What rifle to buy?
- Thread starter Sniper338
- Start date
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Cz safari is the only affordable choice. If you find a double rifle in that price range please let me know- thats one rifle on my bucket list ill probably never be able to afford
hogpatrol
Silver $$ Contributor
Cheap double rifle is analogous to Lincoln's Ballroom across he street. There ain't none. Bottom end is Zoli, Heym and
Short answer, in those cartridges, no. Zoli, Valmet and Heym are probably the cheapest and around 3k for smaller cartridges like the 9.3.
Short answer, in those cartridges, no. Zoli, Valmet and Heym are probably the cheapest and around 3k for smaller cartridges like the 9.3.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
How bout double rifles in like 375 h&h or 416?
hogpatrol
Silver $$ Contributor
.375s are doable. If one is lucky maybe a .416. Big straight wall stuff, big bucks.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Ok so who makes em? Ive always wanted a 375 h&h double rifle. I dont have to have the $50k rigs i see trackers in africa throwing in the back of a hilux im talking about the bdl version
I've got a CZ in .416 Rigby. Guy I new was going out of business (retiring) and offered me one at a price I couldn't refuse. Really couldn't refuse. Even at full price it's a good rifle, looks classic and it shoots surprisingly well with a light handload (350 gr Speer Hot Core at 2600 fps). Given the price of factory ammo you better believe I roll my own. All in all quite happy with it.
A number of years back I did pass up a double rifle (H&H) in .450 Nitro as it was so completely beyond my price range (unless I sold my house). As far as I know, nobody makes a good inexpensive double.
A number of years back I did pass up a double rifle (H&H) in .450 Nitro as it was so completely beyond my price range (unless I sold my house). As far as I know, nobody makes a good inexpensive double.
No need to look any further than a CZ, its regarded as one of the roughest rifles over here by guys that work in the bush. I grew up with them and still shoot the same rifles I used when I fist stared shooting and they work as they did day one.
If you strip the CZ stocks down and give them a proper hand oiling the usually turn out very nice
If you strip the CZ stocks down and give them a proper hand oiling the usually turn out very nice
I've had the same, "relatively inexpensive" double rifle itch a few times too and after looking around a bit, the prices push me back to looking at single shots, then bolts actions, then "ah what the heck am I actually going to do with that thing if I buy it?" 
I usually decide the closest I can reasonably justify in what's realistically for me just a novelty big bore rifle, is a 375 H&H of some flavor. Lots of options available, relatively inexpensive to feed, and appropriately loaded can be a good (although heavy) deer/Elk rifle. I've deer hunted a bit with a 375 JDJ, there's a few really good bullets for deer sized game in that caliber.
I usually decide the closest I can reasonably justify in what's realistically for me just a novelty big bore rifle, is a 375 H&H of some flavor. Lots of options available, relatively inexpensive to feed, and appropriately loaded can be a good (although heavy) deer/Elk rifle. I've deer hunted a bit with a 375 JDJ, there's a few really good bullets for deer sized game in that caliber.
hogpatrol
Silver $$ Contributor
Bolt action or double rifle? The OP is looking for an inexpensive double rifle. In the cartridges he specified, ballpark price will be north of 10K for a modern one. There are some black powder cartridges doubles out there for sale at lower prices like the Pedersolis.
swd
Silver $$ Contributor
Last year a friend picked up a used Chapuis in 375 H&H for about $6k I’m really nice condition.
Anything in 470NE or 500NE is going to start used at $10k on up for a base model rifle. Although about 15 years ago I bought a German 500NE Guild hammer rifle for $5k. It was fun to play with.
Merkel builds a decent DR rifle. I have one in 9.3x74R that is Africa proven.
Deals are out there but you have to look at a lot of rifles and have cash in hand. The resale market is very small on DR’s and cash in hand can sometimes get considerable discount on a rifle a dealer or individual has had for sale for a very long time.
swd
Silver $$ Contributor
Unfortunately $3K doesn’t even get in the market on a true big bore. You might find an Italian hammer rifle 45/70 in the $2-$3k range, and it won’t have fancy wood.
the words "double rifle" and "reasonably priced" are not mutually exclusive, even today. Butch Searcy in Boron, CA makes a nice basic double in all the British Express rounds, and if you can live with the French, the Chapuis line up is pretty good. I have owned both, and taken both to Africa. My Searcy was a 470 NE 3", and the Chapuis was a tidy 9,3 x74R on their 20 gauge frame.
If you see one or find one be extremely careful for a couple reasons.
Several years ago planning on going on a buffalo trip, I got a real education on big bore doubles....in a good way.
I ended up buying a well taken care of pre war Wm Evans 470.
I got it from a very well respected dealer because after several conversations about what these rifles require, first it was explained the gun was freshly set back on the face of the action because these guns will shoot loose with modest use.
Second, the gun had loads developed to match nitro based ballistics and both barrels were re-regulated to hit where they should with either Barnes or Woodliegh 500gr solids @ 2150 fps.
Both these items were quite expensive and today, you can spend a lot of time finding somebody with the skills. Lots of guns out there that should not be shot.
All said and done, buy a 416 or big bore Dakota IMHO.
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