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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!

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..........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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