Fellas,

Just picked up a really nice Merkel double in .470 NE. Not brand new, but nearly so. I got the original box, all papers, and regulation target (50 meters) fired with Federal Premium Trophy Bonded ammo.

Thanks to all the excellent advice given here and privately (470EDDY).

I am looking forward to working up a suitable handload and seeing how close I can get to the regulation load.

Great buy....one of the most accurate doubles out there.

Ive heard a lot of loose talk about the Merkel doubles, but they point like a Boss shotgun, every one Ive played with shoot great..I can't see anything wrong with them, and those that do I say for the most part have a flinch.

I have a .500 what a great gun very accurate. They skimped a tad on recoil pad and was pounding rounds offhand the other day and my shoulder is sore LOL. Points and shoots great. Pretty lightweight mine is

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Ive heard a lot of loose talk about the Merkel doubles, but they point like a Boss shotgun, every one Ive played with shoot great..I can't see anything wrong with them, and those that do I say for the most part have a flinch.

As Ray says above one needs to get a good purchase on the trigger you are pulling first!

I have two Merkel double rifles, one is a 470NE, and the other is a 9.3X74. The 470 has been doubled by several folks when pulling the trigger and strumming the back trigger because of the unexpected recoil. That is not unusual for folks who are not used to heavy double rifle chamberings. In every case the doubleing was experienced by a novice to doubles.
The triggers are set on Merkel rifle to have the right barrel (front trigger)fired first. The right trigger is slightly lighter than the back trigger.
However, I shoot both ways, and have never had a double discharge from any of my Merkel double rifles or shotguns.
The other double being a 9.3X74R and is fitted with a set trigger for the right barrel with a normal pull when unset, but very light when set. If this rifle has the front trigger SET and the back trigger is fired one will sometimes get a doubling. If not set the only way to get a double discharge with this double is by strumming the back trigger under the recoil of right barrel.
None of this is the fault of the Merkel double rifles, but the fault of the person shooting it. I have owned these two double for many years, and have fire a ton of ammo through both of them and I have never experienced a double discharge from either of them.
Enjoy your new double rifle, and if you are new to double rifles. think before you pull the triggers before to make sure you have a good grip on the trigger you are pulling and you will love your new double rifle.
.................................. MacD37

True. I got sloppy the other day and yanked it and doubled the 500 so fast it almost sounded like a single shot. Was pretty surprised. Due to the lack of delay it must of been a strum as at first I thought I might of set it off while switching triggers with my finger to the back trigger. First time that happened and it was not that big a deal. You Just want to make sure you are holding on tight. the first shot hit bullseye the second was on paper lol The problem with a 9 1/2 lb .500 is it has some recoil and you must hold onto it and insure your finger stays put

quote:

Originally posted by gunslinger55:
...The problem with a 9 1/2 lb .500 is it has some recoil and you must hold onto it and insure your finger stays put

Wow, that's a bit over a pound lighter than my Heym 88B in .500.

I stand corrected I just weighed it and its 10 lbs 14 oz with snap caps and swivels

Great advice all around, fellas.

I am looking at shooting some cast bullets through the rifle and working up in power as I familiarize myself.

What has everyone done for an M type expander die to open the case mouth for .476" bullets? I am considering a pair of .475 Linebaugh revolver dies.

Thanks in advance!