Been shooting for about 25 years, always wanted a top notch dangerous game stopping rifle. It has been a dream of mine to hunt Africa since I was about 14. 30 now, fully intend on doing so, probably in the next 5-10 years. I have researched rifles for such a trip for years, this site is by far the best source of info on this subject I have found.
I have learned a few things in my years of looking for the perfect stopper, what will be the grail of my firearm collection.
1. Choices are limited for left handers.
Someone on this site suggested a custom maker in Germany, Mr. Sutterbusch, who I am considering contacting. Any one know who else might offer a lefty bolt rifle in .500 or larger? (Am cosidering a Ceasar in .500 A-Square, since the .577 not available in lefty.)
2. Doubles are expensive.
Looked at many websites, Heym and Searcy especially make beautiful weapons. Who else should I look at for a .577, .600 or .700 Nitro double?
I enjoy hunting, also love to shoot for the hell of it. Such a rifle (if I can afford one!) would be a great addition to my gun vault. Any advice on other makers would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a baseline:



Searcy 700 Nitro: $40K

H&H 700 Nitro: $150K



Searcy 600 Nitro: $24K

Heym 600 NE: $38K

Westley Richards 600 Nitro: $60K

H&H 600 Nitro: $100K



Here is a used Searcy 700 NE already set up for a left hander for $35k:







http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976473654.htm



Another alternative would be to get a nice custom 505 Gibbs for around $10K:







http://www.rbbigbores.com/projects.html

500,
I am a little stunned about the link you posted for the custom bolt rifles. 15 years ago, at age 15, I bought the Feb. '89 issue of G&A and read the very article he mentions on his site. I was very impressed & literally for 15 years have wondered how to contact him. Now you have linked me to his site - thank you.

As far as the price, I could not go out tomorrow and buy a $24,000 rifle, or even a $10,000 rifle. But, I could save my pennies for a year or three and then...
It's not a question of how much CAN I spend so much as how much I am willing to spend. (You should hear my wife fussing). I look at it like this: This would be a once in a lifetime rifle for what would probably be a once in a lifetime hunt. The rifle would be the flagship, the "holy grail" of my collection, and would be in my family forever.
In that context, the price is not unreasonable.

Thanks again for the info. Most people around here do not even know such rifles exist, so my sources were limited until I was directed here.

I will also add that I have a Ruger #1 in .458 Win. Great rifle, I would like something a bit larger with a follow up shot.

Thanks again,
Jason

If you want the best and most reliable bolt-gun possible, get in touch with my friend D'Arcy Echols:

legend@bridgernet.com

AD

JT,
It's probably "native Californian" bias, but I'm a serious Searcy/VanBreeding fan. I like to consider myself a friend of Butch's and I've met Brian. I consider both of them to be up front, serious gunbuilders and I would be proud to own a firearm by either of them. You can't go wrong with a Big Killer from either shop.

I would, however, caution you about your idea of a "hunt of a lifetime". That rarely happens. More likely you will find it a "first taste of an addiction"! Even we lower budget shooters agonize over the choice between more rifles and more Africa. There is no easy answer.

My mistake, it is Mr. Ritterbusch. I have not contacted him about it yet, curious about the prices. Had not heard of the others, do they have web sites?
Thanks for the info everyone, I've learned more on the subject of sources in 2 days than in the last 15 years.
Jason

JT,
Well, the best way to meet most of the custom gunmakers in the business is to join Safari Club for a year and go to the Convention in Reno next January. Given how much you'll be spending on this project, consider it an investment. Besides, you wife's fussing may decrease after a few day's vacation in Reno. She might even like the convention itself. You'd be amazed how much there is there in the way of jewelry, clothing, household goods (mostly African or Wild West oriented), etc that the ladies enjoy.

I personally will never pay more for a bolt gun than I will for a double....

You can get a .500 or .470 Searcy PH model for $7500.Butch also makes some nice left handed Mausers in some real nice calibers like 404 and 505...

In bolt guns I like the Johannson but again they start at about $9500...

By the same token their are a lot of young gunmakers out there that build some really good stuff and they can do it for under $5000....A few that come to mind are Scott Green, 208-785-7722, Jim Brockman 208-934-5050, A lot of guys make very pretty guns, but the real gunmakers build guns that will be pretty and functional 100%, thats the hard ones to find.....

H & K Gun Shop
Address: 2604 Pacific Ave, Forest Grove, OR 97116
Phone: (503) 357-6807
Kirk the guy who runs this place is a top notch gunsmith he has done a couple of rifles for me he just did a 404 for me give him a call.

Ray, I think the Searcy PH model starts at $9500. Were you going to toss in $2K to subsidize the purchase?

Echols 510 Nitro Express

A 458 Lott with a 5 round capacity built by D'Arcy Echols would be pretty darn tough to beat.

Chuck

An Anschutz .22 is pretty hard to beat too. But it is also not a big bore over 50 cal, so it does not meet the customer's design criteria.

If you went to the new car dealer to purchase a 4x4 pickup and the salesman tried to sell you a minivan instead would you feel satisfied?

If a suitable action can be agreed upon, D'Arcy will build a Classic Grade in .505 Gibbs. In fact, one of his clients wrote me about a .505 that he and D'Arcy were in the planning stages on.

AD

"By the same token their are a lot of young gunmakers out there that build some really good stuff and they can do it for under $5000....A few that come to mind are Scott Green, 208-785-7722"



I totally agree. Try to attend the Gun Guild show in Reno or the Vegas Beinfield show in January. You can get a world class magnum Mauser, European walnut, express sights, etc. for under $5000 if you look around, talk to different gunmakers, particularly some of the up and comers, and better yet look at vintage (used) rifles.

I certainly appreciate the input from everyone. You have given me many leads to check into. Looks like I've got some research to do.
Thanks again.
Jason