Merkel 140 vs. Blaser S2

[Manny R]

Here to you Altitude sickness & BeeMaa my Blaser S2

 

[Rare Breed]

the thing is that I want to get a double rifle, my budget is 5000$.

So far I have seen a merkel 140, the blaser s2, a chapuis and an EGO that meet the budget. All of them in 375 h&h caliber. I like the caliber, I have used it in my blaser r93 (I no longer own it), and I am happy shooting with it, but I don't know how well a rimless cartridge will work in a double rifle, I would appreciate if someone could enlighten me on the subject. Also, I don't know if the blaser, the chapuis or the EGO has ejectors, I prefer to have them in spite of using a rimless caliber (since they are reputable gunsmiths, I presume that the ejectors should not cause too many problems).

As I do not reload cartridges, I only use factory loads, one good thing about the blaser is that since the barrel can be adjusted, I can adapt it to the cartridge I use (considering the shortage of ammunition this is another advantage). About the others DRs , I do not know which cartridge was used by the gunsmith, or how they will behave with other ammunition, if someone can tell me about it, I would appreciate it. .

Thanks in advance

I owned a Chapuis in 450-400 DR that had ejectors but at a $12,000 price. If you found a DR other than a Sabatti at or under $5,000 in a Merkle or Chapuis it would have been a deal if in decent condition. The only thing about DRs unlike bolt guns is problems can be hidden and cost a pretty penny to repair

 

[Altitude sickness]

Very nice S2

 

[Manny R]

Thank you... sorry it took so long to post it.

 

[Daniel Cary]

Here to you Altitude sickness & BeeMaa my Blaser S2

View attachment 558335View attachment 558336View attachment 558337

Thank you! They could be considered relatively affordable, (spec'd dependent). I may be mistaken .. thought the Barrels/Calibers were possibly interchangeable? Beautiful S2, regret not moving forward while available on GB..

 

[Red Leg]

Thank you! They could be considered relatively affordable, (spec'd dependent). I may be mistaken .. thought the Barrels/Calibers were possibly interchangeable? Beautiful S2, regret not moving forward while available on GB..

Totally so. I have 30-06, .375, and 500-416 barrels for mine. Just like a R8 they remain perfectly sighted in with their dedicated scope when switching them.

 

[TOBY458]

Totally so. I have 30-06, .375, and 500-416 barrels for mine. Just like a R8 they remain perfectly sighted in with their dedicated scope when switching them.

How much does your rifle weigh? Also, do the different barrels use the same forend? I would assume so, and would assume the 30/06 is the heaviest configuration, if the barrels are all the same diameter?
Also, how does the scope affect the balance?
Thanks!

 

[TOBY458]

@Red Leg please see my question above. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Rare Breed]

the thing is that I want to get a double rifle, my budget is 5000$.

So far I have seen a merkel 140, the blaser s2, a chapuis and an EGO that meet the budget. All of them in 375 h&h caliber. I like the caliber, I have used it in my blaser r93 (I no longer own it), and I am happy shooting with it, but I don't know how well a rimless cartridge will work in a double rifle, I would appreciate if someone could enlighten me on the subject. Also, I don't know if the blaser, the chapuis or the EGO has ejectors, I prefer to have them in spite of using a rimless caliber (since they are reputable gunsmiths, I presume that the ejectors should not cause too many problems).

As I do not reload cartridges, I only use factory loads, one good thing about the blaser is that since the barrel can be adjusted, I can adapt it to the cartridge I use (considering the shortage of ammunition this is another advantage). About the others DRs , I do not know which cartridge was used by the gunsmith, or how they will behave with other ammunition, if someone can tell me about it, I would appreciate it. .

Thanks in advance

i have owned the Merkel and Chapuis both did very well for me with zero complaints. i cannot comment on the Blaser given I just personally do not like them even though they are great guns

 

[YL1X]

Another good thing about the Blaser platform is the huge availability of aftermarket parts. Mounts, stocks, you name it..

 

[Red Leg]

@Red Leg please see my question above. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

Different forend for 9.3 and below. The 30-06 is significantly lighter than the .375 or 500/416.

 

[uplander01]

Welcome to the double rifle rabbit hole. The Chapuis Iphisi is the best value in the market right now in a 375 double, non flanged, optic ready, traditional look, regulated with Hornady ammo. The Blaser double sure did get a bad rap, kinda like a lead balloon, but sure the dang thing works as does all Blaser stuff, they can’t help that they’re ugly. I’ve owned 3 Markel’s in my lifetime and for one reason or another I never felt like I needed to keep any of them. One friend of mine had a merkel frame crack on a 500ne, and I had the lead in the butt stock come loose and try and come through the recoil pad. doubled are largely personal preference, and anything with 2 pipes is cool.

 

[Altitude sickness]

In that class of DR . A step up in my opinion I may be selling my Krieghoff Classic in 500/416 soon.

 

[BeeMaa]

In that class of DR . A step up in my opinion I may be selling my Krieghoff Classic in 500/416 soon.

It probably won't last long if you do put it up for sale.

 

[ve7poi]

I have the 140AE in 470NE and a 500NE I’ve taken a Cape buffalo with the 470NE and I’ve found a reload that works for it perfectly also have a good supply of 500g woodleigh soft nose ,
500 trying 570 tsx for expanding otherwise factory solids for DG
price point was determine factor on first purchase thereafter same feel when using and handling and basically same recoil

 

[Daniel Cary]

Here to you Altitude sickness & BeeMaa my Blaser S2

View attachment 558335View attachment 558336View attachment 558337

Looked all over for this, curious if you'd may sell someday, but it's a LH.
Beautiful example.

 

[Manny R]

I just returned from the DSC and I think I am going to book a 18 day Safari for Lion, Buffalo, Hippo and some plain game animals in 2025. Definitely want to experience my
double on a Lion & Buffalo. Then I may be in the market to sell it....MAYBE ???????

 

[JoninCO]

That’s how I got mine, a guy much more well off than me took in on a big DG trip and then offloaded it a couple years later with all the components, optic, and the metal shipping case. I got it for a song, and I love it. The kit was probably $25-30K new and I have less than 1/4 of that into it or it wouldn’t have been feasible.

 

[petander]

FWIW I like decockers.You are safely ready and prepared at all times . But I also shoot a Merkel 140.

Guess I like them all lol.

 

[Sheldor]

Another good thing about the Blaser platform is the huge availability of aftermarket parts. Mounts, stocks, you name it.