mhb:

Great post. The first time I shot my Merkel .500 I went to a public range close to Fredricksburg, VA where you could only shoot off the bench.

Well, I wasn't too happy about that, but wanted to shoot the gun anyway so I waddled up to the bench, uncased the monster and metally prepared for the ride of my life.

When the right barrel went off all heads turned towards me.

What a rush!

I aimed again and touched off the left barrel and immediately took a large chunk of flesh out of my right index finder. The SOB bled for about 30 minutes.

8 more rounds went off down range and I loved everyone trigger pull.

I have been using Superior Ammo mostly because I haven't found the time yet to work up a load with the new baby and family and professional obligations.

It shoots well thus far with SA bullets but I know it can do better.

I want to the DRSS hunt this past April and had a great weekend with the other guys shooting doubles, hunting hogs and drinking. During that trip my .500 bagged a nice Texas Tree (it was charging me so I had to show it who was boss) and took out a nice Texas jackrabbit at 43 paces.

Yes, the Merkel is a plain jane one, but in my opinion it has some of the better grain flow in the stock than other Merkels I've seen. It is "streamlined" and I like it that way - I feel like I can really grasp the grip better.

I've had JJ at Champlins install a recoil reducer and pad after the DRSS hunt and it is more pleasant to shoot.

The next double is a Searcy which hopefully will be at SCI and DSC early next year with Butch.