anderson wheeler

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brybenn

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southern ontario
Does anyone have any experience with this maker? I'm interested in both doubles and bolt guns. (450/400 and 300 HH)
Their sxs 410 looks like a promising acquisition down the road as well
 
I expect their guns would be extremely well made in the British tradition. Theirs is a fairly new name in gunmaking, not one that's been around for 100+ years. I would also expect the prices would be in the "if you have to ask you can't afford it" category.

They built the .500 3" used in the movie "Skyfall".
 
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Not seen that movie. However for a British gun maker their prices however steep are quite reasonable if their quality is as good as other British makers. No where near cheap but if I sell most of what I own I can afford one.
Something I've been considering lately. A few very high end guns instead of dozens which overlap
 
I believe that the SXS guns they sell are Spanish actions, and the over-unders are Italian made. The engraving is done in France, and the stocking and final finish is done in England. This is how they are able to market these bespoke guns for a fraction of what a British bespoke would cost you. I understand they are quite a nice gun for the money, if completely hand crafted isn't your priority.
 
If looking for a decent double, SxS or OU, check out Verney Carron. The Spanish units ain't bad, but the French units are better. Not cheap, but very well made. Tradeex is a dealer in these.:)
 
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There are a lot of choices out there in the sxs's. And most of their websites don't tell you all that they really offer. Depends on the level you want to budget it mostly, you pay, they'll build it.. Boxlocks can be as low as the Chapuis UGEX at 5000.00, which has nice finishing to start with, and a good action. Sidelocks from anyone, will triple that price in a hurry, and then some. Not hard to spend 20 & up on a boxlock with nice wood and some engraving patterns. On my Krieghoff, adding sideplates to the boxlock, put it to 12+ without specific engraving or fancy wood on the basic Classic gun.
I think you'll find the Wheeler is a farmed out gun, nice, but, there are others that may hold value better. Look at the more or less basic VC bigbore on Tradexx at 13, then at the upgraded one at 32 on there. It is all in the cosmetics. Things like scope/Doktor/flip up peep, add up quickly also. Heym is building some nice stuff, Krieghoff has the IES system on their Classics now, and there are a host of others who will build bespoke guns.
There is/was a firesale on some new 140 Merkels down south this last while, under 10, and some other outfits down there, seem to be on the verge of clearing some stock. Used stuff is dropping a bit, some good deals out there.
 
brybenn said:
I've been looking at the VC and Chapuis guns as well
Click to expand...

A much better choice. It would appear Anderson Wheeler are using imported barreled actions and finishing them in house. Not an uncommon thing to do in the gun trade, but to represent yourself as a bespoke maker while doing so is a little much.

I think A-Zone is selling his 450-400 which is, if memory serves, a VC. Ardent is selling his Merkel 375 too.
 
I'm just looking for a quality case colored box lock with nice wood. Nothing fancy. Maybe an ivory pop up night sight but just a very basic nice handling double. It will be used for hunting. Just don't know if I'm ready to sell 20 guns to buy 1 yet
As for their bolt actions...anyone have any comments? cz550 safari could fit the bill but they're big clunky guns. Love the actions and triggers though. I've read the wheelers are more classy and nimble
 
If you like CZ big bores but want an upgrade check out AHR.
(American hunting rifles) they will build you a custom on a CZ action for a fairly reasonable price.
 
VC and Chapuis are the nicest finished guns in the lower end market, off the shelf. At least with the wood finish and the type of engraving that come stock on them. There are some 9.3 and 375 Chapuis here in Calgary I've looked at, really nice. Some people say the comb is high on them. VC has a bit different engraving, wood isn't quite as nice on average, from the ones I have seen, for the off the shelf guns. The Krieghoff and Merkel have reasonable wood, and some basic engraving. There are some Blasers in town here also, they're pretty but, they are decocked on closing. The Krieghoff is hot on closing and can be decocked, all the others are hot on closing, with a safety. I don't believe anyone who has off the shelf guns up here, have scope provision on them, if you wanted that. Leaf sights are add-ons, Claw mounts or Recknagel pivots are add-ons, Doktor mounts are add-ons, Moon sights and peeps are add-ons, ejectors are add-ons. VC and Chapuis are no extra for CCH, Krieghoff is extra, don't know about Merkel. VC will regulate to 75yds, Krieghoff will go to 100 still, I believe, think everyone else is 50. Searcy will regulate to 100 also, I believe, with a handload or a factory load.
Spend some serious time researching it, Gunbroker and Guns int'l have lots to look at, maybe you can find what you want in a used one, there are some good ones out there. There is a lot of info on Accurate Reloading and Nitro Express forums. Pickup Graeme Wright's book on doubles.
And if you get to shooting one, it is a whole 'nother experience and learning curve. It is a pure hunting gun.
 
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