Searcy .470 N.E. for sale Cabela's Buda Texas

sierraone

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I know a lot of you guys are not far from Buda, Texas. I just received a contact from my son who has been working there this week. The Cabela's has a Searcy .470 for $6000 there in a glass case. The least expensive one I have ever seen was in Tulsa two years ago which the owner was asking $9000 for. Have no idea if this is one of the older ones using a Browning SxS action or not. But I think I would be going to at least look at it if I were in the area! Buff Buster or Red Leg???
This rifle is not listed on the Buda Cabela's web site. I already checked!
 
It must have come back in, it has been there quite a while, and listed as sold a few weeks ago. I never got a chance to go look at it, the price dropped on it several times. If it is the same rifle it is built off of a Browning BSS and looked to be in fair condition. It was there far longer than a "deal" should have been so I never got excited about it. @matt85 has scared me on used doubles without having a knowledgable person check it out for me.
Cheers,
Cody
 
They had two at one point. I don't remember exact pricing, but one at around $10k and one was closer to $8k? Bet this one is the cheaper one? This was well over a year ago. I don't even know if I had bought my Lott yet?

Like Cody says, I'd be leary of this one in particular. Anyone buying it would be wise to have it checked closely by an expert firs .
 
ive been waiting around a year and a half now for Searcy to fix my Defective double... (n)

-matt
 
let the buyer be where..
 
I'm not surprised that one of you in the area already had/has some knowledge of this rifle. I thought a $6000 asking price might indicate a problem child, but with my very limited knowledge of doubles, I decided to put the info out there since so many of you live in Texas!
 
Appreciate the heads up Sierraone, after all no one man can look at all the gun porn that is out there!lol surprisingly enough though, there are some deals to be had every now and then from the gun library.
 
My trouble with Searcy's doubles is their apparent evolution. The early guns, in particular, were rumored to use some non-traditional soldering methods. I think Boddington once wrote that it was hi-tech glue? I had visions of a real issue if reregulation was ever needed or had been attempted by a former owner. I also had trouble getting my head around using a shotgun action for a double rifle. Probably have looked at too many reinforced English rifle actions. Anyway, I suspect the current production is pretty good. They now use chopper lump barrels and their own CNC'd produced action.
 
Even though I am not speaking from experience, when I first read about the early rifles using a Browning SS action maybe a year or so ago, for the large calibers that Searcy produces, my initial thoughts were "surely not". I believe the BSS shotguns are great guns for the price, but I don't think I would be comfortable shooting a .450 or .470 from a shotgun action double. I certainly wouldn't buy such a rifle knowingly without someone like JJ going through it and telling me it was safe. Now that we know the Cabela's rifle is a BSS action, it may be down to $5000 next time we look!!!
 
Anyway, I suspect the current production is pretty good. They now use chopper lump barrels and their own CNC'd produced action.

Red Leg,

Chopper lump barrels are an option ($8000) with Butch's rifles, but his barrels are joined with the mono-bloc technique usually. You're right though about his actions being CNC machined in his shop. I know chopper lump construction is the gold standard in the British rifle trade, but it's very labor intensive and time consuming I hear. I suppose that's part of the reason why they cost so damn much. I know Heym advertises a "Demi-bloc" construction I think. I'm not educated enough in the manufacture of double rifles to know which is best.

I do know that those who have followed the evolution of Butch's rifles over the last few years have said that his current rifles are night and day over his old ones. I went with Butch for my current rifle for a few reasons, most of which was the fact that he'll regulate the rifle with any reasonable load you want, key word being reasonable. For my 450 NE 3 1/4 in., I went with 500 grain NF flat point solids at 2150-2200 fps. If I was shooting factory ammo, it would have been a very hard choice between Heym, Verney-Carron, and B. Searcy. I really like the look of the Heym 88-B Safari rifles.

Matt, you may not wanna say on a public forum, but has Butch given you any reason why it's taking so long?
 
That makes sense. Mono-block is frankly state of the art and found on most continental guns and rifles. Your experience tracks with what I have heard about the current production being a quality product.
 
My trouble with Searcy's doubles is their apparent evolution. The early guns, in particular, were rumored to use some non-traditional soldering methods. I think Boddington once wrote that it was hi-tech glue? I had visions of a real issue if reregulation was ever needed or had been attempted by a former owner. I also had trouble getting my head around using a shotgun action for a double rifle. Probably have looked at too many reinforced English rifle actions. Anyway, I suspect the current production is pretty good. They now use chopper lump barrels and their own CNC'd produced action.

Red Leg, I think you are confused in this case! The space age glue was a glue that was used to glue the heat shield tiles on the space shuttles, and that was done by the guy who later built the Rigbys in Paso Robles, California. The rifle using the glue were the runner-up to those Cal Rigbys. Butch Searcy had absolutely nothing to do with that glue, and the guy who did found very quickly that it held OK but the rifles would never regulate right because you only had one shot at getting the regulation right.

In regard the Butchs' early B. Searcy doubles built on the Browning BSS actions they were simply no frills working rifles most chambered for 470NE. The actions were approved by Browning for the rifles Searcy built, and I have never heard of one giving any pressure related problem. In fact there was a man in California who bought one to use developing 470NE ammo when the only source was Britt ammo. He put several thousand rounds through that BSS actioned double and it never came off face.

The California, now defunct, Rigbys were built on Merkel 20 ga rifle/shotgun actions bought from Merkel directly. All Merkel double gun actions are made for double rifles, and their shotguns are built on the same actions. That is a cost cutting move so there is no need to build two different actions for shotguns and double rifles.
Rumors like was just posted above is what causes a lot of things to be avoided when they are very good products. I can assure you there has never been a drop of space age glue on any double rifle Butch Searcy built.

