Interesting topic....
I have been close to pulling the proverbial trigger on a modern double rifle for 2-3 years now. Every time I thought I had it figured out, and was ready to order, I would think of something else, read something else, etc., and hold-off. I guess it was just stalling plain and simple. After all, when you're thinking of dropping $20-25K on a "gun", it makes you swallow very hard a few times. Even as short as 5 years ago, I would have never thought I would spend the kind of money I have spent, or will spend, on custom rifles. However, as my understanding of firearms in general has evolved, and my appreciation of finely built rifles and shotguns has matured, I have come to recognize what those firearms represent.
Some guys are fine watch guys, some guys are luxury car guys, and some guys are luxury vacation and travel guys. I myself, like fine firearms plain and simple. I have a few synthetic stocked rifles for rugged hunting like sheep, goats, elk, etc. and they are very practical and shoot like a dream, but I drool all over blued steel set in a highly figured, hand-rubbed oil finished stock made of English walnut. Most of the general public could never fathom spending the kind of money it takes to commission a custom double rifle.
Being in the market for a solid double rifle made by a modern manufacturer left me with a few choices. You have the finely made, and beautiful custom double rifles made by the British such as Holland and Holland, Purdey, and Westley Richards, as well as a smattering of other London and Birmingham makers, and man I would love to own one of those, but I have to draw the line somewhere, and spending north of $85,000 is just not feasible right now. I had hoped that I would win the $1.6 billion dollar Powerball, and could then buy one of each, but alas, I didn't, so off to plan B......
I have researched the many "other than British" makers, and after looking at, talking over with owners, researching the merits of the various brands, etc., I narrowed my choice down to 3 rifle makers which were B. Searcy, Heym, and Verney-Carron, as I felt that those 3 rifles makers represented the art of double rifle making very well, but didn't command a premium price that the British doubles do, instead costing around the $25-30K mark for similar features and engraving. Several months ago, I spoke with the rep for Verney-Carron, and had pretty much decided on having them build me one. However, after talking further with the rep, the major factor against going with them is that they only regulate the rifle with factory ammo, which means Hornady most likely in the caliber I wanted. Apparently this is what Heym does as well, although I don't know that to be totally true. It was hard to get a straight forward answer as to if they do, or not. If you're a factory ammo shooter, then this is great, but I am a hand-loader and wanted a specific bullet, and velocity for my rifle. As such, it led me to Butch Searcy, and I couldn't be happier after speaking with him.
A few things regarding Butch. I had heard a few things about his rifles. Positive things I heard were they locked up like a bank, they were built like a tank, they balanced and pointed well, they shot like a dream with the regulated ammo, and they were very forgiving as far as loads. A few negatives I heard were that the older models were a little bulky and not as trim and svelte like the Heym. Also, there were some concerns about Butch's health, and if he would be continuing to build his doubles. After talking with Butch, my fears about his back problems were put to rest, as he said after his surgery he feels great, and plans to ramp up production again. In talking with others as well as reading everything I can about his rifles, his Classic version is a trimmer version of his previous versions, and has more traditional lines akin to the Heym. Having not compared the 2 side by side, it's hard to say. I've also heard that he will fix anything that is not right, and having a gun maker in the US that I can simply ship the rifle to via common carriers if anything goes wrong with it is reassuring. The final thing in Butch's favor is that he will regulate the rifle with whatever bullet you want (within reason), as well as to whatever speed you want (again within reason). For me, this was the key factor that sealed the deal. Finally he is a straight shooter, and a nice guy to talk to.
I emailed Butch and asked a bunch of specific questions, as well as spoke to him over the phone. He was courteous, funny, and very straight forward to deal with, and was very patient in answering novice questions. After talking with him, I sent a deposit for a new B. Searcy Classic with the following specs:
Model: B. Searcy Classic
Caliber: 450 N.E. 3 1/4 in. regulated with 500 grain North Fork flat point solids (better S.D. and penetration than the traditional 480 grain bullets) at 2150-2200 fps
Barrel Length: 25 in.
Sights: standard express rear sight and standard from sight
Color: Case Color Finish
Engraving: Standard Rose & Scroll for the Classic version
Stock: Fancy English walnut stocked to fit
Options:
1) long trigger guard
2) intercepting sears
3) articulating front trigger
4) tear drop on the stock
5) leather covered recoil pad
I am anticipating 8-12 months for the build which is great, as I can save up the final amount for the balance due on the rifle. The price is approximately the cost of the Heym 88B-Safari which has roughly the same options as the rifle I ordered. I am planning on meeting Butch at SCI in February for him to tweak any final measurements before cutting the stock blank. In anticipation, I've purchased reloading dies and a shell holder for the 450 N.E. 3 1/4 in, as well as brass, and North Fork bullets. I'm going to try and order a box or two of the NF 500 grain FPS bullets every month until I get a good supply of them stockpiled. They aren't cheap!
Interestingly, Butch wanted to make sure I wanted to regulate the rifle with the 500 grain North Fork's instead on the traditional 480 grain bullets. His reasoning is despite what everyone always says, if I ever wanted to sell the rifle, it may make it more difficult to do since it wasn't regulated with factory ammo. I appreciated his input for sure, but barring some unforeseen circumstances, I plan on passing this rifle down to my son, and hopefully he will do the same someday to his children. After all that, Butch did say that he has built a few of the rifles in that caliber to regulate with the 500 grain North Forks, and they will still shoot well with 480 grain factory loads which I've heard from many B. Searcy shooters. That was reassuring.
Getting back to the original question as to who is my favorite double rifle maker I will vote for Butch Searcy for the various reasons mentioned above. Most owners I've talked to have said that his rifles feel good and balance well in the hands and shoot great. The fit and finish won't compare to a fine english double rifle most likely, but for the money, his rifles appear hard to beat.
As this will most likely be my only double rifle, I hope I made the right choice. I feel I have.........
