Wanted Double Rifle

[Muskox]

Krieghoff, Blaser and I think Merkel have decockers.

To me this is important.

Heym may be more stylish gun, but my first choice would be Krieghoff every day of the week no matter my budget.

Blaser S-2's are clunky and made with a clamshell action. I think they are beutiful, but not everyone else does. They have not made S-2s in quite a few years, but they are out there.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

When I first started looking into doubles I almost pulled the trigger on a Sabatti but heeded @Rare Breed and a few other members advice and opted to spend a little more. I've since bought a cased Merkel 140AE in 500NE and a Chapuis Elan in 470NE.

I've found I like the fit and feel of the Chapuis better than the Merkel. I think Rare Breed is the opposite and preferred his Merkel the best. I know 2 different PH's that prefer the Merkel over the Chapuis. I keep dragging my feet on selling the Merkel and can't decide if I want to let her go or not. She shoots great with Factory Federal Ammo at 25, 50, and 100 yards. I know if I let her go I'm going end-up wanting to upgrade into some sort of pre-war british double and that will cost me even more money.

 

[Rare Breed]

When I first started looking into doubles I almost pulled the trigger on a Sabatti but heeded @Rare Breed and a few other members advice and opted to spend a little more. I've since bought a cased Merkel 140AE in 500NE and a Chapuis Elan in 470NE.

I've found I like the fit and feel of the Chapuis better than the Merkel. I think Rare Breed is the opposite and preferred his Merkel the best. I know 2 different PH's that prefer the Merkel over the Chapuis. I keep dragging my feet on selling the Merkel and can't decide if I want to let her go or not. She shoots great with Factory Federal Ammo at 25, 50, and 100 yards. I know if I let her go I'm going end-up wanting to upgrade into some sort of pre-war british double and that will cost me even more money.

Well done my friend!!! You have a very good problem to have!!! You have two nice doubles with both performing well for you, shooting with great accuracy and regulation!!!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Well done my friend!!! You have a very good problem to have!!! You have two nice doubles with both performing well for you, shooting with great accuracy and regulation!!!

And you sir know the dilemma of selling/buying. Especially when the price of what I’ll want is the cost of a 14 of 21 day DG hunt

 

[Slider]

If you are Hunting Deer size Game Sure. If you are going to Hunt in Africa a 450/400 Is a Much better Choice!!! I have a 500 Nitro Double and they are not for everyone. For Buffalo a 450/400 works and if you are only planning to take one or two Elephant a 450/400 is a Wise Choice!!!

 

[BeeMaa]

Krieghoff, Blaser and I think Merkel have decockers.

To me this is important.

Heym may be more stylish gun, but my first choice would be Krieghoff every day of the week no matter my budget.

Blaser S-2's are clunky and made with a clamshell action. I think they are beutiful, but not everyone else does. They have not made S-2s in quite a few years, but they are out there.

The only Merkel double rifles I found with decokers are their over/under variants like the B3. I'm unsure if they ever made a side by side with that feature like Krieghoff or Blaser.

I found a S2 on GB in 470NE. Plain wood but it's straight grained and should be strong.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1047161556

 

[deewayne2003]

Mmm...you missed ....

a little closer for you

 

[Rare Breed]

a little closer for youView attachment 605090

Now that is awesome shooting!!!

 

[MontanaGrant]

When I first started looking into doubles I almost pulled the trigger on a Sabatti but heeded @Rare Breed and a few other members advice and opted to spend a little more. I've since bought a cased Merkel 140AE in 500NE and a Chapuis Elan in 470NE.

I've found I like the fit and feel of the Chapuis better than the Merkel. I think Rare Breed is the opposite and preferred his Merkel the best. I know 2 different PH's that prefer the Merkel over the Chapuis. I keep dragging my feet on selling the Merkel and can't decide if I want to let her go or not. She shoots great with Factory Federal Ammo at 25, 50, and 100 yards. I know if I let her go I'm going end-up wanting to upgrade into some sort of pre-war british double and that will cost me even more money.

Out of curiosity does the Merkel feel chunky/foreheavy to you?

