Christer:

Do you intend to handload for it? If not, the .470 is the obvious choice.

Nothing wrong with the .500/.416. My hunting partner has one that is very accurate and penetration is good. He used it on a 42" buffalo up in the Dande in 2001 and got exits with a Woodleigh soft and several solids. For my use, the safety lets the Krieghoff out of consideration as a DG rifle - I just can't use it quickly. If you can get along with it, its a good choice. Avoid the Krieghoff factory (W. Romey) ammo though. The stuff I shot was erratic and roughly 20% of the cases split at the shoulder on the first shot. Handloads in Bell cases cured all problems.

As for the Merkel .470, yes, that would be a very good price on this side of the pond too. Sounds like it would be hard to get hurt on that one. The "Muckle" is now available in .500, btw. A friend of mine just bought one - $8,500 U.S. We will start load developement as soon as cases and bullets arrive.

Best regards, Christer.
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