gringo
For 15k you have a lot of choices. You should be able to find a Big Bore British double in one of the 450/400's or maybe even one of the 450's or a 475. The 470 usually cost a little more than the other Nirro Expresses.
Check with www.champlinarms.com

In the new made doubles you are well within the price of a Merkel, Krieghoff, Chapuis, and even a Heym. Look at and handle them all and pick the one that fits you the best.
I would recommend the Chapuis. I have a 9,3x74R and I have shot a couple of 470's.
For 15k you can get a great double.

I'd do the searcy ph, caliber of your choice, fly in for the stock fitting/measuring, and save the change for hunting...

SEarcy PH with extra fittings will keep you under the 15,000 $ mark.

The PH is 9,500 $ standard so the extra $$ should make it real nice

The delux is 15,000 $ but I would rather personalize a PH with the extra money.



http://www.searcyent.com/new_ph_model.htm



Cheers,



Andr�

Mr W.J. Jeffrey.

Forget that other crap.

I'd probably give me vote to Heym or Demas. Both really good guns for the money.



I have a Chapuis 9.3x74r and I am overall happy with it, but its had some problems. Chapuis has some quality control issues, and my gun's action was not completed when they made it for me. The catch for the top level broke in a few months, and they did not regulate it for the load I asked (I asked for the 286 Norma Alaska, they regulated it with their 232 norma oryx load they were trying to sell at the time). Also the hammers were too soft and needed to be hardened. I had to put a lot of additional money into a new gun to make it work the way it was supposed to (fix lever, re-harden hammers, and have JJ re-regulate it).



That said, it handles nicely and is accurate. They are a very strong action with a double underhook (Demas has a triple underhook!).



If you are thinking Chapuis go to France and buy one. The money you save will more than pay for the plane ticket and hotels.

I think it is agreed the William Douglass & Sons,.470NE is the best value around!

Steve