Recommend a double 500 NE?

[Teampowpow]

New here to AH, been behind the lines and just observing and researching some, seeing how this forum works and its content. Everyone seems very nice and experienced I must say and I’m glad to be here with you all!
Living in North Carolina I hunt a lot, travel west for mostly whitetail and have some experience in Colorado, nothing crazy but I’m a hunter to say the least… my buddy has been to Africa twice now and, well guess I’m going on this third trip for buff and whatever else that could possible be allowed as an extra… I just recently acquired a ruger 77 rsm 416 Rigby, in fact it will be here tomorrow along with some ammunition. I hunt with a few 10 gauge shotguns all season normally for my goose and open water duck hunting, deer drives and such. I have several large caliber AR and other rifles so I’d like to think I’m not a wimp when it comes to recoil…
Been considering a double rifle also, I mean why not? I originally was thinking 505 Gibbs, but….. now I’m more leaning towards the 500NE.

My question,

what is available and more built in quality that would be around the 15k mark or less? I’ve seen Rizinni, Sabatti, Merkel and I have zero idea what I’m looking for, what would need to be done after the purchase if factory new such as regiment, or if guns at this price point are just not recommended at all? This is a whole another animal of the firearm world…. Any other recommendations are quite welcome!

 

[TOBY458]

For that price I’d look at Chapuis, Merkel or Keighoff

 

[Ericedwinbates]

DO NOT BUY A SABATTI! Im speaking from experience, worst customer service I have ever experienced! Horrible Company. Pay the extra cash, cry once buy once and get a Heym or Merkel if it was me. 500 NE is a wonderful round, you will love it.

 

[Mountaineer]

Warning! This crowd will have you buying all kids of big bores. I like you hunt a lot of whitetail. I purchased a Krieghoff 458 win mag double. There are bullets available from 250 grain to 600 grains. I reload so I load light bullets for whitetail and heavy for Cape buffalo. I like Krieghoff’s quality. Good luck with your search.

 

[Mekaniks]

Buy one of each and figure out which you like the best and keep it.Then sell the others here in the AH Classifieds for .50 on the dollar

Seriously, I would visit each of the manufactures individually and "try them on for size" before buying.....

 

[Teampowpow]

DO NOT BUY A SABATTI! Im speaking from experience, worst customer service I have ever experienced! Horrible Company. Pay the extra cash, cry once buy once and get a Heym or Merkel if it was me. 500 NE is a wonderful round, you will love

Buy one of each and figure out which you like the best and keep it.Then sell the others here in the AH Classifieds for .50 on the dollar

Seriously, I would visit each of the manufactures individually and "try them on for size" before buying.....

yea I would definitely like to hold them but it seems it might prove difficult trying on various rifles…. Definitely sound advice on the buying and selling haha

 

[Teampowpow]

DO NOT BUY A SABATTI! Im speaking from experience, worst customer service I have ever experienced! Horrible Company. Pay the extra cash, cry once buy once and get a Heym or Merkel if it was me. 500 NE is a wonderful round, you will love it.

 

[Luvthunt]

For that price I’d look at Chapuis, Merkel or Keighoff

Very good advice

 

[Rare Breed]

For that price I’d look at Chapuis, Merkel or Keighoff

Also with a DR for sure get the right weight for caliber and your LOP or you will regret it. For example a 500 NE should weigh about 11 pounds. You will find rifles like Rizzini in this caliber weighing 9.3 pounds and I don’t care how well you take recoil will kick you into another universe. I have owned 7 DRs so I know what I’m talking about

 

[Beck]

I have a K in .470 NE - I am not in love with the safety, but from a PH's perspective it's probably the perfect client double.

 

[Beck]

If you have the money, I think most people would say that Heym is the best no-frills double out there

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Heartiest welcome.

My first recommendation for a .500 Nitro Express, would have to be for a Heym Model 89B. Boxlock ejector action, 24” barrels, non automatic safety, wide V backsights & uncovered ivory bead foresight.