The person above who stated his rifle has not been fixed for a very long period is because Butch Searcy had a back surgery and his business has been closed for many months, and he just lately been able to stand for any length of time at his shop and certainly not shoot big bore doubles to regulate them. That guy should simply give Butch a call and ask about his rifle.
....................Just a little information I think need clearing up!
.............................................Mac PS: The Chopper lump barrels are a custom up-grade at a stiff cost. All other B.Searcy doubles are built on Mono-block barrels. And the Heym 88s are built with Shoe-lump barrels just like the Merkels of seven or eight years ago. Merkel has moved to mono-block lately Both are just as strong as chopper lump barrels, just are cheaper to build.
 
Last edited:
I'm sure Matt will call him
 
Red Leg, I think you are confused in this case! The space age glue was a glue that was used to glue the heat shield tiles on the space shuttles, and that was done by the guy who later built the Rigbys in Paso Robles, California. The rifle using the glue were the runner-up to those Cal Rigbys. Butch Searcy had absolutely nothing to do with that glue, and the guy who did found very quickly that it held OK but the rifles would never regulate right because you only had one shot at getting the regulation right.

In regard the Butchs' early B. Searcy doubles built on the Browning BSS actions they were simply no frills working rifles most chambered for 470NE. The actions were approved by Browning for the rifles Searcy built, and I have never heard of one giving any pressure related problem. In fact there was a man in California who bought one to use developing 470NE ammo when the only source was Britt ammo. He put several thousand rounds through that BSS actioned double and it never came off face.

The California, now defunct, Rigbys were built on Merkel 20 ga rifle/shotgun actions bought from Merkel directly. All Merkel double gun actions are made for double rifles, and their shotguns are built on the same actions. That is a cost cutting move so there is no need to build two different actions for shotguns and double rifles.
Rumors like was just posted above is what causes a lot of things to be avoided when they are very good products. I can assure you there has never been a drop of space age glue on any double rifle Butch Searcy built.

The person above who stated his rifle has not been fixed for a very long period is because Butch Searcy had a back surgery and his business has been closed for many months, and he just lately been able to stand for any length of time at his shop and certainly not shoot big bore doubles to regulate them. That guy should simply give Butch a call and ask about his rifle.
....................Just a little information I think need clearing up!
.............................................Mac
You are correct. That was Miller and the Paso Robles Rigby. Apologies to Butch. Still glad that his guns evolved beyond the BSS. As I say, the current production seem to be solid, accurate rifles.
 
Based on the the receiver outline, this is one of the newer models which is much stronger, and well worth 7K. If I have this wrong, one of you double rifle folks please advise!
 
Red Leg, I think you are confused in this case! The space age glue was a glue that was used to glue the heat shield tiles on the space shuttles, and that was done by the guy who later built the Rigbys in Paso Robles, California. The rifle using the glue were the runner-up to those Cal Rigbys. Butch Searcy had absolutely nothing to do with that glue, and the guy who did found very quickly that it held OK but the rifles would never regulate right because you only had one shot at getting the regulation right.

In regard the Butchs' early B. Searcy doubles built on the Browning BSS actions they were simply no frills working rifles most chambered for 470NE. The actions were approved by Browning for the rifles Searcy built, and I have never heard of one giving any pressure related problem. In fact there was a man in California who bought one to use developing 470NE ammo when the only source was Britt ammo. He put several thousand rounds through that BSS actioned double and it never came off face.

The California, now defunct, Rigbys were built on Merkel 20 ga rifle/shotgun actions bought from Merkel directly. All Merkel double gun actions are made for double rifles, and their shotguns are built on the same actions. That is a cost cutting move so there is no need to build two different actions for shotguns and double rifles.
Rumors like was just posted above is what causes a lot of things to be avoided when they are very good products. I can assure you there has never been a drop of space age glue on any double rifle Butch Searcy built.

The person above who stated his rifle has not been fixed for a very long period is because Butch Searcy had a back surgery and his business has been closed for many months, and he just lately been able to stand for any length of time at his shop and certainly not shoot big bore doubles to regulate them. That guy should simply give Butch a call and ask about his rifle.
....................Just a little information I think need clearing up!
.............................................Mac PS: The Chopper lump barrels are a custom up-grade at a stiff cost. All other B.Searcy doubles are built on Mono-block barrels. And the Heym 88s are built with Shoe-lump barrels just like the Merkels of seven or eight years ago. Merkel has moved to mono-block lately Both are just as strong as chopper lump barrels, just are cheaper to build.

Took the words right out of my mouth!

FYI, the Browning action can make for a fine double rifle, when done up right. Nicholas Makinson has done so, and if it's good enough for Nick, it's damn well good enough for me!
 
Based on the the receiver outline, this is one of the newer models which is much stronger, and well worth 7K. If I have this wrong, one of you double rifle folks please advise!

You are correct! That is a B.Searcy Field grade and you are correct about that rifle being well worth 7K and if it were a 500NE or a 375 H&H flanged I would buy it myself!

Gentlemen you will not find a double rifle that is better regulated than a Searcy regardless of price or make. (y)
 
Speaking of CNC made actions for double rifles, all double rifle actions today made by all makers are CNC cut from forging actions regardless of make. They are simply cut to a slightly over size shape but are still hand final finished and fitted. The initial shaping done on CNC is simply the work done historically buy shop Appies, and is a time and cost cutting move by all makers. It is not a negative thing but simply a common sense manufacturing move.
...............................................Mac:)
 

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