B. Searcy & Co. Double Rifle Reviews and Wisdom Needed??

[Red Leg]

I belive the first ones were made using shotgun boxlocks soecially winchester 21 .Then he moved to european boxlocks

They were Browning BSS shotgun actions. Good design, but the thought of using a Japanese made shotgun action (Moroku) for something like a .470NE was off putting to a lot of big bore enthusiasts. I would suggest for very good reasons.

 

[juan pablo pozzi]

They were Browning BSS shotgun actions. Good design, but the thought of using a Japanese made shotgun action (Moroku) for something like a .470NE was off putting to a lot of big bore enthusiasts. I would suggest for very good reasons.

I believe he made some with winchesters and czs

 

[IvW]

I would not buy one.....

 

[Red Leg]

I believe he made some with winchesters and czs

Definitely not CZs. The Winchester Model 21 was out of production and those actions were unavailable. If he used any Model 23 Winchester actions then they were also shotgun actions made in Japan - an equally worrisome choice for a double rifle.

 

[Dave Fulson]

I have had many years of accuracy and durability from a .470 Searcy I own. It is exceptionally well regulated and It has been used hard on my hunts. That's just my experience. Also, I have never had a problem of any kind with Butch, personally or as a customer. Just the opposite in fact.

 

[Dave Fulson]

But, with my last post above on the record, I agree that Heym would be my next double gun purchase, until Bill Jones gifts me his Corbett double, which I have shot and covet above any firearm in the world. Just saying Bill...lol

 

[Fixfire]

I have had many years of accuracy and durability from a .470 Searcy I own. It is exceptionally well regulated and It has been used hard on my hunts. That's just my experience. Also, I have never had a problem of any kind with Butch, personally or as a customer. Just the opposite in fact.

I’m a relatively newer owner of a Searcy in 500NE - no problems. Shoots great!! Heavy - but appreciate the weight for recoil management.
Never have I spoken to Butch. I know he’s now “retired” but have wondered if he’s passed the torch to another gunsmith of repute?? I know he rightfully micromanaged any work on his rifles.

 

[Esoteric Junkie]

I have recently located a B. Searcy double that checks all boxes for me from caliber, stocking and LOP. I had the seller agree to hold it for me so that I could do some research on Searcy as they, historically over the past two years, have not been a company that I had considered prior as a possible firearm of choice. In 24 hours I am not sure that it would be possible to have reviews that are as contradictory as what I received? I had a comment that "they are one of the best doubles produced" by a very experienced Botswana elephant PH all the way to "they are more useful to use as a boat anchor" from a renowned gunsmith. I am curious if anyone on this forum can provide some insight in to their personal experience that may save me from either a costly mistake or help me attain the rifle of my dreams?

Thanks in advance for any feedback,

Cheers,
CK

My best advice regarding Searcy is to stay as far away as possible from this brand!!!
EJ

 

[juan pablo pozzi]

I would not buy a Searcy for many of the reasons stated. Not sure what you are looking to spend but if you are not looking for an English double I would focus on Heym, VC (manufactured from 2011-2021), Krieghoff and maybe Merkel

Chapuis and Merkels are very good rifles so Zanardini and several italians

 

[juan pablo pozzi]

There seems to be only one other topic that garners such polarity and difference of opinion and that is with saying the word "Blaser"! I get everyone saying get a Heym... would love to but looking at double the price. I have a hard time justifying a double rifle as I am sure it will only be used a handful of times in certain situations on each safari and I would rather book another hunt, thus the reason I have not gone back to Chris to simply spend $25K and order a new one.

If the gun checks all my boxes, I just wondered if it was worth spending the money to have inspected by "JJ". My personal opinion, I have handled quite a few Merkel's and they simply do nothing for me especially at the price they just seem to have no soul. I have looked at a lot of doubles over the years and for less than 10K have not seen one that at first blush, carries these aesthetics and quality of wood.

Thanks for the feedback, we will see what Mr. Perodeau has to say once he goes through it.

Cheers,
CK

View attachment 587854

I have several #Chapuis one of them with over 500 shells fired not issues .I own Merkels and several english and germans too.But for daily use i have a Chapuis 470NE