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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles
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clark7781
.375 member


Reged: 28/10/04
Posts: 612
Loc: Fairfax County, Virginia, USA
Re: For 500Nitro, re: recoil reducer/ w/update [Re: NE450No2]
      #38759 - 05/10/05 11:00 AM

NE450No2:

Thanks for the head's up on my bench warrant! THEY'LL NEVER CATCH ME! I'm known through the Lone Star state as the "Phanton Tree Slayer!"

I don't think I'll make it to DSC this year. I already bought tickets to fly my pop and I out to SCI in January for the obligatory "guy's weekend."

Had I known about all the festivities of DSC, I would have done that trip instead.

I too am looking forward to the next DRSS hunt! Hopefully my pop's .577 will be ready!

--------------------
Clark

Double Rifle Shooters Society
.500 NE and .577 NE

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DOUBLETHEFUN
.224 member


Reged: 21/03/05
Posts: 11
Loc: LONDONDERRY,NH USA
Re: For 500Nitro, re: recoil reducer/ w/update [Re: CptCurl]
      #38768 - 05/10/05 01:35 PM

the lead in mine is about 6in long. i know this becouse it came loose and i had to glue it back in. both my freind's .500 and my 470 have had problems with this. his 500 was sent back to gsi to fix the screw hole, and the very next time at the range it tryed to come through the recoil pad agian. i filled the hole with about a tbls of adhisive calk and slid the rod back in for him. so far no more problems. we shoot about 40 to 60 rounds every week end so if any more problems come ip i'll let you know

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CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5284
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: For 500Nitro, re: recoil reducer/ w/update [Re: DOUBLETHEFUN]
      #38771 - 05/10/05 08:49 PM

Yeah, I had my steel rod come loose also. To fix it I made a new steel bracket out of 1/4" steel and used a much larger lag screw to hold it to the stock. I also fashioned a spacer to slide in ahead of the steel rod to put it in contact with the bottom of the hole. No problems since then.

The lead plug in mine has not moved.

My .500 is a very early one, SN 500003. I think Merkel beefed up the mounting of the steel bar in later guns.

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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mhb
.275 member


Reged: 20/09/05
Posts: 77
Loc: S.E. Arizona
Standing Rest - progress report [Re: CptCurl]
      #38774 - 06/10/05 12:54 AM

I contacted my woodworking pal, Bob the Builder, and discussed what I think I need in a standing rest. Showed him the illustration in Greener's book, and talked about the characteristics I want in the rest I propose to have built. He said he will be glad to undertake the job - just as soon as he finishes building his Ark (well, within the next two weeks). He does good work, and is efficient, so I hope to have positive results within the next month. Then I can resume testing with more consistent results, I hope. The thumb should be healed by then! I'll report on developments in this and other areas of interest as they come up. I'm gonna weigh my Merkel as soon as possible, and am thinking about fabricating a mercury recoil reducer to replace the steel slug - if the rifle REALLY weighs only 10 lb. 3 oz., that's not enough! My .458, 'Old Ugly'
(built by me on a Remington 30-S action) weighs 10 lb. 12 oz., and is both comfortable to shoot and VERY accurate.
mhb - Mike

--------------------
Sancho! My armor!

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clark7781
.375 member


Reged: 28/10/04
Posts: 612
Loc: Fairfax County, Virginia, USA
Re: For 500Nitro, re: recoil reducer/ w/update [Re: CptCurl]
      #38775 - 06/10/05 12:56 AM

My SN is A500056.

Anyone with a "high" number have issues with the rod coming loose?

Now that the recoil pad is on it, if something happens to it I'll have to send it back to JJ for fixin'.

--------------------
Clark

Double Rifle Shooters Society
.500 NE and .577 NE

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CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5284
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Standing Rest - progress report [Re: mhb]
      #38776 - 06/10/05 01:12 AM

Mike,

Be careful not to throw the balance off by increasing the weight in the butt. You won't like it if the rifle ends up muzzle-light.

The Merkel was designed to be rather light, and there's not much you can do about that. You can't add weight to the barrels. If you put weight into the forend it will probably come loose. So any added weight will be in the butt and throw the balance to the rear. Not a good idea.

