I've got a C&H 375 H&H Flanged and a couple of WRs. I definitely prefer the the WRs because they are lighter for calibre.

I've got a couple of "best quality" WRs and a couple of the basic trade models. I must confess I really get off on the lower grade guns because i suspect that they were owned by someone who really needed them and used them and I like to think of them being carried daily in the African bush or Indian jungle - especially my .470.

For the same reason, I'd go for a Brit rather than a Searcy and pre WWII even better pre WWI and I am happy to pay a premium for a proven provenance. Not necessarily someone famous but someone I can try and trace for example one of my guns dating from the 1890's has a Praetoria address in India ink on the case so I know its seen use on buck (it's a .303) and I'm having lots of fun trying to trace the history of the original owner.

But, I get a bit of fun out of my spaceage German 300 Win Mag bullpup (26.5" barrel in a 33" package) with a 4-12x56 'scope.

Buy whatever you like at the time - you can always sell it and even if you lose a bit, think how much you saved by going to the range etc compared to playing the pokies or, as we say in Oz, pissing it up against the wall.

mike