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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Double Rifles
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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39196
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Merkels. the double rifle is a classic design
      #368466 - 20/08/22 09:05 PM

https://fb.watch/f0u1wyxwo4/

Fieldsportschannel
The double rifle is a classic design, the pride and joy of any manufacturer’s product range – and this Merkel UK really is a beauty.

“The only way really to make a double rifle is the traditional way, with craftsmen – and in the Merkel factory in Suhl they still retain the craftsmen and the engravers to make the wonderful, traditional double hunting rifle,” enthuses Andy Norris, of UK distributors Viking.

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John aka NitroX

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sharps4590
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Reged: 09/03/16
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Re: Merkels. the double rifle is a classic design [Re: NitroX]
      #368468 - 20/08/22 11:58 PM

I have a Merkel O/U in 8 X 60. I like it!.

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Jesus said, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." John14:6

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93x64mm
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Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 3975
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
Re: Merkels. the double rifle is a classic design [Re: sharps4590]
      #368476 - 21/08/22 06:26 AM

Well after trying AR2209, AR2213SC, AR2217 & R15 in my Merkel 140AE
Best powder ended up R15 using 66gn
Woodleigh 400gn SP, 215Federal primer, 20mm backing rod to sit on the powder to take up air space Approx 2000fps
Grouping 42mm Wide / 55mm High at 50m
Certainly no Holland & Holland or a Rigby.
Tried the Hornady factory loads about 1937fps for those, a lot slower than expected.
2 shots mimicked factory test results.
The lower speeds in all the other powders the groups were not good to say the least.
Rather finicky but a lot of fun.

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Marrakai
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Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3482
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia
Re: Merkels. the double rifle is a classic design [Re: 93x64mm]
      #368480 - 21/08/22 09:21 AM

Merkel SxS doubles are good things, and the company is to be applauded for keeping the genre alive at an affordable price-point.

However...

The claim to be a classic design unfortunately doesn't extend to the "proper" weight distribution needed for liveliness and reduced recoil perception.

Tapering the barrels from the breech-face (like a shotgun) rather than from a point forward of the chambers reduces weight concentration "between the hands" and forces weight towards the muzzles to achieve the necessary overall weight.
Sure, they can be "balanced" by weighting the buttstock, but that simply deadens the handling characteristics even more.

This opinion is worth only what you've paid for it btw.
My limited experience with Merkels is restricted to the .500 and .470 chamberings,
and I suspect the .400s and the .375s would be more comfortable to shoot.
A friend has a .450/.400 and loves it. I should pester him for a range session!

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Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
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www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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coll416
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Reged: 19/02/12
Posts: 77
Loc: Central Queensland
Re: Merkels. the double rifle is a classic design [Re: Marrakai]
      #368485 - 21/08/22 03:49 PM

I just purchased a second hand Merkel 140 SxS in 9.3x74R. The rifle is almost brand new, it is beautifully balanced like a grand shotgun, I am very impressed! The rifle weighs about 7.5 pounds, perfect for its design, a driven game rifle! I am working on regulation as the RWS ammunition it was regulated with is not available even in components. I am confident I will have little trouble regulating with 250gn bullets (regulated with 247 KS)however the slower heavier bullets are proving more problematic beacuse of their lower velocity.
Big fan of this outfit!!!

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