Where do I begin if I want to get a entry level poverty/field grade double rifle? The LEAST expensive double I have seen in person was a cased Holland & Holland 375 H&H for $3750. Pretty nice gun. The "Imperial Red-Headed Scorpio" wisely pushed me off in another direction before I drooled all over the place. Doubles are rare in these parts.

From what I gather entry-level and double-rifle are not usually put together in the same sentence. I have no reason for getting a double other than I want one.

Any info, books, magazines, websites etc.
I read DGJ when I can.

Thanks
ZM

P.S. The RemingtonCommie Spartan wannabe 45/70 double doesn't count. From what I can tell the Spartan double seems to be a urban myth.

Anything you would want to shoot won't get past the Redhead.

After I get through my Mauser phase, doubles will be next. 10K is the price of entry into the club.

LD

I am using the excuse/lie that it would be an investment. Far more practical and logical than a pair of "cute(read hidious and expensive) shoes".


ZM

quote:

Originally posted by Zeke:
Where do I begin if I want to get a entry level poverty/field grade double rifle? The LEAST expensive double I have seen in person was a cased Holland & Holland 375 H&H for $3750. Pretty nice gun. The "Imperial Red-Headed Scorpio" wisely pushed me off in another direction before I drooled all over the place. Doubles are rare in these parts.

From what I gather entry-level and double-rifle are not usually put together in the same sentence. I have no reason for getting a double other than I want one.

Any info, books, magazines, websites etc.
I read DGJ when I can.

Thanks
ZM

P.S. The RemingtonCommie Spartan wannabe 45/70 double doesn't count. From what I can tell the Spartan double seems to be a urban myth.

check out Nitroexpress.com. tons of information on Doubles.

If you really want an investment than you don't want a new rifle.

Nobody gonna make the obvious comment about a cased Holland .375H&H for $3750? I looked at one Thursday and it was about 10 times that much.

quote:

Originally posted by Art S.:
Nobody gonna make the obvious comment about a cased Holland .375H&H for $3750? I looked at one Thursday and it was about 10 times that much.

Maybe $37500.

All it takes to get in to good double rifles is money.

If you are on a budget, you can't go wrong with a Merkel - you can get a big bore NE round for slightly more than $7000.00

But I'd go with a Searcy for slightly less than $10000.

Regardless of what folks tell you, if you are new to double rifles, and I'm sure you are if you passed up a H&H 375 double rifle for $3750, what you need is a "NEW" double rifle! Forget the investment bunk, and get something you want to shoot, and hunt with, that can be replaced if lost or damaged, and that has someone behind it if it goes bad. I believe you missread the price tag on that H&H double, more likely $37,500 is my guess!

The Merkels are well worth the price you will pay, but I don't think you will find a NEW one for the $7000 quoted above. The Safari Merkels have a MSR of $10,595. You can find them chambered for the 375H&H belted rimless,, or the rimless 416 Rigby for around $8,000, but the 470NE, and 500NE will cost you more, even used. You may as well learn, right off the bat, that a double rifle should be a S/S, and should be chambered for a rimmed cartridge, of fairly low pressure. These things are not the place to go looking for high velocity.

My reccomendation, to you, is to contact B.Searcy, and have one made to fit you. His PH model is a very nice rifle with all the bells and wistles for $9500, but hurry, that price is scheduled to go up shortly. You will need 1/2 down, and have about 7 months to gather the rest. That only gives you time to gather brass, bullets, dies, and a press large enough to load these NE cartridges. His rifle will be regulated for the load you want, within reason, so no ammature experamenting will be needed, simply load to the recipe given to you by Butch. Life will be much easier than trying to find a load that will fit the regulation,till you gain some experience with the care, and feeding of double rifles.

Entery level for a double rifle that is worth shooting is set at about $10,000 US!

Good luck, and welcome to the wacky world of, "The Double Rifle Shooter's Society" !

