If the Merkel were offered for somewhat less than the Chapuis (equivalent condition), which way to go for a newbie to doubles?

Chapuis has ejectors.

Chapuis, even if the Merkel had ejectors.

When comparing those 2 doubles I would pick the one that fits you the best.

If both fit, then get the one you like the best.

quote:

Originally posted by interested:
If the Merkel were offered for somewhat less than the Chapuis (equivalent condition), which way to go for a newbie to doubles?

Both Merkels have ejectors: the Merkel double rifle and Mrs. Merkel the German chancellor. The way she fired Norbert Roettgen, her former secretary for environment, showed that she has an ejector that works remarkably well.
Cheers, Hans

I have a Merkel and a Chapuis. I prefer the Merkel. I also prefer extractors. I hate that beavertail fore-end on the Chapuis!

I am just opposite of Todd. I have a Chapuis 9,3X74 and a flanged .375 on order. I have have not owned a Merkel but I have shot enough of them. My Chapuis fits me so much better and I have just come to prefer the Chapuis but you can't go wrong with either gun. Right now, through Dale Nygaard, I think the Chapuis is the best buy on the market.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
I am just opposite of Todd. I have a Chapuis 9,3X74 and a flanged .375 on order. I have have not owned a Merkel but I have shot enough of them. My Chapuis fits me so much better and I have just come to prefer the Chapuis but you can't go wrong with either gun. Right now, through Dale Nygaard, I think the Chapuis is the best buy on the market.

I'd submit that the best buy on the market is: http://www.bradshawgunandrifle..._Double_Rifle_1B.php !

quote:

Originally posted by D'Angelico Fan:

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
I am just opposite of Todd. I have a Chapuis 9,3X74 and a flanged .375 on order. I have have not owned a Merkel but I have shot enough of them. My Chapuis fits me so much better and I have just come to prefer the Chapuis but you can't go wrong with either gun. Right now, through Dale Nygaard, I think the Chapuis is the best buy on the market.

I'd submit that the best buy on the market is: http://www.bradshawgunandrifle..._Double_Rifle_1B.php !

Well, I was certainly tempted at the DSC but decided to wait until Larry got his Bradshaw for which we've been waiting -- what, 18 months, w/delivery expected shortly.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
I am just opposite of Todd. I have a Chapuis 9,3X74 and a flanged .375 on order. I have have not owned a Merkel but I have shot enough of them. My Chapuis fits me so much better and I have just come to prefer the Chapuis but you can't go wrong with either gun. Right now, through Dale Nygaard, I think the Chapuis is the best buy on the market.

We aren't that opposite Dave! I agree that the Chapuis is the best buy on the market. You get a really nice rifle for the price. But every Chapuis I've shouldered has had a comb that is too high for my build. To the point that no amount of pressing my cheek into the comb will allow my eyes to line up the rear and front sights. The Merkel design fits my build like a glove. Throw the rifle up with eyes closed, open eyes and I'm perfectly lined up. Point and shoot. But the excessive DAH does add to the felt recoil. However, the felt recoil from the "too high comb" into my cheek is much more uncomfortable than the extra push into my shoulder from DAH.

Of course, these are items that could be optimized by modifications to the wood. Same with the beaver-tail. In other words, they don't address the basic strengths and weaknesses of the 2 guns mechanical design. Honestly, I don't know that I'm qualified to comment on that as I'm not a technical expert on the inner workings of guns. My comments of preferring the Merkel to the Chapuis are purely based on which rifle fits better, feels better in my hands, and which one I find more pleasurable to shoot. They both are accurate for their purposes. Even though I prefer extractors, I did order ejectors on my VC as the price difference was only $300. Although I never plan to sell it, from a practical point of view, ejectors will bring a higher resale value if I ever have to. One never knows what life holds in store!

We differ on Elephant hunting but agree again on that K-gun of yours! I'm not a traditionalist so I really like that cocking device and think the 500/416 is the cats ass in a double round!

I have owned 4 Merkels and they all fit me very well and were very accurate. I still have my older Merkel in 470NE and it will put about any combination of soft and solid inside a 2" circle at 50yds as long as the velocity is 2060fps or faster. My handloads chrono 2080fps at 40 degrees and 2200fps at 90 degrees with no change in point of impact.