72cal Kodiak double????

[Sam Stephens]

Saw one of these for sale and am interested , I do a lot of hog and bear hunting and it looks like a fun gun. I have looked up past posts ect any new thoughts info on these guns , I know it is heavy but that's ok I like a solid hefty gun. I have hunted with some fine doubles that cost more than I make in a year of work ( guys that I took hog hunting , don't remember the maker but they were custom 500 nitro express ) so I know the Kodiak ain't one of those. Would like info from guys that own or have owned one ( would it make a good poor boys play toy for close range work ) I chase lots of big , big boars so I can play safari with it....

,,,Sam,,,,

 

[Wes/Tex]

The only real problem is that since they're aren't "regulated" like fine English doubles, getting both barrels to hit close together can be chancy. fiddling with the loads or light filing on the muzzles may bring the POI together. Some have double sights but I always found that irritating.

 

[RedFeather]

I don't know that the 72's would be any better than the 58's using conicals. Might be easier to find a good used 58 at a lower price since they've been around over twenty years and the 72 is more recent.

 

[Lorne Johnson]

I would suggest that you contact Richard Beauchamp at flintlocksetc.com He has taken big game including Brown Bear I believe with a Kodiak Double rifle.

Pedersoli says the Kodiaks are laser bore sighted and then regulated now (the fold down leaf sights are for different ranges--since you've been playing with the Nitro Express boys, you know about that). However, regulation of double rifles certainly involves fiddling with the load, and the powder (does Swiss 1.5 F or 1 or 2 or Kik, Goex, or pyrodex regulate better at 50, 75, 100 yards and so on).

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have owned a .72 cal. (single barrel) rifle and can tell you, with hunting loads the recoil is very substantial. A one or two shot hunt was tolerable. But at day at the range sighting or practicing I was borderline needing hospitalization at the end. But you have shot a .500 nitro :shocked2: so you might be able to tolerate it OK.

 

[excess650]

At 10.5# they aren't exactly lightweight, so recoil should be tolerable. My 12 bore singlebarrel (smooth) is about 3# lighter, and recoil is moderate with a .690" PRB over 85gr ffg (~3 drams).

That particular rifle looks like a lot of fun!

 

[Naphtali]

I have owned three Pedersoli double rifles, two .72s and one .58. Two have been higher grade - silvered locks, better wood, fit, and finish - one has been lower grade - half-pistol grip chemical case lock plates.

All, repeat ALL, shot extremely close cones of fire regardless of loading. Regulating barrels to one load was no problem. Considering that loading is "individualized handloading" every shot, were regulating to be a problem in your double, don't worry about it. Just load each barrel to hit the cone of fire you prefer. You ain't likely to reload in the field for follow-up shots to your hog. Two will do the job, or they won't.

Hope this helps.

 

[BrownBear]

Used to shoot a lot of classic big bore doubles, but long past. I've handled and shot the 72 Kodiak, but not so much. One thing I notice- There's less taper in the barrels, so they feel a little unwieldy in comparison, as well as lots more muzzleheavy. Not a big deal, and in fact a bit of help with recoil. But if you're looking for the "lively" handling of your 500, I think you'll be disappointed.

 

[Rifleman1776]

At 10.5# they aren't exactly lightweight, so recoil should be tolerable. My 12 bore singlebarrel (smooth) is about 3# lighter, and recoil is moderate with a .690" PRB over 85gr ffg (~3 drams).

That particular rifle looks like a lot of fun!

I was using 120 gr. bp with a .715" ball that weighed 550 gr. :shocked2: I can feel the pain just talking about it. :shocked2:

 

[RedFeather]

Just revisited the Cabela's catalog. Their new MKVI (?) .54 has only a ghost peep on the wrist, no longer the twin flip ups on the rib. Hard to see with my phone but it looks like a variation of the old Lyman folding style sights with stem. From what I've always understood, the double sights were for each barrel, not to have for two distances. Now I'll have to see what the Pedersoli sight fits as I would like that better although one atop the breech might be slicker.

