Allen, if you are ever in Salt Lake, you are welcome to shoot my Searcy.

quote:

Originally posted by 700 nitro:
that is a great offer on my gun and i already have been getting some interest in the rifle so i wuldnt wait long if you wanna buy it

then you will have the ultimate stopper.

What is the circumference of the stock grip 1" behind the safety? I've got big hands, but from the pictures I am not sure I could get around it.

I have second thoughts about the lack of a third fastener too.

It is gratifying to see so many folks having good luck and appreciation of the Merkel 140's in .470 NE's. Me too.

The Greener crossbolt was stiff at first, but after 200 rounds it now falls into place all by itself when the action is shut. Clean it, oil it, shoot it 200 times before safari, and it is a great gun that seems like it will stay tight and on face forever.

Merkel seems to have taken notice of the howls about the cartoonish rhino and buffalo on the game-scene-engraved model, and they seem a bit better now. But for 1K less, the simple coin scroll receiver is still my preference.

.470 NE @ 10.6 pounds.
.500 NE @ 10.5 pounds. I wouldn't turn one of the .500 NE's down either. They seem perfect.

I own a Searcy too, a .338 Winchester over/under made from a Ruger Redlabel 20 guage. That's for plains game, and with the 20 guage barrels, for the birds.

I have a .500 Merkel that I got about a year ago. Have just over 100 rounds through it at the cross bolt is almost falling completely in place.

I have no regrets buying that rifle, but when we get yet another one, it'll be another Searcy. (My pop's .577 by Butch will be done by January '06.) I'm thinking of a .450/400 as my next one.

577NE
If I had a good 500 that I liked, my next double would be a scoped 9,3x74R, or a scoped 375, Flanged or H&H.
That way you can take both of them to Africa and be set for PG and DG.

I make this recommendation after using the following doubles for @ 7 years, a 450 No2, a 450/400 3 1/4", and a 9,3x74R.
If you are only going to have 2 doubles, or for your first 2 a big bore with a medium bore is a great battery for Africa and everywhere else for that matter.
The 450/400 is a great calibre, for sure.