I have been bitten...

[Tanks]

Ralf Martini has a few DRs currently listed on his website. It takes a bit of time and money to import a firearm to the US, since Ralf is based out of Canada, it is doable.

This one is real nice.

Heym 88B 450/400 N.E. 3" - Martini Gunmakers Canada

Heym 88B 450/400 N.E. 3″ This rifle is in an excellent condition! 26″ barrels LOP 13 3/4″ Weight 10 lbs 13 oz Comes with a Doctor red dot sight. Original Heym hard case with manual and test target is included. RCBS reloading dies, ammo, brass and bullets are available!

martinigunmakers.com

This one is worn out a bit, so probably could negotiate on the price.

Heym 88B 500 N.E. - Martini Gunmakers Canada

Heym 88B 500 N.E. with ejectors Used rifle in good condition, good bores 24″ barrels, LOP 14 1/4″ Overall length 40 1/2″ Weight 10.6 lbs

martinigunmakers.com

 

[ET1775]

@ET1775 , I have been in your shoes exactly but approached the problem from a slightly different angle; I knew exactly what I wanted after doing the research, and then just found a way to get it. Sell more stuff if necessary, but don't deviate, don't compromise. Doubles cost a lot of money and when you eventually hold that beast in your hands, there must be not a hint of regret, not s twinge of 'if only'. Wasted money is the greatest hurt. You must love that thing genuinely, period.
For me functionality was an absolute criterion. If I read anywhere of a glitch, if my engineering mind perceived a potential weakness, that one was excluded - so I chose Heym.
It had to be classic and stylish, beautiful form from every single angle, because that is what a double is; art. So I chose the Heym 89b.
It didn't need to have any adornment, the form and line were enough, I wouldn't regret not adding a game scene - I was going to hunt in the game scene! But I settled for simple edge engraving as it enhanced the line, and didn't cost much. If your budget is tight, drop it, an 89b in the nude is beautiful.
Then the hardest part, the calibre. I leaned upon the term 'necessary and sufficient'. I wanted to hunt buffalo mostly, plains game too, and maybe an occasional elephant, but be equipped so that if an elephant emergency eventuated I was sufficiently gunned. I had to be able to handle the calibre, not just the recoil and the carry weight, but the free-standing hold on target for ten seconds test. So for me that was the Africa frame, not a gram more. Bottom line: the 450/400 3 inch Nitro Express. All you will ever need on planet earth.
Finally the sights. The Heym express iron sights are great, but in my case I feel for 50 metres or less. The Heym dovetail will allow you to add a red dot easily so now you are good for plains game out to 100 metres also. Very soon there will be a small 3x powered red dot mini telescopic sight, already exists but the base fitting is wrong. Then you are good for say 150 metres. For more than that you are no longer in double territory in my opinion, you have lost the double sniff.
I have now hunted with my new Heym, I am utterly satisfied I made the exact correct decision. I stroke the thing while I walk through the bush, all is good. Perfection exists, all it cost was money.

And what a Heym 89b you chose!

I have gravitated toward the companies I named for these reasons: reputation for reliability, models available within reach of my budget and I am drawn to their lines. I plan to find and purchase used first as someone else can pay the depreciation and I, a DR virgin, will learn more about what I love about doubles and what I might change... on the next one. I agree with the adornment, I like it but it is not required, then again if all else being equal and the price is right for a used one, I would not turn away from a nicely engraved rifle.

Caliber is the tricky one. I like big guns, big guns are fun and I have a lot of small guns. I also have the .375 H&H so most needs are covered there. Moving to .470 opens a lot more of the used market as they are plentiful. I like the .450 but ammo scarcity makes it a questionable choice. the .450-400 is a beautiful choice and if I didn't have the .375 it would likely be the top contender.

I really like the idea of a red dot as an option, I prefer irons but also use red dots on some of my other weapons, they work very well and are fast. I agree wholeheartedly on getting close for using a double. I know some can be used as single shot for further reaches, If I want to make 200-300 yard shots, I will likely choose a different tool.

