doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Double Rifle

I used a bolt action 416 Rigby in Zimbabwe last month. When I go back I will take a double rifle. So I need to buy one. The best buy seems to be a Merkel at just under $10,000. and I have a 12 ga Merkel 47E that shoots well for me. Above the Merkel, prices climb rapidly and I don't want to go there because my next trip to Africa will be my last. Not that I don't want to go many more times but I'll be seventy four then and that's enough. What does one do with an elephant stopper in Southern California?
Any thoughts on double rifles that might work for me?

I would look at a Searcy and, if you can find a used one, a Wm. Douglas. What Caliber are you most interested in?

Well, even if you only use it for one trip you can buy an englihs double then sell it after your trip.

It seems to me you first should identify the class of cartridges you expect to use, based on what you intend to hunt. Assuming you mean what you said "elephant stopper" then you should get a .470NE or a .500NE. On the lighter end you might consider a .450/.400.

Then you need to think about whether you really care about the gun itself. In other words, are you just looking for a shooter or a beater? Do you want a higher level of quality and embellishment?

If what you decide on is an entry level rifle, then the Merkel is hard to beat. It has reasonable build quality and it comes at a really good price. I have a Merkel 140-2 chambered in .500NE, and I think for the money it is a great rifle. It's no English best, but it is a good solid and accurate rifle.

Probably at the entry level you should expect to have some issues getting the rifle broken in, etc. You should buy what you decide on promptly and then shoot the heck out of it over the next year. You want to make sure the action has smoothed up and everything is working all the time.

Good luck with your decision.

Curl

Thank you all. I don't want an elephant stopper. 375 H&H is my first choice but 450-400 3" is good too. I suppose I'll go with the Merkel. I have a 12 ga. 47E that works well for me. I assume it will also work well in 375H&H.

Richard,
What's on the menu for Africa? If you're going for buff, 375 is the legal minimum in most places, although, sometimes, you can get away with a 9.3x74r, which is generally quite adequate from a performance standpoint.
You might want to consider the Chapuis, which (esp in 9.3) can be had for a reasonable price. The one I'm familiar with is quite accurate (2" at 100 yds with scope) and handles well. Otherwise, you'll pay a premium for 375 or larger. Used to be 450/400s were easily available on the aftermarket, but with ammo becoming easy to get, people have discovered how good that family is.
As for needing an ele stopper in Californis....you can never tell.

Agree with Leo on the Chapuis. Best "bang" for the buck in newer double rifles.

Richard !!!!! Have I got a deal for you...... A couple weeks ago I posted some pictures of a double gun I have. A very nice G.L.Rasch, in 9.3x74r, with a Jackenkroll scope. Can make you a very nice deal on it. Call me at 864-294-9222 (h) or on my cell at 702-416-4800 (c) if you are interested, I was taking it to the Ashville NC gunshow tomorrow. I posted some pictures under G.L. Rasch heading.

My friend Ken Buch sells Chapuis, Merkel, Verney-Caron, is an experienced African hunter, and has sold a bunch of real big bores as well as light 9.3X74 guns. His website is kebcollc.com but you should call him for the best information. The latest toys he has been selling locally have been the Verney-Caron .577 Nitros. I want one so badly but, unfortunately, can't shoot one. He also sells the lightweight Siace, and the Mathelon all rifle drilling, my favorite. I handled the 9.3X74 drilling and I would select that if I could field test it extensively before shipping it to Africa. Ken is in southern PA, is retired from the working world and has plenty of time to talk to you.