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DoubleD, this last statement by Micky is as true as the sunrise, except the part about looseing 1/2 it's value. That is a little severe. Depending on the brand and quality level for that brand, it could loose that much, but in most of the brands it will be little more than 15%. Something like a Baikil will likely loose 1/2, but I think that is a no brainer even to the unschooled. I would, however like to know where I can buy a new used $10k double rifle for $5K!

Let me clear up something here! My origenal statement, to Holmes, was in response to a question about buying a NEW 375 H&H FL Double Rifle,in the $10,000 price range, and had nothing to do with used Brittish rifles. My opinion is still the same, the Searcy is the only double made today in that price range, that is made to fit the buyer.

If buying a KIA automobile, does anyone here think you will get the ride, and handleing of a top of the line Lexus? I think not! The B. Searcy is certainly as strong as any 100 year old Britt, and if you don't know what you are doing, the Britt can end up costing a lot of money, if you buy a rifle with hidden flaws, you weren't aware of. In that case, the Britt rifle will loose a lot more than 1/2 it's value when you try to get rid of it. You can ask nobody, I know, who will know any more about Brittish double rifles then 400 NITRO EXPRESS. 400 is a friend of mine, and he is the man I go to when I don't know something. That said, he is a bit of a Britt snobb, but he a has a right to be, because he knows of what he speaks in that area, or infact on double rifles in general. He will tell you, himself, he deffinetly has a bias where Brittish doubles are concerened.
Additionally, I will say if Holmes had someone like Mark (400)around to guide him in his search, then the only thing to consider would be a name Brittish double rifle.

Since it is a new rifle you want, the britts are out of that $10K price range, and even the new,non Britt ones are limited in number, especially chambered for 375 H&H FL,, and the fact that you live in the USA, my origenal opinion still stands. If you lived in OZ, or Europe, then I'd be looking at the Heym, in a new rifle.

If it fits you, and shoots where you point it, with both barrels, chambered for 375 H&H FL, and all you have to spend is $10K, and you want a new rifle, that the maker is still alive, and will warantee his product, then the Searcy PH is the only choice, for a USA citizen!

I collect Westley Richards doubles, and so I'm a lover of Brittish rifles as well, but I also can see the value in some of the other makers. In fact, I find German rifles to regulate better, in many cases, than the Britts! I bought a Westley Richards 500/450 for only $2100 USD, in the makers case, with loading dies, 40 rounds of brass, 30 rounds of loaded ammo, a load recipe, for a regulateing load and a letter from WR as to it's history. This rifle had auto selective ejectors, hammerless, auto, barred safety, rose and scroll engraveing, leather covered recoil pad. The man who had it was a collector of military junk. He bought it in an estate sale,along with some war souvenirs, and didn't know what he had. Here is the catch, for the un-schooled buyer,normally, a $2100 USD double rifle is something to be avoided like the plague, but if you know what you are looking at, the owner didn't,in this case, it can be a fine investment. So what I'm saying by all this is, if you don't know, and you don't know anyone, who does know, your best bet is to buy something NEW, especially if you only have $10K to spend! You can't get the Krieghoff,Chapuis, or the Merkel, in anything larger than 9.3X74R for less than $11K, and the Merkel you can't get chambered for 375 H&H FL at all!

The discriptions are a little harsh, IMO, "BRICK WITH BROOM HANDLES", INDEED!

Again, if $10K is the limit, and you don't know what you need to know, to buy a used Britt, the B. Searcy is the only whore in town!

You do have one thing in your favor! You say you have four years before you buy! This is time enough for you to learn a great deal, if you apply yourself, by then you just MAY find a Brittish double rifle, worth haveing, for $10K. If not, I'd buy New!

Too bad you weren't ready to buy the other day when Ray put his 450/400 3 1/4" up for $10K! It wasn't your 375 H&H FL, but it was a rifle you wouldn't have had to worry about! He sold it because he bought a NEW B. Searcy PH 470 NE, that shoots 2" composite groups @ 50 yds!

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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!"

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