Recommend a double 500 NE?

[VertigoBE]

What are you planning to hunt with a double rifle?

500 NE is for elephant or PH backup or for experienced many times hunted Africa with double rifle hunters....

Or for crazy Belgians

 

[Daniel Cary]

There's a Krieghoff here, 500, never shot. Paid $18+ with sales tax. I don't know what resale value would be? .. or what their asking now...

 

[Teampowpow]

What are you planning to hunt with a double rifle?

500 NE is for elephant or PH backup or for experienced many times hunted Africa with double rifle hunters....

Having never hunted Africa you may be better off with a 375 H&H flanged magnum or a 450/400 3" NE or even 500416 3 1/4 NE.......at most a 470 NE......

From a practical useability point of view anyway ....

Heym or Krieghoff.....

Going for buffalo, but also planning for any potential future expeditions I hope
I m attracted to the large bore, I have the 416 Rigby now… just browsing and was thinking maybe a dream rifle for a dream hunt …plus why not lol
Who knows maybe I’ll one day get to take the big 5 and I could do it all with the same rifle….

 

[Teampowpow]

There's a Krieghoff here, 500, never shot. Paid $18+ with sales tax. I don't know what resale value would be? .. or what they’re d be asking now... View attachment 656864
View attachment 656865

I’d be curious on resale also…

 

[Daniel Cary]

I shot a K in 470 & a Heym in 500 (both 10 lbs. Ish) I didn't notice a difference .. just in the field, not on hunt though. More manageable than the Jeffery?

Surface video of a Merkel

 

[festuscat]

I hunt, for the most part, buffalo, and I have been using a Rigby 500 NE for over 25 years.
I'm glad i had it during a buffalo charge and when I shot my largest buffalo a quartering going away shot in Niassa, .Two shots, R hip at 25 yards or so. Who knows if a soft would have worked.

Reloading is straight forward, 109 grains RL19 & 570 gn Woodleigh
Gun weighs 13# and I carry it every hunt. As to recoil, my niece weighs 125# and likes to shoot it.

Enjoy the journey. A lot of good guns in the market and a lot of excellent bullets
And you're never too old , I turn 70 next month.
My 2 cents.
Ciao

 

[Green Chile]

One thing to keep in mind is that the 500 Nitro has about 50% more recoil than a 416 Rigby in average weight guns. As you mentioned hunting with 10 gauges, you are used to some recoil but trigger control on a 10 gauge versus a big bore rifle is very different. You can slap a 10 gauge trigger but that's a disaster in a big bore rifle on dangerous game. You can hunt any DG in the world with a 416 Rigby and do just fine. Also, there is a huge difference in felt recoil when goose hunting with a 10 gauge in heavy coat and swinging the barrel versus a thin shirt in the heat, shooting off the sticks. You don't notice in the field so much but you will notice in practice.

We can recommend new and used guns all day long but get into that 416 Rigby and see what you think. If you get comfortable with it, you are in the top 10% of shooters. Then check out some shops online like Champlins, talk to JJ Perrodeau, get to some shows and look at a few guns. You have a lot in front of you but enjoy the journey.

 

[Beck]

One thing to keep in mind is that the 500 Nitro has about 50% more recoil than a 416 Rigby in average weight guns. As you mentioned hunting with 10 gauges, you are used to some recoil but trigger control on a 10 gauge versus a big bore rifle is very different. You can slap a 10 gauge trigger but that's a disaster in a big bore rifle on dangerous game. You can hunt any DG in the world with a 416 Rigby and do just fine. Also, there is a huge difference in felt recoil when goose hunting with a 10 gauge in heavy coat and swinging the barrel versus a thin shirt in the heat, shooting off the sticks. You don't notice in the field so much but you will notice in practice.

We can recommend new and used guns all day long but get into that 416 Rigby and see what you think. If you get comfortable with it, you are in the top 10% of shooters. Then check out some shops online like Champlins, talk to JJ Perrodeau, get to some shows and look at a few guns. You have a lot in front of you but enjoy the journey.

50% more recoil than a .416 Rigby? How do you figure that?

 

[Green Chile]

50% is on the high end of the numbers but it's easily 20-25 ft lbs more recoil...1/3 more. You can split hairs on the math but it's a lot more recoil. It's about the same difference between 338 win mag and 416 Rigby.

 

[ftrovato]

50% is on the high end of the numbers but it's easily 20-25 ft lbs more recoil...1/3 more. You can split hairs on the math but it's a lot more recoil. It's about the same difference between 338 win mag and 416 Rigby.

I think this is a fair observation.

I have a 416 Rigby 470 NE & 500 NE.
The 500 will really make you rethink your convictions when practicing off shooting sticks at the range!

Personally, I'm lucky to reload and use reduced powder charges. That in itself makes a huge difference!

 

[Green Chile]

If you don't have the formula for reduced loads with 5744 let me know. It's very helpful.

Yes, I also shoot 500 nitro and 500J, 470, 458, 416, etc and just like people to know there is a difference when you get into the big boys. The 500 does take a level of commitment like you said...good way of phrasing it.

 

[Teampowpow]

I hunt, for the most part, buffalo, and I have been using a Rigby 500 NE for over 25 years.
I'm glad i had it during a buffalo charge and when I shot my largest buffalo a quartering going away shot in Niassa, .Two shots, R hip at 25 yards or so. Who knows if a soft would have worked.

Reloading is straight forward, 109 grains RL19 & 570 gn Woodleigh
Gun weighs 13# and I carry it every hunt. As to recoil, my niece weighs 125# and likes to shoot it.

Enjoy the journey. A lot of good guns in the market and a lot of excellent bullets
And you're never too old , I turn 70 next month.
My 2 cents.
Ciao

Well, happy birthday when it arrives and thanks for the input!

 

[festuscat]

Well, happy birthday when it arrives and thanks for the input!

Thank you very much.
When I respond to a thread, I don't want to come off as an expert on the issue because that is certainly not the case. I've been an instructor instructor since 1979, and I have learned there is no right way to do things.
I have learned a lot from others, esp students and appreciate any advice or experience of members of this sight.
happy New Year & good hunting!
Jack

 

[Northern Shooter]

A second hand Merkel or Heym would fit your budget. There's a local Canadian shop here that has a Heym 88B in 500NE listed for about $13,000 USD. Would just need to figure out the import.

 

[Green Chile]

There is a like new Merkel 500 NE with 80 rounds of factory ammo on GI for 15k.

 

[Teampowpow]

There is a like new Merkel 500 NE with 80 rounds of factory ammo on GI for 15k.

I seen that. But I guess what could go wrong buying a used double? Not knowing the load it’s regulated for? Something else?

 

[Green Chile]

One thing many have done is to have JJ Perrodeaux check out the gun. You could work that into the deal by paying more. Paperwork from him can increase the value of the gun. My last 500 NE was sold here with that paperwork and it helps a lot to have a clean bill of health from him.