I spent a few hours in Champlin's vault today and held some very nice doubles. My favorite was a 1904 H&H in 500/450. It is listed on theis web site. I see why the H&H rifles are worth so much...it was beautiful. It was a leftie, so it fit me perfect. lots of engraving, cocking indicators, pop-up high-vis sight in front of the front sight (don't know the proper term).
Held a Thyes...way cool.
I also handled a very nice Heym 470NE. I see now why NEW GUY is so proud of their rifles. These guns are built like a bank vault. The cross bolt is fit so perfectly...amazing workmanship, fit/finish...They appear to be worth the extra few grand over the Chapuis...I handled several of those too.
George doesn't seem to be much of a fan of the Merkels or Searcys....didn't say why...maybe just because they don't handle them.
As some of you have seen, I am in the market for a reasonable DR that a leftie can shoot. I don't think I can swing the Heym yet. But should be able to get a Searcy/Chapuis/Merkel in a couple of weeks.
Opinions welcome...

NitroDave

Champlins has a new production Mauser 98 in 416 Rigby- did you happen to see it? Any impressions re the fit and finish and balance? I know you were looking at doubles but maybe you eye wandered....

404,
I didn't look at any bolt guns today. But I have a Champlin Arms custom on a LH Champlin action in .338 Win. I use it every year as my primary deer rifle. I would give up my left nut before giving up this rifle.
ND

I know what you mean about H&H doubles. I have been to their showrooms in London a numerous times and played with quite a few. They are certainly very special.

For the time being I'll just dream on....

quote:

Originally posted by 404WJJeffery:
NitroDave

Champlins has a new production Mauser 98 in 416 Rigby- did you happen to see it? Any impressions re the fit and finish and balance? I know you were looking at doubles but maybe you eye wandered....

Is it the 100 year model you are looking at ? I have one of those in 416 Rigby - and i must say i like it alot, its number 92 of 100. You probably can get it cheaper then that though.
I bought mine for 4000 USD NEW ! It had been in a gun vault here in Sweden for 8 years. So i just offerd them 4000 = SOLD.
A great rifle, it is little bit light so it kicks but very nice to carry !
Just look at it - very slim. This rifle is not pregnant as you often see other rifles is.





AD

NitroDave- thanks for the reply!

csxcs

Don't want to hijack the thread...thanks for the photos- your rifle is beautiful and you got a fantastic deal - the rifle I m looking at is a new production, but not one of those x of 100 models. Your rifle looks pretty much identical to the new ones. I am not certain, but I think Mauser made their x of 100 series, then decided they would make a bunch more for sale. Here is a link to the Champlin rifle.

416 New Production Mauser

BTW I too handled one of the x of 100 models, this one in 9.3x74, in a shop in Windhoek, which was for sale for about $10,000...so you got a nice deal!

The one model i have is only made in 375 and 416 Rigby.
Look at the link:
http://www.mauserwaffen.de/1998.184.0.html?&L=1

Anyway its a nice weapon IMO - I cant say a bad thing about it.

AD

H&H's always look nice, but I'm a Westley Richards fan, if I had the smack today, I'd order a pair of droplocks in 476NE and 577NE. The 476 at 10lbs with 24in barrels, and the 577NE at 12lbs and 24in barrels! Each with Westley's pat. front sight, and strap over the comb as options!

Ed

Nitrodave,

You have a PM...

I posted a picture of my Pedersoli Kodiak 45-70 in the classifieds. This gun is pristine!

Years ago our Oklahoma city chapter SCI went on a tour at Champlins , What an experience ! spending time in “ The Vault “ so many doubles .

Id been telling them some day ,my dream was to hunt elephant with a 470 NE.

At the end of the day when we were all leaving , he says to me “ lets go shoot it” I said “ shoot what ? , The 470 , how will you know if that’s The gun
Unless you shoot one first !!! he grabs one out of the vault ( turns out to be one in the $60K range) and we go out back and I get to run 2 rounds out of her.
WOW what a feeling! I pulled the brass and ask how much I owed , because I wasn’t giving back the brass, he just smiled and said no charge.

