The Accurate Reloading Forums
Searcy Screw Grip Action Double Rifle
16 January 2014, 14:43
subsailor74Searcy Screw Grip Action Double Rifle
Butch Searcy has been building a new .375 Flanged Magnum double for me on a Webley screw grip action for some time now. He just got the action back from the engraver, so the rifle is in the final throws of construction. Butch said he will complete the rifle and have it in my hands within the next 2-3 weeks. I will post photos of the finished rifle when I have it in hand as well as range results. I think this one was worth waiting for.
16 January 2014, 15:36
RockdocThat looks like it is turning into a seriously nice rifle. Congratulations.
I am looking forward to seeing the result in a few weeks.
Any idea of the load that will be used to regulate it?
Best wishes, Chris
DRSS
16 January 2014, 15:53
RustyA beauty! Congratulations!
Rusty
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16 January 2014, 17:02
BlaserguyDo you have an idea of what the weight might be ?
Definitely a wonderful addition.
16 January 2014, 18:07
MJinesVery nice. I look forward to seeing the finished action. I am not that familiar with a screw grip, how would you describe the advantages and disadvantages of such an action?
Mike
16 January 2014, 18:26
BiebsDave, very nice!
16 January 2014, 19:17
BiebsMike, if you pay more than $20K for any DR action, it's called "Screw Grip" :-)
16 January 2014, 20:35
subsailor74To answer a few of the questions posted:
- the rifle will be regulated to shoot a 270 grain Barnes X triple shock over 63.0 grains of RL15 with poly wadding/ Fed 215 primer and Jamison brass.
- as best I remember, the rifle weighs 8 ½ pounds and has 26" barrels
- Someone more knowledgable than me, like MacD37, could probably tell you a whole lot more about the Webley screw grip action on which my rifle is based. I did a Google search for "Webley Screw Grip" and found out a little info - as I recall, it is regarded as one of the strongest boxlock actions ever made.
16 January 2014, 21:01
dpcdBeautiful work. The term "screw grip" should really have been called "cam grip", (has nothing to do with the stock grip either); It is when the opening lever cams the rib extension (which can be in doll's head form, or square like yours) downward. It is a very strong system since it combines the features of the standard Purdey under locking system with the doll's head type of barrel extension, AND has the camming action on that extension as well. Better than the Greener system in that Greener's does not cam the barrels downward. Now, are all these locks needed with modern steel? I know the answer but I won't say here. This will be a work of art, rifle.
17 January 2014, 00:05
D R HunterThe Engraving is very beautiful and I expect you
will enjoy looking at it nearly as much as
hunting it. I think this version is based on the
Webley A&WC action. (not the PHV-1)
D/R Hunter
Correct bullet placement, combined with the required depth of bullet penetration, results in an anchored animal...
17 January 2014, 00:36
subsailor74I copied the excerpt below from a "Gray's Sporting Journal" article that discussed this action:
The “screw-grip” refers to a rib extension that seats in the standing breech. An L-shaped extension slips under the spindle. As the gun is closed and the lever moves back into the locked position, the underside of the lever around the spindle acts as a cam on the extension and bolts it solidly in place.
17 January 2014, 02:06
Use Enough GunLooking nice admiral!

17 January 2014, 07:07
BlaserguyI have been seriously contemplating the 375 flanged in a DR but your choice in the 270 TSX in the 375 is what makes me interested.
I look forward to see the final product and excuse me for living vicariously through your experience.
You will have a wonderful rifle here
17 January 2014, 10:21
RockdocThank you for the load information Sir.
best wishes,
Chris
DRSS
17 January 2014, 10:31
Eland SlayerBeautiful engraving....I cannot wait to see the finished product.
17 January 2014, 12:00
RhodesAn 8 1/2 pound, 375 Flanged Magnum double rifle. Sounds like the "All round rifle" that Taylor once wrote about.
Very nice and looking forward to seeing this beauty finished.
17 January 2014, 14:08
ozhunterlooking great! Hope he builds it with an English type fore-end. Now that would be good to see.
17 January 2014, 16:25
HBHAdam
Love the shoulders on the forearm of a Delux Jeffery. I assume a Jeffery?
Have seen the same on some from Army Navy. Any Leonard markings on that rifle?
Didn't mean to side track thread.
That Searcy certainly will be a class rifle.
17 January 2014, 21:00
McKayDoes the table/bar on Butches action not look considerably shorter than a Webley Screw Grip? Not saying that is an issue I just thought I heard a year or so ago that he was going to produce an exact copy of a Webly Screw Grip.
