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You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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Aaron carefully examined the Bernardelli and gave his blessing for the build, deeming the Bernardelli would be suitable for the project. I discussed my desires for the build; - 26" barrels - 14 pounds 12 ounce weight - 14-3/8" LOP - Red Silvers style recoil pad - "Flip-Over" Moon Bead Front Sight Aaron indicated that all this was doable. I gave the go-ahead, and then ..... the waiting started for Aaron to perform his majic. I was a pest for progress pictures, and over the following many months, Aaron sent a few. Most of the major build steps for this project are shown below.
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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After receiving the photos of the work in progress, I knew it was going to be a long wait for the rifle to be finished. I knew that craftsmanship took time. I tried not to pester Aaron too much while he patiently worked. I took this time to prepare the 600NE ammo that Aaron would require for regulating the rifle. I have found from experience, that many Big Bore Double rifles will shoot to the same point of aim with a 75% load, so this is what I prepared. The load was a Barnes 900g FMJ, at 1450 fps, with 75 grains of IMR 4198 powder, with a 1" long piece of 5/8" dia. backing rod foam. I had developed this load for my 600NE VC, and it shot to the same point of aim as the full-house load of 1950 fps. When finished, I sent Aaron 30 rounds. In the mean time, I also acquired a custom hard case, and waited for it to be filled. It wasn't too long after that Aaron sent me a photo of the "final regulation" target. It only took him 24 of the 30 rounds to regulate the rifle. And the results were .. - - - TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE ! ! Any further improvement (as if one was needed) would come from "tweaking" the load. . . And, once again, I waited for the project to be finished. .... . .
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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...... And then, finally, one day last week, there came a wooden crate to my door. The waiting was over, and the empty case was finally filled. . Here are some detail photos of the finished rifle. A Bernardelli Sidelock Double Rifle in 600 Nitro Express caliber.
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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Am I happy? YOU BET ! - I've got a High-Quality 600NE "Sidelock" Double Rifle - for only a small fraction of the cost of one from a contemporary maker.
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,256 Likes: 38
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,256 Likes: 38 |
Way cool! That's superb work.
Having fired a .600 Nitro of "proper weight" a few years ago, I can testify that a well-fitting double doesn't recoil nearly as much as many shooters assume. (Neither does a nice SxS 10-gauge.) What are your field plans for the .600?
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Campfire Outfitter
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Impressive, to say the least! Not my cup of tea, but beautiful--and presumably eminently functional--for its intended purpose(s).
Ben
Some days it takes most of the day for me to do practically nothing...
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Very nice! One of these days I'll need to scratch the double itch. I would say I'm jealous, but after shooting my 500 Jeffrey I've realized I no longer have a desire for a rifle larger than 50 caliber. Though I'd never pass up an opportunity to shoot one
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Posts: 32,130 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 32,130 Likes: 1 |
Absolutely fantastic! What a beautiful rifle.
If you put Taco Bell sauce in your ramen noodles it tastes just like poverty
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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GORGEOUS ! I probably need one. The Rhinos & Buff are getting thick in Arkansas. I can't help looking and admiring ! BIG SMILE. Jerry
jwall- *** 3100 guy***
A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap
Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Awesome rifle, well done all around!
Jeff
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Posts: 4,180 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,180 Likes: 2 |
Thanks for posting this. I've always wanted a nice Side X Side double rifle, but there has always been other more pressing needs for my $. I have an O/U in 9.3X74 and always figured that it would have to do me as far as a double rifle goes, but your thread has me thinking. I have an old Westley Richards Box Lock 12 ga that is tight as new, but shows some earned character. I think that it would make into a plain but good looking double rifle. Maybe one day I can give it similar treatment in a smaller caliber like a 450 3".
Harry
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Campfire Ranger
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Posts: 452
Campfire Member
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Thank you for sharing the build. Congratulations to you and to Aron. Kudos.
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Molan Labe
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Magnificent rifle. Congratulations!
But the burning question is, are you going to bring it to Africa on an elephant/buff hunt or will it remain a beautiful show piece?
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Magnificent rifle. Congratulations! But the burning question is, are you going to bring it to Africa on an elephant/buff hunt or will it remain a beautiful show piece? Hello Winchestrmodel70, Thanks for the reply, None of my guns remain as "show pieces" - they are all fired regularly, and hunted on occasion. As for Africa ? Well, not likely. But I'll be thinking elephants and buff during the moments of recoil.
You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early.
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Joined: Mar 2013
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2013
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Impressive work and awesome looking 600 nitro.
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