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.
