A year ago I purchased a previously owned 450-400 Searcy double rifle. Initially I couldn't get the rifle to shoot well with the loads that were recommended. Butch spent some time with the rifle, and recently sent me some new load data, along with a couple of boxes of the new loads. Here's the result with four shots:

I'm not sure you can get much better than this at 50 yards!

Awesome.

Very nice indeed.

.

Nice!

Incredible! Congratulations.

What loads are you using now?

I currently have a .470 by Searcy and owned another before this one that shot/shoot this well. Searcy's are incredible when it comes to accuracy. I don't know what his secret is but the Brits could take some notes from Butch on how to regulate a double.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
I currently have a .470 by Searcy and owned another before this one that shot/shoot this well. Searcy's are incredible when it comes to accuracy. I don't know what his secret is but the Brits could take some notes from Butch on how to regulate a double.

Why the Brits ?

All my English guns shoot.

I would suggest Sabatti could learn a thing
or 2 !!!

The current load is 78 grains of IMR 4831 and 400 grain Hornady bullets. The prior load that was recommended by the previous owner was 80 grains of IMR 4831. Two grains made all the difference!

quote:

I'm not sure you can get much better than this at 50 yards!

Wish I could see that well at fifty yards! Congrats.

Any idea of the velocity?

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun

I'm not sure you can get much better than this at 50 yards!

Not sure you want to.

I like a bit of a gap between the holes, they seem to stay parralel
if that is the case whereas if they are a tight group, they can / may
start to cross later on.

Just my HO.

Will: I'm not sure on the velocity as I don't own a chronograph. I'll ask Butch if he knows when I see him at the convention.

LOAD FROM A DISK shows w/24" 79.9 IMR 4831 and Hor 400gr @ 1987 fps and 35067CUP 80% density. Dose that sound about right? 82.8gr @ 2112 and 39618cup with a 85% density.

Are y'all using a filler with the IMR 4831??

quote:

Originally posted by 500N:

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
I currently have a .470 by Searcy and owned another before this one that shot/shoot this well. Searcy's are incredible when it comes to accuracy. I don't know what his secret is but the Brits could take some notes from Butch on how to regulate a double.

Why the Brits ?

All my English guns shoot.

I would suggest Sabatti could learn a thing
or 2 !!!

I've never seen a Brit double that will group as tight as a Searcy. Not saying they don't exist just that I haven't seen one yet.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:

I've never seen a Brit double that will group as tight as a Searcy. Not saying they don't exist just that I haven't seen one yet.

I have a couple.

i think the English do keep them apart a bit - or so it seems but then again, I haven't owned a new one so don't know if this is the case now.

.

WOW, good shooting rifle Vaughn!

Thanks my friend! It's a sweet DR!

quote:

Originally posted by 500N:
I would suggest Sabatti could learn a thing
or 2 !!!

You mean like this??? (six rounds):

Yes, like that.

One of the better one's I have seen.

I had a ''accurate '' Merkel 470 you could guarantee to get 12 inch groups at 50 metres with any load you put in it ,when i got to Africa it was shooting 9 inches to the right at 20 metres[pos] ,i didnt keep it for much longer, my 500 A2 bolt puts its bullets into practically one hole at 50 metres. An inaccurate double is doubly useless ,i think the only double i would ever own again would have to be a Searcy !!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by tankhunter:
I had a ''accurate '' Merkel 470 you could guarantee to get 12 inch groups at 50 metres with any load you put in it ,when i got to Africa it was shooting 9 inches to the right at 20 metres[pos] ,i didnt keep it for much longer, my 500 A2 bolt puts its bullets into practically one hole at 50 metres. An inaccurate double is doubly useless ,i think the only double i would ever own again would have to be a Searcy !!!!!!!

........

You could have done a lot worse than a Searcy to start with, Searcy double rifles are very accurate in my experience, but so are Merkels.

In regard to the "ACCURATE" Merkel, it could be what you needed was someone who could shoot a 470NE double rifle better, rather than a different rifle!

I've never seen a Merkel 470NE double rifle or any other chambering that wouldn't shoot a composit group of 2 shots from each barrel into 4 inches or less at 100 yards over the bags starting with cool barrels, and a proper load. If you bought the rifle new, why didn't you send it back for re-regulation if it shot that bad? If you bought it used someone screwed it up before you got it! You must have bought it used because I simply don't believe Merkel let a rifle out of the factory that wouldn't shoot better than 12" at 50 meters.

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:

In regard to the "ACCURATE" Merkel, it could be what you needed was someone who could shoot a 470NE double rifle better, rather than a different rifle!

I've never seen a Merkel 470NE double rifle or any other chambering that wouldn't shoot a composit group of 2 shots from each barrel into 4 inches or less at 100 yards over the bags starting with cool barrels, and a proper load. If you bought the rifle new, why didn't you send it back for re-regulation if it shot that bad? If you bought it used someone screwed it up before you got it! You must have bought it used because I simply don't believe Merkel let a rifle out of the factory that wouldn't shoot better than 12" at 50 meters.

Agree Mac, agree on both points.

A friend of mine had 2 x 450/400's, he said neither would shoot.

1 I worked up different loads for and it shot fine.
The other one, my mate and I picked it up off the rack,
chambered 2 rounds, fired them at a target, and hey presto,
it shot beautifully.

I think the one i had was built the weekend after the Octoberfest ,judging by the wobbly engraving !

quote:

Originally posted by tankhunter:
I think the one i had was built the weekend after the Octoberfest ,judging by the wobbly engraving !

What is it ?

That big piss up they have in Germany ,where they drink beer ,eat sausage etc[they have one in Brisbane havent been for years ] ,id like to go to that some day before my liver gives up completely

You know the big pissup they have in Germany ,eat sausage etc many hang overs after this one, lost property ! would like to go to this one day ,if my liver lasts that long

Tank

I meant the gun, what was the make of the gun ?

The rifle at the moment[bolt gun] ? just a
CZ550 with a 500 Lothar Walthar barrel[but accurate] ,you have a good weekend comrade ! banking on getting a 500 NE Searcy for by 50 th ,will let you know how it goes okay ! take care

the Merkel i had which was ''built''

Vaughn nice very nice... Great shooting.

Mike

Mike: Nice to hear from you. Thanks! Now with two great shooting DRs (.470 and 450-400), I'm ready for a ninth safari! Give your better half (Cherie) our best regards as well. Karol says hi to the both of you! Looks like you both had a great time in Dallas!

Yeah my Searcy 450-400 like to shoot well with 76.8grns. No complaints here. I just need to take it out and hunt with it.

Brad

Excellent!

wow!

I don't know about that. you might need to give it to me to take on a 30 day safari to try it out. LOL!

100 yard target same load.

Brad