I kind of having a thing for quality Beretta firearms and I think I'm going to purchase a double rifle in the next 12 months. Does Beretta make a double rifle (SxS)?

I know almost nothing about double rifles, in general what does double rifles start at in price? I've looked online and $15K seems to be a popular number.

Oh yes they do. and if you can find one for less than 35,000 buy it. They are pricey.

Rich- Welcome to the forum!
You will likely find a wealth of knowledge here.

My experience in double rifles comes from owning a Heym (Germany) and a Searcy (Kalifornia). It's obvious to me that double rifles are hand made works of art. Thus, one thing to consider is that it is reasonable for you to expect to get what just you pay for.

Rich, Beretta makes the 455 sidelock SxS double rifle in several grades. The ones I've seen selling used have been between $35,000 and $55,000. They are exquisite and rare.

I'm sure the probably offer an O/U double rifle as well...they're quite popular in Europe. They would be available in smaller calibers, usually up to 9.3x74R, and much more reasonably priced.

$30K + is going to be more than I'm willing to spend on a SxS.

Any opinions on the Blaser SxS rifles? I know they make quality shotguns, is this the same as with their rifles?

The SXS are made by FAMARS for beretta. They are super nice rifles-- I think they are just built in the 7 pin H&H style sidelock--and 35K would be a steal on one.

I think they still make a O/U on there S0 platform too--or will if you have enough money!

Ed

Have an O/U in 9.3 x 74R, for 10 years +/- and love it. Easy to shoot, quick to shoulder, and fun!

Great gun
O

Rich, if you are already warmed up to a $15k price tag then take a look at Chapuis, Merkel, Krieghoff, Verney Carron, Searcy, and Heym, and perhaps in that price increase going from left to right depending on the model and grade you are looking at for new or fairly new guns. The Blaser is an option as well but I prefer the others a bit more.

I am impressed at what spanish companies like;

Aguirre y Aranzabal (AyA), Arrieta y Cia, Pedro Arrizabalaga, Armas Garbi, and Grulla Armas.

can deliver for the money.


http://www.williamlarkinmoore.com/index1.html ...

Worried about Spanish brand SxS quality?...

The respected Paul Roberts of Rigby, used a Spanish double gun maker[Arrizabalaga] and marked the rifles with both names.

The barrels themselves were not made by the spanish company, they came manufactured from Austria.

Steve Denny former director of E.J Churchill,Director of Holland&Holland shooting grounds, considers an Arrizabalaga game gun a "best" gun in every respect.

Arrizabalaga- Express Rifle ...

Grulla Arms- Express Rifle ...

quote:

Originally posted by Rich-:
I kind of having a thing for quality Beretta firearms and I think I'm going to purchase a double rifle in the next 12 months. Does Beretta make a double rifle (SxS)?

I know almost nothing about double rifles, in general what does double rifles start at in price? I've looked online and $15K seems to be a popular number.

You won't find a Beretta for that money. It's all what you want. If 15-25k is in your price range look for a vintage pre war English double in .450-400, .450, .450 #2, .500/450, .470, .475 #2, or .476. For craftsmanship and quality you won't be disappointed.....nor will you likely loose money if you have patience and buy it right.

Brett

Rich,
I have a Blaser S2 in .470 and am quite happy with it. The Blaser and the Krieghoff both use a cocking device instead of a safety. Not quite sure but think in the uncocked position, the sears are disconnected. The Safari models are also self regulating for windage by way of an adjustable block between the barrels. Elevation differences between the barrels has to be done by the Svc Dept of Blaser if it is off bad enough. They are accurate and dependable. There are some naysayers here on the board but there are also some that own, shoot and like them.

a friend of mine has a 416 Rigby in his double rifle.

Mike

Why not get a hold of Bailey Bradshaw and have him build you a double.

Regards,

carpediem

Rich
Beretta also produces double rifles on their 687 boxlock o/u frame.

I've never owned one, but they are attractive and well made rifles. Most of the ones that I have seen are in .30/06 or 9.3x74R.

As I recall,prices are in the $5000 to $7000 range.

I too have a Blaser S2 in 500-416 and so far I am pleased. The gun and fit are good. It handles well and shoots better than a lot of doubles that I have seen.

As mentioned above there are a few guys around that are purist and don't like the cocking mechanism on the S2 but I personally don't have a problem with it. I'll deal with the cocking and uncocking and take the extra $8000+ that I have left over and go kill something.

Rich,

If you are in the Dallas area, check out the Beretta Gallery. The sometimes have a couple of 455's you can fondle.

Keep your eye peeled for a Heym PH model. My (distant) second choice would be a Krieghoff. I like the safety on the Krieghoff but most don't. Searcy seems to offer a nice gun for the money. No experience with the Chapuis guns. Some of the guys here on AR really like the VC guns so that should be a consideration.

Rich, do a search on this forum for "Blaser". I have posted my experience and pictures of my S2 in 500NE. BTW Blaser seems to be a relatively new entry in the shotgun market. They do not seem to be players in the Skeet or Trap game but are perhaps better in the Sporting Clays game. I have a Blaser R93 with several magnum barrels.
Peter.

What am I looking at, in terms of price, to get into a double rifle? I don't really care for fancy engraving or upgraded wood. I don't need the most expensive SxS out there but I also don't want junk.

You ought to look on Gun Broker. Birdhunter has a nice Beretta 409 Silver Hawk that has been converted to .45-70. He has re-stocked it with a nice piece of wood.

Eric

quote:

Originally posted by Rich-:
What am I looking at, in terms of price, to get into a double rifle? I don't really care for fancy engraving or upgraded wood. I don't need the most expensive SxS out there but I also don't want junk.

