Wonder if you kind folks might be able to recommend a starter double rifle as to brand, caliber and features. I am a multiple time Plaines game hunter and am experienced with shooting heavy caliber bolt and single shot rifles. I am going to RSA in June for PG and DG, I will use my 9.3x62. I have a 375 bolt and a 450 Nitro in a single shot. I have plans to go back to another country for DG in 2015 as I normally go every other year. I know little to nothing about double rifles. My use would be for heavy game in NA and in Africa. I have a friend who is my booking agent and he has connections with the Merkel importer, but know nothing about them. Both he and my PH use DR in 9.3x74 and 470. Wonder if you guys might be able to provide info as to what to look for as well as what to avoid. My budget is around $8000. Thanks in advance.

If you are planning to hunt DG in 2015 then it has to be a suitable caliber,for what you want to spend,a Merkel would make very good sense,my first DR was a Merkel 470 NE,it has changed hands three times now all friends of mine,the rifle shoots perfect to this day,a solid dependable gun very reasonably priced,I used to & still do load different bullet weights for my existing 470,it all depends on what I am hunting.

For $8750 you can have Butch make you a rifle in .450 Nitro to match your single shot. I am not sure that Merkel will offer this calibre? I am also absolutely not a Searcy "fan boy" like some on this site but, at this price point, I think the deal is tough to beat.

JMHO

The Searcy Field Grade is a great choice for your price range. Merkel, Chapuis, and Krieghoff as well.

I would buy it now! I talked to Butch and he said he is not wanting to do the field grade for long. I understand he us doing it to eat up the last of his existing actions. Over all, he would be my choice. Behind that would be a Chapuis or a old English gun. I tend to like their lines better then the German guns....nothing wrong with them, its a aesthetics thing for me. 450 Nitro or 450 400 3 inch. Would be my cablers of choice.

quote:

Originally posted by Fo Fiddy NE:
The Searcy Field Grade is a great choice for your price range. Merkel, Chapuis, and Krieghoff as well.

Mine was/is a Merkel .500 NE.

Have not found a good reason to change yet!

Kriegs are way above his price, new ones being $12k. And I never see new ones any more anyway. Should have jumped on that Blaser combo last week. But make sure you understand and like how they work (have to re-cock for each shot)
I would go for a Sabatti 450-400 for a first heavy double, at $5.5k. I know, maybe light for DG, but easy to shoot.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Kriegs are way above his price, new ones being $12k. And I never see new ones any more anyway. Should have jumped on that Blaser combo last week. But make sure you understand and like how they work (have to re-cock for each shot)
I would go for a Sabatti 450-400 for a first heavy double, at $5.5k. I know, maybe light for DG, but easy to shoot.

A slight correction dpcd, the S2 doesn't need to be re-cocked after the first shot, only after the action has been opened and closed.

Look at the .416 Rigby listed below. I think it is still available.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...0101804/m/8011039581

Without question a Searcy would fit your bill perfectly.

I meant one shot per barrel. Of course I know that a Blaser fires both barrels before it needs to be re-loaded and re-cocked. Unlike Krieghoffs, which stay cocked. I have a 450-400 K. If it didn't, that would be worse than a single shot rifle. I never shoot just one barrel from a DR; always send a right an a left whether the target needs it or not. It evens out bore wear and is more fun than just one shot.

A NEW Sabatti with clean muzzles in 450-400 or 450NE would be perfect for your needs and well under budget. I traded a nice revolver and $4200 to Cabelas for my 450 three years ago and have never looked back. It has a bunch of squirrels,a barrel of fish and an elephant under its belt and will hopefully be used for another one soon. Other than the muzzle issues with Cabelas early ones (which were warrantied), people are quite pleased with their rifles. Good Luck!

I agree a Sabatti might be a good choice as well but at the price of the Searcy field grade that is being offered right now, I would run (don't walk) to the phone to call Butch and line up a 450/400. Just my two cents.

Personally, in your price range a 470NE or similar caliber is within reach financially. I really like the French rifles a lot.

For calibers, 450/400 is hard to argue against but, a 450NE has a lot of merit too. For North America usage and limited Dangerous Game hunting in Africa, it's really hard to argue against a 450/400 to complement your 9.3x62 bolt action.