I got my 500NE Merkel back from JJ on Friday. He added a mercury recoil reducer, a leather covered recoil pad, and did some sight work.

Saturday I took it to the desert, and it is a pleasure to shoot. The gun looks great and the felt recoil is much less than before.

Lhook7,

Post a picture or two if you get a chance. I have a .500 NE Merkel that I have been shooting with 570 grain Woodleigh SPs in front of 106 grains of IMR4350 for about 2050 fps (consistently groups under 2 inches at fifty yards with most around an inch or inch and a half). My Merkel has the factory recoil pad on it (stock feels like it has some weight added too it, but not a mercury reducer). I have not found the recoil to be that bad. Honestly, I would rather shoot the Merkel than my Heym in .470 NE. I do hate the sights on the Merkel, what sights did you have installed?

Mike

Mike,

Mine was factory with no weight added and it was kicking my butt! I'm using the same loads as you except I only use 105 gr of 4350.

I was going to use NECG sights, but JJ talked me into him adding a different (I don't know the make) front sight with a flip up ivory bead for low light. He ground the rear sight to make it more of a "U" than a "V". After seeing the finished product, I'm glad JJ talked me into going this way.

I'll try to remember to post some pictures this evening when I get home.

How is your's grouping? I have been more than pleased with the accuracy of mine.

Lee:

I have the same rifle, and sent it back to JJ for a recoil reducer and recoil pad after the ladies at the last DRSS hunt complained about the recoil.

After August's hunt, I too am sending it back to JJ for new front and rear sights. The factory sights that came with the gun suck.

When you sent the gun, did you send some ammo along with it so JJ could try it out after doing the sight work?

Lee:

Also, PM with the cost to have the sights installed please.

V/r,

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
How is your's grouping? I have been more than pleased with the accuracy of mine.

My grouping is OK, but I need to shoot it a little more to get comfortable and then start working on regulating a load. Currently my left barrel appears to be shooting a little lower than my right, but I need to spend some more time shooting to verify this.

Paul,

I didn't send any ammo along. I'll send you a PM this evening when I get home and have the invoice in hand. The overall price was much less than I expected.

If you do not mind, send me a PM with the price info too. I am particularly interested in the sights. Thanks.

Here are some pictures:

Damn! those pictures are so big, and blown up, they look like colored blocks!



Add me onto that PM with the cost of the sights! I have two Merkel double rifles, and I want the sights on both!

Wish I could get my Merkel to shoot decent groups. That's the problem with these "low end" doubles.

At this point, I am a little reluctant to tinker with things. The caliper is on 1.650".

Lhook7, PM me with figures and facts on your sight work as I may have my front sight changed on my Merk. The front sight looks very similar to the NECG front sight I have on my 375.

MJines:

You need to pack that baby up and take it back because getting groups like that on a $8000 gun is unacceptable...

I just got my 470 Merkel back from JJ.I had the ivory flip up put on mine also,as well as the pad + merc. supp.Have'nt had time to shoot yet but the sight is perfect.Super quick snap target aquisition.It took me too long to focus with the brass sight.And especially concerning the quality of the work I thought his price was extremely fair.