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bipbigbore
.224 member


Reged: 06/10/05
Posts: 42
Loc: USA
Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2
      #39710 - 25/10/05 03:54 AM

All,

I am ready to make that most exciting of purchases, my first double big bore rifle (I'm pretty sure it will be a 470 N.E.).

In my price range (sub $10,000), I am considering the Merkel, Kriegoff Classic, or Blaser S2.

Can anyone make a suggestion here? It seems to me that they should all be of similar quality. I am leaning twords the Kriegoff.

Thanks,

BBB.

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bonanza
.400 member


Reged: 17/05/04
Posts: 2335
Loc: South Carolina
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: bipbigbore]
      #39716 - 25/10/05 05:24 AM

Don't forget the Chapuis.

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


"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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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: bonanza]
      #39718 - 25/10/05 05:37 AM


Since you are in USA don't forget Searcy.
(Plenty of others will comment on them I am sure).

Also - look back over the Double Rifle forums over the past
year - spmeone asked the same question and alot of very good
answers were posted for and against all of the above.

Have a read of these forms and then post more questions.


500 Nitro

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foxfire
.375 member


Reged: 25/11/04
Posts: 511
Loc: Long Island N.Y.,
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: bipbigbore]
      #39720 - 25/10/05 05:42 AM

Bipbigbore,
I bought my first double rifle about a year ago. I bought the Krieghoff Classic 470. Considering all the choices and the advice from everyone around here with a lot more knowledge than myself here is what I found.
It seemed the Krieghoff, Merkel, Blaser, Chapuis, Searcy and Heym all had pluses and minuses. There was infact a lean towards certain guns. I bought mine used. Krieghoff has an office in Pa. After going there and speaking to them my decision seemed very easy at that point. They were easy to speak to, loaded with knowledge and close enough to go to if a service issue should occur. I left my gun there had it refurbished and definately got the most bang for my buck. I think their closeness to me was definately a deciding factor.


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

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: foxfire]
      #39721 - 25/10/05 05:46 AM


foxfire

For info sake, which other ones did you handle / look at
and what are your thoughts now ?

How do you like / find the coker / decocker ?


500 Nitro

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bipbigbore
.224 member


Reged: 06/10/05
Posts: 42
Loc: USA
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: foxfire]
      #39723 - 25/10/05 05:52 AM

where is there office in PA?

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foxfire
.375 member


Reged: 25/11/04
Posts: 511
Loc: Long Island N.Y.,
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: bipbigbore]
      #39725 - 25/10/05 06:25 AM

Bipbigbore,
Their office in Pa is:
KRIEGHOFF INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Contact Information
Ph. 610-847-5173
Fax 610-847-8691
Postal address
PO Box 549, Ottsville, PA 18942
Shipping address
7528 Easton Road, Ottsville, PA 18942

500Nitro:
My gun came with 470NE, 9.3x74R and 7x65R barrels. I brought it to Krieghoff to have it stocked left handed. I'm getting a lot of experience with the cocking, decocking safety.
Having no other experience with doubles it seems to be a natural motion to me. I've put a lot of rounds through the gun and it shoulders, points and shoots well. The real test is next weekend on a hunt we have planned.
The other guns became a series of eliminations. I own other Heyms and like them alot, but the Heym double was out of my price range. I didn't want to wait for a Searcy to be built and I couldn't find a used one. I handled the Blaser and wasn't impressed. I never got a chance to handle a Chapuis. I did handle the Merkel but liked the feel of the Kreighoff more.
In retrospect, If I was to do it again. I would have saved up more money, allowed myself more time to acguire the gun and probably have a lefty Heym, multibarrel set with ejectors made up for me.
Hey a guy has to dream.

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

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: foxfire]
      #39726 - 25/10/05 06:49 AM


foxfire

That sounds like a very nice set you have.
A great combination of calibres.

Seems you certainly went about it the right way.
- it shoulders, points and shoots well is all one can ask.

Are any of the barrels scoped ?

