I was checked out a gunshop nearby on recomendation by a friend tonight.
There I found a Perugini & Visini in .470NE, brand new with Rizzini engraving, signed Rizzini.
A .577NE Westley Ritchards wich I suspect has been re-stoacked.

Both are very very delicous guns that at the moment I really can't afford, but could think about trading in a Beretta .375H&H for one or the other, with a significant price differnce between them both.

As luck has it tomorrow I'm off to London and will be making a pilgrammage to H&H W&R etc...
armed with serial numers and all other information to see how the quoted prices stand up.

I was just wondering what the general consensus on the 2 calibers is.

The Perugini & Visini rifle is light and manageable and am told shoots well, while the W&R is around the 15lb mark and rather thick in the overall build, as one should expect from such a rifle.

The 470 ne is clearly the most popular double cartridge at this point and some people will pay a premium to get one.

The 577 is a fabulous cartridge, but most of us have difficulty carrying that much weight on a long stalk.

In comperable condition the WR is twice the rifle a PV will ever be. A .577 will always be worth more than a .470. You didn't state the price of either and in Italy i know some strange things happen but the WR ought to cost alot more.

You will not get an accurate idea of value of the WR in London as British prices are quite high compared to the rest of the world and Australia in particular.

the 470 will be a shootable weapon, that you can hunt, stalk, and shoot from any position. the 577.. well.. yeah... hmm...

here's an UGLY picture for ya,

Perfect stalk on a bach-herd... 4 dugga boys handing around.. grass only mid thigh high.. you are shooting slightly downhill..

Are you going to take the WHALLLLUP of a 577 from the prone position? Not me, I aint man enough.. further, the 470 will be a much faster second shot.

jeffe

I'd go with the 577 myself...I,m not a P&V fan..Those 577's are a better investment than gold if they are right...They really kill and recoil is right there but less snappy than the 470 it seems to me, more of a big big push...I would shoot neither prone....never! but the 577 is hard to pack all day unless your a young man.