To all who have precise details, I ask you the pounds
and ounces, of any 500 NE D/R that you positively
know of. I'd love to know not only the precise weight,
but also year built and maker name, as well as lock
type. I've no concern if you own the rifle you post about
or not. I just want to gather the info and analyze it.
Thank you one and all.

My Watson bros. .500 NE weighs 11 pounds and 12 ounces, a bit heavy not overly so. My rifle was made between the world wars I would guess but I am awaiting on a letter from London as I write this. The rifle is a box lock, non ejector, with 24 inch barrels. I posted it here on AR for all to see. All except Shootaway liked it.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
My Watson bros. .500 NE weighs 11 pounds and 12 ounces, a bit heavy not overly so. My rifle was made between the world wars I would guess but I am awaiting on a letter from London as I write this. The rifle is a box lock, non ejector, with 24 inch barrels. I posted it here on AR for all to see. All except Shootaway liked it.

Cal

Cal that means the rifle is perfect!

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
All except Shootaway liked it.

Cal

Cal that means the rifle is perfect!

No high-dollar British classic but a working double rifle that does just fine:

Merkel 140-2 chambered 500 NE that was made in 2007-2008 weighed 10.5 lbs.

Scrolling around Guns International just now I found these weights for that make, unspecified years of manufature:
10 lbs. 5 oz.
10 lbs. 11 oz.
and
a 12 pounder that might have some lead in the butt.

I think 10 lbs. 8 oz. is a pretty good average for the Merkel 140.2 chambered 500 NE.
I own a Merkel 140-2 chambered 470 NE that weighs 10.75 lbs, made in the year 2000.

If Merkel had offered a 500 NE in 2000, I would have gone with that.
Now there is the readily available Merkel 450/400 NE 3".
I want them all more than I need them.

The Germans were settling East Africa with Merkel SxS Double Rifles in various Nitro Express chamberings before World War I.
The Merkel DR is a "Classic" of sorts when you realize that.

I like the idea of a 10.5-pound 500 NE DR.
The best combination of power, penetration, and portability: Handy.

I have two 12 lbers, one is 12lbs 11 oz.

I'll get the details later and edit this.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
My Watson bros. .500 NE weighs 11 pounds and 12 ounces, a bit heavy not overly
so. My rifle was made between the world wars I would guess but I am awaiting on
a letter from London as I write this. The rifle is a box lock, non ejector, with 24 inch
barrels. I posted it here on AR for all to see. All except Shootaway liked it.
Cal

That IS a great rifle Cal.

{That Shootaway cracks me up... }

My Merkel 140-2 in 500NE weighed 10.5 lbs. Sorry, I don't know the exact date of manufacture.

My new VC Round Body, completed earlier this year, in 500NE weighs 10.25 lbs. Because it fits me per my measurements, the perceived recoil is less than my Merkel was.

Just a random sampling. My personal feeling is the 500 should weigh 11.5
Holland & Holland 'Royal Deluxe' Double Rifle
Year of Manufacture: New at H&H
Weight: 10lb 6oz
Year of Manufacture: un known. At Champlin Firearms, Inc.
HAMBRUSCH 500 3" N.E. BOXLOCK EJECTOR - MODEL "PROFESSIONAL HUNTER" - ORIGINAL & OVERALL 96% SINCE NEW - BORES as NEW - Absolute Proper Big Bore Weight at 12 Lbs. 10 Oz.
WESTLEY RICHARDS 500 3" NITRO EXPRESS - EXCELLENT PLUS BORES - 1920 - UNDERLEVER REBOUNDING HAMMER - PROPER 500 NITRO WEIGHT - 11 Lbs. 15 Oz. - 15 5/16" LOP - 26" Steel Barrels - 1/4 Rib - Bushed Strikers - Original Nitro Proof - Lettered by Westley Richards

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
My Merkel 140-2 in 500NE weighed 10.5 lbs. Sorry, I don't know the exact date of manufacture.

My new VC Round Body, completed earlier this year, in 500NE weighs 10.25 lbs. Because it fits me per my measurements, the perceived recoil is less than my Merkel was.

Todd

How do you get measured for a DR? I have been measured for a shotgun which entailed a lot of shooting and messing with a try gun. Can't imagine someone doing what I did using a DR.

I have a Verney Carron, round-body action made in 2012.

With it's short barrels, 22", it weighs 10lbs 8oz.

Now after having carried it for a portion of one season, I wish it weighed
a little less.

I have previously fired a few rounds from Sam Rose's Sabbatti 500, which I think
weighed around 9.5lbs, and it was totally managable and comfortable.

Somewhere between these two weights would be ideal.

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Truccolo:
I have a Verney Carron, round-body action made in 2012.

With it's short barrels, 22", it weighs 10lbs 8oz.

Now after having carried it for a portion of one season, I wish it weighed
a little less.

I have previously fired a few rounds from Sam Rose's Sabbatti 500, which I think
weighed around 9.5lbs, and it was totally managable and comfortable.

