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Any of the four mentioned here are value for money spent! Haveing said that, IMO, the Heym is the best of the bunch, though a little more expensive in The USA than the other three! The cheapest, (to buy), of the four here is the Merkel, and in 470NE, or the newly offered, 500NE, it is a real buy, but the price is riseing! I would stay away from the 416, and 375H&H rimless offerings in the Merkel, and stick with the 9,3X74R, 470NE, or 500NE, if a medium to large chambering is what you want. If I were buying strictly to use in the USA, or OZ, I'd stick with the little 9.3X74R. The Merkel, along with the Heym, are built a little more on the traditional British lines, where the Chapuis are uneque to themselves, with 24" barrels, beavertail fore-end wood. Additionally, the Krieghoff has the very controvercial cocking system.

All four are fine, and will serve well, if they fit you! As mentioned above, by Kos, the engraveing is not top notch on the Merkel, and is $1000 US cheaper without it. That is the way I would buy it. I've shot a few, but have never owned a Krieghoff, or Chapuis, but I find both to be quite well made, and they both shot well, for the examples I handled.

I have owned both the Merkel, and Heym, and I find both to be very good doubles considering the price.

I have, right now, a Merkel 140E chambered for 9.3X74R, that is fast becomming my favorite double for North America's Wild Boar, Bear, Moose, Elk, and deer for timber hunting. Though I haven't taken any of those animals with this particular 9.3X74R,I have, with other doubles I've owned in this chambering. The little Merkel is an absolute dream to carry, and shoot. This is the fourth double I've owned, so chambered, and I find the 9.3X74R to be a lot better cartridge, than most give it credit for being!

I agree with the person above who says someone new to double rifles, is better off to buy "NEW"! The word "NEW" almost guarintees one of the names mentioned, because most of us, certainly I, cannot afford a new British "NAME"
double rifle.

Once the new rifle teaches it's new owner a little about the care and feeding of a double rifle, he can shop for a quality used British double, with a little more confidence, in it's value! Of course, one can always find someone with a little knowledge to help, and go that way first, and buy a good used Britt, and start out with an investment rifle!

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..........Mac >>>===(x)===>
DUGABOY1, and MacD37 founding member of DRSS www.doublerifleshooterssociety.com
"If I die today, I have had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"

Edited by DUGABOY1 (29/11/03 02:08 AM)