Well, my Searcy Classic .450/.400 is gone forever to the arms of another. It served me well, even though it only made one trip to the Promised Land. Bunches of pigs, one deer, a buffalo, a wart hog and lots of bullseyes fell to its roar, but I sold it. Woe is me.

Like Nestor Patou in Irma la Douce, I first rationalized that some pleasures need to be shared, so when someone wanted it more than I, the Searcy went to another lover... But, as Nestor learned, the heart is a funny thing and shared love isn't always good...

So, I've got a Searcy Classic in .450 N.E. coming in mid-summer. It is an addiction, pure and simple.

Hello, I'm Ernest Gilbert and I'm a gun whore. Butch Searcy is my gun pimp.

Ernest,

No hope, my friend. Only alternative way to approach the thing is decide that you'll keep what you buy. Is frustrating at times as it limits numbers of DRs owned over a lifetime ... but assures you have a basic set of your very own in the safe.

Good luck with which ever path you take in handling the addiction. Just be certain that there is no cure.

Hello, I'm Rusty Knight! Ray Atkinson and Ernest Gilbert are my idols!

Tell your pimp he better not be allowing others to cut in line! I know where he lives...

Hi I too am Ernest and I'm a gun slut pure and simple. Oh it started like usual with a 22. I thought I could control it but when the milk money went for that greener 577 I knew there was no hope. Even as I await the arrival of my Searcy 450/400 I'm casting about obsessing about a Merkel. Surely a trip to the poor house awaits.

quote:

Originally posted by ROSCOE:
Tell your pimp he better not be allowing others to cut in line! I know where he lives...

Roscoe:

I'm not cutting in line. I've had another .470 ordered for some time now, but just changed the caliber to .450 N.E. when Hornady came out with the cartridge. I think I've continously had a Searcy on order since 1942 or something like that.

What are you awaiting? I'm sure you'll be happy with anything my pimp offers.

Double rifle addiction counselling is usually provided by your banker. Fortunately double rifles are expensive enough that it's not possible for one or two guys to hoard them all.

Judge,
Butch told me he always has a rifle in que for you….being the good pimp he is, he can recognize an addict. I am awaiting a Classic in 470NE. I too have been considering the switch to 450NE however since I have extensive components from my previous 470’s I think my choice will not change….but I am very tempted. I made a trip out to Sturgis last month to visit the crew and get fitted by the stock maker. I was very impressed with all the improvements Butch is making on his new rifles. Continuous evolution and all for the better IMO.

I believe we need to name this new affliction:

Atkinson's Disease

Roscoe,

Do yourself a favor, get the 450NE. My favorite double is my 500/450. Great selection of different bullets and not everyone has one.

You won't regret it.

Judge, I purchased a brand new (and unfired) Searcy Classic in 450 NE from johnair here on the forum. It has the upgrade on the wood and fits me perfectly. It is a very sweet rifle and I got 200 rounds of Hornady factory ammo with it. The factory stuff is running a touch slower than Butch's regulation load of 96 gr of IMR 4831 and doesn't regulate exactly...but close. I'm quite sure you'll be very happy with the new iron.
....and yes...I too can be considered a gun whore...although I prefer slut....sounds more devious.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

Double rifle addiction counselors can be found in every phone book. Look under A for accountant, F for financial advisor, B for bankruptcy attorneys and don't forget D for divorce attorneys. You will find many listings.

JPK

You Guys are are my heros!

JPK, they can certainly cause a variety of problems, but... in the end they are worth it!!

quote:

Originally posted by bigdoggy700:
JPK, they can certainly cause a variety of problems, but... in the end they are worth it!!

You're preaching to the choir!

JPK

Ernest, You are a hopeless romantic...

Mike

Ernest: I still need a .450, so when you decide to part with the new .450, & I find my ass that I've lost in the market in the past few weeks (if I ever get it back), I'll take it off your hands. So, be gentle with it ........

Damn you Beller. You are just rubbing in that I sold you the most accurate double rifle ever... and the best pointing, best trigger pull, most joy to shoot... etc.

But, even though your got it for peanuts in a moment of weakness on my part... I'll never forget the Zebra, warthogs, kudu, wildebeests, waterbucks, impalas and kongoni I killed with that little Cogswell and Harrison .375 rimmed 2.5" sweetheart.

And don't forget, I get it in your will.

Ernest is correct in everything he says about the little Coggie ...... & to top it all off, I feel like I darn near stole it from him. So, if I go to my great reward before you, you're welcome to do your best to get it back from Joyce using any tactics you desire ...... I'd never know about it then anyway. So, good luck ..... you have my blessing.

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:
Double rifle addiction counselors can be found in every phone book. Look under A for accountant, F for financial advisor, B for bankruptcy attorneys and don't forget D for divorce attorneys. You will find many listings.

JPK

Na....real counseling is a call to McKay brown regarding a round actioned 360 No2.
I think they will listen ..
..from there on everything is just details

I fell off the wagon this morning. Went into the gun safe to get a .270 Winchester and "touched the hem" of my 9.3x74 double. It called to me. I followed.

I took it out, threw it up to my shoulder and decided that the stand I had chosen for today was too exposed. I cased the double and went to an oak hammock where palmettos and wax myrtles restrict visibility to only 50 yards or so.

I didn't climb up into anything. I just cleared the leaves from the base of a 300 year old live oak and sat in the natural chair of the roots and the trunk. Gently carressing the slick little Merkel, I promptly went to sleep to awake to the chattering of squirrels above me. I was just light enough to shoot.

A little button buck danced into the clearing, only about 15 yards in front of me. I didn't know what had him so frisky, but he continued to paw the ground for a moment or two, then race away through the palmettos, only to return at break-neck speed, skidding to a stop right before me. He'd paw again, stand on his hind legs, box some, and fly away pell mell.

After about five times, I realized that it wasn't the same deer each time. There were two of them. One had a small bald patch on his back where I assume he had been going under a fence somewhere.

Finally, both of the tiny bucks came towards me at the same time. They were shoulder to shoulder and really getting it on. As if on signal, one sprung straight up and the other ducked right under him. They stopped after that, apparently somewhat in awe of themselves. The almost looked embarassed.

They then ate the last of the few acorns still on the ground and wandered off in to the thick bush.

This morning, I never even raised my double towards an animal. I never even thought I might have a shot. I never even saw a horn or a shootable doe. But my little Merkel knew that I didn't need to be in a box stand, looking for deer 200 yards away.

Awesome moment! Thanks for sharing it with us!

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Double rifle addiction counselling is usually provided by your banker. Fortunately double rifles are expensive enough that it's not possible for one or two guys to hoard them all.

Let us pray that the new dynamic duo soon to occupy the White House don't wish to try acquiring all of them. They are repeaters you know!

Now as to the original post, a double rifle is the only material item I have ever craved more than the sins of the flesh. Yes I satisfied that urge!

Judge, sounds like a very special day. I hope that by 4 o'clock the warming balms of joy reach your heart for sharing such a wonderful story.

Damn, Judge, you're a fine storyteller ........ you missed your calling.

+!

A fine story teller indeed!!!

I have been shooting and collecting big bores for over 25 years. I just started with doubles a few years ago and I confess that my collection has gotten much smaller, but much much better. Doubles are a serious and agressive disease. I am sure now that there is no real known cure for it. You can only ease the pain with another double, and that only lasts till you see another one.