Went to the range the second time with my new Merkel. I was a little intimidated the first time.
This gun is awsome, I am 59 years old, but felt like a kid shooting this rifle!
Fired from the bench, not a bad as I thought, shot under 2" group at 50 yerds with federal soft points. I had two woodleigh 500 gr with 108 gr H4831 SC. It shot about 3/4 " lower then the factory. Also noticed that the factory Woodleighs had more lead exposed on the point then the ones I handloaded.
Does anyone know if they changed their bullets. Some have said the soft is too soft for buffalo, could this be a tougher design?

What was the group like with the 108 grains of H4831SC? Reason I ask is that I am taking my Heym to the range tomorrow with a box of reloads in 108 grains, 109 grains and 110 grains of H4831SC behind a 500 Woodleigh SP.

the group was a little over 1" without putting a tape on it. I will try 108 again and also load 109 & 110, I am really happy with the 108, but this was only 2 shots. The pressure is lower then the federal factory loads.

I will give you a report tomorrow on the 108's, 109's and 110's that I shoot. Together we can compare notes to see what we can come up with as the "optimal" load.

In terms of bullet strength, all I can tell you is that the outfitter we are hunting with for buffalo in September said load all soft points and Woodleighs would be at the top of their list.

Guys:

108grains of H4831sc is a good starting place..in my Merkel it pushes Woodleigh softs at a nominal 2100fps...POA/POI was good and groupings were right on, only a horizontal spread of about 1 1/2"+ or so...

Increased charges, in one grain increments, (I always bring a chronograph) velocity increases brought grouping even closer together ...

110grains of H4831sc should put you close to 2150fps in the Merkels 23.5" barrel...but do chronograph your loads...

Good shooting and let us know how you do!!

don't forget rl-15 as a powder. my merkel in 470 loves it. i will not go back. 90gr and a woodleigh soft shoots point of aim for me. my freind has a 500ne in merkel also, same thing for him and less kick. as for solids 89gr same point of impact.

Just got home from the range here in Sydney where I shot five rounds at 50m with my Merkel 470NE.
Three shots were touching (with in 20mm) and only 20mm below the center of the target. The other two shots only slightly off center.
Previous trips to the range have produced similar results at 100m.
Merkels shoot great!
ozhunter.

Here are the targets from today's trip to the range with the .470 NE. Looks like the 108 grain load works best.





Here is my .416 Rigby target with 105 grains of H4831Sc behind a 400 grain Woodleigh:

By the way the flyers are the responsibility of the shooter!

Have any of you guys shot your Merkel with the 100m leaf?
I found that it shoots ok at 50m and a tad high at 100m. So even if it is up it is not a big problem at short distance and at 100m+ it is good.
Ozhunter.

The groups you shot look great! If you have shot RX 15 look at the primers in relation to the 4831, you will see that the RX 15 had much higher pressure. I noticed that with the federal factory load vs h4831SC