Also remeber there are different grades of Chapuis, The Brousse Cabela sells for $12,000.00 new. You can get them discounted used.

Yes, the forearms are bigger and wider, but I like holding on to that meaty forearm. Let's face it a 470 NE is NO pussy cat when it goes boom. The more weight and material to hold on to the better I like it.

I did shoot a 500 NE Merkel, it was really on the edge of to much recoil and not fun to shoot in my book.

I love beautiful grained stocks, in MHO only the upgraded English DR's had better wood than the Chapuis Brousse.

And again, I think the engraving, the long tang, and the metal pistol cap have it in spades in the looks department.

And last but not least..THEY SHOOT..

Good Luck.... If at all possible you should really try and shoot a few doubles before making a final decision.