Merkel 9.3x74R, looking for ammo/load advice

[Stompbox]

I’ve got a Merkel double rifle chambered in 9.3 x 74R that I recently started playing with. The factory target shows that it was regulated with RWS 250 grain ammunition, which I have not been able to find yet. I have only shot it with S&B, Hornady and Norma ammo all in the 285 to 286 grain range for bullets. At 100 yards I get 4 inch to 8 inch spreads with my right barrel shooting right in the left barrel shooting left, they do not cross. I’m guessing I need to find some 250 grain ammo or at least load some up with 250 grain bullets and give it a try. Does anyone have any experience with the same rifle? I appreciate any advice or assistance in the matter thank you.

A friend of mine has a Merkel over and under in the same caliber, and is having kind of the same experience I am with his bottom barrel shooting low and his top barrel shooting high and not crossing.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

That's the problem with double with double rifles. They're pickier than children when it comes to feeding them. Even different batches of the same brand (and type) of ammunition will frequently not regulate to the same point of impact in a double rifle.

The most surefire solutions to your problem, are:
i) Hand load your own ammunition to match the specifications of the original factory regulated RWS 250Gr factory loads.
ii) Have a qualified gunsmith re-regulate your rifle for your preferred currently manufactured factory load.

These are some currently manufactured 250Gr factory loads. Try your luck with these, first:

RWS 9,3x74 R HIT 16,2g | RWS Ammunition

Discover the RWS 9.3x74 R HIT 16.2g now: Convincing lead-free penetration. Quality, made in Germany.

rws-ammunition.com

or these:

9,3 × 74 R – XRG (V342652) – 250 GRS – Sellier & Bellot

www.sellier-bellot.cz

or these:

9,3 × 74 R – TXRG (V342882) – 250 GRS – Sellier & Bellot

www.sellier-bellot.cz

 

[R eight]

I’ve only owned a double rifle for a couple of months….so you probably know more about them than me. Mine is a Blaser BB 97 classic in 9.3 x 74R . I also couldn’t get the ammunition for which it was regulated.

In the short time that I’ve owned her I have found that reducing the powder charge in mine increases the distance of point of impact between the barrels and that increases in the powder charge do the opposite.

And, for my rifle there is a significant difference in the difference between the POI of the barrels depending upon if the scope is attached or not.

As I’ve said I have stuff all experience with double rifles. I’ve only used 285 grain projectiles.

Good luck.

 

[Laurie Colgrave]

I’ve got a Merkel double rifle chambered in 9.3 x 74R that I recently started playing with. The factory target shows that it was regulated with RWS 250 grain ammunition, which I have not been able to find yet. I have only shot it with S&B, Hornady and Norma ammo all in the 285 to 286 grain range for bullets. At 100 yards I get 4 inch to 8 inch spreads with my right barrel shooting right in the left barrel shooting left, they do not cross. I’m guessing I need to find some 250 grain ammo or at least load some up with 250 grain bullets and give it a try. Does anyone have any experience with the same rifle? I appreciate any advice or assistance in the matter thank you.

A friend of mine has a Merkel over and under in the same caliber, and is having kind of the same experience I am with his bottom barrel shooting low and his top barrel shooting high and not crossing.

I have a similar experience with my Merkel 140 in 9.3x74 not so good in terms of bolt action accuracy, 1.5-3" at 50m. What I discovered is that shooting offhand is the key, particularly at game, my shots were 100-150m on about a dozen feral donkeys no misses & no poor shot placement. I have complete confidence in the rifle is now, my shooting mate was getting frustrated on the trip as the Merkel got away two clean shots very quickly & showed up his scope mounted Sako .338W in that environment. My rifle fits beautifully it is a real point & shoot dynamo!1

 

[Hedge774]

I just purchased a No. 1 in this round. A beautiful Medium Sporter with a 22" barrel. Can anyone enlighten me on this cartridge? It is very new to me. Thank you!

 

[8 x 60]

@Stompbox Dunno if you ever fixed the issue but if not start by seeking less "barrel time" for your projectiles. Either more/faster powder with your current bullets or lighter bullets. Short of expensive re-regulation, hand loading is usually the way forward for tuning/regulating double rifles.
With SxS configured DRs faster barrel~time closes the two poi's, slower opens them up - in most cases
(From lessons learned with my 1926 Merkel DR in 8 x 60R - ain't no factory ammo to be had for that!)

 

[Tintin]

Shooting the British Double Rifle by Graeme Wright is a very useful reference if you don’t have a copy.

https://johnrigbyandco.com.au/shooting-the-british-double-rifle-4th-edition-graeme-wright/

Lots of good general info and load data..