If you haven't owned a double, the Krieghoff would
seem natural - I suppose it's like everything, practice
and familiarity.

I don't se Saftey's so it felt strange to me when I tried on in the US.

I'll be handling the Blaser S2 soon so I'll post my thoughts.

500 Nitro

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foxfire
.375 member


Reged: 25/11/04
Posts: 511
Loc: Long Island N.Y.,
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: 500Nitro]
      #39728 - 25/10/05 07:16 AM

500Nitro,
All three sets of barrels have Ziess Dia-vari 1.5-6 power scopes on them even the 470 nitro. The scopes were all installed at Krieghoff. The 7x65R and the 9.3X74R have test targets with the scopes and the 470 has iron sights and a scope and I have test targets from Krieghoff for both.
The 470 has a pivot mount and the others have claw mounts. All disconnect quickly. I got lucky in that their wasn't any "real" change in point of impact when the gun was switched to left handed.
I know I got real lucky with this gun. But I did my home work and took all the information I could handle and funneled it in and out as needed.

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

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: foxfire]
      #39729 - 25/10/05 07:30 AM

foxfire,

The Zeiss is the same one I have on my Merkel 375H&H.
Mine is in claw mounts.

Yes, I think you did get lucky but as you said so well,
"I did my home work and took all the information I could handle
and funneled it in and out as needed."

7x65R - Have you shot this much ? - it's a great calibre for a light
double - vastly unutilised except in Europe. Will probably gain in
popularity with the number of lower end (price) doubles coming
on the market.

As I said before, I think you went about it the right way and
exactly how I suggest to people they go about it.

I find so many people focus on price and always waiting for
"that once in a lifetime bargain" that they miss out or end up
buying the wrong gun based on it's price, not on the other
(IMHO) "more important factors"

I just picked up a SxS Scoped Double which I was going to buy
about 3 - 4 years ago but a mate wanted it so let him buy it.
He just decided to sell it and I had first option on it (for obvious
reasons) and so I bought it. All good things come to those who
wait !!!

So now I have another DR to play with in a previously unowned
calibre. At least I know this gun shoots great so not much playing
around.

Anyway, good luck on your hunt. What are you hunting and which
barrels are you taking ?

500 Nitro

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bipbigbore
.224 member


Reged: 06/10/05
Posts: 42
Loc: USA
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: 500Nitro]
      #39730 - 25/10/05 07:51 AM

Do they sell Kreigoffs at the office that you mentioned?

I am in NYC, so it's only about an hour and a half from here.

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Ratel74
.275 member


Reged: 03/09/05
Posts: 77
Loc: USA
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: bipbigbore]
      #39734 - 25/10/05 09:41 AM

I have the following:

Krieghoff 470
Blaser S2 .375 H&H
Chapuis PH1 470

The Blaser out shoots them all, I have used my Chapuis the most, I find it to be regulated better than most English guns. I have been shooting a Rigby that is ok, but not great. The Kreighoff is a Super Luxus I have only shot it at 50 yds, It's accuracy is solid. I am just partial to the Blaser, here is my 100 yds target


Aleko

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: Ratel74]
      #39736 - 25/10/05 09:56 AM


Ratel74

Not a bad target at all.

I'd expect with modern design and technology
that a "modern" double rifle would outshoot an
older English double.

If it didn't, I'd be asking why.

What calibre and era of Rigby were you shooting ?

500 Nitro

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Ratel74
.275 member


Reged: 03/09/05
Posts: 77
Loc: USA
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: 500Nitro]
      #39738 - 25/10/05 10:00 AM

I belive it is a 1920's era gun. It was reconditioned by Paul Roberts in the the last days of Rigby in the UK. The gun is stunning. It was regegulated for Federal ammunition at that time too, but it shoots the modern Kynoch ammunition very well.

Aleko

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foxfire
.375 member


Reged: 25/11/04
Posts: 511
Loc: Long Island N.Y.,
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: 500Nitro]
      #39739 - 25/10/05 10:04 AM

500Nitro,
Sounds like you have a couple of gems there also. What caliber is the new double?