On the other hand, for carrying, the Merkel is about as handy as can be. In a hunting situation the rifle will hurt you a lot more from carrying than from kicking. Those Germans did us a favor by putting it into a 10 1/4 pound package, in my opinion.

Once you get a standing rest the recoil issue will fade away. I'll be the first to admit that the Merkel .500 is a real handful off a bench. It is manageable, though.

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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nitro476
.300 member


Reged: 21/10/04
Posts: 120
Re: Standing Rest - progress report [Re: mhb]
      #38778 - 06/10/05 02:33 AM

I agree with you. 10 pounds 3 ounces is far to light for that caliber. I had a 500 Westley that weighed twelve pounds 4 ounces and it was perfect. Very comfortable to shoot and perfectly balanced.

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mhb
.275 member


Reged: 20/09/05
Posts: 77
Loc: S.E. Arizona
For Cap'nC: [Re: CptCurl]
      #38779 - 06/10/05 02:38 AM

Thanks for the reminder about the effects of balance and weight on regulation and handling - I was aware of these things. What I had thought of doing with the mercury recoil reducer was to duplicate the weight of the steel slug while gaining the advantage of the mercury's damping effects - then, perhaps, an effective recoil pad would be all that might be needed in addition. I'll weigh the rifle and then think about it. I don't find the Merkel unmanageable, at all, but wouldn't complain if the felt recoil could be moderated some.
mhb - Mike

--------------------
Sancho! My armor!

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foxfire
.375 member


Reged: 25/11/04
Posts: 511
Loc: Long Island N.Y.,
mercury recoil reducer [Re: mhb]
      #38781 - 06/10/05 02:57 AM

The Breako recoil reducer is 14oz. If the weight in the butt stock is 13 oz this would work well. I have this installed in my 470 and it works well.

--------------------
No good deed goes unpunished

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bonanza
.400 member


Reged: 17/05/04
Posts: 2335
Loc: South Carolina
Re: mercury recoil reducer [Re: foxfire]
      #38782 - 06/10/05 04:11 AM

My Merkel is a .375 and therefore does not need a reducer, but I decided to add lead shot into the buttstock of my 470 Chapuis and now it weighs 12 pounds and is better ballanced (IMHO).

--------------------


"Speak Precisely" G. Gordon Liddy.

"Life is absurd, chaotic and we must define its purpose with our actions" Abert Camus

"I''m the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."

"Yo! Mr. White"

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mhb
.275 member


Reged: 20/09/05
Posts: 77
Loc: S.E. Arizona
For bonanza: [Re: bonanza]
      #38826 - 07/10/05 05:16 AM

Danger, Will Robinson!
I have two or three times examined guns which had had lead shot inserted in a cavity in the butt: the shot oxidized over time, and the oxide took up enough extra space to split the buttstock. A solid slug of lead would be better, particularly if varnished or liberally coated with an epoxy, both to seal the lead from oxidation, and retain it in position in the stock.
mhb - Mike

--------------------
Sancho! My armor!

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Will
.333 member


Reged: 04/02/03
Posts: 303
Loc: Kansas
Re: For 500Nitro, re: recoil reducer/ w/update [Re: CptCurl]
      #38955 - 10/10/05 12:08 PM

If you could be so kind, I'm curious where your 500 balances with the 13 oz. bar and without it.

Just wondering what a 500 would weigh without all the steel/lead weights.

--------------------
_________________________________________________
Bill Stewart

Once you have been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: For 500Nitro, re: recoil reducer/ w/update [Re: Will]
      #38971 - 10/10/05 06:43 PM


Will


Firstly, my Merkel is a 470.

Seocndly, I can tell you where it balances with the weight but I am not in the habit
of taking guns or parts of guns apart by myself so won't be taking it out.

Sorry about this but I am not a tinkerer.

500 Nitro

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Will
.333 member


Reged: 04/02/03
Posts: 303
Loc: Kansas
Re: For 500Nitro, re: recoil reducer/ w/update [Re: 500Nitro]
      #39015 - 11/10/05 09:47 AM

500Nitro,

Okay, so tell me?

