Say you had around $13,000 to $14,000 to spend on a .470NE or .500NE Double.

What Would YOU get and Why?

I don't want this thread to turn into a pissing match on why my double is better than yours. I am considering a few options were the above might be possible, and wanted to know what you would get. I want to spend the WHOLE amount of Money on a Double, there is a bit more for trophy fees.

What would you get?

My question to you would be how much you want to shoot the rifle? Are you going to just use it for African DG or do you plan to hunt with it as much as you can?

Since this is your money I would buy the 470. The 500 just beats me up too badly. The increase in recoil with the 500 is significant, in my opine.

I'd buy a Heym or a Searcy. Unless you want one made for you I'd find a used one and spend the rest of your money on reloading and safaris.

If it were my money I'd buy a Heym or Searcy 450/400 and really enjoy shooting my rifle. Ammo is cheaper, and recoil doesn't beat you up. Once again just my opine!

I agree with RUSTY on this. ( I am a newbie double owner but I have coveted them for about 12 years) I have yet to see a Searcy that wasn't put together well and shot well.

I used to live in CA not far from Butch's place. The only reason I don't have one is the $$$$$

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:

Since this is your money I would buy the 470. The 500 just beats me up too badly. The increase in recoil with the 500 is significant, in my opine.

I think Rusty is right about this part. I have shot a couple of .500s (a Heym and a Merkel) and maybe it was just me but I thought it was a punishing gun to shoot, a bunch more recoil than a .470, but then again it hits with a lot more authority so you kinda have to pick your poison.

As far as doubles go, don't overlook a Krieghoff. I think you get a lot of gun for your money with a K-gun and, IMO they are much more gun than a Merkel and every bit the gun as a Heym but significantly cheaper than the latter.

If you have your heart set on a .470 or a .500, I say go for it. However, I will tell you that a .500/.416 is one hell of a good choice also. It hits with a lot of thump and won't knock you out from under your hat.

Dave

If you are going to be elephant hunting on a more than one time basis, stick with the 470 or 500, or even better a 450NE 3 1/4".

I think I would have to go with the Hyem with a Searcy Classic second choice in your price range. Second hand is you can find one that fits, or can be made to fit with modest modifications, like a new pad for a different LOP...

JPK

In a new made double:

Heym 450/400 3".

If I was going to shoot a LOT of elephants I would get a Heym 450 3 1/4".

I prefer the 458 bore over a 470.

I have owned a couple of butch's guns and they are good solid rifles, I'd look hard at his field grade for under 10K. Then you could put 3-5K toward that elephant or buffalo.

I like the heym but they are a solid 6K more than the field grade, and for 16-20K I'd give Luxus a call and ask about one of there FAMARS doubles. They are 20K+ but a FAMARS are another step up!

I agree with JPK-- Look hard at the 450 it is a great round. I went with a 450/400 3", but one of these days might get back into a 500 or a 577. I want to shoot more, and a 450/400 makes you want to shoot more not take a break!

Ed:

From time of order to time of delivery, how long does it take to get a Searcy?

Dave

Searcy quoted ~9 months to me over the phone last week for a Classic (down from a high of a year and a half before the economy soured). Cheers, Bill

Rusty makes some very good points. Since I already have a Merkel 500NE, and would only use it primarily for ele and an occasional bufflo, I would upgrade to the Heym in 500NE (not the sissy man 470)

For your money, I would order a Heym PH from newguy and not look back. By the way, I would order it with color case hardening based on his recent post. I have a Heym 450/400 3" and can't say enough good things about it. Good luck. Brian

Dave,

About 1 yr is what I'd count on.

Heym's are great guns I just cant get over the cocking indcators on top and the metal runing back behind the fences. Just a looks thing for me. I do like the color case that new guy posted the other day.

Ed

About 15 years ago a local shop had a double I really wanted. It sat there forever because of the then seemingly high price tag. I wanted that gun so bad and spent so much time looking at it that they started joking about needing to charge me a handling fee.

It was an older Westley Richards 450/.400. It wasn't the glossy new gun finish and even had a worn looking sling on it. The gun was really sound and not dinged up at all, but at the same time had this look as if someone just came in off an elephant hunt with it.

$6,000.

Wonder what it'd be today...

I would see if the Heym 500/416 that was in the classifieds by Charles Prince was still available. Great gun for a great price.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
In a new made double:

Heym 450/400 3".

If I was going to shoot a LOT of elephants I would get a Heym 450 3 1/4".

I refer the 458 bore over a 470.

Great choices, though I still miss my 500 K gun, it is generally not needed as the client,more as the PH.

A new gun would be a Heym hands down.. If you want to have fun and have 4K energy per barrel the 450/ 400 3 inch... Want a boomer get a
450 3 1/4 inch which is a 5K energy and will give verg good penetration and crunch up close.. For toying around there a ton of 458 bullets to choose from to play with and casings are relatively cheap to purchase... With ejectors it will be postively a superb double...

Mike

You should buy my Merkel .500 for $ 8,500 and use the rest of the money on trophy fees.

quote:

I want to spend the WHOLE amount of Money on a Double, there is a bit more for trophy fees.

OK, if you insist I'll take $ 13k for it.

At that price I'll personally deliver it FTF anywhere in the US.

First Heym, second Krieghoff, third Searcy, fourth Chapuis, fifth Blaser for new guns.

Any good quality other double rifle you can get for the same kind of money.