Well I have you guys to thank for getting me into big bore guns, hunting DG, and my latest acquisition (hopefully will pick up this Saturday) a Merkel 470 NE. I had a chance to shoot a Chapius 470 a couple of weeks ago and had a blast!! I never had a clue that a Double Rifle could be much fun to play with...

I know absolute nothing about Double Rifles so any insight you can provide as far as care, maintainance, handling, etc of the rifle is appreciated.

I do plan on reloading for this gun and would appreciate your suggestions concerning reloading components, load data, etc for the 470 NE.

I realize its not a classic English Gun but does it qualify me for the Double Rifle Shooters Club...if I got that right?

Thanks for you help and advice...Jim

Congrateulations,yes you are a member of the double rifle club!They sure are a lot of fun!
I will be the first to chime in and tell you to keep the hinge area greased good and never dry fire the rifle without snap caps in it.I wouldnt hunt with mine in the rain also.If you do ,take care to keep it dry and take it to a factory gunsmith not just anybody.I know you are really going to be proud of the double rifle and will have a blast shooting her,shoot the front trigger first and then second trigger with in 5 or so secounds to get groups going and shot like it like blam-blam ,one two punch.always shoot standing up on hind legs offhand and never touch the front on any thing if shooting from the bench.Regulate the barrels were they will shoot together with the magic load she wants.try to find out what the rifle was regulated with at the factory and stick with that load.Dont be afraid to call factory for any advice or questions,they will be glad to help in anyway they can.Welcome to the club brother!

Congratulations, you are now hooked forever

I use Bell brass, Federal 215 primers, Woodleigh 500 grain Solid and Soft points over 88.5 grains of Rel 15 with a Kynoch foam plug. This load give about 2160 fps in my Krieghoff.

For plinking fun I load a 500 grain cast bullet over 18 grains of TiteWAD with NO FILLER. This give about 1000 fps with almost no recoil. Regulation is a little strange but

Have fun!

Oh yea forgot to tell you,check out the nito express forum all so, they have tons of knowledge and info and are a great bunch of guys as well!Cheers!

Congratulations, jjs, wise choice! Me too!

Get a box of the Federal Trophy Bonded Sledge Hammer for which your Merkel is regulated. Shoot this over a chronograph at 50 meter target with the 50 meter leaf. Doesnt hurt to put some white enamel or gold enamel on the front blade to brighten it up in the square notch, like a combat .45 ACP. Point the muzzles skyward before each shot to setle the powder against the primer before each shot. a standing rest is best, though you can simulate this with an upright posture at the bench with your off hand resting on the bag, cradling the barrels in your hand and buttstock touching only your shoulder, firmly.

See if you do as well as the factory target, at 50 meters. save the 100 meter leaf for later.

You will probably shoot a 1.6 cm 4-shot group at 50 meters (RLRL) then a 1.6 inch group at 100 meters. The barrels cross at 50 meters, and the group is still good at 100 meters.

Note the velocity as reference, and the extreme spread and sd in fps, and see how much more uniform your handloads will be than the factory loads.

Start with Norma brass, I do believe it is almost identical to the Federal, save the nickel plate.

Start with RL-15 at 86 grains to be safe.

F215 primer.

Dacron fiber filler 5 grains of fluff, tamped in with a pencil eraser over the top of the powder.

Work up to the crossing velocity.

loads on this forum have varied from 86 to 92 grains, depending on the filler, the brass, and the bullet.

Woodleigh 500 grain softs are a good plinking bullet to start with. Powder will be adjusted later for other bullets.

I'm sure you will get plenty of pointers from the double gun nuts here and there.

To better understand the process, get Graeme Wright's _Shooting the British Double Rifle_ second edition.

Now you've gone and done it!! CONGRATULATIONS..Feels good doesn't it?

Hey one of my favorite .470 loads is a 500Gr XLC barnes over 97 grains of H4350 & CCI 215 primers no filler for a nominal 2150 FPS.I also use a a reduced practice load of XMP 5744 at 40 grains pushing a 500 gr cast bullet. out to about 50 yards you can't really tell a difference in point of aim.

Happy times, have fun.

Congrats Jim. I too shoot a 470 Merkel and I love it.....about 60 rounds so far. I have JJ at Champlins put a red pad on it.....softened the blow a bit! I'm experimenting with both "play" loads with 400 gr Hornady bullets and with RL-15, filler and Woodleigh and just ordered some banded solids from Barnes. The rifle will be TIGHT when you first get it....but within 20 rounds or so and a little playing with it while watching your favorite African hunting video, it will set right in and work perfectly. Good luck and welcome aboard the double train.

Gary B.

Thanks guys ...for the tips, info, etc!!

I did pick the gun up today. Long day, drove 8+ hours but I had the opportunity to pick from three rifles...

All the Dealer had were Federal Woodleighs in both Softs and Solids and took a box of each to try out. If the weather cooperates I will head to the range Sunday to give her a try...wish me luck!!!