Now there are 2 New Made Doubles avialable in 450/400 3"
Butch Searcy's new Classic is his finest Double yet IMHO. Anyone thinking about a Searcy should give it and the 450/400 a hard look.
The color case hardening looks very good.

However there is another new 450/400 3" avialable.
Evolution USA of Whit Bird Idaho is having the Chapuis custom shop make their double rifle in 450/400 3". The rifle is made on the Chapuis "375H&H frame, so it is much slinner than the Chgapuis 470. It is one slick little rifle The one at the shpow was scoped and it was neat. It comes with 24" bbls.
Price in 10K and dilivery is about 6 months.

Gentlemen I consider this Great News. Now there are TWO NEW double rifles being made in 400 Jeffery. Both of these rifles are smaller, slimmer than the 470 sized guns, with less recoil and great performance and utility, not only for buff and elephant but for other big game as well.
I think other companies will follow suit.
After all the more companies that make slim and trim 450/400's the better chance of you finding the rifle that fits you the best.

I recommend that if you are in the market for a new made double rifle check out these 2 choices.

I took a look at Evolution's website, they seem to have attractive prices for their doubles. Has anyone here had any experience with their product? It appears that they are making some themselves?

The ones they show on the website are Chapuis Rifles.
I have a 9,3x74R Chapuis and like it very much.
I really liked thier 450/400 3".

I also looked at the Chapuis. Just for me I like 26" barrels and that makes the Searcy the only choice for a NIB 450/400 3 inch.

I like 26" bbls better myself... But the Chapuis 400 is the slimmest, sleekest 400 I have ever handled. It felt OK even with 24 inch tubes.
But on a British gun or a Searcy I would go with 26" for sure.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
I also looked at the Chapuis. Just for me I like 26" barrels and that makes the Searcy the only choice for a NIB 450/400 3 inch.

Rusty these rifles are delivered to Evolution in the white, and not regulated or stocked. The final fitting, stocking,regulateing, and finishing is done by Evolution, in White Bird, Idaho.

They are chambered for 375 H&H, 416 Rigby,and 450/400NE 3". for $10K delivered, for the one they had on display, fitted with scope rings, and bases. I handeled the one at their booth,with Tony and the workmanship is flawless! There are three grades!

Their Phone number is:
208-983-9208, their FAX no is 208-983-0944 Their web-site is: www.evo-rifles.com

MAN! TALK ABOUT A BLAST FROM THE PAST!
JAN 1ST 2006 ??????????????????????????????????

Got me excited that something new was on the horizon - until I saw the date on the original post

It makes me wonder how many they've built in the last 5 years! It's not a common brand that is seen.

Butch is still delivering magnificent doubles

Evolution has a website and claims to be still making double rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldsarge:
Evolution has a website and claims to be still making double rifles.

Sarge I talked to the guy at the Evolutions booth atthe Dallas Safari Club show this year, and they had one of their rifles to handle. It came up nicely, and fit me well. I'd say their work is top of the line, at least in handleing, and fit and finsh. I have zero info on how they shoot however! A damn nice rifle in the $10K price range if in fact they do shoot well!

I've lingered at their booth for the last 3 years at the Reno SCI show. This year they had their Zimbabwe PH double in 450/400 for $7.7K if I recall correctly. I liked it and have not yet ruled it, or their others, out for my first double rifle purchase (but Searcys field grade and the V-C are the top contenders for me at the moment). I'd include photo here if I could figure out how to do it (or if one of you could tell me how to).

I have one of their rifles in 9.3X74R. It's a nice rifle. If I were going to buy a NIB 450/400 3 inch. It would be a Searcy, Heym, or V-C.

quote:

I have one of their rifles in 9.3X74R. It's a nice rifle. If I were going to buy a NIB 450/400 3 inch. It would be a Searcy, Heym, or V-C.

Rusty, not exactly an enthusiastic endorsement! Care to expand?
Peter

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
I have one of their rifles in 9.3X74R. It's a nice rifle. If I were going to buy a NIB 450/400 3 inch. It would be a Searcy, Heym, or V-C.

Rusty

I notice that you don't have Merkel in the list.

Any particular reason ?

.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
I have one of their rifles in 9.3X74R. It's a nice rifle. If I were going to buy a NIB 450/400 3 inch. It would be a Searcy, Heym, or V-C.

I really like Butch's new PH color cased/gold name gun--for the money. Nice looking!

Ed

quote:

Originally posted by 500N:

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
I have one of their rifles in 9.3X74R. It's a nice rifle. If I were going to buy a NIB 450/400 3 inch. It would be a Searcy, Heym, or V-C.

Rusty

I notice that you don't have Merkel in the list.

Any particular reason ?

.

.......................

500N, Rusty got a bad taste in his mouth for Merkel when he fired an early Merkel 140-2 chambered for 500NE and got a real kick out of the experience!(Punn intended). The only Merkels that are in the 450/400NE range of recoil are the newer ones that are now Mono-Block rifles chambered for the 450/400NE. The older shoelump Merkels in the safari class are only chambered for two proper NE rounds, the 470NE and 500NE, neither of which Rusty cares forthe recoil of! Besides he like 26" barrels, and Merkel doesn't make them in any chambering.
................................

Mac,
If we both go to hording Merkels the market for the rifles will go out of sight!

To tell ya the truth there is nothing wrong with Merkels. I just haven't handled that many of them.

Peter I think the rifle is too light. My 9.3 is a hard kicking little darling. I'd hate to think what it would do in 450/400.

A lot of time has gone buy since I made that first post.

In todays world the best new made 450/400, IMHO is the Heym. Scoped of course.

Played with the PH rifle from Evolution a bit. edd Worslum has been bringing the original one (in .400 Tembo) to Zim for the last 5 years at least.

It is backed by a lifetime waranty and for US customers who can easily return it if there should be a problem...it is a nice handling rifle at a good price.