Current base price and lead time for different brand double rifles?

[Noah Hutchens]

Hello! I’m at the point where I am going to be ordering my first custom double rifle in 470 NE the very near future and I’m looking to see if the good folks on here have a good idea on the various manufacturers current base price for one in 470 NE and average lead times? I believe I have found the bespoke maker for me and have received a quote and time line but would just want an all around time/price comparison to the rest of the higher volume makers.

I’m not going to be interested in a used rifle as this I have decided to be my true heirloom to my son, so new is the way I want it. Looking in the all in sub ~$50,000 mark.


PS, My build is going to have multiple barrel sets, 470NE, 7x57r and 20 Gauge. After extensive research I believe the 470NE a good all around dangerous game double cartridge(plus easy factory ammo availability) and then I love the 7x57r which I assume could handle almost everything other than the dangerous game, plus 20 Gauge barrels just for fun. Would y’all consider this a good all around coverage? I don’t want to be foolishly blinded by my own preconceived notions before ordering.


Thanks everyone!

 

[R eight]

I am probably not the person to answer your questions. But….it sounds like you’re asking a lot from one firearm. Doable? Yes. But, it’ll be a jack of all trades and a master of none. Happy to be corrected by the experts here.

I’d say get a Heym 89 or a Rigby double in 450/400 or 500 nitro. That’ll probably soak up your $50US. You’ll have a beautiful family heirloom and a great hunting firearm.

As to a smaller double/ shotgun? I’ve got a Blaser BB 97 Classic and a Chapuis UGEX in 9.3 x 74R. Great rifles but not the heirloom quality firearms IMO.

Personally…I’d go for a Rigby Shikari in 500 Nitro and an elephant Hunt.

Good luck.

 

[Wyfox]

Rigby Shikari is going to hit 6 figures landed in the US.

Heym is one option, I don't believe you'll stay under 50k with 3 barrels though. A set of barrels are probably going to run 10k+ each.

Krieghoff can probably do this for around your max budget.

Perguini and Visini would be another option if you went very basic with minimal engraving on a boxlock gun.

Interested to hear who you got a quote from and what it came in at?

 

[Wyfox]

I personally would forego the 7x57 barrels and buy an American best custom bolt gun with the 10k.

 

[Noah Hutchens]

Rigby Shikari is going to hit 6 figures landed in the US.

Heym is one option, I don't believe you'll stay under 50k with 3 barrels though. A set of barrels are probably going to run 10k+ each.

Krieghoff can probably do this for around your max budget.

Perguini and Visini would be another option if you went very basic with minimal engraving on a boxlock gun.

Interested to hear who you got a quote from and what it came in at?

I got a quote through Bailey Bradshaw out of Texas for his base level Rising Block double rifle, 470 NE. He quoted me $22,500, 26 months lead time. Extra barrel sets are $6,000 extra a set, other additional upgrades such as higher tier engravings, gold inlay, stocks, other personalizations etc are very reasonable and I will choose a few of them if I go his route. I understand it’s not a traditional break open double rifle but I have an affinity for falling block rifles and this is extremely similar, being a rising block. I love the esthetics and his rifles showcased on his website are beautiful to my eye. Plus although I’m not even close to an expert, I figure that a rising block would be a lot stronger and mechanically simpler than a break open rifle.

 

[Noah Hutchens]

I am probably not the person to answer your questions. But….it sounds like you’re asking a lot from one firearm. Doable? Yes. But, it’ll be a jack of all trades and a master of none. Happy to be corrected by the experts here.

I’d say get a Heym 89 or a Rigby double in 450/400 or 500 nitro. That’ll probably soak up your $50US. You’ll have a beautiful family heirloom and a great hunting firearm.

As to a smaller double/ shotgun? I’ve got a Blaser BB 97 Classic and a Chapuis UGEX in 9.3 x 74R. Great rifles but not the heirloom quality firearms IMO.

Personally…I’d go for a Rigby Shikari in 500 Nitro and an elephant Hunt.

Good luck.

Do you figure a 450/400 or 500 NE is better than a 470? I picked 470 because I know it has easily accessible factory ammunition.

 

[Wyfox]

I got a quote through Bailey Bradshaw out of Texas for his base level Rising Block double rifle, 470 NE. He quoted me $22,500, 26 months lead time. Extra barrel sets are $6,000 extra a set, other additional upgrades such as higher tier engravings, gold inlay, stocks, other personalizations etc are very reasonable and I will choose a few of them if I go his route. I understand it’s not a traditional break open double rifle but I have an affinity for falling block rifles and this is extremely similar, being a rising block. I love the esthetics and his rifles showcased on his website are beautiful to my eye. Plus although I’m not even close to an expert, I figure that a rising block would be a lot stronger and mechanically simpler than a break open rifle.

