I am getting ready to order a Searcy double rifle and can’t decide between the 470NE and the 500NE. The rifle will primarily be used for buffalo, elephant hunting and I would like to take a hippo on land with it. I currently have both a 375H&H and a 416 Rigby and I notice a real difference in the effect the 416 has on buffalo vs the 375 H&H. I have read that the 500NE also has a more pronounced effect on game (a real step up). I reload and I have no problem with the recoil level of the 416 Rigby – including off the bench. I realize that the 500NE will probably weigh more than a 470NE.

What are some other pro’s & con’s I should consider in making my decision? Thanks!

My choice would be the 500, if I where buying a searcy, though the 470 is execellent

500 vs 470
heavier bullets
higher sd and MO (just to apease all)
Higher cross sectional density
more bullet choices.
EITHER can use modern solids
1# heavier (user's choice)

I would think to go with the 500 3" and run 570s and ask butch to regulate for 2150, not 2050, and 11#

jeffe

MHC_TX - I appreciate your experience with the 416 rigby, but would strongly suggest you shoot one of the searcy's in 470 and 500 (loaded w/570s - if that's the way you want to go).

It's a big decision and one not easily changed once the gun is built... and for that reason, again, I encourage you to shoot them first-hand.

I've owned both 416 riby and 470. They are different. The 500 is much different.

Shoot them both and make up your own mind.

I see little reason for a 500 inasmuch as the .470 litterally hammers everything I shoot with it...and their is a decided difference in recoil between the .470 and .500.

More important is the weight of a rifle on a 15 mile hike in very hot weather and ones ability to react quickly at the end of the road..Rifle weight is very important on Safari, anyone that does not believe that is spewing BS, and I don't care how big and stout they are...

The 470 is certainly more practicle than the 500, with easier to obtain factory ammo and componets.

I don't think you'll see a signifigant difference on game between the 470 and 500. The 500 is something one chooses for passionate reasons, ie you just have to have one.

You will find a signifiant difference in recoil between your 416 and either the 470 or 500. In my bolt guns, I don't see a signifigant difference in recoil between my 458 Lott and 500 Jeffrey, so I'd suspect the 470 and 500 to be similar. They are a quantam leap above the 40's, but kissing cousins to eachoter in recoil.

You might also consider having a Ruger #1 chambered in whichever round you choose as a companion rifle.

Two things should drive your decision.

1. How much weight are you willing to carry for up to 15 miles/day? In my opinon 10 to 10 1/2 lbs. is more then enough.

2. How much stopping power do you need? Again IMHO the 470 has more then enough for any situation your likely to face.

465H&H

Simple 500NE 3". You can load it down if you want but why. It will flatten anything it hits well. Good bullets and lets face it if you can carry a 10.5# gun today just fine you can take a few walks with a 12 # bag of sand and in a couple weeks it won't be a problem.

Never really understood the weight issue. Most of us, myself included, could loose a couple pounds and then the point is moot. JMHO

John

I have a Searcy .500 and am very happy with it. Penetration is much deeper than I expected. But do not buy a .500 unless you like recoil. Of course a .470 is powerful enough, and I find it does not recoil too much.

Get the wood upgrade on your rifle because it is not that much money but it really makes the rifle sexy.

MHC_TX, The difference is which do you want! Nothing more!
For those who think the recoil of the 470NE double is bad, and that the 500NE is not much worse, let me inlighten you!

The 470 is pushing a 500gr bullet @2150 fps, out of a 10.5 # rifle, whilet a 500NE 3" is pushing a 570 gr bullet@ 2100fps, in a 10.5 # rifle. and in the case of a the Merkel double the 500NE is actually .5# lighter than the 470NE. Gentlemen, neither rifle is beyond use by a mere human being, but let's be honest here, there is a real difference between the two. Just ask anyone who was at the last DRSS hunt at Raggity Creek! They had the pleasent occasion to shoot both in the same maker's rifle. To a man, they said you didn't have to ask which you had just fired!

The 470NE is the easiest to re-sell, and get your money back, or even make a little profit, but I LIKE the 500NE best over the 470NE. That is the question here, which doYOU LIKE the best?

All that asside, MYchoice would be the 500NE 3" in a 10.5 # double, and no more than 11# loaded. I have a 470NE, have owned two 500NE 3" doubles, and one 577NE 3" double. I would rather have the 500NE than either of the affore mentioned doubles, and my second choice of them would be the 470NE. I will never own another 577NE double, unless one happens my way at a VERY GOOD PRICE.

