This is an interesting point.

I have just read the warranty, supplied by Merkel in Germany, and it DOES NOT specifically exclude the use of handloaded ammunition, it does exclude the use of "reused" ammunition. So as long as you use new brass you should be covered. This is still a significant saving over commercial ammunition, but more expensive than I want it to be.

However, you must use CIP authorised ammunition. From what I have read any ammunition sold in Europe must be CIP approved. To comply it must carry a CIP approval number. Interestingly, Norma ammunition sold in Australia carries no such approval number, nor any mention of CIP approval on it's packaging.

This could be interpreted two ways...

1. It is impossible to comply with the warranty requirements, i.e. CIP approved ammunition, so the warranty restrictions are not valid. i.e. contrary to trade practices act.

or possibly...

2. Since CIP has no jurisdiction outside Europe then this warranty requirement is invalid, i.e. contrary to the trade practices act.

or..... I could be wrong. I'm not a lawyer.

It also might be that another warranty comes with the rifle that is different from the warranty supplied to me by email from Merkel in Germany. My Merkel is still in lock-up, awaiting the end of 28 days so I'm not sure what paperwork will be included with it.

Thoughts?

UPDATE: Duh! Norma is made in Sweden and Sweden isn't a CIP Member State. So they are not required to comply with CIP certification except for ammunition that they sell in to a CIP Member State. It makes sense that they wouldn't pay for CIP testing for ammunition sold in Australia. So guys.... if you are using Norma ammunition in your Merkel, the stuff it was regulated with, then you have voided your warranty.