Mac
18 January 2014, 20:31
D R HunterAm I correct that the SEARCY action is based on the
Webley A&WC action, not the PHV-1?
D/R Hunter
Correct bullet placement, combined with the required depth of bullet penetration, results in an anchored animal...
18 January 2014, 20:35
subsailor74quote:
Originally posted by D R Hunter:
Am I correct that the SEARCY action is based on the
Webley A&WC action, not the PHV-1?
no idea - you would have to ask Butch
18 January 2014, 20:42
D R HunterNot that one would "let you down" where the other would "pull you through".

D/R Hunter
Correct bullet placement, combined with the required depth of bullet penetration, results in an anchored animal...
18 January 2014, 20:49
pagosawingnutDave,
Thanks for posting pics of the sides as well. Very Nice.
19 January 2014, 07:12
McKayquote:
Originally posted by subsailor74:
quote:
Originally posted by D R Hunter:
Am I correct that the SEARCY action is based on the
Webley A&WC action, not the PHV-1?
no idea - you would have to ask Butch
A PHV-1 dollshead does not extend all the way to the takedown lever screw like a screw grip does.
Mac
19 January 2014, 08:23
FrostbitWebley A&WC action. 1902 Army Navy.
19 January 2014, 14:26
NorskYou previously wrote you had to sell your bradshaw double to fund a hunt. seing this thread males me wonder if the real reason was not disclosed. maybe it was the caliber, maybe the falling block mechanism, who knows? just very hard to believe waiting for years for a custom double, being really satisfied with it, then paying for a hunt with it at the same time as ordering a new custom double from a different maker...
19 January 2014, 14:58
BrettAKSCIquote:
Originally posted by ozhunter:
looking great! Hope he builds it with an English type fore-end. Now that would be good to see.
+1
Beavertail fore ends on double rifles are visually insulting.
I'm looking forward to seeing the end product. Who's doing the engraving?
Brett
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19 January 2014, 15:03
subsailor74quote:
Originally posted by Norsk:
You previously wrote you had to sell your bradshaw double to fund a hunt. seing this thread males me wonder if the real reason was not disclosed. maybe it was the caliber, maybe the falling block mechanism, who knows? just very hard to believe waiting for years for a custom double, being really satisfied with it, then paying for a hunt with it at the same time as ordering a new custom double from a different maker...
My reason for selling the Bradshaw was genuine. Butch Searcy built me a .500NE years go, and I traded that rifle back to him for this .375NE. In the end, I had to pay a bit extra for the engraving, but that is another story. The .375NE was supposed to be completed quite a while ago, but I think it will be worth the wait.
19 January 2014, 21:37
Frostbitquote:
Originally posted by ozhunter:
looking great! Hope he builds it with an English type fore-end.
Agreed!
19 January 2014, 21:59
Todd Williamsquote:
Originally posted by Frostbit:
quote:
Originally posted by ozhunter:
looking great! Hope he builds it with an English type fore-end.
Agreed!
+1
20 January 2014, 01:18
NorskI understand. Sorry.. Great looking 375 btw!!!
20 January 2014, 01:23
GrenadierMr. Searcy seems to be upping his game of late. Nice to see.
.
20 January 2014, 03:19
McKayquote:
Originally posted by Grenadier:
Mr. Searcy seems to be upping his game of late. Nice to see.
Go look at shootaway's newest rifle and you will want to edit your post.
Mac
20 January 2014, 03:26
shootawayquote:
Originally posted by McKay:
quote:
Originally posted by Grenadier:
Mr. Searcy seems to be upping his game of late. Nice to see.
Go look at shootaway's newest rifle and you will want to edit your post.
That is just you and surestrike-everyone else likes it-now explain that caca head.
20 January 2014, 03:35
cal pappasquote:
explain that caca head.
Both your maturity and use of the English language is improving steadily.
Cal
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20 January 2014, 04:36
subsailor74quote:
Originally posted by BrettAKSCI:
quote:
Originally posted by ozhunter:
looking great! Hope he builds it with an English type fore-end. Now that would be good to see.
+1
Beavertail fore ends on double rifles are visually insulting.
I'm looking forward to seeing the end product. Who's doing the engraving?
Brett
Ron Collings did the engraving. He has engraved my other three Searcy rifles as well, but they were nothing as grand as this .375 Flanged double.