Spending double rifle money on a bolt-action rifle

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

A rigby Shakira....mmm bob I can't wait to see that...Will be a lively mover in your hands....

I see what you did there. Shakira.

 

[Muskox]

I see what you did there. Shakira.

The woman is over 50, and still damn!

 

[Muskox]

I know. I’m left handed too, but learnt how to cycle a right handed bolt with my left hand during my wartime service (when I was first issued a .303 British Lee Enfield). Nothing of course, compares to the comfort of being left handed and operating a left handed bolt designed for you. This is Jeff’s John Boliger .505 Gibbs (far right). The Holland & Holland .500 Nitro Express is in the center. To the far left, is his William Evans .500 Nitro Express.
View attachment 668787

A 505 Gibbs with a metal butt plate. No thank you.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

A 505 Gibbs with a metal butt plate. No thank you.

I agree wholeheartedly. I also wouldn't fit a telescopic sight on any caliber larger than the .450 bores.

But then again, who am I to question the choices of an accomplished sportsman like Jeff Rann ?

 

[Northern Shooter]

Haven’t you and I had this exact conversation a few weeks ago? I’m happy to elaborate on both the doubles and bolt rifles across the entire spectrum of cost from personal ownership and experience shooting many many thick skinned dangerous animals with them all. Yes, long story short, I would much sooner put 12 grand into a nice bolt rifle than I would a questionable double rifle, any day of the week. In fact I have about 6 of my 8 sheep rifles going off to a friend to is week in exchange for 2 nice bolt .416s for guest/management rifles, instead of taking the 60 grand the sheep rifles are worth and putting that into an 8th or 9th London double. There are some fantastic bolt rifles out there for fantastic prices that I would trust my life with much more than I would a Sabatti or Rizzini or (cringe) Searcy.

I think we did. I had already purchased my Merkel at the time (no regrets) but now I’ve got my eyes set on a fancy bolt gun in the same price range.

Realistically I don’t see myself being able to afford a premium British double rifle anytime soon as they cost 2-3x what my Merkel did. In terms of bolt guns, something like a Rigby Big Game is within reach and will feel more upscale vs the Merkel.

 

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

I think we did. I had already purchased my Merkel at the time (no regrets) but now I’ve got my eyes set on a fancy bolt gun in the same price range.

Realistically I don’t see myself being able to afford a premium British double rifle anytime soon as they cost 2-3x what my Merkel did. In terms of bolt guns, something like a Rigby Big Game is within reach and will feel more upscale vs the Merkel.

PM me. I’m acquiring a few backup .416s this coming week and 2 of the shop owners here are good friends, one a master smith and like a grandfather to me, and I have a bench in his shop. I’d be happy to see what’s in the inventory and help you out if you’d like, or at least point you in the right direction. Just snagged a really cool custom build from SA on a Mauser 98, and a Reimer Johanssen in .416rig. Both are super cool and he has lots more stuff.

 

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

The woman is over 50, and still damn!

She’s in BIG trouble though (I’d happily bail her out in exchange for her shaking that thang around for me) I joke I joke. Sorta.

 

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

I think we did. I had already purchased my Merkel at the time (no regrets) but now I’ve got my eyes set on a fancy bolt gun in the same price range.

Realistically I don’t see myself being able to afford a premium British double rifle anytime soon as they cost 2-3x what my Merkel did. In terms of bolt guns, something like a Rigby Big Game is within reach and will feel more upscale vs the Merkel.

Also man, I know I’m beating a dead horse here, but if you really didn’t want a bolt rifle, sell that Merkel, and give Chris Sells a call and get your hands on one of the 89b if for nothing more than having a look at it. Those Merkels are certainly the best bet out of the world of the Sabatti, Rizzini, etc. The only other contenders in the price range are the Chapuis or the Krieghoff, and these 89s start at about 28 for the large frame. So figure it’s 30k. I don’t see why under the right circumstances you couldn’t get 15k for your Merkel, as I recall seeing it and it’s a 160 with nice engraving and ejectors right? I’d wager I know a couple guys who would probably take that off your hands for 15 maybe. Also, if you wanted an English boxlock that screams golden era safari, there is a REALLY cool Jeffery out there with a great slab of wood and some beautiful case coloring in a 450/400 hovering at about 15k. The last thing I need is another double but it nagged at my eyes, as I have a London best brand new Jeffery that was built under and by the hands/supervision of Westley, and the thing is beyond spectacular, and I’d bet this one that’s 150k cheaper is probably still pretty dang nice hahaha. If you message me I’d be happy to send the link. I’d love to see someone pick that rifle up if it is as sound in hand as it looks to the eye. Ejector gun too I believe.

