doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Heinrich Scherping double rifle in 500 BPE 3"

I just aqquired my first Double rifle it is a H Scherping of Hanover Germany made around 1892, this rifle has beutiful damascus bbls, hammers, flip up leaf sight as well as recessed tang sight, henry style rifleing, horn butt plate, set triggers, fine rose & scroll engraving, case colour action and backlocks & chambered in 500BPE 3". This maker was incredibly skilled as evidenced in the other Scherping guns I have. This is my first exposure to big bore cartridges, where do I start, I am a reloader and will end up down that road but first I need to get my hands on some cartridges and or reloading components. This gun is black powder proofed so should I start by buying some loaded black powder cartridges or start by reloading and using smokeless for black? Where can I find ammo or components (Dies, load data, brass, bullets), all information greatly appreciated.

A start would be to look at nitroexpress.com, Buffalo Arms Company for brass, bullets & dies and Sherman Bell's series "The Double Gun & Single Shot Journal." Also, I would look at a duplex or smokeless w/ filler load if you decide not to use blackpowder.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

Congratulations, sounds like you have a fine rifle. The first thing to do is find out what chamber you have and what is the diameter of the bore and grooves. I'm not sure if the early 500BPE 3" was a paper-patched bullet or not. All the American PP bullets were bore diameter. Once you (or your gunsmith) make a chamber cast it will be clear what case and bullet you need. I would hold off buying any components until you have the measurements.

You will also need to know the rate of twist to select the proper bullet.

m-4, I bought a .500 BPE W. &C. Scott last year about now. There is some information on the loading under the double rifle section on this board., John seakcharters@gmail.com
PS. I am just going out the door to use mine on an Elk, if I see one here in Oregon and will get back to you.. Will be back in a week.