I don't think you'll be able to come close to that with any other maker. Before dropping that much coin I would visit him and fire the rifle and make sure it's what you want.

The biggest downside I see is using it for dangerous game with quick reloads, the chambers don't present themselves to you like a break open shotgun.

 

[Wyfox]

470 is the way to go if you have elephant on your list, if you plan on just hunting buff the 450/400 is the way.

 

[R eight]

Do you figure a 450/400 or 500 NE is better than a 470? I picked 470 because I know it has easily accessible factory ammunition.

IMO the 450/400 is a lot more pleasant to shoot than the 470. The 450/400 should be enough gun for anything that walks the earth. It’s probably a more versatile cartridge for both North America and Africa.
If you like, and can handle heavy recoiling loads then the 470 and the 500 feel, IMO , very similar. They would be my pick if I was hunting elephants. And I’d choose the 500 because it’s bigger. But I’d also be happy with the 470.

For any of the big doubles, and bolt action rifles in the 40’s and 50’s, you really need to reload. Yes, the 470 would probably be the best choice, maybe, if you are only going to use factory ammunition.

However, the real answer is ….get whatever makes you happy.

 

[Piet Brood]

Never heard of Bailey Bradshaw (I am in South Africa) but the guns on the website sure look good. I’d add a set of barrels in 9.3x74R for practice and for your son to shoot his first buffalo with. Good luck with the choices!

 

[Tiger2001]

Rigby Shikari is going to hit 6 figures landed in the US.

Heym is one option, I don't believe you'll stay under 50k with 3 barrels though. A set of barrels are probably going to run 10k+ each.

Krieghoff can probably do this for around your max budget.

Perguini and Visini would be another option if you went very basic with minimal engraving on a boxlock gun.

Interested to hear who you got a quote from and what it came in at?

I was lucky enough to get a tour at the Krieghoff factory in Ulm a few months ago. They said a minimum of 12-18 months wait for a double with one barrel. Word is Heym is 2 years minimum. Again for a rifle with one barrel.

 

[Tiger2001]

Do you figure a 450/400 or 500 NE is better than a 470? I picked 470 because I know it has easily accessible factory ammunition.

That's the issue. Several years ago one could easily find factory 450/400 3 inch ammo from Norma, Kynoch, and Hornady (I'm sure I'm missing some brands). But the last few years I think that's down to just Hornady. If H stops producing it or decides that other calibers are a priority for production...

 

[Philip Glass]

Hello! I’m at the point where I am going to be ordering my first custom double rifle in 470 NE the very near future and I’m looking to see if the good folks on here have a good idea on the various manufacturers current base price for one in 470 NE and average lead times? I believe I have found the bespoke maker for me and have received a quote and time line but would just want an all around time/price comparison to the rest of the higher volume makers.

I’m not going to be interested in a used rifle as this I have decided to be my true heirloom to my son, so new is the way I want it. Looking in the all in sub ~$50,000 mark.


PS, My build is going to have multiple barrel sets, 470NE, 7x57r and 20 Gauge. After extensive research I believe the 470NE a good all around dangerous game double cartridge(plus easy factory ammo availability) and then I love the 7x57r which I assume could handle almost everything other than the dangerous game, plus 20 Gauge barrels just for fun. Would y’all consider this a good all around coverage? I don’t want to be foolishly blinded by my own preconceived notions before ordering.


Thanks everyone!

The extra barrels for my Kgun were over $10,000. Having three sets of barrels for a custom rifle is going to be more money I would think. I would love for someone to answer your question with a comprehensive listing. It's super interesting but also tempting for me to enter into these conversations! Custom, bespoke, those words kinda latch onto your mind and the next thing you know.......

 

[Philip Glass]

Do you figure a 450/400 or 500 NE is better than a 470? I picked 470 because I know it has easily accessible factory ammunition.

Have you fired both the .450/400 and the .470? If not I would recommend some range time before spending this kind of money. I wish I had done more due diligence before buying a .470 then changing to the .450/400 which I love. You are 100% correct that .470 is the most popular with lots of ammo availability. Most of us don't shoot the doubles that often and a little stash of ammo will last a while.

 

[Noah Hutchens]

The extra barrels for my Kgun were over $10,000. Having three sets of barrels for a custom rifle is going to be more money I would think. I would love for someone to answer your question with a comprehensive listing. It's super interesting but also tempting for me to enter into these conversations! Custom, bespoke, those words kinda latch onto your mind and the next thing you know.......

What was the caliber of your extra barrel set/initial rifle? Was it made after you already had the rifle or during initial production of the rifle? If the former, what was the lead time on the barrels?

