Looking for a left handed double rifle, ideally with ejectors unless experienced folk advise against it.

Use: mostly just for Cape Buff and maybe cow ele.I was thinking .450/400 NE but see so few used chambered in that cartridge. Most used are in 470 NE or 500 NE. Is that because their recoil is much harder?

Brands that I am looking at are Kriegoff, Verney Carron, Heym. I don't know pros/cons of each enough to tell.Pros/Cons buying used? I see some selling for $10k to $14.5k+ but don't know what's good value because much depends on condition. If buying used, is there a specialty double rifle maker/gunsmith you would send it to for review?

Thank you!

Personally I would consider the 450 3 1/4 to be very close to perfect. Large bullet selection, lower gun weight, and adequate power. The bigger calibers are necessarily heavier and more expensive component wise. The smaller Cals are easier to shoot but are not in quite to power range as the 450. Just my two cents. Good luck in your search

are you in Canada, or the U.S.?

The U.S, but I can easily purchase a firearm in Canada and export it to myself if needed. Why?

I looked at all of the new ones - except the super high-end English makes, as the prices for them are astronomical.

I went with the Heym 89B. It is more expensive than its competition, but when you compare its features to theirs, and handle them, the 89B comes out way ahead.

Concerning caliber, as far as I am concerned, for a dangerous game double, the only caliber is .470.

My reasons are that well-made, reliable and less expensive (note that I did not say inexpensive!) ammunition and components are in abundant supply.

Plus, the .470 is plenty powerful enough for anything on earth.

Thank you Michael. I just read an article from Craig Boddington that included mentions of the .470 NE and when including Ele, makes a lot of sense.

Much appreciate it.

My pleasure.

Chris Sells once posted here about several different makes of double rifles, the features they included, how they were made, and how all of that affected their price points.

I found it quite informative and helpful.

I am going to look for it and will start a new thread with it if I can find it.

Or maybe Chris can re-post it if he sees this.

Like most things, it's all about getting the most bang for the buck.

I like the look of the 89B, but have never handled one. Look to be great for the price.

I might have to travel to DSC or SCI this year just to get a better feel for one. Thank you.

The first question I would ask in your search for a Left handed Double do you currently shoot break action shotguns If so do they have a right handed top lever or are they truly left handed with a left handed top lever.. I shoot left handed All of my shotguns have right handed top levers so when I invested in a Double Rifle I bought a right handed double had the stock bent removed the cheek piece and straighten the triggers

I am a fan of the .500 cal rifles. They really flatten buffalo if a good bullet is used. ( maximum loads are not needed with a .500.)
I would checkout a used Krieghoff in .500 NE. Looks like it has a nice straight stock configuration for mitigating the recoil. Also, I would find a load that is midway (not Max) to take the sharp edge off of the recoil. I don't use a double, just single shot big bores.
The four things that help me with the recoil are a straight butt stock, a moderate/medium load, a Limbsaver Nitro recoil pad and holding/pulling the rifle back tight to my shoulder until the bullet has hit the buffalo. Good hunting, Brian

The problem with double rifles, Brian, is a certain load might be needed to make the barrels shoot together. Using a bullet three-quarters the usual weight with the same powder load might regulate but otherwise we have to stay with what it was set up with or an equivalent handload.

Thank you again. I just got in touch with Chris at Heym. Very knowledgeable gentleman. He gave me some homework. I will let you know how things are shaping up in the next few weeks once I get my hands on a few.

I am looking for a Left Handed Heym 89B. Posted in classifieds. Any DG chambering.

I would purchase new but an opportunity came up for a 2025 hunt and I think best to purchase a slightly used one given the 18-24 month current lead time. I do have a great Simillion 416 Rem mag and 375 h&h Safari Express as back up options. Thank you!

I loved the 450-400-3" and never felt the need for more, but the 470 is never a wrong choice, nor is the 450-3.25..take your pick..470 is probably the easiest to maintain during these times of shortages.

For a hunting rifle, a new rifle such as a Searcy makes sense from a damage or theft standpoint. An English gun is best for a collector or a good insurance policy to replace it, but in some cases, replacement is never a happy option..English guns are more costly in most cases, and usually are a better investment if protected/maintained carefully.

Bottom line is up to the individual..