I'm planning my first trip to Africa (hippo, leopard, and perhaps buffalo), and I need to buy a double rifle. (Thank goodness I found this forum, I had almost decided to buy a Blaser S2.)

So, now I need to know where I can go to buy a good double rifle, something reliable and accurate that will chamber .470NE,.500NE, or anything larger that I can afford. A good used rifle would please me - I just do not know where to look for one. - - Help please. - Bill

I would look here:

www.searcyent.com

www.champlinarms.com

www.cabelas.com (look in the Gun Library)

www.westleyrichards.com

Add www.thadscott.com and www.doubleguns.com to the above.

http://www.african-hunter.com/links.htm

This last link has a section for safari rifle dealers.

check the adds in the double gun journal, gun list, & shotgun news

I would definitely stress the Cabelas gun library. I know the one in Hamburg PA has several very nice doubles.
Happy Hunting
Andy

Bill

I know That JudgeG had one for sale a few months back. He is a pretty active poster on here so do a search for his user name and send him a PM. I don't remember what is was chambered for but I believe he killed a Buff with it. So I guess you could say it's Proofed.

Shawn

To all, "Many thanks."

This is enough information to keep me busy for a while looking for my "double gun". - - Half of the fun of buying a new rifle is trying to sort out all of the available choices.

It would be an easy decision if I had all the money I wanted to play with; I would simply spring for a new H&H double in .500NE. However, my cash spending level is considerably less. My gut feeling is not too many double rifles make more than two or three trips to Africa. And, I just know that somewhere out there is a good, used double rifle, in a big bore caliber, sitting unloved in a dark corner of somebody's gun safe, waiting for a cash buyer with Africa on his mind...

Wish me luck in finding my double rifle, and thanks again for the information. - - Bill

Bill,
I had that exact same thought, about 4 years ago....

passed on a couple perdersoli's when they could be had for 1500-1800....

passed on a 577 BPE


and then found out the "truth"...

if a gun that was bought for 6500 and a 4 months wait an be sold for 6500 and no wait, then the bottom price will be 6500 (considering a merkel in 470 as an example)

Think of a double rifle as a 64 1/2 mustang, that runs and aint rusted out... every month the price goes up, for it in the same condition.

Best of luck finding "ole gramps double" for a couple grand.. but remember, there's about 50 of us looking for the same thing!!

aout 6500 for a merkel in 470 is going to be your lowest "it's a real double" double...

below that, like paying 10% of retail for a used 'vette, get's to be a little dicey...

jeffe

Guns America

While your in the buying mood, buy me that .470 Heym that EuroGun Imports has for sale.

Regards,

Terry

Jeffe: Thanks for the note.

My level of pain is $10,000 - in cash. So I think I may stand a better chance of finding a good used double.

I know everyone is looking for a bargain. I am looking for a fair price for a reliable, accurate, big-bore double. I know it is out there somewhere, and green money will find it...

Take care. - Bill

Bill H

I have a Merkel 470 Nitro that has been to Africa 3 times and killed a couple of elephant and buffalo, so you know it works. If any interest let me know, plus you will get change back from your10K

BigB

Having just gone through the same process, I had luck at http://www.ivorybeads.com
Doubles don't come cheap, but I think it's realistic to buy a used gun and do okay at the back end. Knowledgable folks on this forum provide good support and council, as well. That doesn't include me , by the way- I just closed a deal on my first double two days ago,
so don't yet have RKI status.

For under 10K you can get into a new double with your choice of a few brands. Some here like Searcy, I prefer Krieghoff. And Merkel has already been mentioned. All three are great guns, but you won't feel bad about shooting or hunting with them like you would a 50K H&H.

I have a Krieghoff 470 NE that has been flawless. Try George Douglas in Sand Point Idaho. He has a good inventory, been around for many years.

You may also want to consider Chapuis available at http://www.chadicks-ltd.com/

Good luck with your search

If I had $10,000 I would buy a Searcy PH, it will shoot little groups at 50 yards, shoot monolithic bullets, and they are stronger than any English rifle..Butch regulates them at 2245 FPS....Mine will shoot one hole at 50, and from all reports most of them will shoot at least 1.5" at 50....For a "using" rifle they cannot be beat....

quote:

Some here like Searcy

Hell, I think half these guys here WORK for Searcy!

And the other half work for Tuff Pack

LOL

quote:

Originally posted by Bill H.:
I'm planning my first trip to Africa (hippo, leopard, and perhaps buffalo), and I need to buy a double rifle.

Not really. "Need" is here being used to justify "want."

A magazine rifle is quite the thing these days (I mean, circa 1898 or so).

But they're your bucks brother and that's okay, not to say your God-given right.

I would recommend trying to find a British Double in any calibre from 450/400 to 475 No2.
You might have to put up a little extra, but well worth it in the long run.

Get a used Merkel in .470 NE or .500 NE. BigB might sell his .470, but I am holding onto mine.

Cabela's seems to be about a thousand bucks over what a friendly dealer will order them for you. I think GSI in Alabama is not the distributor anymore.

Sumbuddy who know who imports the Merkels now?

RIP you got a PM

mrlexma: No it is "need" not "want". Momma did not raise a dull child and big critters with horns can harm by chubby body. I need a "stopper" for up close work. - I agree that accuracy is rule #1. You can not kill what you can not hit. The good news is that I can indeed hit the target, stationary or moving. My concern is that buffalo hunting is a new game for me, and I have no plans to arrive without enough gun.

My base rifle will be a Marlin 45/70 (26"bbl.) with Garrett 540 grain Hammerhead ammo. Agreed, not as romantic as traditional African calibers (and heresy to mention on this forum), but it is a heavy hitter with great penetration and not to be trifled with. www.garrettcartridges.com

I have worked with this rifle/ammo enough until now I feel comfortable with my groups out to a zero of 135 yards. I'll wait until 2006 and tell you how the 45/70 works on big critters. - My quest for a double rifle is to use as my stopper, just in case.

This forum is great! I have been able to soak more information about big bore doubles than I ever realized.

Ah! The great .45/70 debate is about to rage anew.

Welcome to the forum, Bill.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill H.:
mrlexma: No it is "need" not "want". Momma did not raise a dull child and big critters with horns can harm by chubby body. I need a "stopper" for up close work. -

I have worked with this rifle/ammo enough until now I feel comfortable with my groups out to a zero of 135 yards. I'll wait until 2006 and tell you how the 45-70 works on big critters. - My quest for a double rifle is to use as my stopper, just in case.

A very prudant idea indeed!

Try these:

Retailers

and

gunmakers.

45-70? aw sh--t here we go again...

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:
I think GSI in Alabama is not the distributor anymore.

GSI is still the importer/distributor for Merkel in the U.S.

Bill,

Talk to JudgeG, as he is both erudite and experienced in these matters. Bring him a bottle of fine Scotch whisky and perhaps a cigar, andheed his words.

George

quote:

Originally posted by Slingster:

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:
I think GSI in Alabama is not the distributor anymore.

GSI is still the importer/distributor for Merkel in the U.S.

Eric,
This is inside info from a big gun dealer. The web may be behind on this, or I was misinformed. It may be changing from GSI to other hands. I will try to remember to ask about who is picking up Merkel.