07 June 2009, 14:01
HendrikNZDR Newby
I joined the wonderful world of double rifles today and got a Merkel 470NE.
Nothing fancy, just a nice working model.
So expect many many more stupid questions from me in the near future as I find my feet.
How can you ever go back to bolt actions after having shot one of these beauties?
Cheers
H
Congrats on the pick up.
Was that the one on the NZ Auction site ?
Anyway, good luck with it and remember, the only Stupid question
is the one you don't ask.
We all started from the point of no knowledge at one time.
07 June 2009, 15:22
HendrikNZyep, thats the one.
Its been to Africa a few times after buff & ele and I hope to get more details on its short history in the next few weeks.
And I plan on taking it back for more as often as I can :-)
Congratulations! Those Merkles are wonderful rifles. You are going to be very happy with it. Now the problem. You are not going to stop with just one

07 June 2009, 18:32
MacD37quote:
Originally posted by HendrikNZ:
I joined the wonderful world of double rifles today and got a Merkel 470NE.
Nothing fancy, just a nice working model.
So expect many many more stupid questions from me in the near future as I find my feet.
How can you ever go back to bolt actions after having shot one of these beauties?
Cheers
H
Congratulations HindrikNZ!

I have one exactly like that one, and It is one of two Merkel Double rifles I own. the 470NE 140-2 Safari will place two rounds side by side at 50 yds every time, and the other merkel is a 140E, 9.3X74R and it will place four shots in a slightly egg shaped composit group 2" wade, and 1" high with shots equal distance on each side of the aiming point with the left barre's shots on the left, anf the right barrel's shots on the right side of the aiming point, at 100 yds.
You haven't asked and may already know this but there may be some who are new to double rifle and are not aware of the fact that there is a proper way to rest a double rifle from a bench.
First the rifle must not touch anything but your hands, shoulder and face while shooting. The side by side double rifle was designed to be fired off hand, and from a cool barrel set, right trigger first, left trigger second.
The rifle depends on un hendered recoil arch to shoot to it's regulation, so must be shot as if off hand. You can rest the fore "HAND" on a sand bag but not the rifle, the fore hand must hold onto the rifle, and the butt should not be rested on a bag either.
The double rifle reoils differently when each barrel is fired. when the right barrel is fired the rifle recoils back,up and to the right. The opposite for the left barrel, it recoils back, up and left. If the rifle is rested on a sand bag with out your fore hand holding the rifle it will recoil too freely, and not shoot properly. With the cost of 470NE ammo, one wants to waste as few rounds as is possible with the working up a proper load, or checking the sight alignment.
As I said above the rifle is a hunting rifle, and isdesigned to be frien from cool barrels, like you would when hunting, a snap shot with the right barrel, followed closely after the other barrel! This is the way you should shoot the rifle from the bench, then once found, the regulating loads your practice should be what we call in the USA "STUMP SHOOTING" while walking through the bush takeing shot at rocks, stumps, and what ever catches your eye at different ranges, while working on your reloading speed.
Welcome to the world wide
DRSS community!
Congratulations! She looks good from here!
Welcome to the DRSS!
H...I have or have owned 7 DR's and the Merkel 470 I had...just like yours, was the most accurate of any I have shot. With Woodies or North Forks, behind the appropriate charge of RL15 and a filler, it would take out the 3" red dot on my targets at 60 yds with 8 shots. Those Merkels are solid tools that will give you faithful service. Work yourself up a good load or two and have fun.
By the way....none of your questions will be stupid...DR's are a game all to themselves. Now some of your ANSWERS on the other hand....
Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC
07 June 2009, 21:35
N E 450 No2I have shot several Merkel Double Rifles over the years, 500's, 470,s & 9,3x74R's.
All of them shot accurate and regulated well.
08 June 2009, 01:12
AkshooterHindrikNZ
Congrats on your first double I know whata great feeling that is.
NE450#2
I'm feeling left out. you forgot to mention my Merkel 8x57.
08 June 2009, 02:35
N E 450 No2quote:
Originally posted by Akshooter:
HindrikNZ
Congrats on your first double I know whata great feeling that is.
NE450#2
I'm feeling left out. you forgot to mention my Merkel 8x57.
OOPS sorry forgot. It is a sweet double as well.