Folks:

I qualifed, I think???, that it was my belief (perhaps, mistaken) that monometal (not banded) solids might result in "issues" with Merkel. As corrected, it was Chapuis of which I was thinking. Or, at least, I think???

As was later mentioned, Searcy is the only company that recommends monometal solids, be they banded or not. In any event, with the great Woodleigh solids and softs, what the hey? A Merkel owner has a very useful and reasonably priced double, "solid" solids, or not.

Have fun. I'll own one someday.. probably in 9.3x74.

As to the "ragged hole", my .470 Searcy shoots Woodleigh 500 grain bullets that just about always cut the hole of the previous one.. at least if I do my job. It's accuracy is limited only by the limits of my sight and poor shooting.