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

The new chapuis round body DR is built on a 28 Ga frame. They only offer 6.5x57R, 7x57R, 30-30, 8x57R and 9.3.

9.3 is too much for a 3KG gun. I have it narrowed down to the 7x57R or 30-30 or 8x57R
mostly for whitetails.
what do you say??

Brian:

I'd answer the question based upon where you intend to hunt. If you're mostly going to be hunting in the deep woods, where 100 yards is a long shot, the .30-30 will do it and has the added advantage of having ammo available in almost every shop that sells ammo anywhere.

On the other hand, if you're hunting across open fields and can expect a shot up to 250 yards or so, I'd go for the 7x57R.

If you think you might want to add larger game to the bag using the rifle, I'd opt for the 8x57R, even though the 7x57 has killed more than its share of elk, moose and large bears, to say nothing of their European and African equivalents, in its time. I just like a heavier bullet for larger game.

Out of curiosity, what ammo is Chapuis using to regulate the rifles, and are they regulated with or without scopes?

Thanks.

I've got a UGEX in 9.3X74 and it's not bad for recoil in a light weight rifle. Mine came w/o mounts so I installed EAW pivot mounts and a Leuopld 1.5X5. The regulation didn't change. It's a tack driver for a DR.
The 9.3 is a pretty good caliber out to 250 yds. Another Chapuis 9.3 with iron sights took a moose at 187 yds (lazered)here last season.

Trying to find out what ammo as we speak. I like the 30-30 but it isnt as versatile as the 7x57R or 8x57R.
the 8x57R is tempring but the 7x57R shoots a bit flatter.
I wanted 30-40 but they wont do it. i even offered to buy the reamer. I guess I could go 30-30 and then have it rechambered and then I would have to go through the re-regulation process.

I'd suggest that you talk with Dale Nygaard, a Chapuis importer about the options. I bought mine from him and a more upstanding gentleman you won't find.

http://www.heirloomarmes.com/index.htm

Thats who I am dealing with.

Brian:
If I were to pick a caliber for whitetail hunting in a double gun within your choices I'd go with the 7X57R. You didn't indicate where you would be hunting and the 30/30 is a tried and true deer rifle in short range Eastern conditions but the 7X57 outperforms it in just about every category. IMO The 8X57 is really going to pack a recoil wallop in a rifle of that weight(6lbs9ozs) so I would pass. If you are planning on hunting in the Western States where the ranges are longer a double in 7X57 could also be used for Mule Deer hunting. It wouldn't be the optimal choice of a rifle for Western hunting but it would certainly suffice and,I personally, would get a charge out of bagging a deer with a double rifle.
Let us know how this turns out.
As an aside: The 7X57 is still a formidable caliber and remember that the African hunter "Pondoro" Bell killed hundreds of elephants with a rifle chambered in 7X57.
Jim

Brian, I have a Merkel 141 in 9.3x74 it weighs 6.9 # without the scope. While the recoil is noticeable it is not punishing.I site it in 2in high at 80yds and that put me 3in low at 225yds. The gun and caliber both have performed well on Antelope through Elk sized animals.

7x57R.
I have rifles in all these calibers so this is not just theory.
With kind regards,
Jani

The 7x57R is the strong contender. just wish they would do a 30-40 but they wont.

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.

KK
well, I am looking at the Demas which is a nicer gun than the Chapuis. the Chapuis is very nice but the Demas is a little nicer in their entry level. A higher price but some nice standard features that would be optional on the Chapuis. And the Demas has hand cut engraving in their entry level DR. Amd long guard tang to cap, and nicer wood.
I had a Chapuis and loved it but since handling a Demas, well, its just nicer.
I am looking hard at the 30-06 , regulated with Rem 180 gr PSP Core Lokts. No premium bullets, just something I can buy anywhere and reasonable. I am not worrying about getting charged by a whitetail or muley and having an ejector slip past the rimless extractor groove. The core lokt performs pretty damn good for a "production" bullet. I have used them for years.

The 7x65 is tempting but i like the idea of easy and readily obtainable ammo. no time to reload. I can buy it at Dicks for 14 bucks a box. makes you more likely to shoot the thing and really learn the rifle. plan will be putting a 2.5x8 Vari X III on it in EAW mounts.

any comments???

yeah, at 14$ a box, I will take all you can find. Ammo in these parts is way more than that these days. It sounds like you know your requirements and the old '06 sho8uld work out nicely. Enjoy the new Whitetail rig. I hope to take a buck this year with my double rifle, an Alex Henry in .360 BPE.

I bought 30-06, 270 and 308 last year for 14.00 a box and Remington had a 2.00 per box rebate. And I am a dealer and couldnt come close to that. Needless to say i bought a bunch!!!
will do the same with 180 gr this year. last year I bought 150 Core Lokts but I want this one for all size deer and elk. i think the 150 is great for white tails but not really enough for Muleys and elk/moose.

Thanks, Brian - I've been tied up with a recent double rifle purchase (120+ year old Alex Henry 450 BPE) but still interested in a good modern dr.

Are these Demas dr's sold commonly, or do you have to really hunt (no pun intended) for them? I've not heard of them before.

Many Thanks - Marc

m working with Dale Nygaard.
He handles them. The Chapuis is nice but these are nicer. i too have a 450 BPE.