Hi folks,

I'm on the lookout for a double in the above calibre and think I may have found one, a 2000 era Merkel. The owner is not sure what it was regulated for so I'm assuming a standard 286gr load. The complication is here in the UK I'll have to resort to using lighter 230-250gr all copper bullets to feed it.

I was wondering if anyone has had the same issue and what they got in terms of accuracy and velocity for the lighter bullets, in order for it to regulate?

On another note are there any thoughts good or bad about a 25 year old Merkel boxlock, shooting all copper bullets in it...or how that might compare to a new Krieghoff which I haven't ruled out as an option. As a bonus the Krieghoff has adjustable muzzles to help with regulation.

Many thanks in advance!

Yes, you could have trouble but at least in the UK someone can help. Barnes does appear to make 286 and 250gr copper bullets, though, and reregulating for England might be counterproductive in Africa. At least in a break-action rifle COL should be less critical if you can use really long bullets.

The copper-bullet/DB contention went on for years but I think that modern versions with 'driving bands' are now thought OK. I've got some old Barnes X bullets but am reluctant to shoot them even in my thin-barrelled Zastava 9.3x62 bolt-action.

Thanks for the reply Sambarman, much appreciated! I have found a couple of other suppliers of components, RWS, Fox and Sako. I'm concerned about what sort of velocity I'm going to be getting to get the lighter bullets to group, and whether that's enough for them to perform reliably on game. There's no way of knowing I guess without giving it a go.

Would this be the model that has adjustable regulation? If so that could help solve your problem.

I don't think it has the adjustable regulation unfortunately, although I'm going to ask for a pic of the muzzles to confirm.