Bwana,

You have many options today as brass is readily available most calibers and you can reload for less than $2.00 per shot, cheaper if you shoot cast. If you want to delve into British doubles: do your homework, search, negotiate, take advice and you will be well severed. My brother and I each own 100 year old doubles that shoot great. His is a 500/450 and mine is a 450No2. We shoot cheap 350 grain Hornadys for practice and light game.

Regarding a new Searcy, can’t go wrong there. However, consider one of the .450 based cartridges instead of the 470. Personally, I would choose the 500/450 for the following reasons: .458 bullets, new honerberner(sp) brass, can easily form brass from the ubiquitous 470, NFB loads, and full nitro loads.