Are Double Barrel Rifles (Elephant Guns) available in India?

[aks1296]

????

[Timnorris]

Yes you may find old Double rifles but the problem is getting the ammo for it and another thing is where would you use it, double rifles kick hard...and also finding a double rifle in good condition would be expensive to buy and if its not in a good condition then firing it would be dangerous. But I found that because the ammo for these guns are difficult to get , the dealers or owners may sell these rifles for less.

[aks1296]

Does Double Rifles and DBBL Shotguns has the same parts? And why is is true that a new Double Rifle costs thousands of dollars? I mean whats so special in these that it could cost so much?

[TwoRivers]

The basic parts are the same, though the rifle requires more intricate and sturdier bolting, hence more time spent in fitting. Also, rifled barrels cost more. A lot of time is spent in regulating a double rifle, that is, making the two barrels shoot to the same point at given distance, usually 80 or 100 yards, or meters; whereas a shotgun's barrels can simply be aligned in a fixture, as a six or eight inch difference in center of the patterns at forty yards is not noticed by most shooters. Unless they pattern their shotgun, which very few shooters do. Although, a SxS from top makers, and cost, will also pattern the two barrels together. In addition, even if all of its basic parts are machine made, a lot of hand fitting is required for the rifle because it has to be able to withstand much higher stress.

[aks1296]

Then can any indian shotgun be converted to double rifle, or it will not be able to withstand the pressure created by nitro express cartridges and explode?

[marksman]

Its not impossible but a very very demanding job provided the design of the action is strong enough to accomodate a particular caliber in mind.
Aligning the barrels to the same point of impact at a certain distance with tailored load is another headache and a dying art. In short not worth it.
Also by the very virtue of its design, it is supposed to be a short distance quick shooting rifle with fairly acceptable accuracy provided its shot with the ammo it is regulated for.

Marksman

[TwoRivers]

Some double shotguns, provided the action has adequate strength, can be converted into double rifles chambered for the lower pressured rifle cartridges. But I doubt that that would be feasible under Indian conditions.

[Timnorris]

Double rifles have thicker barrels to cope with higher pressure so it is nearly impossible to fire a rifle cartridge in a shotgun barrel even if it is rifled..and also the action has to be strong enough not to mention the weight of the gun has to be much more to absorb the recoil.

[aks1296]

Does the barrels in a shotgun are fixed, or they can be removed? Also can the barrels for double rifle be made by cnc milling machine in India?

[ckkalyan]

aks1296, you are definitely onto a very interesting train of thought / possibility and I am sure questions will abound. Good Luck!

[TwoRivers]

Does the barrels in a shotgun are fixed, or they can be removed? Also can the barrels for double rifle be made by cnc milling machine in India?

Yes to your first question. No to the second. Not anyplace.