Purchasing my first double, Sabatti safari big five or Merkel 140AE - advice requested

[A. Swan]

Good day fellow hunters and firearm enthusiasts.
As the title suggests I am at the point of purchasing my first double and now I simply need to decide on a model.
I have decided on 450/400 NE 3 Inch as a caliber.

A bit of information on myself and the intended use of the rifle:

I am South African born, currently living in Australia. My wife and I return to South Africa once every 1.5 - 2 years to visit family and hunt, where the rifle will be used on large game and buffalo (Which I have historically used my Musgrave .375 H&H)
While in Australia the rifle will primarily be used for target shooting (Big game and hunting rifle discipline)

In summary:
1 buffalo and large game hunt every 2 years
10-12 rounds of target shooting from 50m and closer once per month

I am looking for a reliable rifle that doesn't break the bank, from my research the above mentioned models should fit the bill as originally I didn't want to spend more than A$10k

Also seeing as the majority of shooting will be on a target range and i would like to keep my brass clean and in good condition, I have no preference in extractors vs ejectors - from my understanding extractors might even suit me better - happy for any advice on this as well.

The Sabatti safari big five comes in at A$12.5k (extractor) / A$13.9k (ejector)
The Merkel model 140AE comes in at A$14.9k (ejector i believe)

I personally prefer the look of the Sabatti, but i understand that looks should not be the key decider in matters like this.

So I am asking those with vastly more experience than myself, are the above rifles acceptable quality for the money?
Is there a strong preference of one over the other?

Also, for anyone in Australia. If there are other brands/dealers that I should look at please let me know, I am only listing these as they are the only models I can find South of A$20k

Thank you to anyone that is going to read this and take the time to offer a response

 

[DieJager]

Can not justify at this moment buying a double but in the future someday it will happen. If presented with this two choices and the difference in price is this close I would prefer the Merkel. Yes the Sabatti is probably more pleasing to the eye. But I would go with the German quality.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Merkel all seven days of the week. This is absolutely no contest.

 

[Betterinthebush]

Thank you for posting this. I have the exact same questions.

 

[Pondoro]

Forget Sabatti..Krieghoff´s have a more straight stock design than Merkel (ie. less felt recoil and muzzle jump..)and you get the extra safety benefit of carrying a loaded but not cocked rifle..

Sabattis are too light for calibre..

My .470 Krieghoff is scoped and a pleasure to shoot... .450/400 even better..

Some Merkels also tend to double discharge..Krieghoff´s dont do that..

Buy used..wisely..

 

[Ericedwinbates]

Dont buy a Sabatti, I have owned 2 (slow learner)! Neither regulated worth a darn and the company is by far the worst I have ever done business with in my life! Customer support is non existent and they dont support there defective products! Buy German for sure. I spent a fortune having both JJ and Ken Owen regulate my 500 NE to finally get it shooting fair at best.

 

[HWL]

Merkel.....is the right answer.

HWL

 

[Northern Shooter]

As someone who recently bought the Merkel, I'd say Merkel.

I have read enough horror stories on here to avoid the Sabatti's.

 

[Tintin]

Chapuis could be another option to look at. They are owned by Beretta now.

https://berettaaustralia.com.au/agex-brousse-375hh-double-rifle/

Close to AU$20k

I suspect others will be using some of the rifles on your shortlist at BGRC shoots - hopefully you'll be able to check some out.

 

[Rare Breed]

Good day fellow hunters and firearm enthusiasts.
As the title suggests I am at the point of purchasing my first double and now I simply need to decide on a model.
I have decided on 450/400 NE 3 Inch as a caliber.

A bit of information on myself and the intended use of the rifle:

I am South African born, currently living in Australia. My wife and I return to South Africa once every 1.5 - 2 years to visit family and hunt, where the rifle will be used on large game and buffalo (Which I have historically used my Musgrave .375 H&H)
While in Australia the rifle will primarily be used for target shooting (Big game and hunting rifle discipline)

In summary:
1 buffalo and large game hunt every 2 years
10-12 rounds of target shooting from 50m and closer once per month

I am looking for a reliable rifle that doesn't break the bank, from my research the above mentioned models should fit the bill as originally I didn't want to spend more than A$10k

Also seeing as the majority of shooting will be on a target range and i would like to keep my brass clean and in good condition, I have no preference in extractors vs ejectors - from my understanding extractors might even suit me better - happy for any advice on this as well.

The Sabatti safari big five comes in at A$12.5k (extractor) / A$13.9k (ejector)
The Merkel model 140AE comes in at A$14.9k (ejector i believe)

I personally prefer the look of the Sabatti, but i understand that looks should not be the key decider in matters like this.

So I am asking those with vastly more experience than myself, are the above rifles acceptable quality for the money?
Is there a strong preference of one over the other?