I've passed on a Merkel before, and been hesitant to pull the trigger on a double I've never handled before because of that weight/balance being an unknown.

The Sabattis for as much as they're bashed feel amazing to me. The Merkel, which seems a solid gun, feels very forend heavy and chunky compared to them.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Out of curiosity does the Merkel feel chunky/foreheavy to you?

I've passed on a Merkel before, and been hesitant to pull the trigger on a double I've never handled before because of that weight/balance being an unknown.

The Sabattis for as much as they're bashed feel amazing to me. The Merkel, which seems a solid gun, feels very forend heavy and chunky compared to them.

To me the foreand doesn’t feel chunky. The front half feels to be about the same weight and balance as my Chapuis.

On both the weigh is in the receiver/buttstock more than the forend but there is a little weight to help with muzzle rise compared to other rifles. Well that and a second barrel.

 

[Rare Breed]

To me the foreand doesn’t feel chunky. The front half feels to be about the same weight and balance as my Chapuis.

On both the weigh is in the receiver/buttstock more than the forend but there is a little weight to help with muzzle rise compared to other rifles. Well that and a second barrel.

Having owned both completely agree with Mtn_Infantry

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Out of curiosity does the Merkel feel chunky/foreheavy to you?

I've passed on a Merkel before, and been hesitant to pull the trigger on a double I've never handled before because of that weight/balance being an unknown.

The Sabattis for as much as they're bashed feel amazing to me. The Merkel, which seems a solid gun, feels very forend heavy and chunky compared to them.

I did just post the Merkel in the classifieds if you it the OP are interested.

 

[Ericedwinbates]

Please shy away from Sabatti rifles, I am currently in a back and forth with the company on getting my 500 NE either replaced or re-regulated. There customer service is horrible. I had one in 9.3-74r also and it shot fair to poor so I sold it after one safari. Had hope for the 500 but it shoots reallly bad, barrels crossing at 30 yards, and no its not a Cabelas! My 2 cents. Save your money and buy German, you will be happier.

 

[Rare Breed]

Please shy away from Sabatti rifles, I am currently in a back and forth with the company on getting my 500 NE either replaced or re-regulated. There customer service is horrible. I had one in 9.3-74r also and it shot fair to poor so I sold it after one safari. Had hope for the 500 but it shoots reallly bad, barrels crossing at 30 yards, and no its not a Cabelas! My 2 cents. Save your money and buy German, you will be happier.

If you reload you can fix the crossing at 30 yards by reducing your grains. My 470 crossed at 50 yards at 86 grains RL15. I loaded four bullets each at 80-85 grains. At 80 grains stopped crossing but 3.5 inches apart. Magic spot was 84 grains. less than 0.6 inches…perfect. Really should not matter what type double if not damaged and you said your was not. If you do not reload in all honesty I would not own a double. hope this helps

 

[Ericedwinbates]

Thanks, and yes I reload. Save everyone the trouble, have tried dozens of bullets, filler wad, crimp pressures, factory ammo etc. Still cross, good loads about 3-4 inches, bad ones over 6 inches. Terry Spencer, Gunsmith has it and says the same thing no matter loads! Rifle needs replaced or re-regulated, it new.

 

[Rare Breed]

Thanks, and yes I reload. Save everyone the trouble, have tried dozens of bullets, filler wad, crimp pressures, factory ammo etc. Still cross, good loads about 3-4 inches, bad ones over 6 inches. Terry Spencer, Gunsmith has it and says the same thing no matter loads! Rifle needs replaced or re-regulated, it new.

So very sorry!!! Know it can be incredibly frustrating!!!

 

[Ericedwinbates]

Yes, dont want to hijack the thread. Just really down on Sabatti after the continued run around, never again. Its a beautiful rifle and locks up tight and fits me well, just shoots horrible. No way in heck can anyone come close to the factory provided target in the case??? I refuse to take it on a DG hunt, dont trust it.

 

[Daniel Cary]

It's hard to trust anything anymore.
My brother, determined to get a 590A1 "Mossberg's rigorous quality reputation" (which stands true). However, he bought it & it failed .. They are sending him replacement parts?

God help us.