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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles
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MiltonFine
.224 member


Reged: 12/11/07
Posts: 25
Loc: USA
Merkel Doubles
      #89518 - 22/11/07 11:35 PM

I would like to know the forums opinion on the Merkel Double Rifles. How do you rate them against other brands? Does anyone know if they are regulated by laser or actually shooting and then adjusting the barrels? Some of the pics I have seen show a nice entry level double but as always it's better to get some more input from knowledgeable people. Thanks.

MFINE

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CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5319
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: MiltonFine]
      #89519 - 22/11/07 11:47 PM

I bought a Merkel in .500 NE as soon as I learned they were making them in that caliber. Mine is Serial # 3. A friend bought one at the same time.

Other than some minor problems that were all worked out, the Merkel is a super rifle. It's fun to shoot and very accurate. Merkel has been making rifles for over 100 years; and yes, they know how to regulate a DR.

Merkels are outstanding value for an entry level DR.

Here's a photo of a typical group at 50 yards. My sight picture is "the pumpkin on the post", so this group is just about right on the bead.



I might add, the .500 NE is brutal from the bench, but fun to shoot offhand. I still have the rifle and shoot it often. I even use it for hunting white tails. Sure does bowl them over!

Contact me if you want further information.

Curl

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

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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ozhunter
.400 member


Reged: 18/08/04
Posts: 1692
Loc: Sydney, Australia
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: CptCurl]
      #89577 - 23/11/07 05:37 PM

I was happy with my Merkel in 470NE and now that they will be available with ejectors, you have the option of extraction.

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hoppdoc
.400 member


Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: ozhunter]
      #89579 - 23/11/07 05:51 PM

I enjoy my Merkel 500 NE and although it bucks you a bit it really delivers the goods downrange.I think 86 ftpnds recoil with a recoil velocity of 23 ft/sec is about right.

Mine has claw mounts and I am considering adding a red dot scope and seeing how it works.

I have had a 470NE and feel the weight distribution is far better with the 500. Indeed I feel that the reason the 500 is lighter due to a larger bore!!

Ejectors would make it even better! I think it is a helluva gun for the money!!

--------------------
An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.

Edited by hoppdoc (23/11/07 05:53 PM)

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zimhunter
.333 member


Reged: 05/02/04
Posts: 388
Loc: Southern Arizona
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: hoppdoc]
      #89601 - 24/11/07 02:49 AM

Had a 470NE and took one Elephant with it. No longer have need for it so I now have an 8x57IRS that is a fantastic shooter. Both were regulated in what I suppose is the normal way with solder and wedges. I believe them to be the best buy on the market today.

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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: zimhunter]
      #89633 - 24/11/07 11:41 AM

Had one--in .470 Nitro--shot great--very well regulated---They are a bit on the light side and therefore recoil will be more noticable but not unbearable...

Good Luck--You really can't go wrong for a entry grade rifle--heck, the "NEW" Rigby company uses Merkels actions for their $25,000 plus doubles...which I am sure upsets a lot of the purists.. but hey, it is what it is..
Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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spooksar
.224 member


Reged: 15/10/07
Posts: 15
Loc: Alberta Canada
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: Ripp]
      #89836 - 27/11/07 08:11 AM

I have one in 470 NE it shoots well I use a hand load useing Barnes bullets and it is 1 inch high with a shot from both barrels 1 inch apart at 50 yards.

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DUGABOY1
.400 member


Reged: 02/02/03
Posts: 1340
Loc: TEXAS USA
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: spooksar]
      #90070 - 29/11/07 02:33 PM


I have two Merkel double rifles, and they have become my go-to pair when I leave for the field!
One is a 140E, 9.3X74R, and the other is a 140-2 Safari 470NE, and both have had recoil pads installed. The 9.3X74R has taken several Wild Boar, and whitetail deer, a couple of Muledeer, and a number of coyotes. The 470NE has taken two Elephant, and four Cape buffalo, and several Wild Boars.

The little 9.3 has ejectors, and shoots just about anything dropped in the chambers right on the sights at 100yds. The set trigger for the right barrel makes 200 yd shots easy from the sticks. This little rifle weighs in at 8.3 lbs and balances like an up land shotgun! The cheap Sellier&Bellot 286 gr soft point ammo shoot very well in it, and kills large Wild Boar like the world has been yanked out from under them. Double taps on running boar are monotonously predictable. Recovery time from one shot to the next is quite short, and the recoil doesn't hinder staying on target through a swing on running game. In short, this is a hunter's double rifle, of the first order. IMO, this would be a fine rifle to go into the weeds with a cat, simply because of the pointability, and quick recovery time for the second shot! With the 320 gr Woodliegh bullets for close in work would be a real stopper on Cats, again, IMO!

