The Mystique of the Double Rifle – Part Two


Within the early 1980’s I began in search of an inexpensive double rifle in a caliber that may be appropriate for large recreation. Moreover with the ability to ship the correct quantity of vitality heading in the right direction, it needed to be such a caliber that loaded cartridges, cartridge instances, and projectiles could be available. To buy a rifle in 40 caliber, as an illustration, would exacerbate the issue of acquiring ammunition and loading elements.

I might have favored to have a rifle my favourite caliber, 30/06, however rifles chambered on this caliber are pretty scarce. Moreover, extraction issues will be encountered in rimless calibers. It wasn´t lengthy earlier than I encountered a side-by-side double rifle in 9.3 x 74R caliber. I knew about this cartridge and it made my resolution to buy the rifle that a lot simpler. It loads of muzzle vitality for large recreation and the elements space available.

To start with, let me talk about the 9.3 x 74R caliber. In Europe they often denote a caliber by the diameter of the projectile, the size of the cartridge case after which a suffix which denotes whether or not the case is rimmed or rimless. Thus this cartridge has a 9.3 mm (.366) diameter projectile and cartridge case is 74 mm (3 inches) lengthy. The “R” implies that the case has a rim on the cartridge case for in extraction. The case additionally has a slight taper which additionally aids extraction. Extraction is all the time a priority in a double rifle because the cartridge case isn’t turned by a bolt for main extraction. The case is pulled straight again and out” This cartridge is extensively utilized in Europe and at the moment one hears an increasing number of about it in america. In reality, some U.S. corporations now make the projectiles for reloading and others carry the ammunition and cartridge instances.

The rifle was manufactured by the corporate Richard Fischer Jr. in Suhl Germany Suhl (Thuringia State) ins the traditional arms marking heart of Germany and nonetheless produces high quality firearms for these with a style for high quality and wonder. The rifle was proofed February 1931 and thus it was manufactured a while earlier than that date.

When buying a double rifle, one should examine the data accessible on the “flats” Take away the barrels and switch them over and take a look at the marks positioned on the flats straight below the chambers. The caliber can be stamped at this location, mine is stamped 9.3 mm/74.5 It’s stamped with an N for nitro proofed or fairly merely nitro cellulose, smokeless powder. The projectile weight utilized in regulating the barrets weighed 18 grams which is within the vary of 285 grams. A field 9.3 x 74R cartridges that have been manufactured by DWM in Germany exhibits a 19 gram projectile with3.85 grams of smokeless powder.

A U with a crown above it implies that the firearm has had the ultimate proof. The proof mark was used on German firearms previous to 1939 when new proof regulation was instituted. A stamp, st m G exhibits that the barrets have been proofed for rifled barrels with a metal jacketed projectile. A G with a crown above it implies that it was proofed for a firearm with rifled barrels. An E with a crown above can also be stamped on the flats which exhibits that the rifle was proofed for categorical rifle barrels. Finatty a stylized eagle with spreading wings exhibits {that a} proof was carried out on the unfinished barrels. Evidently they didn’t wand to go thought the ultimate ending and regulating solely out that the barrel(s) had a structural flaw in them.

To have the ability to confirm what the entire completely different proofs imply for the completely different international locations concerned within the rifles manufacture, you will need to have a e-book on proof marks which is on the market and is listed on the finish of this text.

The explanations that I admire this rifle, after I go looking, are many and diverse. To start with, if I’m again packing into the mountains the rifle will be damaged down into there separate elements. The rifle can also be mild in comparison with lots of the bolt motion rifles chambered for large magnum. U.S. calibers. When the rifle is assembled to be used it’s nicely balanced and simple to hold in tough terrain. As a consequence of the truth that there isn’t a lengthy motion, as discovered on bolt motion rifles, the rifle can have a 26-inch barrel and nonetheless be shorter than a comparable bolt motion rifle. I even have two barrels at my disposal that fireside highly effective cartridges. The primary barrel ought to accomplish the duty at hand, but when not, then the second barrel is available by merely placing your finger on the second set off. You don’t have to maneuver a bolt or work the slide as on extensively used American looking rifles. After all one can argue that semi-auto looking rifles can be found the place you’ll be able to ship various rounds down vary by merely squeezing the set off. That’s true, however I’m not a proponent of “spray and pray” marksmanship. That is very true when one considers the variety of hunters who traverse hill and dale through the looking season. Folks can get wounded or killed by mindless shot after a fleeing recreation animal. I really feel that should you haven´t bagged the animal in a single or two photographs, it’s time to stop firing and search for one other alternative to bag your deer or elk!