 

[CZDiesel]

These were bolt guns that I had in mind:

ParkWest Arms SD-76 - ~12,000

Mauser M98 Magnum - ~$16,000

Rigby Highland Stalker ~$16,000

Rigby Big Game - ~$19,000

Holland & Holland Bolt Action - ~$40,000

Rigby London Best - ~$46,000

W.J. Jeffery & Co Magazine Rifle - ~$80,000

That’s a damn fine list there! I don’t think you could go wrong with any of them and would cherish whichever you chose!
Now personally, and I might be an outlier here on this subject, I’d choose none of the above…
I personally would have a custom Pre-64 built to your exact specs by LeRoy Berry or Todd Ramirez. Side by Side compared to the English Best or the German rifles they are as good or better!
Cost is $15,000 to $30,000 depending on build and they don’t lose value. That’s what I’d do but what do I know lol

 

[chashardy]

That's the purchasing trend I was looking for. I also started out with Model 70s (and 550's) followed by a 470NE double rifle, now looking into something like the Rigby Big game or similar in that ballpark.

Do you think you'll ever top the Rigby?

The Rigby is an amazing rifle and hard to beat. I took it to Australia in 2023 to hunt buffalo. I shot my bull on the second day at about 80 yards. Frontal shot and he dropped in his tracks. Same with a scrub bull the next day. Then we did some culling of donkeys and I was shooting off hand. I surprised myself with how easy and accurate I could shoot the Rigby off hand. It was really easy to handle for a heavy, big bore rifle.
As for adding another rifle--only if I can scrape together enough money for a trophy elephant hunt. I would probably buy another Chapuis double in 470NE.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Also man, I know I’m beating a dead horse here, but if you really didn’t want a bolt rifle, sell that Merkel, and give Chris Sells a call and get your hands on one of the 89b if for nothing more than having a look at it. Those Merkels are certainly the best bet out of the world of the Sabatti, Rizzini, etc. The only other contenders in the price range are the Chapuis or the Krieghoff, and these 89s start at about 28 for the large frame. So figure it’s 30k. I don’t see why under the right circumstances you couldn’t get 15k for your Merkel, as I recall seeing it and it’s a 160 with nice engraving and ejectors right? I’d wager I know a couple guys who would probably take that off your hands for 15 maybe. Also, if you wanted an English boxlock that screams golden era safari, there is a REALLY cool Jeffery out there with a great slab of wood and some beautiful case coloring in a 450/400 hovering at about 15k. The last thing I need is another double but it nagged at my eyes, as I have a London best brand new Jeffery that was built under and by the hands/supervision of Westley, and the thing is beyond spectacular, and I’d bet this one that’s 150k cheaper is probably still pretty dang nice hahaha. If you message me I’d be happy to send the link. I’d love to see someone pick that rifle up if it is as sound in hand as it looks to the eye. Ejector gun too I believe.

Thanks for your advice. This was more a hypothetical question for the community to see if any others went for one of the more affordable doubles first then proceded to buy an equally valued bolt action rifle as their “top gun”.

I’m happy with the Merkel, I would love to own a Heym but they cost twice as much as what I paid, minimum. I’m also in Canada so any rifle that’s in stock stateside doesn’t make much sense for me given the import and more importantly the dollar exchange right now.

I’m already 90% committed to buying a Rigby Big Game or Highland Stalker as my next big purchase. Affordable luxury.

The other magazine rifles from the other British makes listed above are all far above my pay grade.

 

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

Thanks for your advice. This was more a hypothetical question for the community to see if any others went for one of the more affordable doubles first then proceded to buy an equally valued bolt action rifle as their “top gun”.

I’m happy with the Merkel, I would love to own a Heym but they cost twice as much as what I paid, minimum. I’m also in Canada so any rifle that’s in stock stateside doesn’t make much sense for me given the import and more importantly the dollar exchange right now.

I’m already 90% committed to buying a Rigby Big Game or Highland Stalker as my next big purchase. Affordable luxury.

The other magazine rifles from the other British makes listed above are all far above my pay grade.

I think you’re in the right frame of mind. Perhaps a bit odd that your bolt rifle will be more valuable than the double hahaha but it’s a sound idea.

 

[John Telford]

This one looks really nice I think: https://www.henrykrank.com/vektor-bolt-action-rifle-375hh-cat00636/

The first 50 .375 H&H Vektors were built on Rheimer Johansen actions for Land Rover Soith Africa. Not sure if this is one of them . Either way it’s worth every penny.