Tuskless rifle dilemma

30 January 2011, 07:53

quote:
Originally posted by Will:
quote:
Just last week we had two individuals think they experienced doubling in shooting the .470 and .500 Merkels, but photos prooved the finger had slipped to the rear trigger causing a boom/boom firing.

Much more common than is ever admitted! Pull the rear trigger first.

+1
I thought my Merkel was doubling but later found that the recoil was occasionally causing my trigger finger to slip and engage the rear trigger. The problem was solved by simply engaging the rear trigger first and then the front trigger.

30 January 2011, 09:22

Head Trauma

Clarification on my Merkel 500NE saga for md stewart...

The rifle was purchased new, I was the first owner. It was the last rifle available from the first batch of ejector guns that GSI imported. It was already really cold when I got it, and with my hectic work schedule I was just barely able to develop some good loads before winter in the Great White North was upon us. It stays too cold to shoot until at least the middle of April. Load development was done loading one barrel at a time.

I suppose in retrospect that I should have tried some speed drills early on. Oh well..

Got a break in the weather mid-April, took it to the range for some more load development. Was not able to do much more with it until first part of May. First two rounds and it doubled. Several other people at the range tried it that day,front trigger first, rear trigger first, same results.

Off it goes to GSI. Got it back, no joy, still doubling. Sent it back a second time. This time they kept it for quite some time while they got some new sears and triggers from Germany. They said that the engagement angles between the sears and the triggers was bad/wrong. I cannot say if any other rifles in this intial shipment of ejector guns had the same issues.
To their credit Danny Spahn/GSI made things right, but the whole dog and pony show left a bad taste in my mouth.

I know many folks have fine service from their Merkel double rifles: me, not so much

30 January 2011, 10:07

fairgame

quote:
Originally posted by Will:
quote:
Originally posted by ledvm:
quote:
Originally posted by Will:
quote:
Originally posted by fairgame:
quote:
Originally posted by generalwar:
470NE, 500NE, 577NE, 600NE.

Tuskless are much more aggressive and need a good stopper.

Good calibers for the PH but an accurate .375 with good ammo is all you will need. Low power scope would not go amiss.

Totally disagree with that statement.

Andrew,

Guess you don't know what the hell you are talking about!

I'd be happy to stand corrected. Just post the videos of whomever PH is braining charging cows as a matter of course, with a 375 or otherwise.

Will,

I thought the dilemma was a headtrauma's choice between a reliable .375 or a piece of shit Merkel double.

Hence rather the reliable .375 if there is no other choice.

30 January 2011, 19:57

JabaliHunter

Ok - it doubles. But do both bullets hit the target?

30 January 2011, 21:09

Zephyr

I just booked a similar hunt tuskless and buff. Bringing a 450 3/4 dbl and a .375 bolt, been worrying whether the .375 is enough for a true back up. All the good advice I got at SCI said yes and a few recommended working up loads for the .375 with the new Barnes 350gr solid and softs or Woodleigh's 350 gr Solid and softs. Norma"s PH series for the.375 is loaded with the woodliegh 350s.
good luck

30 January 2011, 21:31

Will

quote:
All the good advice I got at SCI said yes

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

-------------------------------
Will / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
---------------------------------------
and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor, GOA, NAGR
_________________________

"Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped.
“Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped.

red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com
_________________________

If anything be of note, let it be he was once an elephant hunter, hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go.

31 January 2011, 01:56

mdstewart

quote:
Originally posted by Head Trauma:
Clarification on my Merkel 500NE saga for md stewart...

The rifle was purchased new, I was the first owner. It was the last rifle available from the first batch of ejector guns that GSI imported. It was already really cold when I got it, and with my hectic work schedule I was just barely able to develop some good loads before winter in the Great White North was upon us. It stays too cold to shoot until at least the middle of April. Load development was done loading one barrel at a time.

I suppose in retrospect that I should have tried some speed drills early on. Oh well..

Got a break in the weather mid-April, took it to the range for some more load development. Was not able to do much more with it until first part of May. First two rounds and it doubled. Several other people at the range tried it that day,front trigger first, rear trigger first, same results.

Off it goes to GSI. Got it back, no joy, still doubling. Sent it back a second time. This time they kept it for quite some time while they got some new sears and triggers from Germany. They said that the engagement angles between the sears and the triggers was bad/wrong. I cannot say if any other rifles in this intial shipment of ejector guns had the same issues.
To their credit Danny Spahn/GSI made things right, but the whole dog and pony show left a bad taste in my mouth.

I know many folks have fine service from their Merkel double rifles: me, not so much

Headtrauma,

Great call name, it applies to the situation.

Thanks for clearing it up for me. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience with that gun. Hope it doesn't forever sour your taste for a Merkel.

Just got through shooting 10 rounds from a .470 Merkel. The groups and feel were great.

Mike