MacD:

Actually, the New Merkel .500 NE that I bought about a year ago was $7499.00 from Hendershot's in Hancock, Maryland.

It was listed on Gunsamerica and reduced by $500 when I called Lance.

There is a used Merkel in .470 on Gunsamerica right now for $7600.

quote:

Originally posted by 577NitroExpress:
MacD:

Actually, the New Merkel .500 NE that I bought about a year ago was $7499.00 from Hendershot's in Hancock, Maryland.

It was listed on Gunsamerica and reduced by $500 when I called Lance.

There is a used Merkel in .470 on Gunsamerica right now for $7600.

577, I don't know how hendershot's does that. He must have an inventory of rifles he bought a while back, is the only thing I can figure! Since you paid $7499 for your Safari 500NE, new, and there is now a USED 470NE Safari listed at $7600 tells me the prices are going up, and will go up for Hendershot as well, when he has to buy new stock.

I bought my Merkel 140.1E 9.3X74R new from CAPE OUTFITTERS about 5 yrs ago for $4695. That rifle, new,today, if you can find one, will set you back almost $8K, from the importer's. My 470NE Safari, cost me $7k used, but i got a reals deal on it because four and one half boxes of Federal ammo, a custom Merray sling, a Cape Buffalo soft case, the fitted factory case, and with a Kick-Ese pad already installed, along with the origenal box, and paper work from the factory, came with it. The rifle has made two safaris, taken two elephant, and two Buffalo, and is absoluteluy NEW. That is one hell of a deal considering one is listed, rifle only, for $7600 on GUNSAMERICA.

My preference would be a plain-jane, no frills, Joe Friday "Just the Facts Ma'am" gun.

In all my surfing and keyboard drooling I have yet to see one, but I am sure they are out there.

ZM

the buffalo gun center has a 470 merkel for 6600$ ready to ship

MacD:

When I saw the Merkel listing on GA, I called Hendershots and drove the three hours to check it out. When I saw it, I fell in love with the grain flow of the wood. I shouldered it with my eyes closed, opened them, and my sight picture was dead on.

I uttered sold next.

I don't think I could have gotten a better deal anywhere else.

I hunted with the DRSS this past April, and in Rusty's post of our adventure, you can see a photo of my Merkel.

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tp.../245103652#245103652

At the bottom of Rusty's post, there is a photo of all the doubles lined up.

Mine's the third from the left, to the left of jjs' .470 Merkel.

Yes, I do believe I got a deal of a life time.

For someone on a strict budget, I would recommend a Merkel. If you have some additional funds to play with, it's a Searcy all the way.

And Zeke, my Merkel is one plain jane - basic model - but I think it is a damn fine looking firearm.

Entry level-find a Chapuis 9.3X74R for 5.5 K. It will shoot unbelievably well. Don't go to a bigger bore unless you really have the experience. Doubles are an addiction. If you ever go in Harms way though you will understand exactly why they are worth so much. FWIW.-Rob

Zeke
If you are going to be mainly using the double in North America I agree with Robgunbuilder.
I have a Chapuis 9,3x74R [scoped]. It is my favorite hunting rifle under 40 cal. I can highly recommend it.
I have taken quite a bit of game here in the US and in Zimbabwe with it.
If you want a big bore double try and handle and/or shoot some different brands. Get the one you like the best.

There is the extenal hammered Pederazoli/Kodiak in either 9.3x74 or 45-70(several have rechambered to 450NE/450#2). Used 2k+, new 3k, or there abouts.

Yes, it is not in the same class as the above mentioned makers, but it is a soild double rifle. If you are just looking for a pig popper, this should fit the bill without breaking the bank.

Hog Killer


Hog Killer

They still have that .470NE at Buffalo Gun Center? It's been years! Buffalo, NY is very BLUE COLLAR, hardly double gun headquarters! The nearest "Metropolis" is Toronto, ON.