Also, the 50 BMG rifles are a whole lot heavier with huge muzzle brakes that tame down the recoil quite a bit.
I have videos of a Professional Guide in Africa that shoots the side-by-side 600 Nitro very effectively. Shooting those rifles with big kahuna calibers really take serious practice and skill.
Hi Ban,
I asked a friend who is into this type of hunting more than me ( I am happier culling animals not hunting trophies ) about these video's and he loaned some to me...the guy is Mark Sullivan...www.nitroexpresssafaris.com....and the rifle is a Marcel Thys and Sons .600 N.E. Double....which is a $100,000 rifle so he must be doing well with his business! Very good entertainment.
I have long been a fan of combination guns for hunting...either drillings or an over and under single shotgun/rifle...you can carry them easily in the field and have the blessing of taking bird game or ground game as you walk around your shoot.
My favourite is a single shot over and under shotgun/rifle combo...they are that bit lighter than a double side by side shotgun and rifle combo and with the right scope is all you ever need. They also are a lot cheaper than the African Doubles! I have worked in Africa and got to meet guys who left the Army and set up P.H. businesses...the mainstay of these guys is the Cz .458...which is a good rifle for the money...not many could ever dream of a Double...let alone one as nice as that .600 N.E. They are however not too bad to shoot...I have in the past been invited to display and coach buyers of these by a friend who is a gunsmith over here who sells these and safari holidays...sadly his business has recently gone bust...but I have had my time playing with a few. Tolly might have shot a few as well because he is right that the heavier doubles are more pleasant to shoot than high velocity lightweight rifles.
The handy thing if you like these rifles is get to know guys who build them and offer to help regulate the barrels....the UK is small compared to the USA so it is easier for me...but I have been to Kynoch who make the ammunition for these guns and help regulate them for one or two rifles...usually for 60 yards. You would be suprised at how they welcome the help. They can give you a serious headache and sinus problem if you shoot them too much indoors in an underground range.It is the pressure...but equally you don't drop them...at £75,000 for a bespoke English Double which is the starting price before engraving...and some are double this after top end gold inlay work with jewelled additions for eyes or whatever..you would'nt be flavour of the month! I have however seen some lovely work done...true works of Art....and the rifle Mark Sullivan has is up with the best of them. Even if it is made in Belgium.
