My father and I are looking into getting a double rifle in .500 nitro or larger. I was looking at a Sabatti double rifle in .500 used for 6,000 through cabellas. Is that a good price?
I also heard mixed reviews on sabatti over quality. I also tried to find sabatti's website to buy new but it looks like I have only found used ones online. any advice I would like to keep the price 6 to 7,000 if possible.

Steel:
Sabatti's have a bad reputation and well deserved. That said, many here have them and swear by them. Cabelas stopped retailing them months ago due to problems of poor accuracy and the muzzle ground attempt to regulate. When Cabelas ceased selling new Sabattis, the price fell and many have bought .470 and .500 rifles for $3-4000. $6000 is higher than they sold for new unless it is an upgraded model. Cabelas Gun Library, like any other dealer, is over priced (and they offer you bird seed when trying to sell them a gun or rifle).

If you're hooked on Sabattis check out Guns International's double rifles and you can probably do better there. For a bit more money, but a lot more quality, look into Searcy or Merkel. There are two Merkels on the for sale section of Accurate Reloading for $7500. A much better buy than a Sabatti at six grand.

If you'd like to see some pics of fine doubles, check out my website <calpappas.com> AR is a great place if you have any questions.

Cheers,
Cal

Guns International's double rifles seems a bit sparse. and the prices on there seemed to be in the 10,000+ range.

Look here http://forums.accuratereloadin...1078981/m/2001027602

The NIB 500 NE Merkel listed in the classifieds here is the best you'll get for anywhere near that pricepoint.

Steel

As you've probably figured out Sabatti's are a contentious subject. I have a Sabatti 92F in 450-400 that I am quite pleased with. I got it during one of Cabela's sales which just happened to coincide with an additional 10-15% off. When all was said and done I got it for a bit over $3000. The fact that the muzzles are good and the fact that it shoots well all contribute to my satisfaction.

If buying used understand your warranty/return options. As ground muzzles are a known issue with some guns it bears having a good look. If you aren't comfortable making this assessment yourself can you get a photo good enough for someone else to make the assessment or can you take it to someone competent? I would prefer the ability to test shoot and return should it not meet my standards. There is a reputable gunsmith who apparently purchased several and properly re-regulated them. Is this one of these guns? I thought they were going for about $6000.

Even if this gun was properly re-worked or was good from the factory you cannot know what happened while in the previous owners hands. The ability to have a knowledgable gunsmith check it out is important. The ability to shoot it is important.

The Merkels previously mentioned are a solid option. Sometimes that additional $1500 places a gun just out of reach especially when you consider that you still need to buy ammo and or brass, bullets, etc. yes, you can wait longer and save more but that could mean both the $6000 and $7500 guns are gone. Or maybe you want a different caliber.

I personally love my Sabatti and would buy another. When buying a double from someone other than the maker especially a used double I would take some measures to protect myself whether a Sabatti, Merkel, etc.

Cal Pappas has been and is quite helpful to me when it comes to DRs. There are other folks on the forum with substantial knowledge about DRs.

I think you could get Cabela's to drop the price a bit. Ask them about the muzzles. Ask them if the gun has been worked on. Asking questions can give you leverage points to a lower price. Also consider that IFG is talking about bringing Sabattis back into the U.S. Do a search to find the discussion. The proposed cost is less than $6000. This bit of info may help Cabela's loosen the purse strings a bit

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
The NIB 500 NE Merkel listed in the classifieds here is the best you'll get for anywhere near that pricepoint.

+1, and a great stick of wood on that rifle too. The Merkel at $7500 or the Sabatti at $5000-6000, not even a close call. The Merkel wins that value battle every time.

If I were a right hand shooter and the Merkel in the classifieds fit me it would be in my safe.
The issue I see with buying a Sabatti is you are own your on if you have any issues with it.

Then again, if you want to do it right go to SCI and talk to all the builders. The pick what you like best and be fitted for your rifle.

Buy once - cry once.

quote:

Then again, if you want to do it right go to SCI and talk to all the builders.

Not for $7,500!!!

There is a Searcy 500 Field Grade on GunBroker now. It is $8500.00 with dies, ammo and some bullets.

That or the Merkel in the classifieds. Both are a better choice than a Sabatti

Thanks for all the info. And yes that merkel is very nice. I guess i just thought there would be more prime examples of large bore doubles. I figured it would be like the big bore handgun world that has many lightly used handguns due to people not liking the recoil after purchase.

I have some time before I pull the trigger, about a year or so, so im not in a rush just trying to educate myself for when I get one for my first african dangerouse game safari.

My question is how accurate can I expect an open site double to be? What seperates one double from another, it seems one is 6,000 and another is 160,000.

And im guessing a .577, .600, .700 are out of my price rage?

Steel:
A Verney-Carron .577 can be had for about 20K or a bit less and a .600 in the mid-20s. Don't know about the .700.

If you want quality within your price range, how about a black powder express double from a fine UK maker in the vintage years?

On my website is information on my book, the Double Rifle Primer. Take a look and it may answer many questions you have as it is focused on those new to double rifles. It has received only positive reviews and feedback.

Cal

Guess im going to stay in the .500 range. And yes I will take a look at the site. thanks

quote:

Originally posted by steel:
I have some time before I pull the trigger, about a year or so, so im not in a rush just trying to educate myself for when I get one for my first african dangerouse game safari.

My question is how accurate can I expect an open site double to be? What seperates one double from another, it seems one is 6,000 and another is 160,000.

If you order a bespoke rifle it could take up to a year from deposit to delivery. Usually less, sometimes more.
I would expect an open sight double to be able to shoot a 1 inch group (one shot from each barrel without crossing) or better at 50 yards.

steel--- when you are looking into a Quality Double you cant oversee a Heym. Just my 2 cent