Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact
NitroExpress.com: Need your advice please.

View recent messages : 24 hours | 48 hours | 7 days | 14 days | 30 days | 60 days | More Smilies


*** 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
Previous topic Previous   View all topics Index   Next topic Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Pages: 1
mikeh416Rigby
.450 member


Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....
Need your advice please.
      #75730 - 06/04/07 12:19 PM

In August of 2008 I'll be taking my first, and probably only, Cape Buffalo hunt. I have a Ruger 77 in .416 Rigby that I know is capable of doing the job if I do my part.

I do however, have a dilema. I would love to take the Buffalo with a double rifle, if for no other reason, double rifles just reek of romance and nostalgia when it comes to Buffalo hunting. I am, unfortunately, not in a position financially, to be able to afford a top of the line double rifle, especially, since this will be used on only one hunt.

A friend here on NE has suggested that I look for a used Merkel, in good working condition, in .470 caliber, use it for the trip, and sell it upon my return.

What is your experience/knowledge of Merkel's as far as function, reliability, and accuracy? What should I expect to pay for a functional used Merkel, and what would be a good source to find one?

Thanks for your feedback.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Greener
.224 member


Reged: 01/04/07
Posts: 18
Loc: Europe
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #75746 - 06/04/07 04:36 PM

At first: if you are going to hunt once you would rent a gun in Africa – if they will have suitable one for you.
At second: to be able to hunt safe you must be able to shoot twice in fast temp, consequently you need a proper stock. Mostly to achieve this a man need to restock his gun or optimize current gunstock. Buy, restock, sell – its not a dial. I think renting gun it’s a good idea for you, but its just my humble opinion.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5313
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #75752 - 06/04/07 09:15 PM

Mike, you aren't too far away. Why don't you plan a visit here and you can shoot my Merkel .500NE until your heart's content. You will know by the end of the visit if a Merkel is for you.

As for me, if I were going to hunt buffalo, my Merkel is what I would take.

I haven't been too diligent at watching DR prices lately, but I think a good used Merkel can be had for about $9,000. Believe me, that's a bargain.

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Badger_Matt
.224 member


Reged: 29/10/06
Posts: 43
Loc: Simpsonville, SC
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: CptCurl]
      #75753 - 06/04/07 09:19 PM

Mike,
On 21 April several of us will be shooting doubles ( http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1411043/m/170100056 ) and we'd love to have you join us. I'll have my Merkel .470 NE there and there will likely be a .450 NE #2, .500 NE, and maybe a .577 NE. These are some of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and you can test drive a few doubles.
Matt

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
500grains
.416 member


Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: Badger_Matt]
      #75765 - 07/04/07 12:59 AM

If you buy a double right, you could actually stand to make money either when you return from your trip or a year later. It seems that 450-400's are extremely popular now and I think that one of those would be very easy to sell. And of course the .470 is the king of the hill as far as double rifle popularity.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
ozhunter
.400 member


Reged: 18/08/04
Posts: 1692
Loc: Sydney, Australia
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: 500grains]
      #75767 - 07/04/07 01:11 AM

Imo A Merkel 470NE has function, reliability and accuracy but I think a scoped 416 is a more suitable Buffalo Rifle.
ozhunter

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40547
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: 500grains]
      #75769 - 07/04/07 01:17 AM

I can't offer any comment on re-sale value because it would depend on the price you pay, the rifle, chambering etc. There are however every now and again some very attractively priced second hand doubles available.

Whether it is affordable for you would also depend on how long you would need to hold it for before selling.

However I personally would not have a problem buying a Merkel and using it on a cape buffalo hunt. The main thing I do not like about the Merkel is their stand rear sight, with a notch instead of a shallow V . I would look also at Krieghoff's, Chapuis and Heym's as well. Depending on what your personal preferences are.

The .470 would be a readily re-saleable chambering in a double. As 500grains says the .450/400 would probably also be quite saleable as they are quite fashionable at the moment but probably much harder to find at a good price as a second hand rifle.

Take both the .416 and the double you might get. The .416 with a scope can also be used for longer shots if needed and plains game.

Your danger will be, you might like it so much you can't bear to sell it!

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
mikeh416Rigby
.450 member


Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: 500grains]
      #75773 - 07/04/07 01:26 AM

Can you recommend any reliable dealers here in the states that deal in used double rifles?

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Chasseur
.375 member


Reged: 18/11/03
Posts: 771
Loc: Hunting classic Indian game!
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #75788 - 07/04/07 04:51 AM

Mike,

I'd second the recomendations for a used Merkel or Chapuis. 470 or 500 would be good calibers. I'd also recomend shooting one or two, as Curly said, and see what you like. Its not a big deal to change the sights on a Merkel and put on a recoil pad.

--------------------
In regards to action he should devote himself to hunting...
-Machiavelli



Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
mikeh416Rigby
.450 member


Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: Badger_Matt]
      #75792 - 07/04/07 05:33 AM

Quote:

Mike,
On 21 April several of us will be shooting doubles ( http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1411043/m/170100056 ) and we'd love to have you join us. I'll have my Merkel .470 NE there and there will likely be a .450 NE #2, .500 NE, and maybe a .577 NE. These are some of the nicest guys you'll ever meet and you can test drive a few doubles.
Matt



I may take you up on that offer. The diner is only about 30 - 45 minutes from my home.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
EricD
.416 member


Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 4636
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #75798 - 07/04/07 08:10 AM

Mike,

If as you wrote this will maybe be your one and only buff hunt, I personally would rather use the 416 Rigby you have, and spend the extra money on either an extra buffalo trophy fee (or other additional trophy fees), and/or a few more days hunting/touring Africa. I think this would be of more memorable value in the long run than shooting 1 buff with a double rifle. Especially a rifle that you will be selling shortly after. JMHO.

