Shooting a .500 Nitro Express Double Rifle

[Imageview]

Seeing that picture brings up a question, is barrel regulation consistent across different loads? Or do you have to find a load that works equally well between both barrels?

[tanks]

Seeing that picture brings up a question, is barrel regulation consistent across different loads? Or do you have to find a load that works equally well between both barrels?

Usually a single load. In this case Hornady Factory round in .500 NE. However, I have also developed a similar load in Cutting Edge Bullets that will regulate just as well.

Heym guarantees a regulation group at 50 meters under 2" for left and right barrels. In most cases it is much better than that.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

I am not scared of the recoil, I am afraid of the hit to the pocketbook to pull the trigger.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Obviously, the recoil energy is greater on the .500, but all are manageable with proper technique and practice. I have used a .416 as the light caliber plains game rifle in the past.

Zebras know that that white/black striped camo is not fooling anyone, right?

[Horsewright]

Butch Searcy invited me to go shooting with him once, testing rifles. The .500 is his dividing line between small and big bore. I was holding one of his .700 H&Hs at the time. I respectfully declined the invitation

[tanks]

My limit is .500 NE as well. Not because of recoil though, once you approach .577 and up the weight of the rifle goes North of 16 pounds. I am not going to be schlepping it 7 - 10 miles a day going up and down hills.

[sigstroker]

Isn't that the gunbearer's concern?

[Fjold]

Butch Searcy invited me to go shooting with him once, testing rifles. The .500 is his dividing line between small and big bore. I was holding one of his .700 H&Hs at the time. I respectfully declined the invitation

What's worse is when Butch hands you one of his 4 bores. 28 Lbs. with 20" barrels and it kills on both ends.

[Horsewright]

What's worse is when Butch hands you one of his 4 bores. 28 Lbs. with 20" barrels and it kills on both ends.

Yep I was handed one of those too. Goes from big bore to field artillery. The .700 was about 25 lbs.

[Fjold]

Here's looking down the bore of one of Butch's 4 bores.



Here's the left handed 4 bore double next to a .500 Nitro Express gun



Here's the 4 Bore cartridge next to a 50 BMG and 375 H&H.

[Horsewright]

See I told ya, (well not you cause ya already knew), artillery.

[splithoof]

If Tanks can drop just about any game animal on the earth with his .500NE, and likely a few smaller calibers, what is the point of the giants like the 4 Bore? What were they primarily designed for?…..And, with the development of better bullet technology, could cartridges such as the .470, .500, etc., be all that one could ever need power wise?
I totally get the concept of much larger cartridges requiring much heavier rifles, and agree that climbing hills all day for someone like myself, even after a successful recovery of multiple orthopedic surgeries is just not doable. Walking five miles/day is a goal for me at this point, so I’ll have to be content with my .375H&H for the time being.

[tanks]

Most of those 4 bore etc. rifles get put in display cases and never get used. Here is a video of some of those type of rifles by a renowned gunsmith. I wish I had $500K+ to spend on a rifle.

At 7:11 is his 4 bore.



BTW, I have had hip replacement some years ago. So, one can still walk miles and miles traversing ridges.

[Kerplow]

Most of those 4 bore etc. rifles get put in display cases and never get used. Here is a video of some of those type of rifles by a renowned gunsmith. I wish I had $500K+ to spend on a rifle.

At 7:11 is his 4 bore.



BTW, I have had hip replacement some years ago. So, one can still walk miles and miles traversing ridges.

Dang, thems are impressive broomsticks.

[Fjold]

If Tanks can drop just about any game animal on the earth with his .500NE, and likely a few smaller calibers, what is the point of the giants like the 4 Bore? What were they primarily designed for?…..And, with the development of better bullet technology, could cartridges such as the .470, .500, etc., be all that one could ever need power wise?
I totally get the concept of much larger cartridges requiring much heavier rifles, and agree that climbing hills all day for someone like myself, even after a successful recovery of multiple orthopedic surgeries is just not doable. Walking five miles/day is a goal for me at this point, so I’ll have to be content with my .375H&H for the time being.

When the 4 bore was developed it was a black powder round used by market elephant hunters. In those days you needed the huge round balls and handfuls of black powder to kill elephant, quickly and reliably.

With modern bullets and powders the .450 and up cartridges will do this but a 4 bore with a 2,000 grain bullet at 2,000 fps is hard to beat. There are a few people who hunt with them and rave about instant kills but 99% of the biggest bore guns get shot at the range to impress people with recoil.

I've had 8 knee surgeries including a replacement and have done three trips to Africa after that along with a bunch of US deer and antelope hunts and other hunts overseas. I just did 37,000 steps last Thursday on a vacation trip carrying a day pack in 90 degree heat with high humidity.