How do the merkel DRs shoot - the big ones, in 470 & 500?

Anyone have any targets they want to share?

The arguments usually seem to be so focused around their actions here that I don't recall anyone saying how they shot.

Just curious.

My Merkel 470NE shoots great, before my last trip to Zim i used it at the range and at 100m put left and right barrels touching, i thaught it might have been just luck {even though i new it did group great up to 100m} so i tried again, this time 10mm apart, not bad for a open sited Double rifle IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
My Merkel 470NE shoots great, before my last trip to Zim i used it at the range and at 100m put left and right barrels touching, i thaught it might have been just luck {even though i new it did group great up to 100m} so i tried again, this time 10mm apart, not bad for a open sited Double rifle IMO.

Damned good open sight shooting.

1.6" center-to-center for a four shot group at 50 yards, R-L-R-L, with the Merkel express sights, handloaded .470 NE with 500 grain Woodleigh Weldcore RNSP.

That is a fine soft for a .470 NE.

Nothing wrong with a Merkel in .470 or .500 NE.

quote:

Originally posted by RIP:
1.6" center-to-center for a four shot group at 50 yards, R-L-R-L, with the Merkel express sights, handloaded .470 NE with 500 grain Woodleigh Weldcore RNSP.

That is a fine soft for a .470 NE.

Nothing wrong with a Merkel in .470 or .500 NE.

I agree completely! I too have a 470NE Merkel, and mine shoots alright with factory Federal ammo with Trophy bonded solids. Not as good as RIP's handloads though, about 3" @ 50 yds. I don't have any dies, so can't work up better loads with the bullet I've used most often, the Woodliegh 500 gr Softs, and solids. I have abother Merkel double chambered for 9.3X74R,and it shoots 2.5" four shot groups with the cheap S&B 286 gr factory ammo, and 2" groups with my Nosler Partition Handload, both at 100 mtrs. with hands, and elbow rested on the bags, with factory irons. The Merkels are well worth the money spent!

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:
I don't have any dies, so can't work up better loads with the bullet I've used most often, the Woodliegh 500 gr Softs, and solids.

I'm sure you saw this already, but Midway has the RCBS two-die set on sale for $199.99.

quote:

Originally posted by Charles_Helm:


I'm sure you saw this already, but Midway has the RCBS two-die set on sale for $199.99.

Thanks Charles, I have a deal working on a set, along with some brass from Bonanza, but haven't recieved an answer yet. If it falls through, I'll be looking to Midway. Thanks again!

The first two shots off hand at 50yds were center bull and 1 1/2" apart offhand. Federal factory Woodleighs though the gun was regulated with Trophy-bonded. I load for it and accuracy is same using Reloader 15 which seems to be what the factory loads are. I use polyfiber filler and have no ignition problems with magnum primers. I understand Federal uses a special primer not sold to reloaders and on pulling bullet on factory load and comparing powder (diameter,length) appears to be Reloader 15 with NO filler.

quote:

Originally posted by zimbabwe:
appears to be Reloader 15 with NO filler.

That's correct. It's been confirmed that federal uses RL15 (89.0gr - If I recall correctly) with a Fed 216 primer and no fillers.