Now! If you want to know what I would rather have than any of the above rifles it would be a 9.5# 450/400NE 3" double. I sold my A&N 450/400NE 3" and have been sorry ever since!

I guess doubles are different, but I find while my 500 Jeffrey pusing a 600 gr @ 2200 fps from a 10 1/2# rifle is more than the Lott pushing a 500 gr 2150, it is still in the same ballpark. They both produce big recoil, much more than a 40 caliber.

I don't think there is anyone that will say a 470's recoil is negligable, and a 500's in unmangable. They are both in the ballpark of taking signifigant concentration to fire without flinching, yet neither will knock the snot out of you. I haven't fired a 577 or larger, but imagine they are in snot knocking ballpark.

I have a .470 NE which weighs 10 lb 1 oz and a .500 NE which weighs 11 lb 2 oz. The .500 NE has more recoil but not significantly more. However, I am of the school which sees a bit more reaction from game hit with the .500NE. I think the weight of the gun has quite a bit to do with perceived recoil and wouldn't want gun weights any less than the ones I presently have. BTW I feel that the .416 Rigby in a 9 lb gun recoils every bit as much as a .470 NE.

Geronimo

Thanks for all of the feedback - it is very helpful.

What about sources for bullets (softs & solids) & brass for each?

To be honest, I originally had planned to get the 470NE (had Butch measure me in Reno at the last SCI show for fit), but I've since gotten really intriqued with the 500NE. I'm currently leaning towards the 500NE (at this moment).

I was in the same situation...a visit to see Butch convinced me the 470 was the way to go....his favorite caliber...he's used it on numerous elephant and buffs.

My 470 PH is for a planned Buff hunt as well.

I pulled together my bullets (Woodleigh's and Barnes from Midway) and bought 140 pieces of Bell/Mast Brass (Buffalo Arms). Butch ordered a set of RCBS dies and shellholder for me and supplied his regulation load data as well as a light practice load with cast bullets.

Loaded a few rounds in anticipation.

Got my wood picked, measured, ammo ready, now I just have to wait for delivery.

hth

Get the 470! Even doubled the 470 is easier to shoot that a 500. OUCH! Just my opine!

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
Get the 470! Even doubled the 470 is easier to shoot that a 500. OUCH! Just my opine!

Rusty?

since you've shot the 500, you can tell me, AFTER you shoot it, if the 550 is worse

I can tell you now. . .Your's is worse!

Now, do I still have to shoot it?

Rusty,
i bet the merkel 500, after seeing the DRSS pics, kicks aLOT worse (50ne)... I've only seen ONE person "take it" like the high port pics of the 500...

heh.. 3.5 steps back.. UP hill...

jeffe

I've shot a .470 NE Searcy PH and a .500NE Searcy PH in the same day one right after the other.

There is a difference in recoil but nothing that can't be overcome. I love my .470 I don't wish to own a .500 but can shoot one as well as my .470.

They are both great rounds. It just boils down to what you want.

I've heard tell from the likes of Johan Colitz that he finds the .500 to be better stopping rifle for the elephant hunter.

I've only killed one elephant so I can't really tell you how good the .470 is all the time. But it didn't lack a bit on my elephant.

As far as buffalo the .470 would be real hard to beat. I am very comfortable with my .470. I reguarly kill animals past 100 yards with my rifle and my record to date was on a Black wildebeest that I hammered at 218 yds. My searcy is as accurate as any heavy bolt iron sighted bolt gun out there. The recoil of the .470 is very managable to the point of comfortable in a well fit gun.

I did a quick check of available bullets/brass at Midway yesterday. Seemed to be more componets available for the 470NE than the 500NE - is this true in general?

For example for the 470NE they had the following bullets: woodleigh, barnes, swift, trophy bond. They had norma brass, too.

For the 500NE they only had woodleighs & barnes (someone said the Barnes were to long for the 3" 500NE in the remarks section).

quote:

Originally posted by MHC_TX:
I did a quick check of available bullets/brass at Midway yesterday. Seemed to be more componets available for the 470NE than the 500NE - is this true in general?

YES.

You may also want to check in with http://www.huntingtons.com and http://www.buffaloarms.com for components.

GS Custom has bullets in both diameters. http://www.gscustom.co.za

North Fork makes .474 bullets http://www.northforkbullets.com

Bridger Bullets makes both .474 and .510 bullets and will be sold through this site: http://www.custombrassandbullets.com/

BRIDGER:


Hawk makes both .510 and .474 bullets. http://www.hawkbullets.com

So there is really no shortage of bullets for both calibers.

However if you want the 30-06 of double rifles, get a 470 NE.