Todd here is an excellant place to find terms, concerining firearms, defined!
Hallowell & Co.

Rusty
We band of brothers!

[This message has been edited by Rusty (edited 04-13-2002).]

Todd,

I agree with Rusty. The Hallowell site is an invaluable web reference for double gun features. The photos I posted on you Greener thread were from that site.

-Steve

Rusty,
Thanks for the site. You are correct it is very informative! One could learn alot there about double rifles and never even have to shoot or see one.

I noticed that they have a Butch Searcy 45-120 Sharps for sale. In the description it mentions that the rifle is built on a Browning BSS action. Is a Browning shotgun action strong enough for a smokeless loaded 45-120? If so do you think that rifle would be worth investigating?

Todd E,
I printed out the entire website about six months ago and bound it for reference. I wondered if that wouldn't be useful to you, but Rusty beat me to it.

I recall seeing some Browning SXS conversions to 470 NE back in the 1980's, and I was told they were done by Searcy. Your report supports this regarding the 45-120.

Butch Searcy may have been doing the conversions as an expedient when he was getting started in the double rifle business, which is now producing excellent stuff.

I never heard of any problems with those Browning conversions to 470 NE. If I could have afforded one of those back then, I would not have hesitated to buy one.

It would seem Searcy now makes the double rifle components in house, except possibly barrels?

Anybody know where Searcy barrels come from?

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RAB

Daggaron,

The rumor I heard was that Mr. Searcy used Lothar Walther barrels. I know John Rigby and Company now of California used PacNor.

I have seen the Hallowell site before. It is a nice reference. I was posting all these questions to pimp information for all to share. There seems to be some ignorance of doubles in the forums and I was only attempting to try and provide some enlightenment to all by soliciting the input of a few experts. Of course, Will did not fall for it. He pointed out my other objective on the double barrel regulation thread.

I am interested however in hearing about the BSS conversions. Of particular interest is durability and accuracy. I will be in Wyoming and Montana this summer and my have to stop by Hallowells.

Todd E

Todd,
Rick Stickley made a lot of doubles out of BSS actions and they have held up very well indeed, but he had them hardened...I stocked several of them for him or his customers.

I shoot one in a 470 and another in a 450-416-3" wildcat for a few seasons and never had any problems but I would feel better with an action that was made specifically for a double rifle..His guns sure shot well if you ever got them.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com