Yeah, guys, I agree with you on the rimmed cartridges, it's an ejection issue isn't it? The only reason I would go with a .458WM or a .375H&H is because I have dies and loading gear for them already. The .470 is probly the way to go though. Nitro Express just sounds cool too!

I don't know about you guys, but engraving and select grade walnut etc is a waste for me, that's not to say I don't like it or would wreck it but I get into some pretty bad bush at times (marrakai will testify to what it can get like up here!) and it would only get damaged and degrade the rifle. Is there a company that builds 'utility' grade doubles? Like one with no engraving, gold plated fanciness and $2k worth of timber on it? I still wan't good quality metalwork and stock/metal fit etc but not the 'ornamental' stuff that is on most of the rifles I have seen/been looking at? I wan't to shoot it, not look at it in a display!

As for new guns, that is out of the question! Even for a lousy .30-06 or 9.3 you are looking at $10k! I cannot afford that much. I already have rifles in those cals anyway. This is a dilemma because there are not a real lot of secondhand doubles on the market. The gunsmith I use got hold of a beauty .450 a few months ago for a few hundred dollars! It had a cracked stock but he made a new one for it now and it looks great. It's an old english one (not sure of brand but it is engraved to the sh1t house!) and has perfect bores, he recons it has had less than 100 rounds through it! I have been pestering him to sell it to me but he won't have a bar of it!

Damn! hehehe

What am I ever to do?