I am mired deep in a dilemma over which one of these two fine rifles is the better assuming there is a noticeable difference. Would love to have a sidelock but I think Rigby's start at $43K while Searcy's start at $28.
Would appreciate a little input from the balcony please. I'm thinking about either a .470NE or .450 3 1/4 NE. Of course I've also thrown a .475 Turnbull into the decision just to help murky the pot. Not too concerned about ammo costs since I will reload and will likely shoot or certainly plink with reduced loads. Most of the around 800-1000 rds./ yr. I plan to shoot will be at paper and hopefully maybe a deer of two.

Well sir, all I can say tell you is my preference, and that is nothing you can take to the bank to draw cash. My preference would be the Searcy in a heartbeat, no question!

If you get it in .475 Turnbull, you better like it alot cause you will have a hell of a time selling it down the road.

Slim, Get the Searcy. Even a sidelock Searcy would cost less that a new Paso Robles Rigby boxlock built on the Merkel action. Even better, pick up a used Searcy in a standard caliber and shoot it for awhile. It'll take several doubles for you to develop your own personal preferences for action, caliber, maker, barrel length, etc. Tom O (Onderus?)has some reconditioned Searcy 470s for $9K....Biebs

Better options than both around, just look!

Ed

Which Rigby are we taking about? My understanding is that the London Rigby will have balance and handling much like the "original" English doubles. I anxiously await seeing one! I believe it would be worth the money.
Peter.

If your talking about the new Rigby's that are being made in the UK no brainer IMO, the Rigby.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
Tom O (Onderus?)has some reconditioned Searcy 470s for $9K....Biebs

How do you get in contact with Tom. He used to come into our shop then kinda disappeared after a divorce.

Tom

Sarge, Tom just got remarried in Africa a couple months ago. But recently he had surgery that went badly, and he now does dialysis a few times a week. He advertises his wares on Guns International. If you go under Merkels, you'll find listings under Tom O.

For the kind of money you're talking about, neither (assuming you're referring to US Rigby). The new British Rigby is an unknown as of yet, but might turn out well. The US Rigby is far from "fine".

There are better options in DRs for that kind of money, beginning with pre-war British.
----------------------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

http://www.heymusa.com/88_B_SL.htm offers a 470 NE sidelock worth looking at if you

insist on spending the money. A good old fashioned English made best boxlock can be built

by www.ttproctor.com for a bit over 40K US. It will have a beautiful scalloped back and balance

like a dream.