A PH friend of mine has asked me to look for a "new" double rifle for him. This is a serious enquiry.

He will be using the rifle as a backup rifle in Africa on buffalo hunts and presumably also on elephant, cats etc.

I asked him for his preferences and he does not have a preference at this stage for new or 'used', calibre to be .375 or larger. I advised a minimum of a .400, rimmed not belted, and preferably a .470 NE as that is probably the only calibre n the class you will get loaded ammo for in Africa (or almost anywhere).

He is looking to source the rifle in Australia and obviously at a realistic price. It will be a user not a wall hanger. (If on the other hand someone wanted to drop one off in Africa, maybe elsewhere too

).

I believe the following doubles are available new in Oz: Merkel, Krieghoff, Chapuis, Heym (?), maybe Blaser. Will have to look at the magazines to see if other brands are available. In addtion it may be possible to find a 'vintage' rifle suitable to the task and also at the right price.

I would welcome peoples comments on first hand experience (not necessarily owning them) on the handling of various doubles, pluses and minuses, use etc. If anyone wants to share the prices they have paid or sold them for by PM that is welcome too.

Who knows a seller may be able negotiate some hunting discounts too.