First Double - need advice!

[Mike70560]

That is a nice looking gun. Great price to boot, especially with ejectors. I can see the smile on your face through the computer screen.

If you need any reloading info PM me or Duggaboy (Mac), he is shooting a 470 Merkel and I am sure he will be glad to help. He can also officially ordain you in to the Double Rifle Shooter Society.


Kelly,

I saw nobody commented on the Heym doubles. I do not own one but know people who do. They love them. Chris at Double Gun Imports in Dallas is very knowledgeable and is well respected.

 

[DUGABOY1]

Congratulations FFemt5287, and welcome to the DRSS!

You will absolutely love the Merkel Safari. The new ones like your's are built on Mono-block barrel sets rather than the older ones which were platform, or Shoelump barrel sets. The Mono-block barrels are as strong as any method of attachment, and stronger than most. The ejectors are a plus that can be disconnected if you want extractors instead, but can be re-instated when it comes time to sell, adding to the value. The featured extras on the Cabela's model are well worth the price!
The pictures of the one you posted are very nice indeed!

...............................................Shoot and enjoy !

 

[Brandon.Gleason]

Thank you for the info and the welcome, Mac!

Damn, I can't wait to get this rifle! I don't care how cold it is the day I take it home, I'm going right to the range to shoot it!

Anyone have any good links/tips as to care of a double in terms of cleaning and oiling?

 

[monish]

FFemt,

Congrats for your beautiful rifle , may you take some fine trophies with it . Its a immaculate make . wish could have one!!

Happy firing and hunting !!!!

Monish

 

[Brandon.Gleason]

Thanks, Monish!

Finally picked it up Saturday after a short layaway and took it with me to the range today for the first time, 50 yards off sticks. Much more pleasurable to shoot than my CZ550 .458 Lott! Here are a few pictures.

 

[monish]

Brandon,

A Gorgeous rifle !!!!! what are your listed game you intend taking this year, with this work of art.

Monish

 

[duckman90]

I need one of these bad boys....

 

[AkMike]

Save your sheckles!

 

[Heym 88]

Save your sheckles!

Thats what I did for 9 1/2 months and it sure was worth it!

 

[duckman90]

I know I need to start... I am tempted by the Heym, or maybe a Kriegoff. I am curious if any one knows anything about Sabatti. I am interested because the price point for them is so low, compared to other double rifles, but at the same time...are they reliable enough to trust your life on?

 

[Wheels]

I know I need to start... I am tempted by the Heym, or maybe a Kriegoff. I am curious if any one knows anything about Sabatti. I am interested because the price point for them is so low, compared to other double rifles, but at the same time...are they reliable enough to trust your life on?

I have never shot or held one so I have no first hand experience. An acquaintance didn't like his.(awhile back) I don't remember the reason. Since Cabelas has taken over distribution I would presume quality meets a minimum standard. I would vett the gun guys at Cabelas and verify what they will do if you have a problem. What does warranty include. What happens if you need to get it regulated, etc. If you get one let us know how it works. Good luck on your decision.

 

[duckman90]

I have played with a couple in .470 NE and 450/300 NE They fit me pretty well. They come with the regulation target, and most are very impressive for the price range, my only concern is that I am heading off to Tanzania Next summer to try and get my PH license. I don't want something that won't be reliable, or something that is hard if not impossible to get serviced in Tanzania... Right now my only true DG rifle is .458 win mag Mauser. It will work, but why not have a double?

 

[PaulT]

duckman90,
I am FAR from any kind of expert on doubles, so take this with a grain of salt.

Last season I had a good freind from Nth Carolina hunt buffalo, and other game, with me in Australia using his Sabbatti double in .500

I actually used the gun myself on one occasion, to deal with a particularily stubborn wild Oxen bull and found it an absolute pleasure.

My freind, who's gun it actually is, pulled off some of the most impressive running shots on game it has been my privalige to witness.

The Sabbatti's handle well, being generally lighter for caliber, in finish weight, than comparable brands, and "lively" between the hands.

In the past there were some serious issues with regards to how the guns were being regulated, an issue I believe that has been dealt with, and any gun with the prefix "X" to the serial number have been manufactured and regulated since those issues.

I am in no position to speculate how many knowledgable and competant people there are in Tanzania that would be in a position to deal with mechanical issues in ANY brand double rifle (very specialised work), and that may have to be a consideration in your choice of back-up firearm.

Personally, as I operate my hunts in an extremely remote region, where a replacement firearm would take a considerable amount of time to aquire, I have three rifles I can fall back on in case of any issues arising.

Two of them are bolt guns and one is a double.

If you can afford to have both I would reccomend that as a best preventative measure to being in a remote camp with an out-of-action firearm.

Not that I am in any way suggesting the Sabbattis are not reliable, just keep in mind that working guns do work hard and as a P.H your focus will be, and should be, on facilitating a successful hunt for your clients and being able to "nurse" your own firearm sometimes needs to take a back seat to other priorities.
Not saying you need to neglect your rifles, far from it, but they will be your tools as oposed to your "babies".

Hope some of that makes some sense.

Cheers,

Paul.

 

[Buff-Buster]

Paul...once again, you make perfect sense. For what it's worth...I still love my Sabatti .470. I haven't had it long but no issues to date. It's accurate and reliable, at least at the range.

 

[duckman90]

duckman90,
I am FAR from any kind of expert on doubles, so take this with a grain of salt.

Last season I had a good freind from Nth Carolina hunt buffalo, and other game, with me in Australia using his Sabbatti double in .500

I actually used the gun myself on one occasion, to deal with a particularily stubborn wild Oxen bull and found it an absolute pleasure.

My freind, who's gun it actually is, pulled off some of the most impressive running shots on game it has been my privalige to witness.

The Sabbatti's handle well, being generally lighter for caliber, in finish weight, than comparable brands, and "lively" between the hands.

In the past there were some serious issues with regards to how the guns were being regulated, an issue I believe that has been dealt with, and any gun with the prefix "X" to the serial number have been manufactured and regulated since those issues.

I am in no position to speculate how many knowledgable and competant people there are in Tanzania that would be in a position to deal with mechanical issues in ANY brand double rifle (very specialised work), and that may have to be a consideration in your choice of back-up firearm.

Personally, as I operate my hunts in an extremely remote region, where a replacement firearm would take a considerable amount of time to aquire, I have three rifles I can fall back on in case of any issues arising.

Two of them are bolt guns and one is a double.

If you can afford to have both I would reccomend that as a best preventative measure to being in a remote camp with an out-of-action firearm.

Not that I am in any way suggesting the Sabbattis are not reliable, just keep in mind that working guns do work hard and as a P.H your focus will be, and should be, on facilitating a successful hunt for your clients and being able to "nurse" your own firearm sometimes needs to take a back seat to other priorities.
Not saying you need to neglect your rifles, far from it, but they will be your tools as oposed to your "babies".

Hope some of that makes some sense.

Cheers,

Paul.

Thanks for the information. I really liked your quote about "they will be your tools as opposed to your babies" That is exactly what I needed to hear!

 

[DBateman]

Thats what I did for 9 1/2 months and it sure was worth it!

I'm still saving over here..

It's going to worth it when the day comes and it's getting close

 

[David W. Kropelnicki]

Check with George Caswell who owns Champlin Arms in Enid, OK. He has some used Chapius and will service them for as long as you own the rifle. They are solid built and are very accurate. I know he has a couple for sale.

Since you guys helped me pick my first two big/medium bore rifles, I figured I'd let you guys help on a third!

I'm venturing into the world of double rifles on this one. I'd like to make a purchase this month. I've a (roughly) $10,000 budget. I've a few in mind, please comment as you see fit:

MAKE: Here is the first dilemma. I seem to be leaning mostly towards a Merkel, but I can also swing offerings from Krieghoff and Chapuis. I know Searcy's are in this price range, but I can't seem to find any for sale and he cut out the PH line, which I would just purchase brand new if he still offered it!

CALIBER: I would like to have either a .470NE or .500NE, but would be open to a .450NE, also. I do see the merit in a .450-400NE, but those seem to be tough to find on my budget.

I know Cabela's has a number of Merkels and Krieghoffs for sale and I'll be venturing to my local one this week to snoop about. In the meantime, I would appreciate any and all comments from you all as to what my best choice(s) would be.

Thank you all again!

Brandon