Somewhere between these two weights would be ideal.

I can't see any reason in the world to have a rifle over 8-8.5 lbs, 20 inch barrels, stoked with 475 gr NonCons at 2300 or so, backed with a 510 Solid at 2250 or so, of course this is in 20 inch barrels..... Just about the perfect double rifle I reckon, if a fellow is subject to that affliction........ Of course no one builds such a thing, but bet a bottom dollar if I had one it would meet those specs and not exceed by an oz nor an inch.............

Paul wants a 10-pound 500 NE: Easy enough.
Michael wants an 8.5-pounder, or lighter, with 20" barrel length maximum,
regulated for non-conventional, faster and lighter CEB bullet loads for the 500 NE: Not so easy!
I'll dream along on either option as long as it is matte-stainless AND synthetic stocked, no engraving please.


I have seen too much daily worrying over rust with a glossy-black barreled Heym 500 NE in Tanzania in 2010.
I supplied that PH with some BreakFreeCLP to swab his rust with, using extra-fine steel wool.
That DR (Heym PH 500 NE) had 26" barrels and (anecdotally) was about 11 pounds, pictured here,
does dried elephant dung cause rust?:



I also saw a newly made, one-owner "Bespoke" H&H Royal 500 NE that was a ponderous 12-pounder, in Botswana, in 2001. It double-fired on its first "shots" at an elephant.
Operator error in strumming the triggers, I should hope!
The elephant fortunately died anyway.

A lot of the early English 500's were 12 lbs.

quote:

Originally posted by txlonghorn:

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
My Merkel 140-2 in 500NE weighed 10.5 lbs. Sorry, I don't know the exact date of manufacture.

My new VC Round Body, completed earlier this year, in 500NE weighs 10.25 lbs. Because it fits me per my measurements, the perceived recoil is less than my Merkel was.

Todd

How do you get measured for a DR? I have been measured for a shotgun which entailed a lot of shooting and messing with a try gun. Can't imagine someone doing what I did using a DR.

TX,

As far as I know, you are measured for a DR the exact same way you are measured for a shotgun. Lots of work with the try gun but I didn't conduct any shooting during the measuring process. Jerome of VC performed the task while at the 2012 DSC show. I'd say he got everything correct. LOP, DAH, all of it. When I close my eyes, then quickly mount the rifle to my shoulder, opening my eyes, I find the sights perfectly aligned without having to reach for the trigger, nor does the front trigger strike my knuckle when firing the rear trigger which is often caused by too short a length of pull. Cast on and Cast off was also properly addressed so that my eye is in direct line with the sights, etc. Again, all of the same as you went through for your shotgun.

By Todd:

"As far as I know, you are measured for a DR the exact same way you are measured
for a shotgun. Lots of work with the try gun but I didn't conduct any shooting
during the measuring process. Jerome of VC performed the task while at the 2012 DSC
show. I'd say he got everything correct. LOP, DAH, all of it. When I close my eyes,
then quickly mount the rifle to my shoulder, opening my eyes, I find the sights
perfectly aligned without having to reach for the trigger, nor does the front
trigger strike my knuckle when firing the rear trigger which is often caused by too
short a length of pull. Cast on and Cast off was also properly addressed so that my
eye is in direct line with the sights, etc. Again, all of the same as you went
through for your shotgun."

To Todd,
Good stuff there friend!
_______________________________________________________________


To Michael458,
In "Big Bores", I started a thread directed to you sir!

Thanks for that Todd.

My Merkel .500 NE was made in 2006. It weighs 10 lbs 8 oz. I would NOT want it any heavier.

quote:

Originally posted by michael458:

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Truccolo:
I have a Verney Carron, round-body action made in 2012.

With it's short barrels, 22", it weighs 10lbs 8oz.

Now after having carried it for a portion of one season, I wish it weighed
a little less.

I have previously fired a few rounds from Sam Rose's Sabbatti 500, which I think
weighed around 9.5lbs, and it was totally managable and comfortable.

Somewhere between these two weights would be ideal.

I can't see any reason in the world to have a rifle over 8-8.5 lbs, 20 inch barrels, stoked with 475 gr NonCons at 2300 or so, backed with a 510 Solid at 2250 or so, of course this is in 20 inch barrels..... Just about the perfect double rifle I reckon, if a fellow is subject to that affliction........ Of course no one builds such a thing, but bet a bottom dollar if I had one it would meet those specs and not exceed by an oz nor an inch.............

H&H will bild nearley aneything you want Just bring a lot of money.
Bill

9.5 lbs 23" barrels and CEB .510 510 grains solid

I like my large bore doubles to weigh around 10.5Lbs

I would let the gunmaker decide.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
I would let the gunmaker decide.

Why? After all you will be the one that has to carry it.

There is much more to a rifle than carrying an extra pound or two.

True; one must shoot their rifle at the correct target...

I asked, and received, my Searcy .500 at 12 lbs. It is within 2 oz of 12 lbs. Heavy to carry but a joy to shoot.