.
Contact Dale Nygaard and have him order you a Chapuis UGEX in 9,3x74R for under $5,000 built to your length of pull.
Shoot it for awhile, kill a few critters with it and if you decide you want to move up to a larger caliber then just actively read this forum and learn more as you go as to which brand rifle might be the best choice for your next build.
If you decide doubles are not for you the Chapuis can easily be sold without losing your ass on the deal.

quote:

Originally posted by Rich-:
What am I looking at, in terms of price, to get into a double rifle? I don't really care for fancy engraving or upgraded wood. I don't need the most expensive SxS out there but I also don't want junk.

I have a new Merkel Model 140-2.1 in .470 NE for sale, this is the base model double rifle with minimal scroll engraving, case colored, and nice wood. Best price is $9400.

I also have a slightly used Merkel 140-2.2, highly engraved gun with nice wood in .416 Rigby. I've shot this gun and it is accurate and works flawlessly. It has been to Africa and has taken some of the big 5. Best price is $8200.

Hope this helps give you an idea for what the big bores will cost. For a smaller bore such as 9.3x74, 8x57R, .30-06, etc., there are guns available in the $5000-$8000 range.

If you're interested in any of the above let me know.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:

quote:

Originally posted by Rich-:
What am I looking at, in terms of price, to get into a double rifle? I don't really care for fancy engraving or upgraded wood. I don't need the most expensive SxS out there but I also don't want junk.

.
Contact Dale Nygaard and have him order you a Chapuis UGEX in 9,3x74R for under $5,000 built to your length of pull.
Shoot it for awhile, kill a few critters with it and if you decide you want to move up to a larger caliber then just actively read this forum and learn more as you go as to which brand rifle might be the best choice for your next build.
If you decide doubles are not for you the Chapuis can easily be sold without losing your ass on the deal.

How do I contact Dale Nygaard? I am a fan of double barreled guns, 95% of the shooting I do is behind the trigger of a Beretta O/U so I'm quite sure I will fall in love with a SxS rifle.

He can be reached thru this web site:
http://www.heirloomarmes.com/chapuis_pop.htm

The UGEX is a great little SxS rifle complete with ejectors as well. They only take about 4-5 months to be built. Quite a few people on here own them including myself (own two).
IMO it makes sense to spend $5K to see if they are for you instead of jumping in with both feet.

Good luck with whatever you decide. If you are recoil sensitive ask about adding the optional recoil pad on the rifle. Tell Dale Randy from Alaska sent you

quote:

Originally posted by carpediem4570:
Why not get a hold of Bailey Bradshaw and have him build you a double.

Regards,

carpediem

If you want a caliber larger than 9.3x74R I can't site a better deal than B. Bradshaw-
Texas Made Link: http://www.bradshawgunandrifle..._Double_Rifle_1B.php
{and 9.3x74R and smaller calibered rifles are very well priced as well, all BB D/Rs are SxS}

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
He can be reached thru this web site:
http://www.heirloomarmes.com/chapuis_pop.htm

The UGEX is a great little SxS rifle complete with ejectors as well. They only take about 4-5 months to be built. Quite a few people on here own them including myself (own two).
IMO it makes sense to spend $5K to see if they are for you instead of jumping in with both feet.

Good luck with whatever you decide. If you are recoil sensitive ask about adding the optional recoil pad on the rifle. Tell Dale Randy from Alaska sent you

I see $7500 for the cheapest ones on his site. Does he offer them for less than "retail"?

I really think I want something in 470.

quote:

Originally posted by Brett Adam Barringer:

You won't find a Beretta for that money. It's all what you want. If 15-25k is in your price range look for a vintage pre war English double in .450-400, .450, .450 #2, .500/450, .470, .475 #2, or .476. For craftsmanship and quality you won't be disappointed.....nor will you likely loose money if you have patience and buy it right.

Brett

Brett, I don't think anyone who knew so little about double rifles that he thought he could buy a Beretta double rifle for 15K, would be qualified to know what he was getting in a ventage English double rifle. There is a lot of pimped up junk out there that would take an expert to spot.

In my opinion anyone new to double rifles should either buy NEW or at least have someone help him verify the quality of what he buys.

With only 15K to spend he will be lucky to get a decent used newly built double rifle!

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

quote:

Originally posted by Rich-:

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
He can be reached thru this web site:
http://www.heirloomarmes.com/chapuis_pop.htm

The UGEX is a great little SxS rifle complete with ejectors as well. They only take about 4-5 months to be built. Quite a few people on here own them including myself (own two).
IMO it makes sense to spend $5K to see if they are for you instead of jumping in with both feet.

Good luck with whatever you decide. If you are recoil sensitive ask about adding the optional recoil pad on the rifle. Tell Dale Randy from Alaska sent you

I see $7500 for the cheapest ones on his site. Does he offer them for less than "retail"?

I really think I want something in 470.

Bascially once you jump above the 9,3x74R you enter into another price level. Pretty much any double in 450/400, 450 NE, 470 NE, or 500 NE are all on the same price structure. You are not going to find a nice double in any of these calibers for under $7,000 used unless you find a widow selling one that has no idea what it is worth, and even that is highly unlikely. If you don't mind waiting make a trip to the SCI convention which is usally held in Jan or Feb. There you can see most all the major makers and be fitted for the stock if you choose to purchase.

The UGEX is built on a smaller frame and has 23.5 inch long barrels.

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:
Brett, I don't think anyone who knew so little about double rifles......would be qualified to know what he was getting in a ventage English double rifle.

With only 15K to spend he will be lucky to get a decent used newly built double rifle!

I would hope anyone buying any double for the fist time would A. first try a few out and B. get expert help when buying used.

I've seen some 450/400s and 450-475 class vintage English guns for the 13-20k ball park. It helps to cut out the middle man and buy third party if possible.

Brett