Congrats on getting to hunt with your double, and thank you for your thoughts!

 

[ET1775]

It is a Paso Robles rifle. Apparently there were issues with that model

Good to know.

 

[ET1775]

Ralf Martini has a few DRs currently listed on his website. It takes a bit of time and money to import a firearm to the US, since Ralf is based out of Canada, it is doable.

I will check his website out, thank you.

 

[Tanks]

...

I really like the idea of a red dot as an option, I prefer irons but also use red dots on some of my other weapons, they work very well and are fast....

Every PH I met last year had a red dot on his double. Biggest reason being speed and simplicity of target acquisition. I let one PH take my red dot several years ago as part of his tip as he was impressed with it and asked for it. I have been using red dots on my elephant guns for about 10 years. Unless a firearm is going to be used for more than elephant/buffalo it will have a red dot.

 

[ET1775]

This one is real nice.

Heym 88B 450/400 N.E. 3" - Martini Gunmakers Canada

Heym 88B 450/400 N.E. 3″ This rifle is in an excellent condition! 26″ barrels LOP 13 3/4″ Weight 10 lbs 13 oz Comes with a Doctor red dot sight. Original Heym hard case with manual and test target is included. RCBS reloading dies, ammo, brass and bullets are available!

martinigunmakers.com

This one is worn out a bit, so probably could negotiate on the price.

Heym 88B 500 N.E. - Martini Gunmakers Canada

Heym 88B 500 N.E. with ejectors Used rifle in good condition, good bores 24″ barrels, LOP 14 1/4″ Overall length 40 1/2″ Weight 10.6 lbs

martinigunmakers.com

That is very nice!

 

[ET1775]

Every PH I met last year had a red dot on his double. Biggest reason being speed and simplicity of target acquisition. I let one PH take my red dot several years ago as part of his tip as he was impressed with it and asked for it. I have been using red dots on my elephant guns for about 10 years. Unless a firearm is going to be used for more than elephant/buffalo it will have a red dot.

Red dots make sense, they work and the speed of target acquisition sells itself.

 

[ay2626]

I have not ruled out a K gun, I have not begun to research them so I currently have very limited knowledge of them. I would not necessarily mind a decocker as I have never used one, seems it would be easy enough to get used to. It might not be my first choice given two rifles with all else equivalent.

There is a blaser bookmarked on my laptop that I keep returning to look at. Along with Heym and Chapuis.

If you decide you have any interest in a K-Gun I have one that I would be willing to sell. Previously had it listed here for a few days before pulling the listing. It’s a 470 NE and I’ve decided to step down to 450-400:

For Sale Krieghoff Classic 470 Nitro Express

I personally feel that the added value of the Krieghoff decockers (being a Blaser user) is worth a considerable advantage over the Heym. Heym sure is pretty though.

www.africahunting.com

 

[ET1775]

I largely agree with what @Kevin Peacocke said. I will, however, offer a slightly different perspective, just as food for thought.

Namely, unless you plan on hunting African dangerous game extensively, I wouldn't gravitate towards a big bore (.450+) or even a .450-400. Two reasons: 1) ammunition is very expensive and occasionally quite hard to find, and ditto for components; and 2) while it'll still kill, such rifle will feel quite too specialized for everything else, and unless you are 100% committed it will gradually fade to the status of safe queen. I see you are in the States--there is no game here that calls for anything larger than a .375-9.3mm class cartridge--ditto for African plains game.

So here's my point: I think as your first double you may be better served with a 9.3mm or a .375 H&H. With today's technology, the rimless version of the .375 gives no disadvantage--I have one and shot several, and they eject reliably all day long.

