Bchsemann,
what Fuhrmann writes about slugs is right in some ways, in others I have a differnt opinion. Of course slugs are an "option": In former times we had some in the pocket when hunting hares and other small game for also beeing able to shoot a seldom roe or wild boar. My first gun was a Bockbchsflinte(combination gun) in 7x75 RSE v. Hofe and, of course, 16/70. With Brenneke I had a Double rifle and that works well on shorter distances! In those times all friends and neighbours shot Cal. 16. 12 bore was only for the "Bauern" (Farmers) . Sounds a bit snobbish and of course it was! But the idea was: A skilled shot didn't need Cal. 12 and beside this, a gun in 16 was much more elegant. I think,that's true till today as well.
But as we all know, the times are a changing, the industry wants to earn more money and "new" ideas are born. It's a little bit the same as with the Kaisergriff. The emperor shot it for physical reasons but I think there were soon some people who found it "chic" to have a gun or rifle with the Emperors grip. Today we have a hype on the "Lochschaft" - don't know the english word, I mean the grip with a whole for the thumb. All advertisement on modern guns praise this grip as the ultima ratio!!!
What I want to say is, all times had their trends and fashions.
The Kaisergriff is widely accepted in Europe for rifles but of course it's, as nearly all, a matter of taste!!!
The grip of your DR Drilling looks nice in my eyes, more as an extra big pistol grip then a Kaisergriff... and I think it was for a man like me:rather tall and with big hands. ;-) For him it surely was a practical advantage!
As for shooting slugs with your Merkel: Of course Kuduae is right: Usually the barrel will shoot lower with slugs and you have to try out how much!
Good luck and enjoi you nice rifle!
Gunwolf
Last edited by Gunwolf; 01/12/14 02:40 PM.
