Forums.NitroExpress.com

Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact NitroExpress.com: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money

*** Enjoy NitroExpress.com? Participate and join in. ***

You are not logged in. [Login]

Main Index · Search · Active Topics
New user · Who's Online · FAQ · Calendar

Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles

Pages: 1

thumper
.224 member

Reged: 29/10/05
Posts: 21
Loc: New Mexico, USA

Hello, Which Double best buy for the money
#39996 - 29/10/05 07:00 AM

New user here..Have enjoyed reading the threads on this forum. I will have more questions later.

I am looking into purchasing a new or near-new double rifle, as yes, there is an Aftrican hunt in my future. But, in order not to get a divorce over this, it will have to be from one of these makers;
Chapuis, Heym, merkel, krieghoff. Getting older while reading Elmer Keith, these are not those guns. I have experience only with the big bore bolt and leverguns I use for hunting.

Not wanting to start an opinion war on this thread, does anyone have experience with the double rifles from one or more of these makers?

Post Extras:

mickey
.416 member

Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: thumper]
#39999 - 29/10/05 08:09 AM

How much are you planning to spend? What calibers are you interested in?

Where are you from as price differs from Aus to the US to Europe.

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

Post Extras:

500Nitro
.450 member

Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: thumper]
#40004 - 29/10/05 09:14 AM

thumper,

Can you please update your Profile with the State, Country you
live in so everyone can see - it helps in Answering questions.

Also, have a search though the last 6 months - 1 year
on the Double Rifle forum as alot of what you ask
has been recently written.

Then by all means come back with more questions.

My suggestion - handle as many as you can - once we know
where you live people will point you in the direction you can
do this.

Handle as many as you can and buy the one that fits ou,
feels well balanced and good in the hand for YOU
and has everything you want.

If you buy based on price you will regret it.

500 Nitro

Post Extras:

zimhunter
.333 member

Reged: 05/02/04
Posts: 388
Loc: Southern Arizona

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: thumper]
#40051 - 30/10/05 12:21 AM

The best one is whichever one YOU like best. I have owned and shot Heym (375 H&H), Chapius (9.3x74), and Merkel (470NE). Tried a Kreighof but don't think I would ever adapt to the cocking device but they are fine rifles. My favorite was the Heym followed closely by the Chapius. If I were going to buy another light double (read 9.3x74) it would without a doubt be a Chapius. Short ,light, QUICK, and built very nicely with good quality and I really like the beavertail forearm. For a heavy I prefer the Merkel as the most cost effective purchase. But in the final analysis it's absolutely YOUR choice that counts. It's like which do you like best chocolate or vanilla or coke or pepsi. I can't tell YOU what to like so I can't tell you what is the BEST buy. I currently own only the Merkel as all my medium's are bolt guns.

Post Extras:

475Guy
.400 member

Reged: 22/08/03
Posts: 1088
Loc: Kali, US

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: thumper]
#40074 - 30/10/05 08:53 AM

The cheapest you can go is with a Merkel. The only thing is that you'll have to replace the mickeymouse buttplate with a rubber recoil pad. Also, I like a few others, didn't like the sights that came with it and replaced them with a NECG front and rear set. Other than that, I got the triggers worked on too. If you can live with the non-service that they offer you, that is the lowest price DR that you can expect for the money. You can use the links to get on GunsAmerica and look at the prices posted for DR's. I'll never get another Merkel since I've had to do too many things to get my DR to suit me, the next new one will definitely be a Searcy. Butch Searcy offers a DR that is fitted to your particular dimensions: Long arms, short arms; Thin face, round face; Stumpy build, lanky build, etc....

--------------------
Lo do they call to me,
They bid me take my place among
them in the Halls of Valhalla,
Where the brave may live forever.

Post Extras:

clark7781
.375 member

Reged: 28/10/04
Posts: 612
Loc: Fairfax County, Virginia, USA

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: thumper]
#40079 - 30/10/05 10:34 AM

Amen to what is already been said.

I would suggest taking a trip to SCI or DSC this January if your are from the States. Most of the big DR manufactures will be there. This way you'll get to hold, shoulder and feel a lot of them and decide which one fits best in your paws.

I have shot a Chapuis and Krieghoff before I bought my Merkel. This one fit me the best. I didhave JJ at Champlins install a recoil reducer and pad on it.

Of the four your mentioned, the Merkel would me my suggestions. But! Also give Searcy serious consideration.

--------------------
Clark

Double Rifle Shooters Society
.500 NE and .577 NE

Post Extras:

Peterb
.333 member

Reged: 07/07/04
Posts: 288

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: clark7781]
#40101 - 30/10/05 03:05 PM

My preference was the Searcy.

Post Extras:

thumper
.224 member

Reged: 29/10/05
Posts: 21
Loc: New Mexico, USA

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: thumper]
#40284 - 01/11/05 07:26 AM

I am in the US.

Want to keep the price of the double under 15,000 US if possible. I have only viewed pictures of the various doubles on the market, but have never handled one. I am focusing toward either 470NE or 500NE. Too much gun, or not enough? I have a Winchester 70 standard model 458 that I shoot only occasionally. Normally, just use a 338 or a 45-70 levergun for most things.

