I'm looking to acquire a double for hunting here in Montana. I have a 500 NE, but its a bit much.. Im leaning toward either a 375 Flanged magnum or a 450-400 3". I know that Searcy is looked down upon by most, but I hear nothing but great things about his regulation and I like the price point beings that I am looking for a "working" rifle. Does anyone have any recommendations or possibly something for sale? Thanks

Champlin had a couple of Chapuis 450/400s recently.

Searcy is an icon in the double rifle business, and his guns shoot better than any other double for the most part..Ive owned more thana few of them and everyone of them shot great. My Searcy 470 won the US double gun championship and Butch talked me out of it and gave me a 450-400 that shot as well and was much prettier and more to my suiting. Also for elk etc I would give some tought to the 9.3x74, but to each his own..

I would like to find a used Searcy if possible to "get my feet wet". I was hoping that someone on here might have one and come forward willing to part with one. I'm not opposed to other brands, but for my intended purposes, I don't need a super fancy highly engraved piece of art, but rather a highly functional and accurate tool.
As far as the 9.3x74 goes, I'm sure its a great cartridge but it just doesn't do it for me for whatever reason.

If you find your double and need brass, PM me. I'm selling all of my double rifle stuff from 30+ years. .375 FL, 450-400 3 1/4, 9.3 x 74 I have lots of.

I have a Chapuis 375 FL. I highly recommend it. I great cartridge in an accurate rifle.

For the animals you are talking about the 9.3x74 will fit the bill to a T. Easier to find ammo and brass for in the current shortages world. If you are also going to consider the possible trip to africa where a buff or ele might be on the list then the 450/400 would be a better option.

Keep the 500 & buy a 30-06 maybe? I got the bigger caliber Dr’s as well but the 30-06 is just so convenient,mine shoot great with 200 grain ammo.

Unless the Montana topography has changed since I was lest there, the recommendation of Bill73 seems very practical.

quote:

Originally posted by crshelton:
Unless the Montana topography has changed since I was lest there, the recommendation of Bill73 seems very practical.

There isn't much "practicality" in having a double rifle for hunting in Montana, but they sure are cool and I would like to have one in the above mentioned cartridges.

quote:

Originally posted by RacinJason:
There isn't much "practicality" in having a double rifle for hunting in Montana, but they sure are cool and I would like to have one in the above mentioned cartridges.

True on the not practical. I used a double rifle drilling for a few years long ago, took an elk and antelope and all kinds of birds. Then got tired of watching all the out of range critters and went with a bolt action. But...screw practicality, I'm back in the game 20+ years later, just starting loading for an ancient 43 Mauser that will have pretty limited range and I don't care. Good on you, go with your heart and hope you find a Searcy or something similar in a cartridge that you want vs. what you "should" have. Can't go wrong with either one you listed.

Chapuis with a low power scope or red dot sight in 9,3x74R would also make a great choice. The scope/red dot would compensate for the high comb and make it more comfortable to shoot. Plenty of power for anything in North America.
I used mine for two moose in Alaska. With the right load anything under 250 yards would be in serious trouble. Plus these rifles are normally built on smaller actions so they are lighter, easier to carry, and cost less.

I have several double rifles, drillings, and combination rifle and shotgun side by side, and over under barreled combinations, and I find the side by side shot barrel, and rifle barrels to be the best for mixed bag hunting.
The walk about hunting in the states, Canada, in my opinion, is CAPE GUN with it's side by side shotgun and rifle barrels. A quick removed/reinstalled scope is a perfect companion for an American/Canadian hunter.
Don't get me wrong folks, I like them all, but for the walk-about gun give me the Cape gun with a 12ga or16ga shot barrel, and a 9.3/74 rifle barrel, and I'm happy!

Don't know much about Montana,


But where I hunt............



A Merkel 141 in 8x57 Rimmed

or



said model in 30-06 Springfield

are a ball to mess with!

Also picked up a CSMC RBL Professional which is a 20 ga. Sabot S X S





sweet one and it shoots!





just have not take the opportunity to blood it yet!

Nice very nice!!!

Well, I finally landed my Holy Grail in a 375 Flanged Mag!!

I have my Winchester 405 in a Griffin and Howe named, FRANCOTTE Belgium built double rifle. Perfect balance and shoots both Winchester and Hornady factory rounds very well. Great wood, and ejectors.

I paid $8500 for it about 10 years ago. It has a case, but not a factory case, secondary market.

PM me if you are interested. I will consider trades.

CheerZ,

The Francotte is an awesome rifle and as well made as the best and always a sleeper, because they are difficult to find, and only a few have actually ever used one..Find one? better buy it..

My Griffin and Howe imported Francotte 405 Winchester is available and a fine shooter!!
Teddy Roosevelt shot many Lion and Rhino with his 1895 Winchester... I have one of those too... and the reason mine is available... along with acquiring my dream 375FlMag!!
It shoots both the Winchester TR Commomorative ammo and Hornady. I Will include some new Kynoch Brass and Woodleigh bullets...

CheerZ,

Maybe too much gun, but I still have my Searcy Classic in 470, still unfired and as new.
I ordered it and shortly afterward had shoulder problems which precluded my shooting anything larger than 375. It's been in storage since I received it. A beautiful double that Butch used at one of the SCI events to show the quality of his best work.
Also have a goodly complement of loaded rounds, reloading brass and bullets.
PM me if interested.

Great regulation on the 20 gauge. Should be a good hunting rifle.

For Montana or this side of the big Pond, I gave up on my doubles when I retired and no intention of returning to Africa..

I opted for Ruger No. 1A fwt in 270 WCF, don't have baby those two damn barrels and much more accurate for the most part, and oh so much more practical, yet with a touch of nostalgia.. Easy to pack,, fits in a saddle scabbard, accurate, comes in many calibers, strongest action Ive ever played with by a bunch..

The grail gun for this would be one of the stainless steel doubles Searcy built.

He even set them up with a synthetic stock.

I have shot one and it was superbly regulated.

IIRC they were all 470 NE.