When I received my new Merkel 141E the regulation target showed that Norma 232 grain Vulcan bullets were used. On the test target, left and right were on only 2 centimeters apart and on the same line horizonally. This was with iron sights as the gun was later modified for a factory scope mount. I was a wee bit worried that the scope would "mess up" the regulation. Not to worry!

I tried some 286 grain Prvi bullets and my first load put them 3" apart at 100 yards with the scope. Iron sights were about the same at 50 yards. I did not try to "re-regulate" as I wanted to see what would happen with Norma Factory Vulcan bullets.

Today I finally received some factory loaded Norma ammo and took the gun to the range to shoot. I had a 3" (I think) diameter bull that pops yellow when hit (Shoot-N-C brand)... see below... they are nice for old eyes.

With iron sights I hit the edges of the target with the right barrel at one o'clock and the left at nine. That's as good as I can hold or see. Then I put the scope on and shot twice. Both left and right were slightly to the right of the center, but almost touching. All of this was at 100 yards. I guess I have a winner!

The scope is a 2.5x Leupold I bought from a member of this forum and it allows me to shoot with both eyes open. It takes all of 5 seconds to remove or replace. The fiber optic front and rear sights are wonderfully quick. The whole deal, including scope and mounts, shipping, three fried monkey tongues and a peanut M&M cost only $5K.

With the barrels having an adjustable regulation feature, I think I'm going to get some 286 grain solids to shoot good and then take the rifle to Tanzania in September as a backup for my Searcy .450/.400.

JudgeG,

I do believe that'll work just FINE! Congratulations on a great acquisition.

After plains game hunting with 286 gr Noslers in 9,3x62 I am partial to them as they were terrifically effective. I wonder how they will perform in your rifle.

Seeing that, I'm sitting here thinking about what my next gun purchase is going to be and I keep coming back to the thought of a double rifle.

What the heck I need one here in California for I don't know but I keep getting the feeling that I do need one.

That's a shooter!

Glad to see you putting the Anna Nicole thing behind you...

Judge, you've got a winner there! That thing will take care of all the plains game on that safari, and will make one of the best deer, elk, and moose rifles in North America one could ask for! Top that off with some good solids like Mike's cup points, and flat points, and you got a buffalo getter as well!

Congratulations, now come on down to the 4K in June, and shoot some of those big old boar!

Judge,
That is 5 grand well spent. See you in TX!

So where is a photo of this piece of trash?

Congratulations on the good shooter yer Honer.

You deserve it and we are happy for you.

Don't scratch it all up hunting with it, Judge. I may want to buy it from you in a few months. By the way, did you get your Searcy yet ? I don't have any Merkel rifles, but I sure like their SXS shotguns that I have.

Frank:
According to serial numbers, there is one Classic between yours and mine. Mine is at the engravers and then will only need case hardening and bluing. The wood is finished. I imagine two weeks? Most of the time will be shipping between North Dakota, California and my house.

I'll add a picture of the Merkel this morning from work along with a close up of the regulation system.

Here is a picture of the rifle:



And here is a picture (not very good, either) of the regulation system. The top hole is for the front sight. The other two move the left barrel up/down or right/left.




I'll try to get a better picture, but I'm late for court!

Man ..... I like that rifle !!! As good as the 9.3X74R caliber is, I think I'd like another one in a Merkel.

Above, I substituted a picture that is a bit more clear that shows the regulation system better. Note that the left barrel is not connected to the wedge at the end of the barrel but has the two holes for an Allen wrench, one left/right, the other, up/down. Is there a cam in there????

If it works as advertised, maybe all new doubles will have something similar someday. I sure would beat the heck of trial by error.

Judge
That is a good looking double and a great shooter.

I have killed a few deer and wild pigs with the Norma Factory load with the 232 Vulcan ullet.

It worked real good, and I think it is a tougher bullet than the Norma 286gr Alaska bullet.
I would not be afraid to use the 232 Vulcan on any game in the lower 48.
The bullet did excellent on tests in Europe [Sweeden I think] on moose.

The Norma vulcan bullet is designed to expand quickly, the oryx bullet is a bonded bullet, the alaska is a std bullet. I have had good luck with both the 9.3 286gr oryx and alaska (never used the vulcan but see no reason it would not work well also) and used a alaska bullet on a buffalo with excellent results.

Glad to see your gun is a good shooter!

The Vulcan ie Vulkan as in Vulcano has been and will still be a favorite in europe at driven hunts in both x62 and 74R due to it´s almost explosive expansion, when aimed right at the kill zone at wildboar or large deer the results are swift and solid.

Regularly there are no exits as well, a thing that is great when there are beaters about.

Best regards Chris

Nice Double JudgeG!!!

Congrats!!

Jim

I have never recovered a Vulcan bullet.

I have an article at home, I am still in Alaska, in either Rifle or Handloader where they recovered several bullets from Moose [in Sweeden I think] in a test sponsored by Norma. Fired from the 9,3x62 the bullets showed perfect expansion, no signs of "explosive" fragmentation.

In the animals I have shot with it there was not any evidence of lead in the wound channel.

The Vulcan bullet is designed to expand very quickly, not fragment or blow up.

Have any of you guys tried the Vulcan bullet in smaller calibers?


If you hade then you would know where I come from on this matter.

In my previous moose hunting team it was banned due to poor performance in 30-06 and 6,5x55 especially.

Best regards Chris.