Double SxS rifle

[Col. Batguano]

Anyone here ever tried to make one? A friend of mine just suggested I take that project on as my next build. Of course, he has never build one himself to even know what might be involved.

It seems to me it would be a project that is more than double the time it would take to build two separate guns. First you would have to build a functional gun of sorts to mount the barrels in in order to test fire them and regulate them. Maybe it could be done with some kind of an in-line sort of breech plug and alleviate the necessity of inletting locks and vents for the testing though.

It seems to me (after watching videos of how the English fine gun makers do it), that that test firing could take a really long time. Only after the barrels are regulated could you then actually build the gun itself.

With a SxS fowler or shotgun the regulation process seems like it wouldn't be quite such a demanding or critical process. I mean, who cares (or can even tell) if the center of a pattern is off by a couple of inches at 20-30 yards?

 

[Zonie]

If you successfully build a double rifle that aims to the same place with both barrels, you will find out why rifles of that type often cost over $20,000.00. :grin: :rotf:

 

[okawbow]

I made a 45 cal. side by side back in the early 80's. I used 13/16" Numrich barrels, about 28' long. Cherry stock. Made the locks, except the hammers. Made the rib and soldered the barrels together.

Somehow, the barrels shoot close together! One hits dead on at 50 yards, the other hits on at 100 yards. My wife killed a nice buck with this rifle on the second shot.

SANY0063 by okawbow, on Flickr

SANY0062 by okawbow, on Flickr

SANY0061 by okawbow, on Flickr

SANY0060 by okawbow, on Flickr

 

[Kansas Jake]

That is nice. How much does it weigh?

 

[swathdiver]

It seems to me ...that test firing could take a really long time.

There's a gunsmith out of Kansas who makes doubles in the style of Purdy if memory serves and has posted a tutorial of sorts on that tube channel.

That being said, the gun is near finished when he regulates the barrels Very interesting and has me setting aside time this summer to read Brockway's book on the subject!

 

[okawbow]

I think it is right about 10#

 

[DickS]

There were double rifles made with the barrels being inlet and pinned in the stock, but without the barrels being joined together.
An easy solution to the issue of regulating the barrels was to install a set of sights on each barrel.
I think Kindig's book shows rifles like this. Will check.
Weight is an issue when two rifle barrels are involved.

 

[Col. Batguano]

That is just so cool. Track has a rather unique contemporary O/U for sale currently on their custom page.

It seems to me you might want a custom grind on the barrels. Parallel in the middle, and tapered on the 5 outside flats. A hooked breech would be the only way it would work too. Pretty significant shear forces on discharge too, so bedding and breaching operations would be pretty critical

 

[DickS]

Had a look in Kindig's book. Very few double rifles; most were turn barrels. Only one was a side by side. It was a combination gun, .35 and .45, rifled and smooth.
I'm sure I seen photos elsewhere of side by sides.

 

[DickS]

Got out my copy of Dillon. Only one side by side, the others were swivel breeches. This side by side was also a combination gun.

 

[jerrywh]

It is against the law to hunt with one in Oregon during black powder season. Single barrel only open ignition- no ilines allowed.

 

[Ed Cigallio]

Huzzah for Oregon.