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Let me weigh in here, and I apologize if I appear to be a newbie by the number of posts, but that is because I just discovered this forum rather than new to guns or doubles.

Starting first with the observation above that "Get a used Merkel 500NE and see if you like it and can tolerate the smack.Use the rest of the $$ for Safari I feel the 500NE balances much better than their 470NE(which feels much more barrel heavy) Go on Safari and then sell it for something bigger or better handling like a best quality English Double if you wish." I have some firsthand experience to add. Believe it or not, there is a disctinct difference in handling between the 470 and 500 Merkel doubles. Granted that the larger bores would mean a bit less weight ahead of the triggerguard, but not enough to make that much of a difference. Handling both side by side, the 500 balances very well can be handled with far more precision than the same gun in 470. I tried both and bought the 500.

More 'smack' to the shoulder? Sure, but not so much that if you can handle the 470 you will not be able to handle the 500. If you are that sensitive to recoil, neither will work for you and go smaller. (Of course, I am a bit odd when it comes to large bores in small packages, where recoil is ALWAYS a factor. Gary Reeder built me a 470NE single shot on a Ruger No.1, shortest legal length barrel, muzzle brake, multiple recoil reducers in the stock, and still a featherweight. Barks on both ends and the blast will level the grass on both sides -- and anyone standing on the sides -- but still not as bad as a 378 Weatherby.)

I also agree that if the balance suits you, the Merkel is the best and cheapest way to go. They can be had new under $10 and do not depreciate as fast as some would have you believe. (Most lightly used ones are at or just below that price.) Another gun in the same price range, which George Carswell at Champlin likes -- and he is VERY astute on the subject of doubles -- is the Chapuis, which does not come larger than 470 but that is all you really need to begin with.

Now, can you really get the same from a pre-WWII British double? I suggest not. Unless you want to acquire a worn or worn out 470 etc you will have to pay near double the price of a Merkel or a Chapuis. And once the older guns have become worn out, and look it, they do not sell nor 'appreciate.' The other factor to consider is that if you pony up two or three times as much to get a pristine British double, are you really going to haul it into the field and get it scratched going through the brush, etc? Many do, but let's face it, any damage to the gun is going to adversely impact on resale value.

I bought a Merkel 500 to shoot. (I also have one of their featherweight -- just a hair over 6 pounds -- double coming in a 7X57R to play with.) I also own several lovely old British doubles which I shoot, but only under quiet, non-hunting conditions. I want to preserve them for the next owner, and pass them on in their original condition.

My more-than-2cents? Buy something functional and relatively inexpensive if you want to hunt unless money is no object. Save your money to collect later. Dave

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Time Wounds All Heels