I've only handled the 72 in a shop where a fellow had one for sale, $525. He didn't like it. Shot it with full loads while seated at the bench. Said it rocked him too hard. As this fellow was well north of three hundred pounds, I decided to pass, weighing roughly half, myself. As to handling recoil, I guess it's all in knowing how. BTW, I thought at the time that his gun felt a bit light in the hands.

 

[RedFeather]

Was going to edit but had to do a reply. Visited the Pedersoli website and they don't offer the model Cabela's sells. Must be a special run. The peep sight appears to be their ghost ring creedmore, short stem and not folding. I'm guessing it is an option for all Kodiaks. I think Cabela's should have left the folding leaves as back up in case you broke that peep. Wouldn't take but a good drop onto a rock to snap or crack it. I know that would be guaranteed in my case.

 

[stinkyfeet]

I don't know that the 72's would be any better than the 58's using conicals. Might be easier to find a good used 58 at a lower price since they've been around over twenty years and the 72 is more recent.

I own the kodiak double 58 and the manual says to only use one conical at a time, the other barrel must be loaded with a round ball. The recoil has the "potential" to loosen and move the position of a conical in the unfired barrel once the other barrel is fired. The manual states if conicals are used load only one in either barrel and fire the barrel with the conical first, then the PRB. Just looking out for everyone safety.

 

[Sam Stephens]

Thanks for all the input guys , the one I had seen for sale is now gone. So now I need to find another 72cal or buy a new one.....

,,,,Sam,,,

 

[Wes/Tex]

The Cabelas at Buda has had them at a good price in the past. Can't say what's in stock right now, but they may be worth a call. Not sue where in "central Texas" you're located...it does cover a couple N.E. states! :wink: :haha:

 

[Sam Stephens]

I am not far from there , just over in Georgetown , I will give them a call. Have looked at the online store for them and didn't see one listed. Anyone in the Austin area have one that wants to do some shooting I have a range at my house and a few good places to hunt some hogs. That way we could do some good field testing....

,,,,Sam,,,

 

[Wes/Tex]

Don't actually know anyone this side of Long Island who actually has one in their hot little hands, but I'll keep an eye out!

 

[RedFeather]

I won't say it's OK to load both barrels with conicals but I get the feeling that it may be a bit of CYA on Pedersoli's part. From all I've read, you should periodically check the unfired barrel to be sure the round hasn't loosened after firing. Then it may work further up the bore. Same as for shotguns. Two quick shots? Guess that is pretty safe, else why have a double gun in the first place? And why would Pedersoli claim they are now laser-regulating the barrels if you have two totally different loads? Can't see how anyone could work that out.

 

[Kapow]

We get a few hogs here. Honestly I can't think of better medicine than a .58 roundball with a stout load in a rifle with a barrel 32" or less for pointability. I use a .54 with pure lead cast maxi's and it is devastating.

Remember the kill zone is not huge on hogs, there is a lot of no mans land around it. It doesn't matter what you hit them with, a poor shot will result in a long day. Enough reason to think about trajectory.

Why a double? If it is for a back up shot, a well placed .58 single shot will kill any pig quickly. Is it to shoot two pigs? I am picturing you trying to see through all that smoke after the first barrel.

A dedicated pig rifle for me would look something like a C.V.A. Mtn rifle with a .58 barrel.

 

[Sam Stephens]

This is all about just something different for just having fun , and I like big bore guns. I have killed hogs with everything from a selfbow and stone point to a 500 Nitroexpress , at times we have killed over 40 in a night while guarding farmers crops here in Texas. Like I say I would just like to have one for just the fun factor alone. I know it's way over kill in the caliber department but I think it would be something I could have a good time with....

,,,,Sam,,,,,

 

[excess650]

I have handled the .72 and preferred its weight and balance to that of the smaller calibers. A large diameter, heavy RB doesn't need to huge dose of powder to hit like a freight train. 3 or 4 drams of BP should handle hogs with authority without being punishing to the shooter. 5 or 6 drams is going to make the shooter take notice.