Post Extras:

Peterb
.333 member

Reged: 07/07/04
Posts: 288

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: thumper]
#40302 - 01/11/05 10:20 AM

Thumper, the Searcy PH model is $9500. The 470 is a great choice and big enough for anything. It has the same energy range as your 458 so expect the kick to be similar. Mine weighs 9.5 pounds but most will be 10-10.5 pounds. The 470 probably has the best resale.

The Heym is in the $16K range, I believe. The Blaser S2 is in the same price range as the Searcy but does not cock on opening or closing. It (along with the Krieghoff) has a separate cocking device which seems a bit dangerous on a Dangerous Game Gun. The Rigby (made in the USA) is about double the price of these two guns, but I don't like it as much. The Chapuis has a cheap feel to me but everyone is entitled to their own decisions. The big shows will have most guns there to fondle. Have fun making your choice. I don't know where you are from but both Rigby and Searcy are in California.

Post Extras:

mickey
.416 member

Reged: 05/01/03
Posts: 4647
Loc: Pend Oreille Valley, Idaho

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: Peterb]
#40323 - 01/11/05 02:45 PM

Thumper

Have you decided on a New Rifle?

There are some nice used ones for $15000 that will appreciate over time.

--------------------
Lovu Zdar
Mick

A Man of Pleasure, Enterprise, Wit and Spirit Rare Books, Big Game Hunting, English Rifles, Fishing, Explosives, Chauvinism, Insensitivity, Public Drunkenness and Sloth, Champion of Lost and Unpopular Causes.

Post Extras:

thumper
.224 member

Reged: 29/10/05
Posts: 21
Loc: New Mexico, USA

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: mickey]
#40377 - 02/11/05 03:18 AM

Thanks for all the input. I had been looking at the Searcy but the website does not give me enough information. So, it looks like a trip to the SCI convention in January would be the logical place to start.

Seems like the favorite cartridge is the 470 NE, is there a main reason other than Federal makes the ammunition that this is preferred over, say the 500 NE. (inexperience is asking)

Steve

Post Extras:

500Nitro
.450 member

Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: thumper]
#40378 - 02/11/05 03:38 AM

thumper

Federal making the ammunition is probably
the main reason.

470 Nitro was also a calibre in the past that was
released to the trade early (ie not a proprietary calibre like
500/465 etc) so alot more guns were made in this calibre
than others.

In the past, 500 Nitro was another level up and not that many guns
were made in 500 which then supposedly lead to less ammunition
being available which of course then led to less people wanting a 500 !!!
The never ending circle.

470 is a safe bet - easy to get ammo for anywhere in the world,
easier to shoot, easier to offload when you decide to sell it, and
if the bullet is put in the right spot ill do anything any other big
bore would do.

Good luck with your looking and purchasing.

500 Nitro

Post Extras:

thumper
.224 member

Reged: 29/10/05
Posts: 21
Loc: New Mexico, USA

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: 500Nitro]
#40478 - 03/11/05 04:33 AM

I appreciate all of the feedback. The DSC in January is a half-day drive, so I will spend a couple of days fondling and asking questions.

I have heard both sides of this, but to me for dangerous game--I want auto ejectors, right?

Post Extras:

500Nitro
.450 member

Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: thumper]
#40479 - 03/11/05 04:57 AM

Thumper

I want auto ejectors, right?

Yes - get ejectors for a number of reasons.

1. You can always make an Ejector gun an
extractor gun but not vice versa (We do this
if practising on a range or on a NOn DG shoot
where there is no need for them

2. You pay more initially but you get your money back
when you sell the gun and it is easier to sell.

500 Nitro

Post Extras:

srose
.300 member

Reged: 30/09/05
Posts: 139
Loc: North Carolina

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: thumper]
#40677 - 05/11/05 06:19 AM

Thumper,

Even though they are French, Chapuis is hard to beat. Have a couple of them and love them. Merkel is OK and not quite the gun a Chapuis is. Heym I haven't owned but I like the looks of them. A lot more money too.
If you are going to hunt with it get ejectors. Makes reloading fast. Go with a rimmed cartridge. Dust will clog up those little extractor pins in a rimless or belted ejector. I have a 375 H&H double thats so far has ejected fine but just don't trust it for dangerous game. Don't want an empty under the ejector.

Sam

Post Extras:

thumper
.224 member

Reged: 29/10/05
Posts: 21
Loc: New Mexico, USA

Re: Hello, Which Double best buy for the money [Re: srose]
#42418 - 26/11/05 04:59 AM

Although I like the 500NE, I will probably go 470NE. Have talked with Mr. Searcy a couple of times. I have already made plans to attend the DSC in January, as I want to compare and talk before I decide. But if it is to be a new gun it will probably be a Chapius, Heym, or Searcy.

I had owning a double out of my system for 10-years, then one day!

Post Extras:

Pages: 1

Extra information

1 registered and 150 anonymous users are browsing this forum.

Moderator: CptCurl

Print Topic

Forum Permissions
      You cannot start new topics
      You cannot reply to topics
      HTML is disabled
      UBBCode is enabled

Rating:
Topic views: 4293

Jump to

NitroExpress.com

Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact