Saul
AH elite
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2014
- Messages
- 1,569
- Reaction score
- 2,903
- Location
- Key Largo, Florida
- Hunted
- USA, UK, Hungary, Argentina, Mexico
I know the answer. You know the answer. We all know the answer is a .500 NE double.
I'm intrigued by these VC rifles but I've literally never seen one in stock in Canada, don't even know who the importer would be. How do they compare pricewise compared to Merkel and Heym?If you have a 458, I see no reason to get a 470. It just isn't much of a step up. A proper step up is 50 caliber rifle. A 500 NE, 505 Gibbs, or 500 Jeffery will do a fine job of filling that roll.
Deciding on a bolt action or a double will depend on preference. 20k CA will get you a nice custom bolt gun or a mid level double.
Also, don't forget to look into Verney Carron, they make very nice shooting doubles.
It's been ages since I've looked, but if memory serves, they are similar in price to Heym. I recommend sending them an email asking about getting one in Canada.I'm intrigued by these VC rifles but I've literally never seen one in stock in Canada, don't even know who the importer would be. How do they compare pricewise compared to Merkel and Heym?
Having had the good fortune to lay eves on more new Heym 89's than most will, and handled most of those too, I was so taken by the form of these beautiful rifles without any adorning at all that I ordered a plain one. It is like a beautiful woman with no makeup. The factory offered me edge engraving at no extra cost and I accepted that, but I often wish I hadn't. Here is a plain 89.Get a vintage English double rifle and buy it right. Can’t lose if prudent on price and English gun. IMO the modern doubles don’t really compare for the money…..the exception may be Heym……but you’ll spend 30-35k on a Heym to be able to compare to a 20-25k vintage English rifle. You can probably get a Heym 89b for 20-25, no engraving silver receiver, not really elegant at all.
Absolutely get a copy of Graeme’s book. Then buy a Chronograph , a Pabst shoulder pad ( better still a standing rest ) and start working up your load . I mentioned in an earlier post shooting a lot of 577NE rounds in a couple of hours . H&H , WR , Jeffery and Army & Navy doubles . Barrel lengths from 26 - 22 inches . All rifles required different hand loads .If you really want a double, go for it. However, @HunterHabib is, as always, correct in that you will have to do some work in finding the proper regulating load, for a particular double. I went down that route, and probably shot 200 rounds, to find the load my 450/400 liked. It was regulated with Hornady 400 grain, but Hornady changed their powders and bullets over 10 years, and it wouldn't shoot well.
I finally settled on Woodleigh 400 grain, .411 softs and Reloder 15. It became a bit frustrating to get to that perfect load, but with friends here, and reading a lot, I found it.
I eventually sold it, as I was just not that proficient with the double, better with my .458 Win Mag bolt rifle.
With that being said, my next big thumper was a .500 Jeffery, CZ 550. Definitely a step up.
Much easier reloading for accuracy than the double.
There is a very nice Joe Smithson built .500 Jeffery on Guns International now for right under $10K. That would be my next purchase, having determined that I am a better shot with a bolt gun.
But that Heym 88B in .500 NE is a temptress. As I understand (having never owned a Heym), they regulate well across a few different loads. If you go the Double Rifle route, definitely get o copy of Graeme Wrights' Shooting the British Double Rifle, 3rd edition.
This book will help you understand the involved dynamics of a double, regulation, shooting form and technique, and loading.
Let us know how else we can help you spend your money. The search for the next rifle is similar to hunting. The pursuit is important.
That is a beautiful double. I eschew elaborate engraving . Specifically requested my Rigby Shikari 500NE have no engraving . Just case hardened . To my eyes the most beautiful doubles are the with the funeral ( plain black ) finish . Purdey were renowned for this before WW1 .Having had the good fortune to lay eves on more new Heym 89's than most will, and handled most of those too, I was so taken by the form of these beautiful rifles without any adorning at all that I ordered a plain one. It is like a beautiful woman with no makeup. The factory offered me edge engraving at no extra cost and I accepted that, but I often wish I hadn't. Here is a plain 89.
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I don't sell my guns, only buy.I would get rid of the 416 and 458 and build a 500Jeff or 505 gibbs and get a 500 NE double.
I was once one of these guys my dad has never sold a gun in his life and he always told me never sell a gun …. That went out the window a while ago.I don't sell my guns, only buy.
I also love my 416 Rigby and 458 WinMag.
No children so guess I’ll have to sell some guns here and there to cover the tripsSelling a gun is like selling one of your children, you should never even consider it…unless it will help cover the cost of a hunting trip.