| DUGABOY1 |
| (.400 member) |
| 02/02/09 10:03 AM |
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Re: Best Double Rifle for +/- $10K
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Guys, this is a ton of great information. I have tried to talk to as many dealers as possible about the qualities that make a good double rifle. Here are some things I have gathered. Based on the input here on the board, I have added Merkel to my list to consider.
1) Is the rifle built on a sturdy double rifle frame?
From what I have heard both the Heym and Chapuis are built on a very sturdy frame while I have been told that the Merkel is built on their 20 ga frame.
Merkel rifles are made on the same actions they use to make their shotguns, that is true! However, all Merkel actions are made with the tempering process for rifle use. This is a money saveing thing, because they don't have to make different actions for their rifles. in other words Merkel shotguns are made on RIFLE ACTIONS, not the other way round. The sizeing is 28 ga size, 20 ga size! The rifles made for up to 9.3X74R are made the 28 ga size action, for the mod 141, the model 140, is only sold in Europe today, but it is also made for the same chamberings as the 141,but is made on the 20 ga action, the 140-2 safari action is the 20 ga size, but as i said, all Merkle s/s rifles and shotguns are made on double rifle actions. The california Rigby buys thier actions from Merkel, and all are the 20 ga size.
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2) Is the rifle properly weighted and balanced?
I have handled both the Heym and Merkel and I think the Heym seems to have a better balance with more weight between the hands (which I am told you want). I handled the Chapuis before I was aware of the weight/balance factor so I can't comment on its feel.
Of the three you mention, the heym is best ballanced, and has the best of everything, but the price has jumped to $16K so is not in the same price point as the others!
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3) Does the rifle have ejectors?
Heym and Chapuis have it, Merkel doesn't.
The Merkels DO have ejectors on the new rifles! Of the two I own, the 140E 9.3X74R has selective ejectors, and my 470NE 140-2 safari has extractors, but ejectors are available on all NEW Merkels.
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4) Articulated front trigger?
Heym has it, Chapuis and Merkel do not.
True!
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5) Interceptor sear?
Heym has it, Chapuis and Merkel do not.
True!
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6) Which is the better looking rifle?
Heym (at my price range) is the big loser here - its a very plain looking rifle.
Both the Chapuis and Merkel look nice to me. I like the details of the Chapuis, it looks more expensive. I really like the forend of the Merkel.
The Chapuis tend to be light for caliber, and they are shiny, but I simply can't stand a beavertail foreend.
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7) Affordability
The very best price I could find on a Heym was $12,600 new but it is a low end gun (low end wood, no scrooling).
The Chapuis I can find new at about $9,500 and used at about $8,500
The Merkel I can find new for about $9,000 and used for about $8,000
In the price range you have stated of $10K, my belief is that the Merkel is the most rifle for the price, and is far closer to the English profile, than the Chapuis, Krieghoff, and I like the balance much more.
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Net/net still don't know what I want to do. I was leaning to the Merkel but the 20 ga frame issues worries me. The lack of ejectors doesn't feel like a deal killer but seems like a nice option.
I welcome any comments on this because I clearly still have no idea what I am doing. I am simply replaying things that I have been told.
As mentioned above, the 20 ga action is in size only, don't worry about the strength of that action, it will handle anything the factory chambers it for with ease!
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Are some of these factors being over played by the experts?
Thanks again!
I don't know what the EXPERTS say, but I have an idea they know what they are talking about at least most of the time! Certainly some things people tell you are personal choices, but anything they tell you, you can find out for yourself, by simply disregarding what they tell you.
