My Merkel .500NE does not have excessive drop. If a rifle has too little drop you have to squeeze your cheek against the stock, and you are likely to get hit in the cheek bone.

In my experience the Merkel has typical recoil for caliber. Yes it's a bit light at just over 10 lbs. But for a day's hunt a gun will hurt more in the carry than in the kick. I like the weight of my Merkel just fine.

Boddington does not speak for every man.

Curl