I want to get a double in 470 NE. What should I expect to pay. I dont have a lot of money. What would a good entry level double run?

You can probably get a NEW 470 for less money than a British 470 double. I would take a look at the Chapuis, Merkel, and the Krieghoff. You could get a British 450/400 for about the same as a NEW made 470. I would try to handle and shoot as many different doubles as you can and get the one that you like and fits you the best. If you can find one of the newly made doubles used it would probably be your best buy. However I do not recommend trying to safe money on a double rifle but I can understand trying to stay in budget.

s h

For the same price as a new 470 you can get, as 450 suggested, a nice 400 of some type. They will require handloading but so do 470's. (If you can afford to shoot only store bought in a 470 you can afford a better one. ) Another option is a 450 3.25". They also can be had in the 7 - 10k range.

A 450 is the ballistic equivalent of the 470 only a bit less money, and also IMO, much sweeter handling. Much closer to the 450-400 in weight and size.

If you spend 8-10k on a new rifle and then need to sell it or don't like it you will take a couple thousand dollar hit on the sale. A used Brit will always get your investment back.

PH's who need working doubles are buying Searcy's @$7950, plain grade in .470, .450 NE and .500. Of course, only a PH really "needs" a double rifle but if you want to get used to one, I'd start with a Merkel 9.3x74. The "new" price officially went up on them but somehow, I think that you can still get under $4000. I know you can with a good Italian Zoli. These aren't artwork, collector's safe queens, snobby or nostalgiac but they will all work and work for as long as you hunt. Getting into the "trading up" syndrome is sick, anyway. (And we all know it but can't avoid it!)

socal hunter
check out www.champlinarms.com www.westleyrichards.com
www.montywhitley.com he has an Army Navy 450/400 that looks good.
I recommend you take a good look at some British rifles.

Social Hunter,
The 470 Nitro Express is the double rifle round that all other double rifle rounds are judged by.
It has been there, done that, Kicked ass and bought the T-shirt. It will swat em all!

If you are looking for a double rifle to use more than on those occasions you'd use a 470 for. I'd look at the others suggested above also.

I own a 450/400 3 inch. I own it because a 470 I tried beat the crap out of me! I have grown to cherish my 450/400. It is an all around chambering and it doesn't beat me up.

For a .470 check the usual places like GunsAmerica, Gunbrokers, Champlin, Chadicks, Cape Outfitters, Merkel, Searcy or just go to Google.com and type 470 Nitro Express and go from there!

Good hunting!

Rusty
We band of brothers!

Buy a Krieghoff in .470 Nitro, you can find them for about $ 9500. A Heym you can get for $11,500 to $12500. Give me an email if I can help you any further.

Cheers, Aleko

socal,
Much good advice above.

Searcy, Merkel, Krieghoff, are the way to go for a shooter, IMHO.

Check this out for GSI Firearms, importer of Merkels:

http://www.gsifirearms.com/

The Merkel 140-2 in 470 NE is a good gun, and a year ago you could get them new for around $7200, with the help of a friendly dealer, and a common used price for the gun was $6995.

But the MSRP is now $10,195, for gouging purposes. Add a little bit of very basic engraving of game scenes, and you have the 140-2.1, for MSRP of $11,395.

Last year a Cabella's store in Mitchell, SD had a 140-2 in 470 NE, new, offered for $8,995. They had a 140-2.1 in 470 NE for $9,995.

The Merkel 140-1 in 9.3 x 74R, another good gun, has an MSRP of $7195 now. A year ago one could find them for about $5000, maybe used for $4000.

I haven't looked at any used prices lately, but the above links might be illuminating.

If you can get a Searcy in 470 NE or 500 NE for around $8000 still, then that is the best deal going. Butch's prices are bound to follow the rest. I think it is called inflation of prices, though it ought to be called deflation of dollars more often. Or is it just growing demand for a scarce resource?

Caliber choices: Searcy is best for that, then Krieghoff, then Merkel with only two to consider: 470 NE and 9.3 x 74R.

Best calibers for a big bore double:
450/400 NE, or 400 NE 3"
.416/500 NE
any 450 NE
470 NE
500 NE

The rest are not necessary, or a bolt action or single shot can be used more sensibly.

The other advantage to dealing with Searcy is that when you go to him, you go to him. No sales rep., no middle man, no fake safari jacket and no tweed coat, just Butch. Superb craftsman & engineer, honest businessman and a man of his word, he can get a bit cantankerous and not only doesn't suffer fools gladly but can't come up with a reason to put up with them, at all. Definitely my kind of guy!

Check with Butch Searcy, you won't be sorry!

The "Gun List" frequently has a lot of doubles in it at good prices from fellows who bought it...took it on safari....and then are trying to sell it. As with anything thru the mail or over the internet, check references.