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...i copied this from another chat board site in respect of a disscusion that i participated in, and thought i would post the same to spark discussion amongst those who have actually used both the merkel as well as the krieghoff doubles...this would make for a valuable reference point in terms of a prospective purchaser, given the tremendous experience of the nitroexpress.com posters...

5161: Merkel SxS doubles
07/10/03-2:17 PM Posted by:

Does anyone have experience with Merkels? They seem to be a bit more affordable that others. I can't get a SxS double out of my head. The Westley Richards .577 Nitro I had fooled with last spring is now on gunsamerica.com for $38,500. When I held it, they were asking $41,500. It is still way to much for my coffers. Butch Searcy can make a .577 for about $18,000. I see that Merkels in .470 are selling for about $8,000. Perhaps, just to have a double, it might be wise to get a Merkel in .470. Ammo is plentiful and I really can't see myself using it much, but sure would like to have one. On the 4th of July, I beat myself up silly. Shot two boxes of 300 grain Hornadys out of the two Winchester .375 H&Hs, a box of 400 grain Hornadys out of the .416 Rigby and a box of 500 grain Hornadys out of the Lott. I chased that up with a box of .264 Win. Mags. (140 grain Sierra boattails). Didn't do too well with the .264 Win. Mag. after all that pounding. It was hot as a pistol but had the range basically to myself. Anyway, I was thinking about liquidating some less used things and maybe lean towards a Merkel if they are decent. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

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5163: Merkel SxS doubles
07/11/03-4:54 AM Posted by:

I have a pair of Merkels, a 9.3X74 and a .470. The 9.3 is "factory" except for the recoil pad which is thicker to gain pull. The .470 has the pad changed also and the front sights changed to a bead and a flip-up ivory night sight. Both now fit me to a "T" and I love using them, cannot find fault with either. The balance is perfect, andas much as I hate to admit it, I think I prefer them to any of the classic English guns I've handled and owned. After a few hundred rounds through both I'd have to term them a "best buy".

I recently picked up a 9.3 Kreighoff and feel it's half the gun the Merkel is, .....poor finish (hot blue), crude engraving, and poorer balance. The wood finishing appears done by Mossberg and will be redone this winter. It's only redeeming feature is that it was ordered with QD bases for an Aimpoint in EAW mounts. I knew the Europeans like this set-up, but I've always preferred open sights .........."shoot like a man"! ....But that Aimpoint sure makes it a sweetheart, it comes right up!

The Searcy I've only handled, but was reasonable impressed, and the advantage with these is that Butch is based in the U.S. and willing to build to your specs and back his product.

Drop me a line if you've got any more questions.

Back to the Merkels, I'd suggest shopping around a bit as I've seen them moving for less than $8000, although eight would be okay with the US$ where it is today.

Still have a pair of August hunts available and I could provide the rifles to try out!

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