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

Any premium bullet will work great for moose. I use the el cheapo Privis because they work so well.
I didn't know that Chapuis was doing this. Is this on a SXS or one of those O/U's?

Ammo availability is a real issue if you do not want to reload.

There was a time when 30.30 accounted for more Deer, Black Bear, and other game than every other cartridge on the market then and now. It is still used widely by many hunters.

Bottomline is 30.30 is cheapest and best available.

While 30.30 will work, unfortunately it is not the best perfroming ammo for the range of uses you have posited. I would go with 8x57JR because of both general availability and versatility.

The 8x57JRS is a good choice, particularly with moose as a possibility.

There is currently plenty of Sellier & Bellot 196 gr ammunition available at about $25 per box of 20. Midway, for example has it in stock. The Cabela's that I visited yesterday had 10 to 20 boxes, or more.

I have not shot the Sellier & Bellot 8x57JRS yet, but will. It chambers well, and looks well made. Online reviews are positive.

I had one more thought. Depending on the rifle and how it is regulated you may discover that it may not properly shoot off the shelf ammo. You may end up needing to load for it regardless of the cartridge.

Note in both 30.30 and 8x57JRS you will have no problem selling it compared to those of us with oddball one of a kind double rifles.

old colonel,
One person's "odd ball" is the next person's "normal".
Mike

I have less than 10% of my rifles that you might walk into a well stocked gun store and buy ammo for them. Even less with DR's. At least you can use 45-70 for your basic brass.

Enjoy it don't gripe.

Were it not for the "odd balls" there is a few rifles I have that I otherwise couldn't afford. Besides, anyone can buy ammo over the counter...what fun is there in that?...hehe

Seriously, I do understand the convenience of "over the counter ammo" for those who aren't as curious as others of us are about the oddball cartridges.

Der Ami and AkMike1, I accept your corrections. I agree that what many consider unusual is common for those of us who are into old guns and DRs in particular and therefore not odd in our world. I meant no offence

That said, if one is not into reloading and is new to this hobby staying with a more common and therefore more saleable caliber is a good course before one is fully submerged and baptised into our passion.

My read of the original poster is that he is seeking a starting point and not looking to drink the Kool Aid that I have drunk quarts of, with many gallons in my future.

And sharps4590 you are right I would not have the DR I own if it had been in a more saleable caliber, and in fact because it is an uncommon caliber it has lead me down a path of exploration and learning I never planned and I am enjoying (at least so far)

Old colonel,
I understand, no offence taken.The more modern and saleable calibers like 308, 30-06,243, etc.(30-30 excepted)are a mistake in a double rifle.
Mike

Why do you say 308, 30-06,243 are a mistake, is that they are often higher pressure than what a double rifle type action can take?