Have you fired both the .450/400 and the .470? If not I would recommend some range time before spending this kind of money. I wish I had done more due diligence before buying a .470 then changing to the .450/400 which I love. You are 100% correct that .470 is the most popular with lots of ammo availability. Most of us don't shoot the doubles that often and a little stash of ammo will last a while.

I have not fired either of those, I have fired 375 H&H, 416 Rigby(in my new to me Merkel double) and a 458 WM in a light Ruger no 1. I’m a large guy ~240lbs so neither of them really affected me recoil wise(obviously I feel it but it doesn’t hurt or isn’t unpleasant for 10 rounds in a row). I’m guessing the 470 would be a good amount greater than the 458 in recoil? What would a good comparison to the .450/400 be?

 

[kpoynter]

Do you figure a 450/400 or 500 NE is better than a 470? I picked 470 because I know it has easily accessible factory ammunition.

For what it’s worth… I also wanted a .470 for your exact reasons…
I ended up with a .450/400 (Verney Carron) and love it. It’s very easy to handle and it does the job…
I’ve already taken two Elephant Bulls and shot Hippo and Buff with it. It’s fantastic

 

[kpoynter]

Have you fired both the .450/400 and the .470? If not I would recommend some range time before spending this kind of money. I wish I had done more due diligence before buying a .470 then changing to the .450/400 which I love. You are 100% correct that .470 is the most popular with lots of ammo availability. Most of us don't shoot the doubles that often and a little stash of ammo will last a while.

I totally agree with this and hadn’t seen your post yet
Now… I can handle the .470 just fine BUT… the .450/400 is just easy and handles wonderfully.
Plus it’s a hell of a lot easier to carry on a march tracking game too.
I’ve hunted with both and taken Elephant with both

 

[kpoynter]

Also, for what it’s worth… the Italian makers can make you an heirloom
I may do this too. Pick your wood and engraver etc for a much better relative price but you will hit your 50k here
I talked this year to an Italian who does trips over every year to commission guns (mostly shotguns)
I was going to hire my own engraver and get my own wood (much cheaper)

 

[rookhawk]

Hello! I’m at the point where I am going to be ordering my first custom double rifle in 470 NE the very near future and I’m looking to see if the good folks on here have a good idea on the various manufacturers current base price for one in 470 NE and average lead times? I believe I have found the bespoke maker for me and have received a quote and time line but would just want an all around time/price comparison to the rest of the higher volume makers.

I’m not going to be interested in a used rifle as this I have decided to be my true heirloom to my son, so new is the way I want it. Looking in the all in sub ~$50,000 mark.


PS, My build is going to have multiple barrel sets, 470NE, 7x57r and 20 Gauge. After extensive research I believe the 470NE a good all around dangerous game double cartridge(plus easy factory ammo availability) and then I love the 7x57r which I assume could handle almost everything other than the dangerous game, plus 20 Gauge barrels just for fun. Would y’all consider this a good all around coverage? I don’t want to be foolishly blinded by my own preconceived notions before ordering.


Thanks everyone!

Respectfully, nobody of note will build you a 470NE + 7x57. The only maker of quality that will make you a 470NE and 20 gauge I know of is Heym. The second set of shotgun barrels in 20 gauge is a roughly $10k upgrade. Their doubles are around $35k-$38k at present and a three year wait.

The problem is that a 470NE action is roughly the same size as a 20 gauge action, so the barrels can line up nicely. A 7x57 is so, so much smaller the 7x57 barrels would have to be over 10lbs to be thick enough to line up with the frame of a 470NE, that’s why one has never been made by any credible builder.

What you may want is a 7x65R or 7x57R double rifle with a second set of 375HH or 375 Flanged barrels. Heym will make that. Then you’d want a separate Heym in 470NE and 20 gauge. The 470NE frame would also be compatible with a barrel set in 450NE, 450/400, 375HH, 375 Flanged, 9.3x74R, or 500NE.

Keep in mind, a brand new double rifle will be made to regulate with a particular brand and model of ammunition. You need to buy a lifetime supply of that exact ammo before it goes obsolete, otherwise your brand new double rifle is nothing but a Wall hanger. When you buy a used double rifle, you can judge its regulation with a published custom load and demand proof via a photo of a test target. Thus, a used double rifle is judged by its regulation with a known-available handload and it can be reproduced indefinitely if the powder and bullet type is a common one to the market. (E.g. swift a-frame, hornady DGS / DGx)

In short, a new double rifle comes with some hazards and potential effort a used one does not come with. A used one comes with tangible proof of accuracy with a load you can source perpetually, a new one does not. A new one is justified if you want custom specs exactly to your preferences and you’re willing to pay the price tag and have the patience.

 

[rookhawk]

Postscript - I forgot about Krieghoff. They too would make you a 470NE with a set of 20 gauge barrels.