Just bought a push feed, it's even likely going to Africa.

Hehehehehe, man that looks like fun...enjoy the new toy....12" at 100 with both barrels is certainly minute of critter. Are you going to scope it just for load tinkering? I can't see and iron sight guy like yourself hunting with a scope double....unless tastes have changed ofcourse...( ya right)
 
Nice rifle, I love Sauers in general but especially the model 90. Too bad they stopped manufacturing it a few years back. I have one in .300 Win Mag but it's still a dream of mine to get a Sauer 90 in .375 H&H.
 
Your already shooting your Merkel better and more accurately than I can shoot mine LOL I also find the felt recoil with a double a bit more than with a bolt gun. I can feel the difference between the right and left bbls as well, the way it pulls away or pushes itself into your cheek.
 
Republic of Alberta said:
Your already shooting your Merkel better and more accurately than I can shoot mine LOL I also find the felt recoil with a double a bit more than with a bolt gun. I can feel the difference between the right and left bbls as well, the way it pulls away or pushes itself into your cheek.
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It's curious, can't help but wonder if the Krieghoff, with it's pretty straight and level comb, would feel more familiar in recoil to us.
 
The Sauer set up doing its thing, finally snapped a pic,

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Republic of Alberta said:
Iv never shot a Krieghoff but I picked up a couple. They feel funny to me, fat in the wrist of the stock light in the action and more muzzle heavy than the Merkel.
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I do enjoy that with the Merkels, weight back in the hands, not hanging awkwardly out front. Don't enjoy that muzzle heavy feeling, throws off the feel of things more than anything else for me.
 
No I did not, curious though, I did handle a Sabatti and was underwhelmed. Went to a Cabelas stateside as there are a lot more options to handle behind the counter, I'd recommend the trip if you've got an excuse to go south. Their doubles were all in a gun room where you had some time and quiet with them instead just standing in front of a counter with everyone oogling the gun, while you're trying to swing it to your shoulder and aim over and over, etc. Lots of euro modern bolt actions and the odd Dakota etc on the racks too.
 
YA, I handled at Sabatti in Calgary....didn't do it for me. I've handled a couple of Merkel 9.3's and that's more the weight that I 'd be interested in....that little 141 feels the trick to me....I see the 202 wasn't what you where hoping for....too bad, cool rig
 
Indeed, was impressed by it, but only keeping the double or the Sauer. In a perfect world I'd keep the Sauer too, but that funds the next African plains game hunt entirely on its own. Or, in the meantime I'll trade it away for new interesting things to try. Keeps me young! Will have a review on it shortly.

In the end couldn't get over push feed and Lion, and it's slightly less power than I want, just needed to actually use it to know.
 
Well, people are going to be sick of the running commentary of mine here, but I ran speed drills at 15 and 25 yards with the double and the Sauer, what I found surprised me; I'm officially a double guy. Figured more background on my decision was in order Jon, and Rep. The double allowed me the quickest two shots I've ever been able to make from gun low, to shouldered, to two rounds into a standard piece of paper. I've never really dug into doubles and shot them how they're supposed to be shot, shot them more like any other rifle, but I started trying it quickly and instinctively. The difference between the short, handy, lighter recoiling Sauer and the Merkel double was very surprising. Even when I tried slower speed shoots, working the bolt on the Sauer at a regular pace and aiming in a breath not a blind snap, I still found myself shooting the double very, very fast and hitting. It took me literally twice as long to be equally accurate with the Sauer.

The Sauer's recoil is extremely mild, as it's a hefty little gun, and the 9.3x62 is such a pussycat. It felt like a .30-06 out of my M98. So despite the double recoiling more, and being heavier it is much quicker for me and in instinctive shooting, significantly more accurate. It's not winning a bench rest match but I'll be damned if much can race it out to 50 yards for putting a couple .375 H&H holes in a watermelon sized target. I also went out and checked regulation tonight, with 300gr Fed it's a 3" spread at 50 iron sights, and 6" at 100. I think that can be bettered based on it was dusk and I was shooting iron sights by headlights off my elbows on the bench, and I can tweak a 300gr load to perfection when my rings are fit. Overall the Merkel grew on me a lot these last couple days.
 
Ardent said:
Indeed, was impressed by it, but only keeping the double or the Sauer. In a perfect world I'd keep the Sauer too, but that funds the next African plains game hunt entirely on its own. Or, in the meantime I'll trade it away for new interesting things to try. Keeps me young! Will have a review on it shortly.

In the end couldn't get over push feed and Lion, and it's slightly less power than I want, just needed to actually use it to know.
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I always thought my gun fickleness was bad, until I met you (online). I find it comforting to see that some have it worse than me lol.
Nice choice on the double btw. After years of shotguning, I think I would find a double the fastest on target as well. I know my brother's Chapuis 9.3 SxS points very well for me.
 
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Speaking of fickleness and Chapuis. I once owned a Chapuis SXS in 9.3 for about 1/2 an hour, then I sold it!!!.... I wish I hadn't..... and now I may buy another! FUUUUUUUUk

There is no end to this madness....
 
I got worse when I started hunting abroad every year, makes a multitude of reasons to try a gazillion guns. In this case the gun is hunting Lion- it has to be just right. I was slower with the Sauer, and delivering less power, while also sacrificing to push feed. Though it was far more useful at home, I realized I was after the right tool for the job in this instance, and the double shone for me. :)
 
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