Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only Mounting scopes on double rifles

Am in the process of sorting out what I want to setup on a new DR.
I was a tad surprised on the add-on for installing & setting up rings & bases on it when they build it. I take it there is a different procedure for regulating it? Trying to comprehend the procedure involved on it. I am envisioning a few R&R's on the mounts, or something of that ilk, judging from the price, which is about 20% of the total so far.
So, I thought I'd ask if other people had done it, after getting the gun, and what issues they had run into in tossing a scope on their gun.
Plan was to have rings and bases installed/supplied and also the 3 leaf sights.
Any experience on this sort of issue out there?

ICK! And Why?

Scoping a double rifle is like painting your Ferrari with a spray can. Some do it, but it never looks right. Ruins the balance and handling fo a double gun as well. If you want a scoped DGR, have a magazine (Bolt action) rifle built.

My opinion, anyway.

Truth in what you say alright, but, eyes do deteriorate and this one won't be a DGR, so, I thought I'd have it set up with the option of a scope if I determined I needed it down the road.

What company are you looking at?

Cost may be so high to "suggest" going w/o mounts and scope on the double.

I am with safariman - scope never look right on a double to me. Here many have them for drivehunts - set up with lowpower variables...

I always think, a bolt might work better for these guys...

Doubles for me with open sights only. That said - I doubt, I will ever be much of a doubles man.

Levers & Bolts for me...

Eyesight is an issue... bummer.

Perhaps look at one of the euro companies (Blaser, Krieghoff). Scopes are regular to them on doubles.

I have enough bolts and singleshots, in fact this may be the same cartridge as on one of the singleshots, I want a DR!!!!!!
I looked at Merkels and Blasers,Chapuis, Don't turn my crank.

So - what company does?

Hi,

If Merkel, Blaser, Chapuis don't turn your crank you can go to Krieghof, Heym, Verney Carron, Browning. If these ones don't do it i wish you good luck and heavy wallet because you will need to go to English or Austrian gunmakers....

As Karl wrote in Europe some DR are scoped for driven hunt mostly because of eyesight's problem with aging hunters.

Be careful with scope mounting on DR. Better ask for when ordering, with zeroing and regulation being done by manufacturer. Some doubles can loose regulation when scoped because of weight transfert and vibrations. The modern over under doubles from Merkel, Krieghof, Blaser and Heym are the easiest scoped ones. They are made for by design.

Calibers are generaly restricted to maximum 9,3x74R.

The bigger caliber models are mostly made for close quarter and work with open sights.

Always have in mind that regulation is mostly done at 50m excepted by Browning (60m) and Merkel (75 for scoped model). Some DR are equiped with an adjustable system but zeroing double to hundred meters is a long and expensive job if you want it first class.

Good luck

Dom

Agree. If your eyesight isn't good enough to shoot open sights, why use a double rifle? Either get real close and use the double with open sights or buy a bolt action rifle and scope it.

+3

Gunner

I think there is nothing wrong with scoping a double, say in 375 H&H (Flanged) or a lesser caliber. I'm contemplating a second rifle in that caliber configuration. I own a 450NE Verney and in that caliber I would not consider scoping. Also the guys at Verney say the prefer to regulate WITH the scope on. jorge

I'm sending my Searcy 450 NE back to Butch to have mounts installed.
Cheap.. No

Effective.. yes

Needed.. not yet.

I do have a Chapuis scoped and it's a pleasure to shoot. The others still wear irons only though.

209...what are you thinking about for a caliber? A long time friend has a scoped Chapuis in 9.3x74R that he has had on several safaris. I know he made one shot on a planes animal in excess of 200 yards with one round. He also took one elephant cow with a side brain shot at something like 10 yards...

One thing you may want to look at closely is that if this rifle is going to permanently have the scope mounted is that you get a higher comb. There is nothing fun about shooting a large caliber double and not having a firm cheek weld. Doubles are setup like shotguns, to look right down the barrels over the sights. Put a scope up one to two inches over the bore and your face will feel the difference.

If you go over to the Accurate Reloading Forums and look for NE450No2 he can probably give some sound advise about scoping a double.

Bob

For me, I would want my rifle set up with a set of Recknagle or similar swing mounts and regulated for scope use. I sold my first one because I couldn't mount a scope on it. I've only had two doubles and a couple of drillings. There is a romance about shooting with open sighted doubles and they do handle a lot nicer, but to be honest it's hard for me to shoot well with open sights. I shoot my double a good bit, and I still wouldn't be comfortable shooting beyond about fifty yards with the open sights. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot to 150 with the scope. One of the things not often considered is the varying light conditions when shooting in the field. I've noticed that I shoot better in good light with open sights. I shoot somewhat less well when the light is not just right. That's not a problem at the range, on safari, it could be a problem. I believe it is my responsibility to put the shots exactly where they need to be. I can do that with the my double, but I can do it further and more consistently in all kinds of light conditions with the scope on it.
Bfly

Some of the answers here help make some sense of it. I don't necessarily want to use a scope on it, just thought it would be practical as an add on, til they told me the price, all said & done with a scope would be close to 3500.00, maybe 4000.00. That is with EAW claw mounts, and say a Swaro or Kahles or Zeiss 1.5-6.
Whether or not they will build it in the cartridge I want, remains to be seen. Could maybe put an NECG aperture on it if necc.

What brand of rifle and caliber are you considering?

He seems undecided. The question was put forth above and remains unattended.

I agree, a scope on a double rifle is sacrilege.

They need a 6.5-20x50mm BSA! Youze guys don't know nahting.....

I just lost my appetite for the rest of my breakfast. Thanks a LOT, Karnis old pal.....

Only if it has the illuminated miledots! YUP, I call 'em 'Miledots" 'cause I can then use it at that distance!

A "Dubble-Barrel-Snapper-Rafflle!!!!"