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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles
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404jeffery
.224 member


Reged: 31/07/06
Posts: 11
Proposed Purchse- Any Input?
      #60733 - 03/08/06 08:23 AM

Leaning toward this Watson from Champlin, in 450-400.

450/400

I am pretty sure a lot of you have looked at it on the site.

Anybody handle it?

JJ says the wood is not great, but normal for a rifle of this age- no abuse. He says it needs a re-fit of the wood and a galss bedding, about $500, this is no problem for me.

It is English, a 450/400 and has the scope so I can try to monkey around with PG too with it.

They have a load worked up for it too.

Any and all input welcome

Cheers!

Edited by 404jeffery (03/08/06 11:01 AM)

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Proposed Purchse- Any Input? [Re: 404jeffery]
      #60734 - 03/08/06 08:49 AM



Not a bad looker. Good luck.

Any reason you haven't looked at the Jeffrey 450/400 ?

500 Nitro

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404jeffery
.224 member


Reged: 31/07/06
Posts: 11
Re: Proposed Purchse- Any Input? [Re: 500Nitro]
      #60742 - 03/08/06 11:00 AM


Yes, looked at the Jeffery, the Watson has the scope...think the Jeffery is better? I wll call tomorrow and ask JJ to compare the two.

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500Nitro
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Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Proposed Purchse- Any Input? [Re: 404jeffery]
      #60744 - 03/08/06 11:12 AM

404

It's hard to say looking at photos - the Jeffrey has the "name" acording to some people but Watson Bros is an outstanding maker - they ust don't have the same level of name recognition
as Jeffrey and other but are just as good - especially since Jeffrey didn't make all of his guns.

Scope - I have doubles with both scope and unscoped - and to be honest I don't think it makes that much of a difference at the ranges you use them.

Personally, I would have a feel of the "fit" and "balance" before making a decision - I don't know whether you have already done this.

Anyway, good luck - I like the looks of both and at least you have JJ to help and a good dealer to deal with.

500 Nitro

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bulldog563
.400 member


Reged: 21/10/05
Posts: 1153
Loc: California
Re: Proposed Purchse- Any Input? [Re: 500Nitro]
      #60748 - 03/08/06 11:42 AM

The Jeffrey's bbls are kind of short at 22.5". Do you guys think it was originally built this way?

Have you looked at the Midland 375? Kind of heavy but still might be worth a look if you would consider a 375.

The Watson does look like a nice rifle though. If it were me, based on the pics and description, I would probably choose the Watson.

What sort of budget are you on?

Have you seen the Alex Henry 450-400 on GA?

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976738673.htm

Also on GA.... a cased Rigby 470 for 19 and change. An A Hollis & Son with 470 and 450-400 bbls for 21.

--------------------
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Edited by bulldog563 (03/08/06 11:54 AM)

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404jeffery
.224 member


Reged: 31/07/06
Posts: 11
Re: Proposed Purchse- Any Input? [Re: bulldog563]
      #60749 - 03/08/06 12:15 PM


Yes, i looked at them. I am leaning toward something at Champlin's because of their reputation and honest assessment by JJ. I am a little wary of buying an older double from someone else- thought they may be as reputable.

My local shop has a Cogswell & Harrison in 450/400 but can't tell me much about it at all- what was it regulated to etc., the gun shop owner knows less about doubles than I do!

450/400 and 470- interesting. Thanks for the input.

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bulldog563
.400 member


Reged: 21/10/05
Posts: 1153
Loc: California
Re: Proposed Purchse- Any Input? [Re: 404jeffery]
      #60750 - 03/08/06 12:26 PM

I agree with you, it is generally safer buying from a reputable dealer like Champlins then from someone who knows little to nothing about DR's. Still with a good inspection period you can have JJ or another qualified DR guy look over any rifle you are planning to buy. If it doesn't come out OK all you are out is shipping and inspection fees from JJ which are wuite reasonable.

Never thought I would say this but isn't shopping fun!

Good Luck.

--------------------
Join the National Rifle Association:
https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp

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404jeffery
.224 member


Reged: 31/07/06
Posts: 11
Re: Proposed Purchse- Any Input? [Re: bulldog563]
      #60751 - 03/08/06 01:31 PM


Bulldog

I didn't reply to your budget question. I am basically selling off all my bolt rifles, see GA for my listing of 20+ rifles, keeping the best 5, and 2 shotguns, so I do have a lot of $$$$.

I can buy a Merkel or Kreighoff, but I keep thinking, with guns, cars and women, you need to hold out for what you want, or you will shortly be tradin em in for the better model.

I could get aawy with a double 416 Rigby, or a 500/416, but I think I should go with the classic 450/400 or 470.

I had a nice conversation today with Mike Schwandt about his doubles, he brought up his o/u 375 WR. Well, that is sort of betwikst and between, I read a lot of guys like this caliber or a 9.3x74R for general PG shooting.

Basically, I am all over the board and will let things settle down a bit, all the input does help quite a bit so many thanks!

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NE450No2
.375 member


Reged: 10/01/03
Posts: 942
Re: Proposed Purchse- Any Input? [Re: 404jeffery]
      #60753 - 03/08/06 02:31 PM

404
I handled both of those doubles just a couple of days ago.
I have handled a lot of doubles over the years, I could hunt with either one of them.
In fact, if I was flush with money, I would have bought the Jeffery for my wife as the short bbls would make it easier for her to carry and shoot.

JJ told me a prior owner of the Jeffery had him shorten the barrels.
The Jeffery handles and feel good.

The Watson appears to be made by the Jeffery makers,
[as is my Edwinson Green and Sons 450 No2].

It too is a nice double that handles good.

Almost all doubles made by "Jefferys makers" fit me best of all.
You should go to Enid and get the one that you like the best.

If I got the Watson I would have JJ fit a new Schmidt&Bender 1.1-4 Zenith with the illuminated reticle in a set of low claw mounts. He did that on my 450/400 and it handles great.

Either one of those doubles, with whatever JJ thinks needs to be done, done, would make an excellent double.

I say again you can never go wrong with a British 450/400.

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DUGABOY1
.400 member


Reged: 02/02/03
Posts: 1340
Loc: TEXAS USA
Re: Proposed Purchse- Any Input? [Re: 404jeffery]
      #60772 - 04/08/06 12:26 AM

I agree with Tony on this one! Either one that fits you best is the one to buy, as long as the tweeks JJ reccomends are done! Like Tony, Id have JJ make some top rings that are lower, and put a modern scope on the rifle, with a bold reticle, and illuminated! I'd take a little trip to Enid, OK, and handle every thing in the gun vault, but especially the ones you are looking at!

............................Good Luck!

--------------------
..........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!"

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