All of you are very kind to welcome me. I have read this forum for quite some time and have found the people posting to be stand-up, experienced huntsmen. I am truly a rookie to double rifles, but really, really want one badly. I take every comment seriously and I am sure there are many things I need to know, but don't. I was offered a really nice .577 Nitro Double (think it was a Wesley Richards as its been a while ago) for $75,000. The gun was absolutely drop dead gorgeous and the case was nicer than any furniture I own. The guy wanted to trade me for a Chris Craft lake boat or a locomotive. I had no locomotive and no longer had access to a Chris Craft lake boat that was once owned by my wife's grandfather. The rifle sure was nice and I am learning quality. I looked at the Sabatti because it was available relatively locally to peruse. The workmanship was decent and not crude as I was expecting. My local dealer can get me Merkel, Krieghof, and perhaps Heym. I may just go with Butch Searcy. I just don't know at this minute. I want to be careful with my money as I am certainly not wealthy, but I need to do this. The "want" is for the double, but the "need" is to do Africa the correct way I have dreamed about the hunt and in that "dream", I have the double. I am well accomplished with heavy recoiling rifles and have shot them frequently for 40 years. I don't believe I have developed bad habits. I don't flinch and exercise great concentration and trigger control, but I have absolutely no experience with doubles. I have always wanted a .500 Nitro or .50 caliber bolt gun. I had begun a project building a .500 Jeff., but decided to scuttle the project after purchasing a barrel and having it reamed and chambered. Just don't really like rebated rimmed cartridges (had some issues with a .284 Win. and .425 WR ) reliably feeding consistently. I am sure my gunsmith could have sorted them out, but I lost interest. I still have the barrel. Actually gave the Griffin and Howe stock to Barry Taylor (arctic caribou guide). I have been toying with the idea of a CZ in .505 Gibbs, but it just isn't the double I want.

I will continue to solicit input from the fine gentlemen on this forum and "take the plunge". I love my .450/400 Nitro and must admit that I am very impressed with .40 caliber guns. I love my Rigby and keep it at about factory specs. The .450/400 Nitro has been loaded-up a bit, but is really not necessary as the .410 diameter 400 grain projectile at roughly 2150 fps. is fine. I don't push my .458 Win. Mag. hard and I don't push the .458 Lott much over 2250 fps. I just don't think it is needed. Should I buy the .500 Nitro double (components readily available for "rolling your own"), I think I will be complete, but could most assuredly see a .450/400 Nitro 3" double on the horizon.

Nyati50 (Michael)