Spending double rifle money on a bolt-action rifle.

[Northern Shooter]

I've seen several comments here from those that say you should buy a quality bolt-action rifle instead of one of the entry-level double rifles.

The argument is that the quality for dollar spent is much greater on a bolt-action magazine rifle than it would be for a comparatively priced double rifle.

As someone who just picked up one of the more affordable doubles (Merkel) I can understand this argument. I love the rifle, it has grade 6 wood but is not something I would be afraid to get marked up on a hunt.

How many here ended up spending a decent sum of money on a double rifle as their first "big" gun purchase before then acquiring a bolt-action rifle priced similar to their double?

Whether we're talking $10,000 Merkel's, $20,000 Heym's or $60,000 Rigby's. Have you paired your double with an equally priced bolt gun?

 

[375er]

@rookhawk???

 

[Northern Shooter]

@rookhawk???

Is he guilty of providing this advice or did he recently buy a new bolt gun?

 

[375er]

He is very well versed in guns. Doubles and bolts alike.

 

[rookhawk]

Boy, $10k or less buys a mighty good magazine rifle.

Some options:

Dakota 76 Africa
Pre-64 custom
Griffin & Howe
Westley Richards
H&H
Jeffery
John Roberts
Vektor
AHR
Duane Wiebe
Dale Goens
Everyone is else
Heym


A 375HH is going to bbe your least costly option.

 

[Northern Shooter]

Already own a 375HH and a handful of sub $10,000 big bore bolt guns. Looking into those in the >$10,000 range these days.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

My friend Botswana based white hunter Jeff Rann currently uses two rifles for elephant hunting purposes:

A .500 Nitro Express 3” Holland & Holland sidelock ejector
A .505 Gibbs built by John Boliger on a Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum Mauser action

As top quality a pairing as they come.

 

[ActionBob]

My best double is a Marcel Thys 470NE side lock Best Gun. Just ordered an Anniversary set of a Rigby Big Game and HS that as a pair cost about double of the worth of that double. And just ti double down the comparisons, the new Rigby Shakira can be bought for slightly less that that double bolt gun package

 

[Northern Shooter]

My best double is a Marcel Thys 470NE side lock Best Gun. Just ordered an Anniversary set of a Rigby Big Game and HS that as a pair cost about double of the worth of that double. And just ti double down the comparisons, the new Rigby Shakira can be bought for slightly less that that double bolt gun package

I hope you post lots of pictures of that pair when they arrive, I'm dreaming of a Big Game myself. What's the ETA?

 

[ActionBob]

I hope you post lots of pictures of that pair when they arrive, I'm dreaming of a Big Game myself. What's the ETA?

Not sure as we are slowing them down doing a little customization.

There are several available in the States now if you just want a gun or a couple with random numbers.

We are getting customized numbering specific to us, engraved rings, .measured for LOP, initials engraved, etc.