Scope mount for Merkel 140AE

[Brett Becker]

Hey fellas, looking to fit a Leupold VX3 1.5-5 X 20 to my Merkel 140 AE. Looking for a quick release mount that doesn't require fitting by a gunsmith. Any ideas?

 

[Red Leg]

Don't believe there is such a thing for your rifle. Traditionally, one would install claw bases on a fine double like that. They aren't cheap, but neither is that rifle. I saw one where the rib had been buggered up to try and accept Talley rings. The rib, of course, is not designed for that sort of thing, and it had been both badly damaged and loosened by excessive tightening of the rings and recoil forces leveraging the scope against it. It was a "cheap" scoping solution which would push two grand to repair properly.

 

[Brett Becker]

Thanks Red Leg. The rifle already has ,what looks to me , a piece machined into the rib for what looks to be for a swing away mount ? This came as standard from the factory. I can get genuine mounts from the distributor here in Australia but they supposibly require fitting by a gunsmith and they want $595.00 for the mount and fitting plus postage etc etc. I can't really see what "fitting" is required. I was hoping someone here had done the same thing so they could tell me if this is correct or whether I was being ripped off

 

[Red Leg]

That could well be. That sounds like the way to go to me. You have a very valuable rifle and a quality scope. 600 bucks seems a steal to insure it shoots commensurately.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Had the same on my Merkel K96 drilling. I shot coyotes with the 243 barrel at around 75 yds with open sights while pheasant hunting. Surprised them.
As I recall, I was told close to the same for mounts. Never purchased them and sold the Merkel regretfully
$600 sounds pretty good for something you need very reliable on DG to me.

 

[rookhawk]

$600 solution is a steal as @Red Leg said. Run, don't walk, to grab that option. Anything under $2000 for proper double rifle mounts is great.

I know it sounds like big money (and it is) but it's serious business installing a reliable system to a Double.