I am posting this question for a non AR friend. He was about to spend about $12K US on a couple of custom turn-bolts. I told him he could probably get into a decent double rifle for that much money. I figured 470 Nitro would be the way to go, but I really know very little about such rifles.

Can he purchase a good double rifle in the $12K US price range? If so what would be the best the brand and chambering.

Thanks for any replies,

Matt V.

Matt, he can have one built for him for that. Refer him to Butch Searcy.

George

Or for slightly more money (a couple of thousand), he can buy or order a Heym from:
www.heymusa.com

Merkel - 140-2 Safari Rifle - .470 N.E. caliber - $10,595.00
Also, Blaser - S2 Safari Standard Package - .470 N.E. caliber - $10,350.00


http://www.griffinhowe.com/riflemoreinfo.cfm


Griffin & Howe at their NJ location in Bernardsville.

A lot of it depends on the caliber he is looking for. Right now, the best deal on the 9.3 X 74, which is as close to a 375 H&H as you're going to get in production models is Chapuis base model. There is a thread on here about a "group buy".

Merkel also makes a nice priced 9.3X 74 DR. I am not sure of the exact cost, but it is a nice rifle.

If a 450/400, which a lot of guys here swear by as getting big bore performance with little recoil, Heym has just come out with that caliber. I believe Butch also offers that caliber as well.

For the 470 and 500 Nitros, there are a few choices in that price range. Merkel is probably the least expensive, is well made, and is used by more than a few people here. If I recall, it does not come with a recoil pad, but adding one is a pretty minimal expense.

While Chapuis makes a 470, I have not seen or shot one. The action is different from the action its 9.3 X 74. I know nothing about the pricing.

And both Krieghoff and Blaser make DR's in 470 and 500, but the "negative" on those is that they have manual cocking switches which must be worked after the barrels are closed to fire the rifle. The switch with the Blaser must be worked even with reloading after the initial shots. Some people don't see that as a negative and it does not bother them. The prices on these I think are slightly over the $12,000 marl, with the Blaser the higher of the two.

That leaves what most folks here would probably recommend: Heym or Searcy. Both offer PH models in that price range, with Heym probably about $2000 more. But if you add the Heym standard features like intercepting sears and an articulated trigger that are not standard with a Searcy, the price difference is about a wash.

Both Searcy and Heym will make the rifle to your dimensions. And they are both good rifles. I looked at both and chose the Heym. To me anyway it was better balanced "between the hands", had intercepting sears which I wanted, and I thought nicer looking than the Searcy. Plus, and it was a big plus, the one that was available fit me well and had an outstanding piece of wood on it.

As you can probably tell, there is a fair amount of personal preference and subjectivity in buying a double. And since it is for most of us a fairly large investment, it would not be a bad idea for your buddy to hit the SCI or DSC conventions to handle as many as he can. Many of us go to the DSC convention, and I am certain more than a few members of the DRSS in attendance would be willing to help your friend with a selection.

I bought my first double at the DSC last year after looking for about 2 years. And I am very thankful for the help of people like Rusty who formed an impromptu board of advisors.

We have a DRSS shoot coming up right after the DSC, where he could handle and shoot about 20 different doubles, but the cut off date for getting a deposit into the ranch is 12/15.

Matt V,

I would suggest a Heym hands down to any other newly manufactured double. Merkel would run a second.

quote:

And both Krieghoff and Blaser make DR's in 470 and 500, but the "negative" on those is that they have manual cocking switches which must be worked after the barrels are closed to fire the rifle.

Not true.. I don't know about the Blaser, but my Krieghoff does not work as Jim Manion describes. When in the cocked position, breaking the action after firing AUTOMATICALY recocks the rifle. When in the uncocked position, breaking the action will not cock it.

How many times do we have to go over this?

quote:

Originally posted by JBoutfishn:

quote:

And both Krieghoff and Blaser make DR's in 470 and 500, but the "negative" on those is that they have manual cocking switches which must be worked after the barrels are closed to fire the rifle.

Not true.. I don't know about the Blaser, but my Krieghoff does not work as Jim Manion describes. When in the cocked position, breaking the action after firing AUTOMATICALY recocks the rifle. When in the uncocked position, breaking the action will not cock it.

How many times do we have to go over this?

JBoutfishn, has it right as far as the Kreighoff goes, but the Blaser does have to be re-cocked after breaking the rifle for a reload. This is because the rifle is equipt with an AUTOMATIC SAFETY that can't be disabled. When the Blaser is broken for any reason, the rifle is automaticly de-cocked, and must be recocked before it will fire, after a re-load!

The Kreighoff is, IMO, a much safer rifle than the blaser, but still takes some getting used to, if you are used to a clasic double rifle!

Thanks to all for the very informative replies. I’ve learned a bit about doubles by asking this question. My pal doesn’t get on line very much so I’m going to print this thread off and give it to him.

Thanks again

Matt V.

trophyhunter5000, You have a PM.

There are U.K. built, vintage D/R's in the 10K

to 15K range that can be very sound investments.