer and hogs would almost just be a bonus at that point.

 

[Deleted member 53080]

I grew up in rural Northeast / North-central Arkansas quail hunting with my Grandfather's Fox BSE 20ga SxS shotgun. It wasn't my first firearm (my Stevens single shot 20ga was my first, followed by a Marlin .22LR), but it was what I carried the most as a pre-teen and teenager.
When I was a young adult, that shotgun was stolen by a local meth addict and never recovered. I have not replaced it yet, as I don't bird hunt anymore due to the poor quail population on the properties I have access to hunt on (nor do I have bird dogs any more) - but someday I probably will.
However, one thing that shotgun did was instill in me an appreciation for the lines of a SxS firearm (they're just sexy, and I don't know any other way to say that), and a love for the way a well made SxS shoulders and how naturally it comes to bear on target. I've never handled a bolt action rifle (or a pump or semi-auto shotgun for that matter) that balances, mounts, and handles like that SxS did.
Combine this with the fact that they're generally chambered in classic cartridges, which I'm also drawn to by nature, and you have a perfect combination.
Unfortunately, they're still a bit beyond the price range I'm comfortable diving into. At least for the time being.
Perhaps one day.....

I hope you get your double one day.. I know it’s off topic but the quail population in my area is in bad shape as well. It’s sad to see. The way people talk they used to be everywhere around here and everybody and their dog (literally) used to quail hunt but I rarely see any now.

 

[Ike85123]

Its a hard question. I believe the first love for a dr was at a young age . Seeing the vetran hunters carry theirs and of course reading the old hunting books.
The appeal of a rifle that can change calibers or into a shotgun is a nice plus.
Ive only owned 1 and in just 1 caliber. But the appeal and the dream of a multi barreled h&h will live in my head all my life.
As far as the one I have. I love the feel. I love the look. And at 13lbs, I love the weight.
And as always, nothing like a quick second shot on a pig. Seems them things are tougher than a buffalo !

 

[Red Leg]

Its a hard question. I believe the first love for a dr was at a young age . Seeing the vetran hunters carry theirs and of course reading the old hunting books.
The appeal of a rifle that can change calibers or into a shotgun is a nice plus.
Ive only owned 1 and in just 1 caliber. But the appeal and the dream of a multi barreled h&h will live in my head all my life.
As far as the one I have. I love the feel. I love the look. And at 13lbs, I love the weight.
And as always, nothing like a quick second shot on a pig. Seems them things are tougher than a buffalo !

Just curious - what multi-barrel H&H? I have been around a lot of H&H rifles but never a multi-barrel.

 

[HWL]

,Did I mention that I bought myself a pith helmet for Christmas..??

Picture,...or it did not happen...



HWL

 

[Rare Breed]

I love the nostalgia and challenge of a DR. Also I know I am different but I love the beautiful engraving on both of my DR

 

[Daniel Cary]

That classic traditional iconic look! SxS's are menacing .. The OA length, with the receiver taken out of the proverbial equation, short, quick, handy! .. Looking down the rib of 2 Barrels subconsciously instils a bit more confidence ?!?

 

[IvW]

Instant second shot
Choice between soft and solid by moving trigger finger
Multi barrel options
Balance and pointability
Versatility, combination rifles
Rifle forces you to get close enough the best part of hunting....
They are just cool and the only platform designed exclusively for hunting.....

 

[Quaticman]

What about a double appeals to you most? Because there is no sound quite like it in the World of two big Nitro Express cartridges dropping into the chambers of a double rifle!​

 

[Rubberhead]

My brain and muscle memory are just wired for doubles after hunting birds with a double, of one sort or another, for the past 39 years.

Heck, even my favorite pistol is a double...

 

[Daniel Cary]

I received an overall good cond. "Husqvarna" during the chainsaw period for a gift long ago. I believe Gander had 4 turn of the century 12's at the time. inexpensive, don't know much about their history, love hammers. Not a good pic?

Really cool however.