One of my Merkels is a 12 ga. My particular example is 6lbs. 8oz. with 28" barrels. I use it a lot for clays and for pheasants. It balances slightly ahead of the hinge and handles well for me. I thought so much of it I aquired a 28 & 20 ga. as well. Mine really does seem tight as Owen said, but perhaps my son will finally break it in after me.
The 12 ga. Merkels come bored VZ (IC-.008) and 1/2 (MOD-.018)usually unless ordered otherwise. The only difference between the E and the EL is the figure of the wood. Ive sem some really nice wood on some E grades. The 30" sporters were bored SKT and IC for clays and should work out well for upland hunting as well.
Happy hunting.
Karl
