I am considering a beginner double in 9.3 x 74. I have shouldered the Chapuis. It felt great and is priced below the Merkel. Are there any significant differences that I should be aware of? I do intend to mount a scope on it. Kebco has both at attractive prices.

Did you try the Merkel 141 or the 140? The latter is much heavier and bulky.

The difference in prices is about $400 in the 141 and the Chapuis.

Both are fine rifles and with the new French president, I might even order French Fries again.

The Merkel 141 (e) is very light and most importantly, has an adjustment that makes it simple to regulate. In other words, you don't adjust the regulation by experimenting with handloads, you just use an Allen wrench and move the left barrell to meet the right one. I can go from factory 232 grain loads for U.S. hunting to Woodliegh solids in about four shots and four turns of the wrench.

I had a choice and chose the Merkel. I also like the splinter forend better than the beavertail on the Chapuis I tried.

Both are fine rifles for the price. I personally like the Merkel because of the reasons JudgeG posted above.

I have owned and shot and loaded for extensively a Chapuis UGEX in 9.3x74 and found it to be one of the best handling rifles I have ever handled. I particularly like the beavertail forearm. I scoped mine with a Leupold 1.5x5. I currently own a Merkel 141 in 8x57JRS (it does NOT have the adjustable barrrels) it too has a Leupold 1.5x5 scope. It shoots 1" groups consistently. If the Merkel had a beavertail forearm I would be hardpressed to choose between them. My Merkel has the humpbacked european stock that while I feel is ugly fits me like the proverbial glove. If I had to choose I would probably flip a coin or buy strictly on price as I think the quality is comparable.

I have a Chapuis in 9,3x74R, that I have used quite a bit.
It has a scope mounted in the Chapuis pivot mount.
It is one of my favorite hunting rifles and one of my favorite calibres.

I have shot both of the different Merkel frame sizes.

I would recommend you handle all 3 and get the one that you like the best.
I also highly recommend you scope it.

Wow ... what a choice. Great problem to have!

Which ever one you buy, scope it with the best you can afford. My Chapuis wears an S&B 1.5-6x42 ... I love it! Also consider the 20 gauge shotgun barrels for it. Makes a wonderful combination for traveling.

i bought a chapuis 9,3 x 74r last year, and its 1 of my favorite rifles, handles like a light 20 ga....recoil is not an issue...i'm biased, because ive only handled the merkel in .470...

Another vote for the chapuis. I have mine mounted with a Leupold 1.5x5 on a pivot mount. A great cal and a great gun. I've always preferd chapuis over merkel, but for no objective reason other than aesthetics.

I own the Chapuis 9.3, really like it, but I agree that you should purchase the one that fits you best - I have three Merkel shotguns, and as for quality, both are about equal. So, again, buy the one you like the best, & you'll be fine.

i have both a merkel 141 and a chapius rgex in 9,3 x74r. both are scoped in quick detach mounts.

you cannot go wrong with either though i lean toward the merkel.

if you can't settle on one ...... buy both !

something to think of when considering an extra barrel set for your double rifle. a second set of barrels usually costs 50 % of the cost of a complete rifle. while it is a little bit easier to travel with ( only a little) when you decide to sell it you may be surprised to find a limited market. you need to find a buyer that has the funds to buy the outfit and has the desire to own it. this takes a lot of potential customers out of the picture.

consider to buy a shotgun versus the barrel set. you'll have two guns and if you tire of either you can sell it probably much easier. also, rifle stocks usually don't have the correct dimensions for a shotgun.

just some things to consider

Thanks guys for the feedback. Exactly as I suspected, nothing wrong with either choice.

Have had both. Recently picked up a Chapuis from Kebco. Beautiful gun and an absolute first rate guy to deal with. You'll be happy with either. I just like the Chapuis a bit more.