In the book Nyati, the author mentions a terribly made US double. It was barrel heavy and had a stock made for bench rest shooting.

What double was he referring to?

Thanks

Minkman

There's only one, Searcy, but I'm not sure I agree with that observation. jorge

You've also got rigby... formerly known as rogue river.

There may be a manufacturer of DR up in Michigan ...Markinson? In the Barnes Reloading Manual (500 NE data) I think Connie Brooks makes mention that Barnes makes the actions for these DR...If I remember correctly...but unsure if that is the name you are seeking.

I hesitate to mention it because of the disapproving tone of the comment in question, but Dennis Olson makes double rifles from Spanish 10 gauge shotgun frames (re-hardened). They are said to shoot very well. He only makes a couple of doubles per year.

There is a guy in Idaho whose name I think is George Hoenig who makes a twist action O/U double rifle in calibers up to 9.3 x 74. It is a very fine rifle and I doubt anyone could think of something negative to say about it.

There seem to be quite a few small outfits making bigbore doubles. Another is Evolution Arms also from Idaho. They build them on Chapius actions and I presume Chapius barrels. But they appeared to be well made and finished. I had a 470 Searcy built around 10 years ago and I was not impressed. It was barrel heavy(poorly balanced), had a cluuby stock and the stock dimesions were way off even though a sent him another double rifle that fit me perfectly. I have seen a couple of his rifles recently and he seems to have come a long way in the last 10 years. I would consider buying one based on what I have seen recently.

465H&H

quote:

Originally posted by Minkman:
In the book Nyati, the author mentions a terribly made US double. It was barrel heavy and had a stock made for bench rest shooting.

What double was he referring to?

Thanks Minkman

There are the old Searcys on BSS actions, and the new B. Searcy, made from scratch, the Rogue River, the Rigby, made by the same man who made the Rogue River, and there is a maker in Tennesee, or Arkansas, but I can't remember his name, as well as Yale of Yellowjacket, Co, who makes O/U double rifles on Red lable actions.
Of all those the only one that would come close to that description is the old Rogue River,which was a bit forward weighted, or the guy in Tenn, or Ark, but they are not muzzle heavy, they are just HEAVY period! Otherwise thes are ver well made, and the finish is very well done, but a 14 lb 450NE 3 1/4"????????????

Another U.S. maker of doubles is Kenneth Eversull who made them on a Browning Citori shotgun frame.

Mac...The Heavy you refer to is made by Ken Owens now of Moscow TN. They are beautiful, built like a tank and yes...some are heavy and some are just right. The 500 I have is just right while the 450 may be heavy to some but it also has a scope on it.
They are a copy of a Harry Andrews / Scotland design and made from scratch. Engraved, very nice wood, very well made and shoot great!
They are for sale.
Ken has made a number of doubles for Thad Scott.

U.S. double rifle makers (the list so far…)

Eversull
Evolution Arms (ID)
Hoenig (ID)
Markinson (MI)
Olson (MT)
Owens (TN)
Rigby (CA)
Rogue River
Searcy (CA)
Yale (CO)

That's quite a list. I only have experience with the Searcy and it was a couple of years ago. Anyone able to add ballpark prices along side the maker's names?

500grains Don't forget Dakota.

465H&H

quote:

Originally posted by 465H&H:
500grains Don't forget Dakota.

465H&H

Those aren't REALLY american-made guns... they just have an american gun company name engraved on them.

Yup, Dakota double rifles are made in Italy by A&B, I believe.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
U.S. double rifle makers (the list so far…)

Eversull
Evolution Arms (ID)
Hoenig (ID)
Markinson (MI)
Olson (MT)
Owens (TN)
Rigby (CA)
Rogue River
Searcy (CA)
Yale (CO)

Maybe someone should post a new thread for this discussion. The title is "Terrible US made Double Rifle" and a list is being built up.

Title changed

Thanks for the list guys, it surprising how many there are.

Still we need some comments, websites, and prices ranges on these makers.

Thanks

Minkman

Minkman: Even money says the asnwer to your original query was Searcy. jorge

Jorge,

I was getting that impression. However, Butch has aged well and so has his product.

Here's to successful self actualization!!!

Minkman

quote:

Those aren't REALLY american-made guns... they just have an american gun company name engraved on them.

That is true and I stand corrected! Thanks!

465H&H

Nyati was a great book and very informative, but anyone that knows Kevin Robertson knows he is very opinnionated, not uncommon amongst our ilk....

Some things he says I agree with and other things I would challange, but all in all, its a pretty good read for the first time Buff buff..

I don't know what gun he is referring to, but I know of a lot of guns made in the US that I don't like and a bunch made overseas that do no please me...so I don't find that of particular interrest, especially since he failed to name the maker....Apparantly Harry knows the maker, and I am not familar with him....

Personally, I want not part of double rifles made from shotgun actions under any conditions, I have owned a couple and got rid of them.

quote:

Originally posted by jjs:
There may be a manufacturer of DR up in Michigan ...Markinson? In the Barnes Reloading Manual (500 NE data) I think Connie Brooks makes mention that Barnes makes the actions for these DR...If I remember correctly...but unsure if that is the name you are seeking.

Could you be meaning Nick Makinson & Son? Port Huron business address, but actualy lives in Ontario. Nice work, he has had a booth at SCI in past, but not the last couple of years, At least I don't think so.

Ken Owen makes what I think is a really heavy action, but he does nice work.

quote:

Originally posted by 465H&H:
500grains Don't forget Dakota.

465H&H

Dakotas are not made in the USA, but Italy,and imported by Dakota!

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Yup, Dakota double rifles are made in Italy by A&B, I believe.

Ferlib makes them.