I know it's sexy to own a .400+ rifle--I have several myself. And that there's no such thing as overgunned or overkill. But after the initial high from purchase, they tend to stay in the safe, at least for me. The two doubles that I keep using are my P. Webley .450 BPE--a very mild and versatile cartridge, "the .30-06 of the Victorian era," according to Ross Seyfried--and my Chapuis .375 H&H. Both very pleasant to shoot, a joy to own, the second one sporting a businesslike Zeiss Conquest 1-6x24mm. Since you are looking into a modern one, I would seriously think about one in either .375 or 9.3. In a pinch, you can use the right barrel as a single shot and enjoy a wide variety of bullets and loads--especially with the .375.

Bottom line--again, as my humble opinion. Unless you are a collector who buys double just to have them, owning a double rifle is a BIG commitment with lots of objective drawbacks compared to other systems. With a more modest caliber like .375 or 9.3mm you still have (potentially) a dangerous game rifle with plenty of African allure, but you also have a perfect combination to hunt any game on Earth without paying too much price in ammo, weight and recoil. Simply put: you'll tend to use it more. Even MUCH more.

As I said, just food for thought. Have I followed my own advice? Not always.... so weigh it against your own wishes and wallet.

I appreciate the food for thought and welcome all opinions and experience, thank you for sharing.

I have the .375 taken care of already, and several smaller caliber rifles. That is part of the reason I am looking into something a bit more... decisive. That and I have always wanted one. My goal is that there will be many African hunts in my future, and DG will be on the pursuit list. I will be reloading for whichever cartridge I decide on So that will help immensely with cost of feeding the double. I agree there is nothing in NA that necessitates a Nitro Express round, but many bear, elk, hogs, bison have been taken with other excessive calibers. I killed a whitetail doe with my last .375 years ago and it was decidedly "enough gun." I see more folly and room for catastrophic error in killing elephant with a 7x57 (but I don't fault Bell for doing it) than killing something less dangerous with a larger caliber than necessary.

Still, I am learning and researching and figuring out what it is I want to do and what tools I want to do it with. I am not a collector per-se but I do love variety. I don't have any safe queens because I buy things I want to use. If I buy a fancy double it will be because I want to enjoy handling, looking at, carrying and using that double.

 

[ET1775]

How common are dr in 7mm would be cool one in 7x57r guess the gun would be pretty heavy unless it's scaled down some. For me I think one in 9.3 something or 375 flanged would be great. Plenty of power for anything I may hunt in North America yet recoil mild and be pretty flat shooting.

I saw one online yesterday in 7x57r approx 9k. I don't recall who made it at the moment.

 

[ET1775]

If you decide you have any interest in a K-Gun I have one that I would be willing to sell. Previously had it listed here for a few days before pulling the listing. It’s a 470 NE and I’ve decided to step down to 450-400:

For Sale Krieghoff Classic 470 Nitro Express

I personally feel that the added value of the Krieghoff decockers (being a Blaser user) is worth a considerable advantage over the Heym. Heym sure is pretty though.

www.africahunting.com

Thank you for the opportunity, I will do some more research and keep you in kind. I know very little about K guns yet, other than the decocker feature, which I don't mind.

 

[uplander01]

Double rifles are super cool to own, modern choice for me would be a Heym. Not into the red dot thing but to each his own. I own one classic 1920's Best quality english double in 470 NE, you can't get that quality nowadays unless you spend 50k. If I was just a buffalo and elephant hunter, its allI would use. They are fun to own and and fun to shoot, if you like them you should own one and use it however you see fit for your purposes.

 

[93marlin]

Double rifles are super cool to own, modern choice for me would be a Heym. Not into the red dot thing but to each his own. I own one classic 1920's Best quality english double in 470 NE, you can't get that quality nowadays unless you spend 50k. If I was just a buffalo and elephant hunter, its allI would use. They are fun to own and and fun to shoot, if you like them you should own one and use it however you see fit for your purposes.

My first DR was an 1890's Sauer in 11x60r. Admittedly not a true big bore. It's trim, lightweight and has taken 3 black bear for me. A second shot was not needed for any of them.
I won't be selling it...

 

[Lungshot202]

its too like for you, there's no cure.