I have been considering buying a Double Rifle. I plan to hunt elephant in 2009 or 2010. I am also left handed 6-3" tall and LOP is about 15 to 15 1/4". I currently shoot a 416 Rem Mag in a Ruger No 1 and find the recoil fairly mild even with max loads.

There is a LH Searcy PH model in 470 Nitro for sale on Gunbroker. I met Butch in Reno and he seems like a good guy with a good reputation for building quality rifles. The 470 seems like a classic elephant round. Are the two previous statements accurate or would I be better served looking at a Heym or Merkel. I prefer a "working " gun, it does not need a lot of fancy engraving.

Should I buy a rifle with ejectors?

Lastly, after I buy my double can I join the DRSS?

Thanks

Yes you may absolutely join the DRSS club... Getting a left handed gun has to be the first priority and yes Butch stands by his rifles...
The 470 is one of the great cartridges of Africa... The Heym's are great also...
I personally like ejectors... That is a personal thing...

Mike

Mike I have 3 double rifles 2 with ejectors one with extractors, my 450 No2.

I have killed most of my elephants with my extractor 450 No2. 3 of them, with the 450 No2 at 6 yards or less.

What I am trying to convey is, extractor or ejector, it is not that big a difference to me.

Mike,
You will get a 100 different opinions with the questions you just asked because a lot of it is personal preference. Here's my 2 cents, and by the way I'm left-handed and own a Heym in 500 N.E. and have a 7x65R Heym being made at this time.

1. I prefer ejectors a rifle is usally going to cost you more with them.
2. I would prefer the 450 N.E. in a Heym (Butch makes that caliber also) since Hornady is loading factory ammo, it has the same terminal balistics of a 470, it's your call. The rifle will be somewhat lighter in weight and less recoil.
3. If you only want to spend 10,000 then the Searcy or Merkle are the way to go. If you want to spend 12-13000 the Chapuis is a great choice and If you want to spend 15-16000 then the Heym is the way to go.
**One other thing I might inject here, you mentioned your size, unless you are thick chested and have short arms your LOP might be longer than 15-15.25 inches. I'm 6 foot, weigh 180 with long arms and my LOP is 15.2 inches I know you'll get measured when it's all said and done but your better off with a double that's a little too long than short and you can always cut it down to size.**
Congratulations on your choice of a DR, which ever one you choose to wack eles and buff with!

Cheers,
Dirk

quote:

Originally posted by dirklawyer:



2. I would prefer the 450 N.E. in a Heym (Butch makes that caliber also) since Hornady is loading factory ammo, it has the same terminal balistics of a 470, it's your call. The rifle will be somewhat lighter in weight and less recoil.

Cheers,
Dirk

Just as a side note. Hornandy is supposedly going to be producing factory .470 later this fall. That is what Hornandy has told me and it is listed in several catalogs as coming soon.

And, note that Hornady has better pricing on it's factory ammo than the competition.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike70560:
I have been considering buying a Double Rifle. I plan to hunt elephant in 2009 or 2010. I am also left handed 6-3" tall and LOP is about 15 to 15 1/4". I currently shoot a 416 Rem Mag in a Ruger No 1 and find the recoil fairly mild even with max loads.

There is a LH Searcy PH model in 470 Nitro for sale on Gunbroker. I met Butch in Reno and he seems like a good guy with a good reputation for building quality rifles. The 470 seems like a classic elephant round. Are the two previous statements accurate or would I be better served looking at a Heym or Merkel. I prefer a "working " gun, it does not need a lot of fancy engraving.

Should I buy a rifle with ejectors?

Lastly, after I buy my double can I join the DRSS?

Thanks

I would recommend the 470 as it has better/easier resale. The length of pull can be adjusted with a different recoil pad.
Butch Searcy has come a long way in a short time and is building great rifles for the money. I would go to his site to get a idea of what a new rifle set up the way you want it will cost and the time it will take. You will want to have your rifle in hand at least 6 mo before your hunt so you can get use to shooting it and get in lots of practice.
The main thing to look at being left handed is the price and availability. There aren’t as many left handed rifles floating on the used market and conversely not as many lefty’s looking for them. What I am trying to get into words is you may be able to get a good price on the used rifle.
If cost/time isn’t a issue with you then get one made to your measurements so it will fit you perfectly.
I make the motion to appoint you to the DRSS right now by acclimation.
Bill

I can get you a Searcy LH .470, in excellent condition for $9k. It has ejectors and is the Field Model. Pull is about 14 3/4", but Butch will put a 1/2" larger pad for not much.

IMO, Being that you live in the States, Left handed and after a working double for Elephant, my recommendation would be a new Field Grade Searcy in 470NE or if you like hand loading, a 450NE.
A Merkel 470NE or 500NE would also be another good option if it fits you.
As Derk has mentioned, these two options should cost you around $10,000.
If you are prepared to pay $16,OOO+, the Heym would be a nice option in one of the above three calibers.

For buffalo and elephant it is most likely that one would get off just one shot or possibly two, depending upon whether the animal is down of course with the first shot. Hence there can be little perceived need for quick reloading as benefited from ejectors.

Add in the usual scenario of the PH getting all excited and starting to blaze away after the client had loosed off a shot or two, and the need for quick reloading usually just isn't there.

But, if you can convince the PH to mind his own business for awhile, and the first two shots didn't get it done then ejectors would be a big benefit.

Or just stick with a bolt action, but that isn't nearly so romantic!

Intrinsically prefer ejectors _ but own and use a Krieghoff (extractors only).

Liked the feel of the Heym PH rifle in 450/400. Carried nicely and came up very well. I put "feel' above most other considerations.

Thanks to everybody for the advice. I leave in less than a week for the Selous. It is my first trip to Africa.

Once I return I will continue my quest for my first double.

Is there anyone in Louisiana that hasn't/isn't gone/going to Africa this year? I'm just jealous.

Good luck on your hunt.