Second (and more affordable) recommendation would have to be a Merkel Model 140AE. But please have the triggers inspected by a competent gunsmith, prior to taking to the field. The variants in .500 Nitro Express have been documented more than once to double discharge if the front trigger is pulled once.

 

[Philip Glass]

New here to AH, been behind the lines and just observing and researching some, seeing how this forum works and its content. Everyone seems very nice and experienced I must say and I’m glad to be here with you all!
Living in North Carolina I hunt a lot, travel west for mostly whitetail and have some experience in Colorado, nothing crazy but I’m a hunter to say the least… my buddy has been to Africa twice now and, well guess I’m going on this third trip for buff and whatever else that could possible be allowed as an extra… I just recently acquired a ruger 77 rsm 416 Rigby, in fact it will be here tomorrow along with some ammunition. I hunt with a few 10 gauge shotguns all season normally for my goose and open water duck hunting, deer drives and such. I have several large caliber AR and other rifles so I’d like to think I’m not a wimp when it comes to recoil…
Been considering a double rifle also, I mean why not? I originally was thinking 505 Gibbs, but….. now I’m more leaning towards the 500NE.

My question,

what is available and more built in quality that would be around the 15k mark or less? I’ve seen Rizinni, Sabatti, Merkel and I have zero idea what I’m looking for, what would need to be done after the purchase if factory new such as regiment, or if guns at this price point are just not recommended at all? This is a whole another animal of the firearm world…. Any other recommendations are quite welcome!

You have a realistic starting point pricewise for a good double. You will likely be on the used market for the better makes. The trouble I found on the used market was that they (at the time) were all extractors not ejectors. I have no idea why anyone would want extractors. A .470 is more available but the .500's are out there as well. I love my Kreighoff and can recommend it. It is a fun process!

 

[Beck]

also if you buy used make sure you have

You have a realistic starting point pricewise for a good double. You will likely be on the used market for the better makes. The trouble I found on the used market was that they (at the time) were all extractors not ejectors. I have no idea why anyone would want extractors. A .470 is more available but the .500's are out there as well. I love my Kreighoff and can recommend it. It is a fun process!

Also, if you buy used make sure you have someone who knows doubles look it over - there are a bunch of experienced members on here who can help you

 

[Philip Glass]

also if you buy used make sure you have

Also, if you buy used make sure you have someone who knows doubles look it over - there are a bunch of experienced members on here who can help you

Very, very good advice for any DG rifle.

 

[Teampowpow]

They look very nice from their website

 

[Manwe]

I have used the Barnes 300gr TSX in RSA, nothing walked away or needed a second shot. I couldn’t find the 270 grainTSX bullet but in the UK would have happily used it on everything. The 250 grain TTSX is also worth a look if you’re after PG. The PPU stuff is cheap to practice with but I personally wouldn’t use it on game of any size, especially on a trip!

 

[Beck]

I have used the Barnes 300gr TSX in RSA, nothing walked away or needed a second shot. I couldn’t find the 270 grainTSX bullet but in the UK would have happily used it on everything. The 250 grain TTSX is also worth a look if you’re after PG. The PPU stuff is cheap to practice with but I personally wouldn’t use it on game of any size, especially on a trip!

I love the barnes TSX, best bullet on the market for buffalo, but what does that have to do with double rifles?

 

[Rare Breed]

Very, very good advice for any DG rifle.

All my 7 DRs always have gone to JJ Perodeau for a full review before I even shoot them to make sure they are perfect. He is the very best!

 

[AZDAVE]

The step into the double world can be daunting. I would first suggest going to sci or dsc and talking to hyem, krieghoff, chapuis, and merkel. I you can find someone close to you that has a double try and get an opportunity to shoot one. ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT HANDLOADING FOR A DOUBLE IS A DIFFERENT CAN OF WORMS THAN A BOLT GUN!!!
Also have a solid understanding of the range limitations of a double and have the discipline to walk away from shots that outside your comfort sone that would be a chip shot with a bolt gun.