The 470NE Safari 140-2 has all the power one needs and for things like Buffalo, and elephant, puts out, quite enough "SLAP" to ruin his day very quickly! With North Fork CPS, and FPS bullets nothing else is needed for anything on Earth. The triggers on this rifle are spot on for a pull of around three, and one half, or four pounds, and with the considerable recoil of this rifle I wouldn't want them any lighter! Double taps are also quite easy with this one as well. The recovery time is longer,than on the little 9.3, but not by much!

The fact is, these two rifles can be replaced, if lost to the black hole of international travel, a fact not near as easy with a 75 yr old pair of Britt rifles. Insurance is easy to get on a rifle that is still currently made. SO! If you get a well-designed travel case for these two rifles, so they aren't damaged in transit, then the rest is beyond your control. However, when you get face to face with an old "BITE BACK", you can depend on the well cared for Merkel double rifle. It is, IMO, value for money spent!





--------------------
..........Mac >>>===(x)===>
DUGABOY1, and MacD37 founding member of DRSS www.doublerifleshooterssociety.com
"If I die today, I have had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"

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Yogi000
.333 member


Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 265
Loc: New York, USA
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: DUGABOY1]
      #90457 - 04/12/07 03:56 AM

Cpt curl-- I assume that photo of the 4 shot group you posted above was shooting the gun from "the bench" and not just leaning on something with the forearm or free hand: Is that correct?

(Nice group, by the way. Congrats!)

I have read that if you shoot a double from the bench it will shoot low as compared to free hand or leaning the forearm on something. Thus, are you shooting your double closer to "right-on" point of aim when hunting?

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CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5319
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: Yogi000]
      #90490 - 04/12/07 09:10 AM

Yogi,

Correct, that group was fired from the bench, but with the rifle in my hands and not on bags.

As to the sight picture - I'm sure I had a sliver of white between the top of the bead and the bottom of the bullseye, so the shots are pretty much right on the bead at that range.

Curl

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

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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JPK
.375 member


Reged: 31/08/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Chevy Chase, MD
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: CptCurl]
      #90649 - 05/12/07 01:09 PM

Quote:

Yogi,

Correct, that group was fired from the bench, but with the rifle in my hands and not on bags.

As to the sight picture - I'm sure I had a sliver of white between the top of the bead and the bottom of the bullseye, so the shots are pretty much right on the bead at that range.

Curl



I think by "right on the bead" Curl means that the points of impact for the four shots were where the bead was on the target, might be better said "under the bead". Or, in other words, put the bead where you want the bullets to go.

Some prefer a the point of impact at the top of the bead, some "under" it. I prefer "under" it.

In any event, elevation adjustments to suit a preference are not difficult to acheive, simply change post hieght or bead height if the rifle has a bead.

JPK

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CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5319
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: JPK]
      #90653 - 05/12/07 01:23 PM

John,

Correct, my friend!

Curl

P.S. By the way, is that your brother who recently opened an outdoor sports store in Clifton Forge?

RBS

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

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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JPK
.375 member


Reged: 31/08/04
Posts: 734
Loc: Chevy Chase, MD
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: CptCurl]
      #90921 - 08/12/07 01:15 PM

Curl,

On the sports store, I wil have to ask. Tom is coming up here for Christmas and I'll grill him then, if not sooner and let you know. There was some talk...

JPK

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Ben
.400 member


Reged: 22/08/08
Posts: 1917
Loc: Northern Territory, Australia
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: JPK]
      #114044 - 09/09/08 09:48 PM

As a contemplative novice saving for a double, I have a couple of questions about the Merkel 140. Please pardon my ignorance, but are the barrels round or octagonal (yeah, I guess they're round on the inside!)? If ejectors are an option, is it much dearer? Also, does anyone know if it is available in .500NE in Australia? The website for Hermann's only lists .375 H&H, .416 Rigby and .470NE. Thanks for your time!

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ozhunter
.400 member


Reged: 18/08/04
Posts: 1692
Loc: Sydney, Australia
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: Ben]
      #114050 - 09/09/08 10:29 PM

The standard Merkel big game has standard round barrels but you can upgrade to octagonal with high grade at higher cost.
Yes 500NE are avaliable and I think its around $1000 to $2000 for ejectors.

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Ben
.400 member


Reged: 22/08/08
Posts: 1917
Loc: Northern Territory, Australia
Re: Merkel Doubles [Re: ozhunter]
      #114085 - 10/09/08 07:10 AM

Thanks, Ozhunter!

Another novice question: Would ejectors be highly recommended for hunting buffalo?

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