I don't know if "inferior" is the right way to put it. It all comes down to what you have in your budget. And what caliber.

I take it we are talking about a 470 Nitro type caliber.

I don't really think you can compare a British rifle to an American, German, French or Austrian made rifle without taking price into account. A $175,000 Holland and Holland is going to look and feel a whole lot better than a $12,000 Searcy.

In new production, there are a few price points. You have the $9000 to $12,000 range, which includes Chapuis, Merkel, Krieghoff and Searcy. As far as shooting accurately goes, there are no flies on the new Searcys, although the fit, finish and balance of the European makers seems to be better. But don't forget that you are comparing Searcy who has been in business for what, 20 years, with European makers who have been in business going back to the 1800's.

Then you have the $12,000 to $18,000 range. That includes Searcy, Heym, Thys (making them under a different name) and a couple others. The differences between the European makers and Searcy are more apparent. Heym, for example, offers as standard intercepting sears, articulated front trigger, cocking indicators and a couple other features that are options on the Searcy. By the time you price those out, the Searcy is more expensive than the Heym. But the Heym is better in the fit, finish, balance and looks department. The "Mexican Rigby" falls into this or the next range, and I have a low opinion of those.

Then you jump to a pretty wide range - $20,000 to $35,000. 500 Grains knows more about these makers than I do, but they are mostly European and are great rifles. They could easily bear the H&H name.

Notice we have not mentioned any English maker yet. If I remember correctly, a new WR boxlock was in the 40's and a drop lock started around $80,000. They are fine rifles.

H&H-start over $100,000.

One note about Searcy - just about every year, his rifles seem to improve. Remember that in the double rifle world, his business is new. And his business is growing - that is good and bad. It will be interesting to see how things play out in the next couple years.