Size of the big double rifle frames

[mickb]

Gents Ive never seen one up close, not sure if anyone had handled the big stuff here? I was wondering how big the frames or width across the barrels are compared to a standard 12ga SXS.

I assume at some point, like the 577nitro and 600 nitro express level they probably dwarf the outer dimensions of a 12ga?

But how about the smaller 400, 450 or 500 nitro doubles? Same sized guns as 12ga, more, less?

[mchughcb]

I'll be shooting a 500NE this week. They have the frame of a 20G sxs.

[bigpete]

The 45-70 double i had was roughly the size and weight of a 410 shotgun....maybe slightly beefier but not much

[mchughcb]

Gents Ive never seen one up close, not sure if anyone had handled the big stuff here? I was wondering how big the frames or width across the barrels are compared to a standard 12ga SXS.

I assume at some point, like the 577nitro and 600 nitro express level they probably dwarf the outer dimensions of a 12ga?

But how about the smaller 400, 450 or 500 nitro doubles? Same sized guns as 12ga, more, less?

The 12G is about 0.72" so still much bigger barrels.

[cadet]

I can't help you with the really big stuff, but I just went out to the shed and took some approximate measurements:
.303 - roughly 1.875" across the breech; .260" in the chambers' walls; .100" in the walls at the muzzle; weight about 10lbs (correction; that seemed to heavy - 8lbs 10oz is the correct number).
.360 #2NE - 2" across the breech; .270" in the chamber walls; .100" in the walls at the muzzle; also 10lbs roughly
.577/.500#2 BPE - 2.075 across the breech, .210" in the chambers, .100" in the muzzle walls

For comparison, the chunkiest British 12b I own is 2.35" across the breech, .200" in the walls, and about .40" in the barrel walls back behind the choke (this is fairly thick by vintage British standards; and those guns are usually near that thinness by the time you're 12" from the breech; weight-saving is important); my 28b hammer gun is 1.8" across the breech.

So no, for all but the biggest rifle cartridges and then the bore rifles, I couldn't imagine they would dwarf a 12b double; but they will be considerably heavier.

Some observations: shotguns are, of course, generally lighter and livelier for fast-moving game, with very thin tubes out past the chambers; double rifles tend to have thinner barrels than singles to try to reduce weight, and being soldered to another barrel lends the stiffness needed for accuracy. Double rifles tend to be muzzle heavy: where shotguns tend to balance a few inches forward of the trigger, at or near the hinge, between the hands, rifles tend to balance a couple of inches forward - nearer the front hand, which lends momentum for a sure swing and less muzzle jump to make use of that second immediately available shot. Even my 12b ball-and-shot gun - which mostly looks like a shotgun, but for the sights - still balances forward, with slightly thicker and shorter barrels.

[mickb]

Thanks fellas, and appreciate the measurements there cadet. Very nice collection you have mate