I have a Merkel 140-2 in .500NE. It's #3 of the .500 chambering. I have shot it 500-600 times full nitro. My only problem has been the safety coming on with the first shot. The recoil does it. I sent it back once to have it adjusted to prevent this, but it still would jar the safety on. Then I disassembled the rifle and tweaked the safety myself. Added spring tension to it. No more problems at all.

That was an aggravating problem. You shoot the front trigger, and then the rear won't go off because the safety has jarred on. But now there is no problem.

The rifle is superbly accurate and a pleasure to shoot. Kicks like a mule, but fits well so no sharp pain. I have hunted white tail deer with it with success.

I like my Merkel .500NE. It is one hell of a rifle for the money. And I have best quality rifles to compare it to.

Curl