I just started planning a buffalo hunt for 2027. It’s for my son and I. We just came back from planes game in Botswana and had a blast, both archery and rifle.
The pH suggested a Heym 450-400 and those seem to be few and far between for sale. I just found a 470 nitro express 89B and it went pending in just a few minutes on gun Broker or gun international. Do you have any other suggestions on where to look? Thank you for any advice.

Dont rule out 450 3 1/4 Nitro Express. Great stopper and easy to find bullets for.

second on the 450NE

Ask Chris Sells 'New Guy'(?) here on AR, the American Heym agent. As I understand it the older 88B only comes in .450/.400 3" now.

I got one from stock on hand at the Heym factory 17 years ago.

PM sent

quote:

Originally posted by clayman216:
Dont rule out 450 3 1/4 Nitro Express. Great stopper and easy to find bullets for.

Yup!! great caliber. Our 1902 Army Navy shoots amazingly good.

Used Doubles seem to be like hen's teeth on the market right now. I looked for nearly a full year to find my new to me Searcy.

I even went to the Nashville SCI show this year hoping to find a good used DR. No Luck other than worn out rifles or odd calibers.

If Sam didn't get you squared away with his PM, maybe PM Biebs. He had found a couple of rifles while I was looking but before I was ready to commit.

Good Luck. It will be worth the effort.

I will have an 89B 450 3-1/4" availble shortly. A good friend passed away last momth and I am selling it for his wife. He ordered it new and never shot it. PM me if you are interested.

Thank you guys for the ideas and advice.
I believe I’ve sent a PM to everyone

New to these forums, been around along while on the 24hourcampfire and Rokslide. Anyway, brand new to doubles and sorting my way through what I am really looking for and want.

I have a minty 450/400 that I plan to shoot alongside a 470, both Heym 88b's from 2008 or 2009, cant recall which as I type this. I really think I will want a 450NE and 500NE, just need to experiment more over the next 6-8 weeks.

Mentioning it as I may likely pass along the 450/400.

Cheers,
Will

There is a 470 Manton, much like I have used successfully since 1994, on Poulin's Auction Oct 30,31, Nov 1,2.
Also many other doubles including a few Connecticut Shotgun Win 21, double rifles... pretty cool!!

Glad you are going for Buffalo. That was my goal since age 8, but I never got to do it. And I have ten DRs for the trip.
Some advice: the 450-400 is a great caliber, and does not kick. The 450NE is a great one too and are easy to shoot. Of course 375s and the 9.3s are perfect for smaller stuff and are very manageable.
The 500 NE; now that one does get your attention and I don't like it; I load that one with 450 grain bullets and it shoots well into 2 inches.
470? Never shot one.
Have fun.

The 470NE is about like the 450NE... very comfortable and manageable. I very much DISLIKE the 500NE and won't shoot one unless I am forced!!

Opinions vary. In a nut shell. I find .470 has a sharper recoil than the .450 3 1/4" NE. I know not why. The .450 3 1/4" NE is a great cartridge.I love the .500 NE even more when more energy is required. Respectfully.

I feel that the 450 3 1/4 NE is the best option. I have owned three. Best in my opinion as bullet choices are many, recoil is manageable and it hits hard.

It depends on the gun!!
Weight, comb configuration, recoil pad, cheek piece all add into the "felt recoil".... if you could compare identical good old British Double rifles in the different calibers, you would feel some difference!!
When you get into Chapuis, Verney, Kreighoff, Searcy vs a Holland, Rigby or Westley, in three different calibers... BIG Difference!!... the difference would be less with a Similar BIG PROPER DOUBLE in various BIG Calibers!!