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Eland_Slaya
.224 member

Reged: 14/09/09
Posts: 7
Loc: Texas

Merkel 500 Nitro
#151354 - 21/01/10 06:19 PM

I'm looking at a Merkel in 500. The weight is right at 10.5 pounds.

I'm guessing at that weight, it will be a hand full to manage.

If anyone has experience with a 500 Nitro Merkel, I would appreciate feedback on performance.

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ozhunter
.400 member

Reged: 18/08/04
Posts: 1692
Loc: Sydney, Australia

Re: Merkel 500 Nitro [Re: Eland_Slaya]
#151355 - 21/01/10 06:40 PM

I was happy with my 470 Merkel, but the 500 is going to recoil more.
However, if hunting the Zambezi for Ele where hunts can be for 10+ miles in rugged terrain and extreme heat, the lighter the weapon the better you will feel.

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4seventy
Sponsor

Reged: 07/05/03
Posts: 2210
Loc: Queensland Australia

Re: Merkel 500 Nitro [Re: Eland_Slaya]
#151362 - 21/01/10 07:27 PM

Our good friend Capt Curl shoots a 500 NE Merkel. He will most likely chime in here to let you know what he thinks of it.

Speaking for myself, I find a well fitted and balanced 500NE is fine at 10.5 pounds. Nice to carry and not at all brutal to shoot.

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CptCurl
.450 member

Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5271
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...

Re: Merkel 500 Nitro [Re: 4seventy]
#151374 - 21/01/10 10:38 PM

Yes I'm quite pleased with my Merkel in .500NE.

I got one of the very first .500's Merkel made - S/N 3, and I've shot it hundreds of times. It is accurate, reliable, handy, and fun to shoot.

Yes it's a handful. But any .500 will be. As said, a heavy rifle will hurt you more by way of fatigue in carrying than a lighter rifle will hurt in recoil.

You need to get the rifle and shoot, shoot, shoot. You will handle the recoil and be glad it's not heavier. If you buy any big bore rifle of whatever caliber and think you can be proficient with 30 or 40 rounds down the tubes you are wrong, even if the rifle weighs 12 pounds. Practice is the key. A lot of it, too. And that's the fun of it. We shoot "charging balloons" offhand at 50 yards. Great practice.

If I had the choice to magically add a pound to my rifle I would decline. I'm happy the way it is.

Curl

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

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.

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Der_Jaeger
.375 member

Reged: 09/10/08
Posts: 607
Loc: SE Pennsylvania

Re: Merkel 500 Nitro [Re: CptCurl]
#151377 - 21/01/10 11:48 PM

Very practical advice CptCurl. I also like the Merkel, but do not own one in a double rifle. I have a Merkel 247SL that has been a faithful companion for many years. I do wish the stock dimensions on the Merkel DR were a bit straighter. They feel great, as you mentioned, but when I mount it, I look right into the back of the action lever.

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

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Sikahunter
.224 member

Reged: 05/02/09
Posts: 41
Loc: Delaplane, Va. U.S.A.

Re: Merkel 500 Nitro [Re: Der_Jaeger]
#151383 - 22/01/10 02:08 AM

For all you light rifle fans, there's a Sabatti .500 Nitro just listed on GunsInternational.

It weighs 8# 10 oz.

Y'all better hurry on this one. Port the barrels and add a thumbhole stock and you're good to go.

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CptCurl
.450 member

Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5271
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...

Re: Merkel 500 Nitro [Re: Sikahunter]
#151392 - 22/01/10 04:29 AM

Quote:

For all you light rifle fans, there's a Sabatti .500 Nitro just listed on GunsInternational.

It weighs 8# 10 oz.

Y'all better hurry on this one. Port the barrels and add a thumbhole stock and you're good to go.

Now that would be lively!

Curl

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

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.

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DUGABOY1
.400 member

Reged: 02/02/03
Posts: 1340
Loc: TEXAS USA

Re: Merkel 500 Nitro [Re: CptCurl]
#151555 - 23/01/10 11:50 AM

Quote:

Quote:

For all you light rifle fans, there's a Sabatti .500 Nitro just listed on GunsInternational.

It weighs 8# 10 oz.

Y'all better hurry on this one. Port the barrels and add a thumbhole stock and you're good to go.

Now that would be lively!

Curl

The rifle maybe, but the shooter might not be so lucky! UNDER 9 pounds?

The Merkel is light enough for me. I have a Merkel 470NE, and the 500NE is the same rifle with larger holes poked through the barrels. If you are intending to hunt elephant, then the 500NE Merkel is the answer. You carry the rifle a lot more than you shoot it, and under hunting conditions you rarely feel the recoil. So if you are buying it to shoot at paper, then stand by! If however you are buying it to hunt dangerous game in Africa, then get out in the woods, and shoot hell out of it till you get where it feels like an extention of you body, and board the plane!
...............................Good luck, and welcome to the DRSS!

--------------------
..........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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