I can only speak from my own experience but my Merkel in .470ne shoots just fine and actually some have commented as to how well it was regulated with factory ammo.

I know the local shop I purchased mine from has literally 70+ Merkel shotguns and two rifles on the shelf and I know of six rifles they have sold in the past month, none of which were drillings though, without any issues. They have a very high end clientele many of the customers purchasing several guns every month and I would think if the Merkels were giving problems would quickly change as the customers would not stand for it.

Just my take from my own first hand experience.

James F. Nixon III