sighting in double rifles

[Pancho]

I know that double rifles new and old are aligned to converge at a prescribed distance. Except for the Pedersoli Kodiak with the double folding adjustable sights what was the method for sighting in at distances shorter or longer than converge. I've noticed that the turn of the century doubles have 3 bladed folding sights of different heights for elevations. I'm guessing that it just took a lot of shooting to determine Kentucky windage.

 

[BigG]

Typically if it were set to 100 yards, pretty much the limit of visibility in most places those were used, you used what they call a fine bead and a coarse bead. in other words lower your bead in the notch for close and raise it for further out. Just what you would expect.

 

[Pancho]

I bought several years back a CVA Express double rifle as a factory second at the CVA booth at Friendship Ind. for $80 the only problem was the forestock lug was broken off. It was an easy fix. The gun was the first generation and was aligned and welded at the factory obviously not very well. The second generation had a goofy looking ring at the muzzle that allowed for some adjustment. The Pedersoli Kodiak uses double folding fully adjustable sights to overcome the problem. I've considered buying sights from Pedersoli but a set costs $150.
The last time I shot it was at 50yds and the best compromise was a 15" group. The variables were so many that I got confused cleaned the gun and put it away. I was in my gun closet yesterday and noticed it back in the corner and thought I'd give it another chance.
Now that I think about it maybe I should begin by trying to sight it in and choose the proper charge and bullet at the converge and then go from there for the shorter and longer distances.

 

[Jim Watson]

Some years ago, the NRA tested the Kodiak with separate sight for each barrel. Which is impractical considering the whole point of a double rifle, two rapid shots. They got interested and kept fooling with it. They first found that the barrels would shoot together with slightly different loads. Load A in the right barrel and load B in the left barrel would shoot to the same point of impact. OK to load the gun in the morning but you might get confused reloading in the field. I think they eventually hit on a load that regulated well enough to allow using one leaf at iron sight hunting ranges.

One guy put rifle sights on a double shotgun. The barrels did not shoot anywhere near together with slugs so he set the sights for a slug in the right barrel and loaded buckshot in the left.

 

[Pancho]

It kind of confused me that the gun with muzzle centers of about 1and 1/4 inches meant to converge at 90yds. could shoot a pattern of 15" horizontally and vertically at 50yds. What's up with that?

 

[taliv]

heh, i'd be happy just getting to touch a double rifle

 

[Jim Watson]

Pancho, MEANT to converge and REALLY converging are not the same thing, especially not on a factory second of a cheap base rifle.

Friend of mine has a P. Webley .450 double that is not much good beyond about 60 yards. We don't know if that is just because he has not duplicated the regulated load or if something unfortunate happened to it in the past 120 years.

 

[Pancho]

Jim, I'm aware of the limitations of a cheap rifle and that really becomes apparent with a double. I'm not quite ready to hang the gun on the wall yet. What confuses me is where to start?

 

[Jim Watson]

Do the individual barrels group ok, just 15" apart?
Is the separation vertical, horizontal, or diagonal?
O/U or SxS?

Sounds like you are getting ready to launch into DIY regulation. There is some coverage at Nitroexpress.com

 

[Pancho]

An old friend who has passed on recently had a LOT of money he collected turn of the century double rifles Ferrari's and pre-war Alfa Romeos. His collection of doubles was extensive. They were beautiful and I couldn't even afford the custom cases that they came in. I can recall a wonderful entire day going over them. When he past his 85th birthday he sold the guns and all but one of his cars. I wish now that I'd asked him then the questions I'm asking the forum today.