The few times I have hefted a Merkel they seemed awfully muzzle heavy and just heavy in general, to me. This is not to disparage Merkels or your Merkel, it is just that it might be nice to find a lightweight double sometime, if such a thing is possible.

I find it hard to believe that by the time 2 barrels are soldered together and the action added that lead bars need to be added to get the weight up to 10 lbs. or so. Maybe just to balance it as others have pointed out.

Just curious.


--------------------
_________________________________________________
Bill Stewart

Once you have been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: For 500Nitro, re: recoil reducer/ w/update [Re: Will]
      #39016 - 11/10/05 10:57 AM


Will,

Give me a chance - I have to work as well.

Re
"The few times I have hefted a Merkel they seemed awfully muzzle heavy and just heavy in general, to me.
This is not to disparage Merkels or your Merkel, it is just that it might be nice to find a lightweight double
sometime, if such a thing is possible.

I find it hard to believe that by the time 2 barrels are soldered together and the action added that lead
bars need to be added to get the weight up to 10 lbs. or so. Maybe just to balance it as others have
pointed out."

Yes, Merkels are Barrel heavy in 470. I have yet to put on a Old Engish Recoil pad and that
will make a difference to the balance. If not I will play around with it.

One of my friends said that they were like 2 Railway sleeps welded together !!!

I still like them as they are a good thrash gun for me.


500 Nitro

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mhb
.275 member


Reged: 20/09/05
Posts: 77
Loc: S.E. Arizona
Marching (slowly) forward! [Re: 500Nitro]
      #39311 - 20/10/05 12:56 AM

Just a small update:
My pal, Bob the Builder, came by yesterday (having finished his Ark), and together we worked-up the design for the standing rest. As he is fast and efficient, I expect to have the prototype (maybe the finished article) in-hand soon. Then, serious testing can proceed.
On the technical front; I did weigh the Merkel .500 with an accurate scale - it weighs 10lb. 4oz.. I also obtained replacement parts for my poor old Oehler chronograph, which has now been restored to its former (pre-shooting) condition (with updates). Let me put in a well-earned plug for Oehler and its customer service: they are fast, efficient, and go out of their way to help - a large kudo from yours truly.
--.- .-. -..- -. -..- - .-.-. (QRX NXT AR)
(ASA forever - In God We Trust; All Others We Intercept, Analyze, Decrypt, Locate and Identify)
mhb - Mike

--------------------
Sancho! My armor!

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bonanza
.400 member


Reged: 17/05/04
Posts: 2335
Loc: South Carolina
Re: For bonanza: [Re: mhb]
      #39313 - 20/10/05 02:12 AM

Advice taken. The lead has been removed.

--------------------


"Speak Precisely" G. Gordon Liddy.

"Life is absurd, chaotic and we must define its purpose with our actions" Abert Camus

"I''m the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."

"Yo! Mr. White"

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bonanza
.400 member


Reged: 17/05/04
Posts: 2335
Loc: South Carolina
Re: For bonanza: [Re: mhb]
      #39879 - 27/10/05 11:02 PM

Lead has been removed.

--------------------


"Speak Precisely" G. Gordon Liddy.

"Life is absurd, chaotic and we must define its purpose with our actions" Abert Camus

"I''m the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."

"Yo! Mr. White"

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mhb
.275 member


Reged: 20/09/05
Posts: 77
Loc: S.E. Arizona
Re: For bonanza: [Re: bonanza]
      #39891 - 28/10/05 01:10 AM

Umm... Did I miss something? I wasn't ignoring you - just didn't think any comment was necessary.
mhb - Mike

--------------------
Sancho! My armor!

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bonanza
.400 member


Reged: 17/05/04
Posts: 2335
Loc: South Carolina
Re: For bonanza: [Re: mhb]
      #39899 - 28/10/05 04:11 AM

No, I just forgot I had posted it. BTW, I just had leather recoil pads installed on both of my doubles, pictures forthcoming.

--------------------


"Speak Precisely" G. Gordon Liddy.

"Life is absurd, chaotic and we must define its purpose with our actions" Abert Camus

"I''m the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude."

"Yo! Mr. White"

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