What's out there for double rifles?

I really like my Pedersoli 10Ga. "Magnum" SxS which I cut to 15" barrels. I shoot the occasional .69 " patched balls in it and it stays 4" apart at 25 yards with 90 grain of FF with the thick patched .69 ball load . If I was back in the day I would want one on my saddle.

I had a Pedersoli Kodiak double in 50 cal. It took a while but I finally found a load that shot to 2" at 100 yards for ball. I actually found that .45 cal sabots shot tighter and were more forgiving. It was bloody heavy. And I came to realize that .50 cal was just not big enough for a double. So, I moved it on.

And who might that gunsmith be, DM? Give us a name, please. Because I think that $700 quote of yours is WAY low. The amount of work required to take a finished rifle and "regulate" it is an enormous undertaking. Regulation must be done at the factory before the barrels are soldiered together. To regulate an already finished gun means you have to un-soldier the barrels and start from scratch. Then there is the matter of refinishing the gun when it is back together. I don't think $700 would come anywhere near the actual cost of doing all this.

If you don't like Pedersoli's setup then don't buy one, but don't accuse them of using unskilled workers to make junk.

And now, how about that Smith's name? I would like to give him a call.

tark said:

And now, how about that Smith's name? I would like to give him a call.

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JJPerodeau, I'll warn you though, he doesn't work on any junk... lol

JJ can build a rifle from a block of steel, he's a top gunsmith, not a parts changer... He has shown me some really FINE single shot rifles he's built, along with many other fine guns. Also, he has done some work for me too, so I know from personal experience about the quality of work he does.

He regulated a Chapuis for a friend of mine, the bill was $650.00, perhaps he charging more now?

I visited him last year, he built a nice new shop a few years ago, and he can do any kind of work from drillings, DR's ect...

DM

Thanks for the name. I'll contact him. Maybe we can discuss techniques. FWIW, I also make firearms out of blocks of steel. Here are some of mine. The longer rolling block is a 45-70 and the other one is a 30-06.

Nice work!! Do you make all of your parts? Been looking for a set trigger for my roller, any thoughts?

I make everything except for the barrel, springs and the screws holding everything together. The 45-70 was made from 1045 and the 06 from 4140. Both were professionally heat treated to RC 40. I have detailed, in past threads, specifics of their construction, so I will leave those things out in this one. If you send me a PM I'll be happy to respond with that info, and pics. Would love to see your rolling block!

I'm afraid that I don't do any gunsmithing work anymore, my spinal column is a train wreck and it is painful to stand for any length of time.

You guys is all barking up the wrong tree. When you have a single barrel, you most likely will make that single shot count, so a second barrel just adds weight and opens that whole "regulation" can of worms. Or can of regulated worms. Or a well regulated worm-militia. Whatever.

A double barrel is best served with one rifle barrel, and one smooth bored barrel. No regulating, and you can take both large and small game. And, the gun will be significantly lighter than packing two rifle barrels around. I'd take a double barrel combination gun over a double rifle any day, unless I was hunting elephant, rhino or hippo.

If you are worried about getting a second shot on semi-dangerous game, then you load the 12 or 10guage barrel with a ball, a boat load of powder, and you should be safe at bad-breath distance. If you are worried that you'll need a follow up shot on deer or elk, or moose, I suggest you spend more time target practicing with the gun. Learn not to flinch, and choose your shots well. If you blow the first shot on a standing animal, how are you going to hit a running animal with your second shot?

Ugly Sauce said:

You guys is all barking up the wrong tree. When you have a single barrel, you most likely will make that single shot count, so a second barrel just adds weight and opens that whole "regulation" can of worms. Or can of regulated worms. Or a well regulated worm-militia. Whatever.

A double barrel is best served with one rifle barrel, and one smooth bored barrel. No regulating, and you can take both large and small game. And, the gun will be significantly lighter than packing two rifle barrels around. I'd take a double barrel combination gun over a double rifle any day, unless I was hunting elephant, rhino or hippo.

If you are worried about getting a second shot on semi-dangerous game, then you load the 12 or 10guage barrel with a ball, a boat load of powder, and you should be safe at bad-breath distance. If you are worried that you'll need a follow up shot on deer or elk, or moose, I suggest you spend more time target practicing with the gun. Learn not to flinch, and choose your shots well. If you blow the first shot on a standing animal, how are you going to hit a running animal with your second shot?

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I LIKE the way this guy thinks!!

I just like double rifles and shotguns. Especially ones with open hammers, I want both barrels the same be it smooth or rifled. Combo guns just don't do it for me. Just the way I roll.

Oh man, I DREAM about combination guns. My fantasy gun would be a side by side, .62" rifle barrel on the left, 11 gauge on the right, cap lock hammer gun. Straight grip and 30" barrels. Yeah, I'm a hammer guy too.

Side by side shotguns are for sure my favorite, I got my Grand-daddy's double barrel 12 gauge, (also belonged to my Great Grandfather) breech loading hammer gun when I was 12, and hunted with that most of my bird-hunting life. Nailed dozens of ducks with it, quail, pheasant, chuckers, grouse, you name it. Pretty much wore it out, and then went to a Remington Model 11.

Somewhat recently I rebuilt the double, tightened it back up and shot a turkey with it a year or two ago. Last year I took it up North on a week long hunt during modern season with my son, (can't get the black powder bug to bite him) and looked for turkey with the right barrel, and had a ball over 120 grains of black in the left barrel for Mr.Bear or Mr.Cougar, while he hunted deer. And some grouse loads in my pocket. I only shoot black in it. Nope, didn't catch anything. Roaming remote wilderness with a double barrel hammer gun? Priceless!

tark said:

And who might that gunsmith be, DM? Give us a name, please. Because I think that $700 quote of yours is WAY low. The amount of work required to take a finished rifle and "regulate" it is an enormous undertaking. Regulation must be done at the factory before the barrels are soldiered together. To regulate an already finished gun means you have to un-soldier the barrels and start from scratch. Then there is the matter of refinishing the gun when it is back together. I don't think $700 would come anywhere near the actual cost of doing all this.

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You were right, I talked to JJ, he's $800.00 plus ammo now... lol

I guess I wasn't so far off to get one "right", after all!

DM

Numrich marketed a swivel breech 45 o/u for a while in the late sixties/early seventies. Had a couple used ones pass through the shop. Wish I'd grabbed one.

I've always kind of wanted a swivel-breech gun. But I never saw any offered with a combination rifle barrel/smooth bore barrel. I remember that the double rifle swivel barrels were very heavy guns. Of course, one could have one barrel bored out as large as possible for a lighter combination gun. Or, if "Money Bags" was my middle name, just have one built to my specifications. !!!