Singh,
I am just where you are: can't wait any longer to get my first double.
At the SCI I saw a Chapuis 9.3x74R with gorgeous wood (much nicer than most Holland & Hollands at the show). It was lighter and the swing better than their .470 (which was too heavy and which just couldn't be carrie all day after water buffalo here in south america).
To me a double must have ejectors, so the Merkel is not an option.
A Searcy is, and I need something heavier than the 9.3 for buffalo.
However, I would like to understand the huge gap in price from the 9.3 to the next level of medium bores. Where is that cost difference???
Dante