I have a 16GA Sauer SXS double that would make a nice rifle. Can someone recommend a gunsmith who can do the conversion?

I know Del Whitman of Lake Ann MI has done it, but it is neither as cheap or as easy as you might think to change to rifle barrels and regulate them to shoot to point of aim. Have you considered working up a custom slug load? A double rifle is inherently a short range gun in any event and you ought to be able to get usable slug accuracy out to 75 or 100 yards with plenty of knockdown power. Beyond that, use a single barrel rifle, lever, turn bolt, or SS. If you really have a need for a buffalo or elephant stopper, pay the money for a big bore British or European stopper because you are betting lives on the gun.

Barrels are not the only problem . The question is whether the action is strong enough to take the extra pressures of a rifle round ?

This is something I can do. PM me the project details if interested.

Vol423,
I don't have experience with Americans that do this work, but there are some. With regard to the strength of your action, it should be ok, assuming a double under bite and Greener cross bolt. If it has side clips, so much the better.This same frame could have been used if the factory were building a double rifle in normal calibers up to 9.3x74R ( or extra double rifle barrels for a double shotgun).Depending on the particular action and choice of caliber, it may be necessary to either "bush" the firing pins or convert them to "gas tight type", if they are "hound's tooth type"(ie part of the hammer).Also you should have,at least,the front trigger converted to " single set type" and have a scope mounted before the barrels are "regulated". If you need to save money, save by not replacing the stock(this can be done at anytime, if the current one doesn't satisfy you) or converting the trigger. For my use a set trigger is necessary, but this can also be done later.My own sad experience shows that a later scope mounting can affect the barrel regulation.
Mike

"Building Double Rifles on Shotgun Actions" by W. Ellis Brown may be a good place to start to get a full understanding of what needs to be done. Or have a big, fat checkbook.

Interesting reading on the NitroExpress /Building Double Rifles forum:
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=dblbuild

Much first hand info, projects, suggestions from experience. Some people that build them for their own enjoyment and a few that may take on project.

I had a good conversation with gunmaker. One issue is that an action the size of a 16GA shotgun does not make a petite rifle. You can do OK with large calibers like 45-70 and rifles over 40 caliber, but the little stuff like a 30-40 Krag with heavier barrel walls will make a 9 pound plus gun. I'm not going to carry such a beast. If you look at most heavy caliber double rifles, they are on 20 gauge size actions. I have a VC 9.3X74R DR and a Merkel DR drilling in the same caliber, and both are on 28 gauge size actions.

They don't have to be that heavy on 16 ga actions, it depends on the barrel taper( may require a wider wedge and ribs, however).
Mike

I have had this done. After all was said and completed, I would have been better off buying an off the shelf rifle. Your experience may be different.



Pete

Consider this thread:
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat....rt=all&vc=1

Pete, that thing is gorgeous, no matter what you paid.

I want a 30.06 or 303 S/S..or 7.65 S/S that is neat

Jeweler, you may be interested in a droplock .303 I'll be beginning to make in a few months. This is a dedicated DR action, not a shotgun conversion.

I'm not sure what a drop lock is but I like two tubes not a single shot.I'm impressed..

Check out a westley Richards droplock. That will give you a good idea.

I believe AkMike had a Sauer made into either a .450 or .500 Nitro Express Double Rifle. He once told me via internet that it shoots even better than his Searcy in the same chambering.

Vol,
I have two double rifle projects underway that use shotgun actions. One is a 16 gauge Sauer that was manufactured in 1929. It is chambered for the .450/400 3" and my stress testing was done with my standard load for the cartridge using a 10% heavier bullet, firing two loads from each barrel. Extraction was easy and the action opened with ease.

If you haven't already read Brown's book you owe it to yourself to fully understand how this work is done whether you are commissioning the work or doing it yourself.

I have done all of this work myself except designing the barrel profile and making the initial extractor cut on the breech end of the barrels which Morris Melani of Big Lake, Alaska did for me. The profile incorporates three radii and the profiling was done on the lathe doing plunge cuts at 1/8" increments to predetermined depths established in MasterCam. Draw filing cleaned up the marks. These are svelte and beautiful barrels.

This was my way of having a double rifle without the inordinate expense of purchasing an old one. Additionally, I have new barrels with modern steel and feel I don't need to fret about what bullet I shoot in it. I am using the Hornady DG bullets at nearly 2,100 fps. The rifle without the ribs weighs 8 lb 4 oz and when the ribs are installed I expect the finish weight to be around 8 3/4 lbs.

Here are a couple of images.



Good luck with whatever you end up doing.
Dennis

Are you doing work yourself?

DD, are you in the Anch. area?
Yes it's a 450 NE 3 1/4.



edit to add; This one is available for sale if you want one ready made and proven.

Mike,
I'm in Eagle River.
Dennis

Cool, I'm near the AIA airport.

Have you made it to one of our DRSS Shoots at either Cal's or at Birchwood yet? There are tons or DR's and a great batch of shooters.

I did not think any body in the world was out there doing what im going to do,take an expensive shotgun and either make it really cool or a really ugly paper weight. beautiful work guys.
im going to do a ten guage double to begin with to a round ball shooter ,the gun is solid Belgium shotgun with dolls head lock up.
I would then like to do the (or have done) [img:center][/img] the 8 bore back action double

AkMike,
Your Sauer action bears a STRONG resemblance to my Simson & Co Suhl .405 double; also Merkel and other actions from that factory.


+1 for Aaron Little as gunmaker. Though did not make this rifle, the maker did recommend Aaron and he did re-regulate it and a bit more tweaking. It now shoots right well as seen on this final 50 yard regulation target:

As to your edit, would you be willing to tempt me with the price of this piece that is for sale, either here or PM? Thanks.

Would you PM me with the price you are asking?

for the 10ga. will rifled it or just regulate the barrels?Also will
you do work for others?I would like to PM you.

Andrew Macfarlane in Dallas tx area