The two empty rounds are still on the mantle, and no they are not covered in dust, their handled way to much for that.

Thanks again George for the experience that has lasted over 10 years and still going strong .
( time to go fondle my brass)

That is one heck of a nice magazine rifle!

Curiously though, I wonder why Mauser has not decided to use the superior Model 70 3-position saftey given modern man's proclivities to use optics.

Any thoughts from the gallery?

JW

Nitrodave,

Did you get a look at the H&H 1952 model 500-465 NE that George just brought in?

Thoughts?

JW

Jeff,
It was not there yet 2 weeks ago. I did cuddle with the LH H&H 500-450 and the LH Thys 470 & 375 flanged set...NICE!!! My friend just purchased an early 30's "Manton" or "Matton" 470NE from them today. He is going tomorrow morning to pick it up, and I told him to check out the 500-465 H&H...horn trigger guard...built for a maharaja. George has it listed for $79,500...I'll bet its sweet!!!
I will post his findings.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Wemmer:
That is one heck of a nice magazine rifle!

Curiously though, I wonder why Mauser has not decided to use the superior Model 70 3-position saftey given modern man's proclivities to use optics.

Any thoughts from the gallery?

JW

Jeff and 404,

I have one of the Mauser Magnum M98's in 416 Rigby. Got it from the Blaser rep in NC. Outstanding rifle in every way.

The reason they did not go with the Model 70 safety is that this was to be a true Mauser in every way. Fair enough, and there are solutions.

I sent mine up to NECG and they CNC' ed the scope mount into the double square bridge and replaced the safety with the Win. NOW it's just right...

Since this thread has been hijacked to Mauser rifles. Here is the real deal. A 404 Oberndorf Mauser Type A original in 404 Jeffery

quote:

reddy375: Since this thread has been hijacked to Mauser rifles. Here is the real deal. A 404 Oberndorf Mauser Type A

Yes, the actions on the new "Mausers" are made by Prechtl. And they can be ordered with M70 safeties, among other things.



Their website is PRECHTL

Nitrodave:

Now that you have looked at the rest, take a look at the best. Go to eurooptic.com and take a look at a Blaser S2. You can pick up a Luxus .500/.416, .470, or a .500 for $8500 and you will have the safest, strongest, most accurate double you can buy.

Dave

Dave Bush,
I just sent the check today for a beautiful left hand Searcy 470NE PH model. (I am so excited that I can't sleep at night) I have not heard any issues with the Searcy rifles here, and this one is quoted to be very accurate. This gun also has beautiful wood, nice engraving, leather recoil pad, and fits a lefty like me.
Thanks anyway, ND

MacD37...any thoughts???

Certainly nothing wrong with the Searcy rifles. I have 2 and like shooting both of them. Fine rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Nitrodave:

Now that you have looked at the rest, take a look at the best. Go to eurooptic.com and take a look at a Blaser S2. You can pick up a Luxus .500/.416, .470, or a .500 for $8500 and you will have the safest, strongest, most accurate double you can buy.

Dave

I concur that the S2 is the safest double - for game. The time it takes to ready the shot allows the game to vacate the area for another zip code. Four out of 5 cape buffalo endorse it!

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Manion:

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Nitrodave:

Now that you have looked at the rest, take a look at the best. Go to eurooptic.com and take a look at a Blaser S2. You can pick up a Luxus .500/.416, .470, or a .500 for $8500 and you will have the safest, strongest, most accurate double you can buy.

Dave

I concur that the S2 is the safest double - for game. The time it takes to ready the shot allows the game to vacate the area for another zip code. Four out of 5 cape buffalo endorse it!

Now Jim, that was just cold man! Blasers rule!

csxcs, Love the rifle and the room the pictures were taken in. Fitting for room for that rifle.