Thanks for the welcome...

Oh yeah...I know about the "I want more of 'em" problem. I've got #1's I've tricked out that I haven't used for years. They're still in the safe, and will be for some time yet. Probably G'kid presents eventually {:o). Some (about 1/3) were rebarreled to get satisfactory (to me) accuracy. All of those in the safe (7x57, .270, 7mm Rem., and .338 Win) are tuned with Nosler Partitions to deliver 1 MOA accuracy, except the varmint rifles which are tuned to ~ 3/4" (.223), or less than 0.5" (.244 Mashburn aka 6mm Ackley). Now I'm fooling around with lever rifles and cast bullets.

Actually, I've been using cast bullets for about 35 years now, but only recently decided to use them for hunting. For hunting with cast, a lever rifle is plenty of gun. There are now 4 Winchesters (.25-20, .30-30, .375 Win, and .45-70) in use with cast, and three Rem pump rifles (Models 14 and 141, in .25, .30, and .35 Rem, plus parts for a .32 Rem (in progress)) that use rimless versions of the Winchester lever rifle rimmed catridges, also with cast. Pistols using cast run from .32 H&R up thru .45 Colt. If you are going to handicap yourself a bit with a firearm, why not go all the way? Use a pistol or rifle with open sights, cast bullets, straight wall cases, etc. Its about like the handicap with a double rifle re: velocities and accuracy, but you get a tad bit more consistent accuracy as the ranges increase with the lever rifle. With the DR you get more accuracy than with the pistol (factory guns, Freedom Arms and Bowen/Linebaugh/Reeder custom jobs, etc not included), plus the ability to use it for larger critters and longer ranges than with a handgun. I know, elephants, etc have all been whacked with .454's and the like. Thats a stunt IMO (no flame intended to anybody), but different strokes for different folks. I simply do not want to take any risk of wounding a game animal so I restrict myself to animal size and ranges appropriate to the firearm I am using, with my skill level with that firearm. I am currently practicing with Win lever guns in .375 Win and .45-70 for a moose hunt this fall. I haven't decided which rifle to take yet. The .375 is pushing a 270 gr cast at ~ 2100 fps, while the .45-70 is pushing a 425 cast at 1950 fps. The .375 weighs about 6.5 lbs, the .45-70 is supposed to weigh about 7.5 lbs (Win Extra light). There is no doubt about primer function when you pull the trigger with either of them!! I shoot them off of the bench without any undue mental anguish and don't flinch if wearing proper ear protection and I concentrate on the hold and follow thru.

Re: DR's. I am pondering between the Merkle and the Chapuis. The Chapuis has the better reputation, but is about $2k more than the Merkel, similarly equipped. Add another $2k and you can buy the Searcy new or older Brit rifle in "reasonable" used condition. At least that is the way I see it at this time.

Pilgrim