Merkel 140AE vs 160AE

[Northern Shooter]

From what I can tell the rifle was produced around 2010. I’ll confirm with Merkel once I receive it and reference the serial number.

Any idea what the Merkel double rifles of the mid 2000s were regulated with?

It looks like Federal, Barnes, Hornady and Norma continue to produce 470NE today.

 

[Rare Breed]

From what I can tell the rifle was produced around 2010. I’ll confirm with Merkel once I receive it and reference the serial number.

Any idea what the Merkel double rifles of the mid 2000s were regulated with?

It looks like Federal, Barnes, Hornady and Norma continue to produce 470NE today.

I’m sure since you bought a double you reload. Otherwise getting factory ammo that regulates is problematic at best. My 470 sweet spot is 2150 FPS with 500 grain bullets. I use RL 15.5 at 84 grains to get 0.6 inch regulation at 50 yards. Congratulations on your purchase!!! 160’s are beautiful guns in wood and engraving compared to the 140

 

[Northern Shooter]

I’m sure since you bought a double you reload. Otherwise getting factory ammo that regulates is problematic at best. My 470 sweet spot is 2150 FPS with 500 grain bullets. I use RL 15.5 at 84 grains to get 0.6 inch regulation at 50 yards. Congratulations on your purchase!!! 160’s are beautiful guns in wood and engraving compared to the 140

I…..do not.

I’m a sucker for spending thousands on big bore factory ammo each year. Guessing I’ll have to start rolling my own if none of the factory offerings perform well.

Did you experiment with all available factory loadings?

I’m currently seeing the following in-stock, all with 500gr @ 2,150fps.

Federal Cape Shok - Barnes banded Solid
Federal Premium Safari - Swift A Frames
Federal Premium Safari - Barnes Triple Shock
Hornady DGS
Hornady DGX
Barnes VOR-TX solid
Barnes TSX
Norma African PH softs

 

[Rare Breed]

You may get lucky seriously and find factory ammo that regulates. The ammo you list is very good and has the right FPS. Unless you are hunting elephant I would pass on the solids. Or you may get into reloading that is fun and easy. Midway has every tool you need for $500 on sale now. all you need to add are brass, primers, bullets, powder and fillers.

 

[franzfmdavis]

I’m sure since you bought a double you reload. Otherwise getting factory ammo that regulates is problematic at best. My 470 sweet spot is 2150 FPS with 500 grain bullets. I use RL 15.5 at 84 grains to get 0.6 inch regulation at 50 yards. Congratulations on your purchase!!! 160’s are beautiful guns in wood and engraving compared to the 140

I purchased a Merkel 140 .470NE that @Rare Breed used to own. I use his reloading recipe described in his response because it was regulated for those reduced loads by JJ Predeau at his request; however, I did try some factory ammo for comparison and actually had pretty good groups at 50y with Barnes TSX FB 500gr, which i believe was because it also moves at 2,150fps at the muzzle. The factory ammo is just much more punishing in recoil than the reloads. For reference, the rifle is a 2008 model.

 

[Northern Shooter]

I purchased a Merkel 140 .470NE that @Rare Breed used to own. I use his reloading recipe described in his response because it was regulated for those reduced loads by JJ Predeau at his request; however, I did try some factory ammo for comparison and actually had pretty good groups at 50y with Barnes TSX FB 500gr, which i believe was because it also moves at 2,150fps at the muzzle. The factory ammo is just much more punishing in recoil than the reloads. For reference, the rifle is a 2008 model. View attachment 635783View attachment 635786

That's good to know. Barnes is some of the "cheaper" 470 ammo available here. What velocity are your reloads going at?

 

[Rare Breed]

That's good to know. Barnes is some of the "cheaper" 470 ammo available here. What velocity are your reloads going at?

They are my reloads. They are at 2150 FPS. As stated I get the same FPS with 84 grains of RL 15.5 as factory ammo loaded with different powder that needs 106 grains to yield the same FPS as the reloads. That is why you heard incorrectly my reloads kick far less than the factory ammo not because I load them down but because I know the goal with DRs is to use the lightest loads with your desired weight bullet to achieve your desired FPS. I always can do this with reloads better than any factory ammo unless you have a custom reloader shop who will use your desired powder

 

[tygersman1]

I…..do not.

I’m a sucker for spending thousands on big bore factory ammo each year. Guessing I’ll have to start rolling my own if none of the factory offerings perform well.

Did you experiment with all available factory loadings?

I’m currently seeing the following in-stock, all with 500gr @ 2,150fps.

Federal Cape Shok - Barnes banded Solid
Federal Premium Safari - Swift A Frames
Federal Premium Safari - Barnes Triple Shock
Hornady DGS
Hornady DGX
Barnes VOR-TX solid
Barnes TSX
Norma African PH softs

There are some different ways you can go about this. If you do not want to reload, one of the best, surefire methods is to send the double to JJ Perodeau with whatever factory ammo you want to shoot. Chances are he can regulate it to that load without much trouble. If you want to have an more versatile double, have him set it up for a QD Trijicon sight at the same time. I'd guess $1600 all in not including the ammo, but a quick call to him would give you a better idea. Once JJ dials the double in with the factory ammo, buy a lifetime supply of it.

 

[rafter3]

Update, went with the 160AE. I liked the additional engraving work on the rifle and it seems a little more unique than the 140's which are far more common.

Next up, buffalo hunt.

I just bought a 160AE in 500NE can't wait to shoot it and get ready to go after some buffalo next summer!!

 

[Northern Shooter]

I just bought a 160AE in 500NE can't wait to shoot it and get ready to go after some buffalo next summer!!

That's awesome, congrats! Did you rifle come with the paperwork for which ammo it was regulated with? I'm curious to know what brand they were using or the 160s.

I'm also trying to figure out production years for the 160, I have a feeling it was introduced after the 140s.

 

[rafter3]

That's awesome, congrats! Did you rifle come with the paperwork for which ammo it was regulated with? I'm curious to know what brand they were using or the 160s.

I'm also trying to figure out production years for the 160, I have a feeling it was introduced after the 140s.

Will let you know when I recieve it! Its an A160A - EY LUX says it was produced in 2010 and new in box

 

[Markis]

I don't own either a Merkel or an AyA, but my hunting buddy owns several of both. From my experience with both lines of guns, I concluded that the Merkels often feel heavier than they actually are, and that they are probably built a bit more robustly than the AyA. I think the AyA's are more attractive and handle better. Were it I, the nod would go to AyA, especially because I could get a round action sidelock for not much more than a Merkel boxlock. The differences seem to me to be a bit like the diffs between Mercedes and BMW: The Mercedes is probably built a bit better, but I still prefer owning and driving the BMW. Tough choice, good problem to have.