I've been shooting the 7x65R a lot. It was regulated with RWS ammo and I wasn't impressed at all. I don't hand load, so I had Superior Ammo load up a box of assorted ammo. 6 rounds of 3 different loads. One of the loads was Hornady 175 grain spire points. The gun shoots them like a varmint gun. Three rounds from the right barrel touching and three from the left barrel touching 1/2" apart at 100 yards. fired r,l,r,l,r,l.

The hunt next week is at a preserve. All the barrels are coming and it looks like boar, deer and Aoudad is on the menu.
Results with pictures when we return


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

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foxfire
.375 member


Reged: 25/11/04
Posts: 511
Loc: Long Island N.Y.,
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: bipbigbore]
      #39740 - 25/10/05 10:05 AM

Bipbigbore,
PM sent.

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

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500Nitro
.450 member


Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: foxfire]
      #39742 - 25/10/05 10:25 AM



What caliber is the new double?
Sx S 9.3 x 74R

What you have found with the 7 x 65R
is what I have heard from previous owners
They can be exceptionally accurate.

1/2" apart at 100 yards is superb. I would say
you would probably find good group at 200 yards as well.

500 Nitro

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Sunshine
.224 member


Reged: 06/02/04
Posts: 48
Loc: Cape Town, South Africa
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: bipbigbore]
      #39785 - 26/10/05 02:15 AM

If you want to buy the most ugly DR on earth, take the Blaser. I have a Krieghoff Classic Big Five. If I were you I would get a Merkel.

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Ratel74
.275 member


Reged: 03/09/05
Posts: 77
Loc: USA
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: Sunshine]
      #39792 - 26/10/05 03:10 AM

I like the Merkel too, I still have my eye one. The Kreighoff is a solid gun, the Blaser has it merits too. I like guns that have barrel interchangeability. To me it means you can use the gun more

Aleko

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clark7781
.375 member


Reged: 28/10/04
Posts: 612
Loc: Fairfax County, Virginia, USA
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: bipbigbore]
      #39797 - 26/10/05 04:15 AM

I second 500Nitro - check out the Searcy.

Few can rival Butch with customer service.

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

Double Rifle Shooters Society
.500 NE and .577 NE

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k80
.333 member


Reged: 07/05/04
Posts: 314
Loc: San Antonio ,Texas, U.S.A.
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: clark7781]
      #39814 - 26/10/05 10:13 AM

I can not accept a double rifle with
(Blaser)plastic on it. It is just
wrong.

--------------------
Ken
San Antonio

Welcome to South Texas

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500grains
.416 member


Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: k80]
      #39820 - 26/10/05 11:57 AM

Doesn't anyone object to the rubber inner tube that Blaser puts between the barrels instead of solder?

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CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5272
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: bipbigbore]
      #39831 - 26/10/05 08:59 PM

In my opinion the Merkel is an excellent choice in the entry level. Merkel has been in the business for 100+ years, so they know how to make a DR. Their product balances and shoots well, and I believe it will be fully reliable. My money is where my mouth is. I bought a Merkel in .500NE right after they started chambering that classic.

Curl

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

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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CptCurlAdministrator
.450 member


Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5272
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: 500grains]
      #39832 - 26/10/05 09:02 PM

500Grains,

Not just the rubber ribs, but what about the funky locking mechanism? And then what about the huge overall size of the rifle? How about the bands around the muzzles? And the clunky stock?

YUK!!!!!!!!!!

Not at all what a DR should be, IMO.

Regards,
Curl

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

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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Ratel74
.275 member


Reged: 03/09/05
Posts: 77
Loc: USA
Re: Merkel, Kriegoff or Blaser S2 [Re: CptCurl]
      #39893 - 28/10/05 01:52 AM

I have a sneaking hunch that the person makes the DGR, not csmetics of the rifle. You got to hit what you are aiming at with the correct calibre!

The Blaser is unconventional for sure, but it shoots.

Aleko

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