This explicit double rifle doesn’t have computerized ejectors as is the instances most doubles. Computerized ejectors will improve the value of the rifle for one factor. The opposite is that with harmful recreation it’s felt that the ping of cartridge instances catapulting out of the rifle will appeal to the eye of a wounded, harmful animal. If you’re reloading the ammunition, it additionally lets you put fired cartridge instances in your pocket slightly than digging by the snow in search of them.

When this double is turned over, there’s a entice door on the toe of the butt inventory which homes 4 cartridges. This you all the time have spare ammunition with you if want be I’m not one which goes into the forest with a field or two or ammunition as I’m looking and occurring search and destroy mission. In case you can´t bag your animal with a half dozen rounds or much less, it’s time to spend extra time on the vary or gbe extra selective when selecting your photographs.

As I acquired older, I added a 23/4X scope to the rail in-built between the barrels. This aids me in sighting within the rifle in addition to scanning the comb or timber to see if an animal is authorized… earlier than pulling the set off(s). There is no such thing as a purpose to have a 3 x 9 variable scope put in on the rifle as a double rifle a 100 to 150 yard rifle. Moreover I’m looking and stalking the animal to get inside an honest vary which is a part of the looking.

Expertise if I simply wished to place meat on the desk, I wound use a heavy caliber sniper rifle and shoot at targets at 500 to 1000 yards. That isn’t my concept of looking and I’ll keep on with the 100 to 150 yard photographs. Bear in mind the fun of looking is summed up within the first 4 letters of the phrase looking… HUNT!!

Lastly we come to regulation of the rifle. It had been regulated on the firearms manufacturing facility, however with trendy elements, that make up newly manufactured cartridges, it’s required that you just discover which lot of ammunition or producer provides you the very best ends in your explicit rifle. I’ve fired manufacturing facility masses, reloads with the solid bullets first. It’s protected to say that my expertise with solid bullets left teams at 50 regarded like the trail of a swarm of killer bees. Briefly my expertise with these has been dismal at the very best. Accuracy resembling this was not seen for the reason that Napoleonic Wars!!

Jacketed bullets have introduced wonderful to mediocre outcomes. One must range the powder cost, the powder sort and naturally the projectile weight and kind. The variety of permutations and mixtures will be excessive to say the least. After many rounds fired, I got here onto a successful mixture. I take advantage of 286 grain loadings of RWS and Norma ammunition with an RWS loading in a single barrel and a Norma manufacturing facility loading within the different. This offers high quality outcomes; really easy but so lengthy to seek out this excellent mixture.

With regards to reloading I’ve discovered that you don’t repeatedly reload the instances as many occasions as you’d with a bolt motion rifle. I take advantage of my case 3 occasions after which transfer on to new instances. Repeated use may end up in head separations which isn’t advisable.

Once I hunt with reloaded ammunition Powders, I take advantage of virgin brass in order that I don’t have an issue within the area. I’d add that when a head separation outcomes, I don’t want any toll apart from a cleansing rod wit a brass bristle brush of 38 caliber. The tapered case, which aids extraction, additionally lends itself to eradicating a headless case!!

When you have not tried a double rifle for looking, I like to recommend that you just look it. This isn’t a rifle for the common “meat hunter” who goes into the forest to place meat on the desk. It’s corresponding to fly fishing which can also be for sure sort of fisherman. If you’d like fish, simply seize an inexpensive casting rod and reel and a can of worms. Nevertheless there are a few of us who admire the best in fly rods and rifles to create the best expertise in area and stream. Within the case of looking, a double rifle could be a love affair of wooden and steel for the hunter and gun fans.


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