Also, for anyone in Australia. If there are other brands/dealers that I should look at please let me know, I am only listing these as they are the only models I can find South of A$20k

Thank you to anyone that is going to read this and take the time to offer a response

I would go with the Merkel given I have owned both. The Sabbatti new should be $8,500. Oh well, taffifs rear their ugly head.

 

[Mountaineer]

I would suggest not over looking an O/U. That’s what I did. You can get better quality when comparing the same price point.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Have you considered a used Ferlach double. Very high quality at the price point of a Merkel and sometimes even less.

Ludwig Borovnik 9.3x74R Double Rifle for sale

Ludwig Borovnik 9.3x74R Double Rifle for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

This and other brands can be found for even less

 

[A. Swan]

I would like to thank everyone for their responses.
Honestly did not expect Sabatti to get many kind words, but for it to be almost unanimously spoken against does create some food for thought and a bit of surprise.
Probably to be expected for a rifle that is new less than most second hand and almost half the price of a base Chapuis.

@Altitude sickness no i have not considered them, only because i have never heard of them. unfortunately the offering of second hand double rifles in Australia is quite slim pickings (especially if one has decided on a caliber)
Across our 3 largest websites for selling guns there is a total of 2 rifles in my chosen caliber and both are A$20k+

@Tintin yes, hopefully there are a few models to look at at some BGRC shoots

@Rare Breed The prices I mentioned is in AUD, so the A$12.5k for the sabatti is roughly $8k USD. not sure if tarrifs play a role yet here.

 

[Redfishga1]

Merkel. I purchased one last year in 450/400, well regulated.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Merkel, for the simple reason that it is German engineering and the lockup is guaranteed because it has a Greener crossbolt. I would never buy a double that doesn't have a third lockup, and of those the Greener takes the cake.

 

[AZDAVE]

Of the two you mentioned the Merkel is a far better option.

If it was my money I would save a bit longer and Get a Chapuis or Krieghoff

 

[ActionBob]

Get almost anything other than a Sabatti. Seriously.

Check out a Chapuis Iphisi which is now available in 450-400 NE in addition to the original in 375 H&H. That is the lowest end double I'd buy.

 

[thriller]

As a sabatti owner I can tell you if you find a good one they are alright but there is a reason they are cheaper. So you can either spend time shopping or spend more money and go with a Merkel. The Merkel is probably the safer route unless you find a sabatti like mine that shoots same hole.

 

[cajunchefray]

Get almost anything other than a Sabatti. Seriously.

Check out a Chapuis Iphisi which is now available in 450-400 NE in addition to the original in 375 H&H. That is the lowest end double I'd buy.

I didn’t know Chapuis is now available in 450/400, that is good news.
For my next double, I will be looking for a Chapuis.
I’ve owned a Sabatti in 450/400.
It didn’t fit me well.

I Fred a couple hundred rounds, over 8 years, a trigger pin broke. I had it repaired by a competent gunsmith with hardened pins made from metric drill bit as material.
It worked, but I lost faith in the rifle.
I got it to regulate with a lot of reloading, and a Trijicon RMR, that I could see properly, and compensate for the poor stock fit,

I sold that Sabatti here to a fellow member, with full disclosure about the rifle. I talked to him extensively before taking his money, and he had no problem.He took his nephew to RSA, they got 2 buffalo and some other game.

Sabatti can work, with some care, observation, money and work.
I really like the 450/400.

For my next double, I will look at Chapuis, then Merkel.

When my wife buys the right lottery ticket, Heym 89B, case hardened receiver, 26” barrels.

 

[ActionBob]

I didn’t know Chapuis is now available in 450/400, that is good news.
For my next double, I will be looking for a Chapuis.
I’ve owned a Sabatti in 450/400.
It didn’t fit me well.

I Fred a couple hundred rounds, over 8 years, a trigger pin broke. I had it repaired by a competent gunsmith with hardened pins made from metric drill bit as material.
It worked, but I lost faith in the rifle.
I got it to regulate with a lot of reloading, and a Trijicon RMR, that I could see properly, and compensate for the poor stock fit,

I sold that Sabatti here to a fellow member, with full disclosure about the rifle. I talked to him extensively before taking his money, and he had no problem.He took his nephew to RSA, they got 2 buffalo and some other game.

Sabatti can work, with some care, observation, money and work.
I really like the 450/400.

For my next double, I will look at Chapuis, then Merkel.

When my wife buys the right lottery ticket, Heym 89B, case hardened receiver, 26” barrels.

Chapuis has always had a 450-400 available in the Elan line. They just recently released it in the lower cost Iphisi line.

Have your wife put the lottery ticket money in a cookie jar The odds of it buying anything substantial will be a lot higher.