I was able to find some older boxes of S&B 8x57JR from a local source and took the Merkel out to the range yesterday for the first time. Happy to report that this rifle can shoot. 50yd group was decent and getting better as I got more familiar with the sights and triggers. The range I belong to just moved to a new site and the new rifle range has berms at 100 and 200 yards with steel targets. Was impressed when I hit 2 of 2 at 100 and really happy to hit the first of two rounds at 200 yards. This is with irons and some older eyes. It’s a keeper.

Only issue was the gun was hard to open. I’m not seeing primer issues and the projectiles are the correct .318. I have brass, bullets and dies in hand so I’ll try a lighter load and see if that addresses the issue without impacting accuracy.