I'm a newbe to the DG arena. I am interested in picking up a double in .470NE. Where would be some good places to pick one up in the states and what kind of money am I talking about? Any good used ones out there?

thanks for the help.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Z.:
I'm a newbe to the DG arena. I am interested in picking up a double in .470NE. Where would be some good places to pick one up in the states and what kind of money am I talking about? Any good used ones out there?

thanks for the help.

First let me welcome you to the wacky world of double rifles, it'll be a waild ride, because once you get the bug, you will be hooked for life!

Many think they want a 470NE, or a 500NE, and then find they only though they wanted a double that big. That said, the 470NE is the darling of the double rifle trade, and will caost you a couple thousand dollars more than many other chamberings of the same quality, and effectiveness.

The place to look is on the internet, for used ones, and I reccomend you buy a used one of the newly made rifles like the Merkel, Chapuis,in the $8K to $12k range, or the Heym in the $12K up market. Cabella's gun library, Champlin's are good places to look for quality used double rifles.

Till you find, for sure, you are going to be a double rifle man, I'd stay away from the older Britt rifle like H&H Westley Richards, and the like untill you gain a little experience, in what to look for in a used old double rifle. Even some people who have been around doubles for yrs, get hooked on engraving, and forget what really counts, the condition of the rifle, and if you don't know how to look, you may find a very expensive wall hanger in your gun safe!

Personally I would simply buy one of the new doubles chambered the way you want it, and use it. You can always sell it and buy something better after time. clean double rifle always apprecieate in value, so you will get your money back!

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Z.:

I am interested in picking up a double in .470NE.

Many calibers can do what 470 NE does.

What are you going to hunt and in what country?

Many feel that the 450/400 caliber is plenty for EVERYONE!

[unless the rifle is to be used for 3, 4, 5, 6 and more elephant/rhino,

in THAT case get a 500 NE or LARGER caliber!]

Have FUN shopping, I sure did! [I picked a 450/400]

Try to met up with guys to shoot some doubles, there's
no better way to learn more about them.

Jim:

Sound advice from Mac, I must say.

My first step into DRs was with a Merkel in .500 NE. It was a good starter rifle. Rather inexpensive (about $7500) for a big bore.

I shot it a lot, then we got a .577 NE.

After handling and appreciating older rifles, I wanted a pre-war Brit rifle, but they were getting harder to find.

I ended up selling the Merkel for more than what I paid for it and rolled the $$$ into a Francotte .470 made in 1927. You can see a photo of it below in my signature line.

I literally STOLE this rifle for the price I ended up paying for it as it is in EXCELLENT, ORIGINAL condition!

My $.02 is to look HARD at a Merkel as an entry level .470. You will probably be able to sell it later for at least what you paid for it, if not for a small profit.

Then look at the new Searcy's that are coming out or the Heyms if you are not interested in an older rifle.

Best of luck to you and your hunt for YOUR DR!

Jim Z.
Welcome to the forum.
Please re read what MacD37 posted it saves me from repeating the same thing…..
The 470 does have a slight advantage when you decide to sell/ it will be easier to sell. The other caliber that I would recommend is the 9.3X74R. Unless you are jumping into Dangerous game hunting right away this round is more versatile on North American big game and will kill the big 5.
Bill

well jim z,

your interest in double rifles qualifies you for membership in the drss - double rifle shooters society.

WELCOME !

YOU WILL NEVER GO WRONG WITH A 470. NEVER, REGARDLESS WHAT OTHERS SAY.

check out the used merkels at heymusa.com

chris sells from heym usually has some values there

cheers, tom ondrus

Ignore all that's been said so far about the 470, what you need vs what you want and what you'll use more. You're in a band of 45-70ers? Get the 470 and see the light.

Welcome!
If you buy a 450/400 3 inch you will use it more. Componets are cheaper as well as loaded ammo from Hornady. I don't know of anyone who owns a 450/400 3 inch who has regreted the purchase!

Welcome.

Merkels are great, but if you want a .470 for a few dollars more you can get a Chapuis and I think the Chapuis is a much nicer rifle. They are well made and extremely accurate. Charles Prince at Eurogun Imports usually has a few. I think the Chapuis is one of the best values going.

Good luck.

Thank you gentlemen for all the sound advice, it is exactly what I am looking for.

I am a neophite when it comes to double guns. I have many rifles of many calibers but doubles have always intrigued me. Now I start to do my homework. There is a lot of knowledge here, I think I will stick around awhile. Thanks

Jim

I went through the same exercise a few years back. For my first double, the first decision I made was to go with a newer make, since I had no clue what to look for or what to avoid in a vintage double.

The caliber I settled on was the 470. Lots of great calibers out there, but for my money the 470 had done it all and 500 grains at 2100 fps would dispatch just about anything on the planet with authority. Not to mention the resale value was better.

Then you get to the quagmire - trying to compare apples to apples. There are a lot of rifles out there in the same price range but with very different features. Some come with features that others price as upgrades or options. Keep that in mind when shopping.

Next, I looked at the various features and options and came up with my "must haves" and "nice to haves". The must haves were ejectors (can disable them if you want, but tough to add them to an extractor rifle), articulated front trigger (avoid the finger bite on the heavy recoil), and intercepting sears (to me anyway, an important safety feature. Also, a non automatic tang safety and an automatic cocking mechanism (some rifles require manual cocking even after breaking the barrels open).

Can't recall all the nice to haves, but cocking indicators were on the list. In low light, you can run your thumb up and tell whether the barrels are ready to go.

When all was said and done, I went with the Heym 88 Safari. They now have a PH model that is identical to the Safari without the engraving. It has, as standard features, intercepting sears, an articulated front trigger, tang non automatic safety, cocking indicators and ejectors.

The exchange rate these days with the Euro is thumping all of us, so you might want to look for a pre-owned double. New_guy, who runs the Heym USA deal, usually knows about just about every double that comes up for sale, and usually has quite a few used models listed on his web site.

Good luck. The guys here were of immense help in helping me through the process.

Attend the Beinfield Antique Arms and International Sporting Arms shows, held together at the Riviera Casino in January in Las Vegas. You'll see more double rifles there than any other one place. Most of the major dealers and makers exhibit there.

Jim

Try to handle and shoot as many doubles as you can.

I took a fella shooting doubles a couple of weeks ago when i waa in SLC..

He had always wanted a Kreighoff.

He shot a 470 Krieghoff, A 470 Chapuis, and a 375 H&H Blaser S 2.

After a couple of shots he knew right away he liked the Chapuis best.

It just fit him better.

He has since bought a 470 Chapuis.

His friend however perfered the Krieghoff.

It would be worth your time and money to go to eigher the Dallas Safari Show [Dallas Texas} or to SCI in Reno.

There you can at least handle several different doubles,new made and British.

Also arange to meet with members of the Double Rifle Shooters Society.