doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Double Rifles, Paradox Guns & Gauge Rifles @ doublegunshop.com caliber choice??

Where are you guys coming up with these claibres? I look up the Chapuis Double Rifles and they list some of the usual suspects: 300 Win Mag, .375 H & H, .470 NE, .416 Rigby.

I've been looking for a good double rifle for awhile, resigning myself to Blackpowder muzzleloaders (which can be VERY cool & fun) but have not been able to get an affordable CARTRIDGE Double in an easily obtainable ammo.

I've had my heart set on the unobtainazble, I'm afraid, and the modern Chapuis waresdo look interesting (the little I've actually seen of them). 7 X 7.57? Sounds REALLY good to me, but I don't see it listed anywhere with the Chapuis doubles.

Best Regards - Marc

I am awaiting delivery on an 8 x 57R now. Since I am purchasing a Kodiak double, recoil shouldn't be a problem. I believe that it weighs in at about 9 lbs. I will give a report whenever I get it.

Sir - Although time is something that differs for every circumstance, may I ask you the tentative duration from ordering your 8 X 57R until delivery date? I'm beginning to think a new double rifle may be the way to go.

I myself bought a KODIAK in .72 calibre (BP) recently. I haven't yet shot it, as I'm waiting for a couple of moulds.

Which KODIAK did you purchase, if I may ask? I'm curious if you got a BP or smokeless model. Years ago I'd thought to purchase a smokeless in .45/70 but opted not to. Still a mild regret.

Many Thanks - Marc

its a blessing they offer .30-30winchester as much can be done with this cartridge if no tubular magazine lever guns are involved. europeans usually push stupid calibers like 30r on us for which ammo is nearly impossible to find here and if you find it it's at least $5 per round.

I know nothing about double rifles but imagine they're cool for those who hunt with them. Since you're talking calibers, all I can say is that I've been hunting with the 7 X 57 Mauser with 120-175gr bullets for more than 50 years and the results have been astonishing to me.

There ain't no flys on the 7X57. I'd take the 6.5 but that didn't make your short list so 7X57 gets my vote.

built my first 7x57 45 years ago and still hunt with it. built my daughter a 7x57 35 years ago she still hunts with it built my grand daughter a 6.5x57 in 1986 she is still hunting with it. built my grandson a 6.5x57 in 1992 he hunts with his. all presentation wood and engraved. need i say moore

.375 H&H flanged for everywhere

6.5x57 Swedish is a pretty weird cartridge in a good sense. Some ballistics expert will probably come on and spend 50 pages defining, extolling and explaining the "weirdness" of this cartridge but I can sum it up briefly. For some reason, this undersized, underpowered cartridge has a magically collection of physical properties that result in tremendous stopping power, accuracy, flat shooting and low recoil that is almost inexplicable. I do not own a 6.5x57 myself but I can tell you that it is one of the top cartridges ever made for ballistical properties.

30-30 winchester handloads in a single shot or double rifle are pretty impressive as well. Ballistic tip ammunition has been known to make a 30-30 shoot 5 bullets into half an inch at a 100meters. I owned such a rifle myself, a custom made falling block 30-30.

The other option would be to get that big old 400andsomething cartridge that Teddy Roosevelt used to hunt Africa. .438 ? Not positive, but definitely a good starting point. I can't honestly say I'd ever recommend or own a low power double rifle. If you need two barrels in a rifle, you probably need something .375H&H or greater in my opinion. If you don't need something that big, a single shot Ruger falling block or a EABCO Model 97 falling block is a far superior weapon to a double rifle for hard core hunting.

Hey Brian - Did you ever decide what calibre you'd want for your Chapuis, and did it come to pass? If so, how is it working out? Lots of Chapuis suddenly at Cabela's, of all places. They still look like a viable modern double.