Finally I got my 470NE from Merkel (160AE)

After I could remove the autumatic safty (which I have not ordered). I was shooting now. I am still testing loads.

The laods from the books are all more or less the same. And the original Ammo (Norma FMJ), shoot all about the same. First two shots approx 30cm (at 100m) from each other, second pair at about 15cm and the thrid is usually the best below 10cm and in the center. As it looks the rifle shoots better when it is not totally cold. When I make just short break after six shots (barrels still warm) the next four shots are in the center.

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Congrats, that may be the finest looking Merkel I have seen. Very nice.

Nice piece!

Very nice indeed.

Sweet double! Congratulations!

Welcome to the world og big bore shooting. It's addicting.

Mike

Very nice.

Like Mike I think that is the nicest Merkel double rifle I've seen!
.............................................................Congratulations

It's nice in anyone's book. No reason for qualification.

I think the reason it looks as nice as it does is: Wait for it: NO CARTOON ANIMALS!!!

More photos

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What should I do other with the rest of the Euro´s?
So I got that DR with them.

Outstanding! Who is holding the DR? Is your DG sling one from Trader Keiths? What about your ammo belt? Where from?

That is a beautiful Merkel, a a very rare sidelock with the scroll engraving. It also appears to have removable locks which I have never seen on a Merkel DR, although I have on the sidelock shotguns.

How did you find this rifle? Was it a special order?

Thanks, Mike

Very nice rifle, and the person holding it over her shoulder is, as well. Only the first two shots count, as the buff will not give you a chance to warm up your rifle; 30 cm is 11.8 inches apart at 100 yards, but you probably won't be shooting that far anyway; and at 50 yards is half that; possibly a lot less. If not, I would work with some loads a bit.

Very nice indeed, B, especially with the hand-detachable locks.

Find the variation in where the barrels print from shot-to-shot very unusual. Believe that as you practice and work with the rifle, you'll find your first shots will be in that 4-inch (10 cm) composite group, too. If not, then dpcd is right and working with loads would be the thing to do.

What did the Merkel target that accompanied the rifle show?

Regards, Tim

I agree a beauty!

at enough gun

The ammo belt I winned in a match, it is from Spain and originally for 20ga but just perfect for 470NE. The sling is from Germany standard production.


at mdsteward

The Merkel DR 160AE is standard like that, at time they put detachable side looks on. The recoil pad I replaced against a a fentilated one, the original which is on the upper side hard is very unconfortable to shoot.

I bought the rifle in Germany (this rifle is a stadard 160AE from 2011 and 2012 production), usually the importing company makes the specifications, so they choose the quality of the wood, fixed or detachable side looks etc. (double or single trigger). At the end it is nearly not possible to look only at the model and its price. Some countries go for bad wood and more engraving or what ever combinations you can think of. The serie of the 160 types are not that large that there is a real standard.


at dpcd

As it looks like the rifle shoots to the same place only when it is not totaly cold. So I think I have to make some reloads that works also in cold condition. All the different powders I already tested get nearly the same results. So I think it will take a bit time until I find the realy good load. It also looks strange to me because most rilfe shoot good first and as longer and hotter they get, the more the goups opens up. But I have not yet tried to make 10shots one after the next. In Davos three persons shoot with the rifle, one after the next one. Due to marking the shoots the rifle kept its temparature (could neither cold down nor over heat) and shoot good.

As it looks now to me the companies who make the rifles does not let cool the rifles totally down while zeroing/assebling. Also my 9,3 shoot best between 4th to 14th shot. But there I find a load for the 1st four shoots now. But that load came not even close to the one which was used to zero the rifle. But I think I will find such a load for the 470 as well

The rifle was zeroed using Norma FMJ ammo, it tried new lot and an old one. Does not really make big difference.

Hmmm. this calls for some thinking; I don't suppose you could drive over to Merkel and have them check it out for regulation on the first two shots? It's only 300 miles from Zurich. I hope they didn't heat it up and make it shoot to regulation that way. DRs aren't match rifles, which often/usually shoot better warm. Good Luck.