Erik

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
hoppdoc
.400 member


Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: EricD]
      #75836 - 07/04/07 10:41 PM

I would have to agree with ErikD.

The hunt would come first.Your Buff will be just as dead whether shot be 416 or by Double.

The Double meet in Texas really sounds great!!You could shoot several types of Doubles.

Chris at Double Gun Imports dealt with me and has several used Merkel Doubles.You may wish to contact him.I have had a 470 Merkel and now have the 500 Merkel.IMO the weight/handling of the Merkel 500 is far superior to their 470.

I consider the 470 NE to be the Double rifle equivilent of the 458 WM, ie a 500 grain bullet at 2150 fps.Since I have one in a bolt I wanted MORE/BETTER.I upgraded to the 500 and have no regrets.The 500 is a blast to shoot and fulfills that need. Personally if you do want to hunt a Double and are comfortable with a 500NE I would take the 500 over a 470.

No matter. You will enjoy your hunt irregardless!!!

--------------------
An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.

Edited by hoppdoc (07/04/07 10:43 PM)

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #75845 - 08/04/07 01:14 AM

I HAD A MERKEL IN .470-- IT SHOT VERY WELL..and just recently sold it for $9000. In this particular case, I was able to acquire the new rifle at a great price--and sold it one year later at a profit no less. That is not usually the case however IF you take care of it you should be able to get close to what you paid for it back when you sell it. If you look at Heym's web site there are currently used Merkel doubles for sale there as well as on the Westley Richards and Cabela's Gun Library and Guns America web sites. In fact Guns America had several for sale on there when I looked earlier this week and also had the best prices. I believe a new Merkel in both .470 and .500 Nitro could be had for around $9000. In my home town, Westley Richards has their U.S. based office. I have had the privelage to shoot some of their consignment doubles prior to them being placed for sale on the web. I have to agree, in my experience, the .500 Merkel handles much better than the .470 and if I was to purchase one that is the caliber I would choose. thank you
Ripp.

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Charles_Helm
.333 member


Reged: 09/11/05
Posts: 337
Loc: Dallas, Texas
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: Ripp]
      #75891 - 08/04/07 11:22 AM

How far are you comfortable shooting without a scope? Vaughan seemed to think that most of the buff they took were at scope distances when I talked to him at the Dallas show. The risk you run in using a double is that your best or only shot will be farther than you are comfortable shooting without a scope. Many people are prepared to go home without a buff if they cannot get close enough, but not everyone is.

Sorry if this is a hijack.

--------------------
Some pictures from Namibia

Some pictures from Zimbabwe

An Elephant Story

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Badger_Matt
.224 member


Reged: 29/10/06
Posts: 43
Loc: Simpsonville, SC
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: Charles_Helm]
      #75893 - 08/04/07 11:32 AM

Mike -- Hope you can make it to the shoot. We drove through your Oley Valley stompin' grounds today on the way from Longwood Gardens (the missus made me go) to Cabelas...and "home" to Carlisle. Who knows...I may have convinced myself by the 21st that I ought to sell my Merkel too. She's accurate, has absolutely beautiful wood, and I love shooting her, but...I could afford a nice bolt action and a much sooner African hunt if she weren't around. I'm doing a father/son plains game first but those PAC ele and buff hunts are calling my name.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
mikeh416Rigby
.450 member


Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: Charles_Helm]
      #75894 - 08/04/07 01:13 PM

Quote:

How far are you comfortable shooting without a scope? Vaughan seemed to think that most of the buff they took were at scope distances when I talked to him at the Dallas show. The risk you run in using a double is that your best or only shot will be farther than you are comfortable shooting without a scope. Many people are prepared to go home without a buff if they cannot get close enough, but not everyone is.

Sorry if this is a hijack.



These 60ish eyes aren't what they used to be. I'm not too comfortable using open sights any more. I much prefer a scope. Your point is well taken.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5313
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #75936 - 08/04/07 10:22 PM

Well whimper and whine! The last I checked, they still make DR's with QD scopes. Have the best of all possibilities!

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
hoppdoc
.400 member


Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #75940 - 08/04/07 10:50 PM

Hey Mike16Rigby--

No problem!! I have a solution--

Just buy a 450/400 Heym with claw mounts, a qd scope,and all the goodies and sell it to me at a deep discount after your Safari!!

--------------------
An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5313
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: hoppdoc]
      #75942 - 08/04/07 11:10 PM

Hopp,

What a kind and thoughtful suggestion. I know that will be the answer to Mike's dilemma.

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
mikeh416Rigby
.450 member


Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: EricD]
      #76060 - 10/04/07 05:25 AM

Well, after much consideration, I've decided to stick with my bolt action .416 Rigby. I'm familiar with it, shoot it well, and it'll do the job if I do my part. Thanks to everyone who offered advise.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
500grains
.416 member


Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #76131 - 11/04/07 12:24 AM

A wise decision.

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40547
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Need your advice please. [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #76145 - 11/04/07 01:37 AM

Quote:

Well, after much consideration, I've decided to stick with my bolt action .416 Rigby. I'm familiar with it, shoot it well, and it'll do the job if I do my part. Thanks to everyone who offered advise.



Good idea.

Less guns = more hunting.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Post Extras: Print Post   Remind Me!   Notify Moderator  
Pages: 1


Previous topic Previous   View all topics Index   Next topic Next   Threaded Mode Threaded  

Extra information
0 registered and 82 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: 5997

Rate this topic

Jump to

Contact Us NitroExpress.com

Powered by UBB.threads™ 6.5.5


Home | Ezine | Forums | Links | Contact


Copyright 2003 to 2011 - all rights reserved