The Merkel Helix Arabesque

Having used an Alpinist for over a year as his personal rifle, Jonny takes a look over a slightly more 'deluxe' model - The arabesque.
We shall be out shooting this one soon - testing it out with its open sights
Enjoy
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[@timeverett7828]

Merkel... amazing stuff! Amazing history...

[@aimkhan83]

Beautiful rifle!

[@antonb8422]

Iv got one in 308. Have an aim point on it. Great little gun.

[@notsoprogaming9789]

If you don't mind me asking how much did it set you back?

[@antonb8422]

@@notsoprogaming9789 $4000

[@smitbar11]

Looking forward to the shooting test

[@christopherhindle1174]

Interesting to see a comparison with the Chapuis Rols, a very similar design/concept.

[@mchughcb]

I think the ROLS is smoother action.

[@blakesterr.9599]

Never seen a Merkel. About that butt-pad, be sharp with a vented butt-pad, and a thin rosewood spacer, or white ivory material. It's pretty. Seen more old Weatherby Mark V Crown grades across the pond. The bolt handle is wooden. The action is really speedy, I like that a ton! Have to go look up these Merkel rifles.

[@Tedcz2e]

Thanks for recommending wax polish over an oil finish. I have been using only the oil finish. Will try wax polish next time treat stock.

[@ryanh7515]

Fully agree with the engraving needs to be concentrated it's too spaced out and makes it look more like a cheaper Turkish gun the way they have done it

[@tedvoskuil2827]

Is it possible to glass bed a rifle like this? Is that a thing in British and European gunsmithing?

[@MsSonofmacca]

Could you order a adjustable cheek with a wook stock?

[@fynngautier70]

Hi Jon, just a general question what would you recommend to put on the walnut of an air arms s410, as mine is going a bit dull. I’ve heard of linseed oil to put on but would that make it too glossy?

[@fynngautier70]

donald Robertson cheers, that’s really helpful👍🙃

[@jakekelly5742]

Hey, I was wondering if a 24.5 inch barrel on a 12 gauge is any good for clay pigeon shooting?

[@kierontirbhowan3871]

not recommended, most sporters for clay shooting are 30/32 inches

[@robertroskell8480]

Is it really accurate

[@murraysanders7779]

Not to mention the built in Picatinny

[@norton750cc]

The checkering looks loke velcro...

[@mchughcb]

I don't mind them. But lets be honest. A arabesque Mauser M03 is a far better looking.

[@stevebettany8778]

Like Amy Winehouses tattoos just sporadic and not linked in any way. The engraving that is.

[@leec12]

A pump action rifle must be faster as your trigger hand never moves.

[@alun7006]

Pump action rifles are few and far between, not to mention the small issue of them being illegal in the UK.

[@leec12]

@@alun7006 I didnt know that. Seems odd if pump shotgun are legal.

[@canbrit4621]

Also a pump action has more barrel movement during cycling... tends to raise a bit so takes you off target more... i would assume as i am poor and cant afford a schwanky fancy gorgeous Merkel...sigh... i think im going to cry now 😢

[@HJDore]

Lee Copland the whole “must be faster” part of your comment is why pump action centrefire rifles are section 5.

[@allandobbs7059]

Doesn’t float my boat at all.Too gaudy typical over the top Continental style engraving and also it looks bulky and not good to handle?👎🏻

[@locarnese5598]

Love you to death, Johnny, but this rifle is just not for me (a US-based hunter). Save for a hunt for driven game, straight pull feels gimmicky--Blaser, which has been on the market forever, struggles to break the 1,000 piece a year mark here in the USA (by far the largest market); the Monte Carlo stock is very 1970's; gloss finish is a bit gaudy. I know it's apples and oranges, but give me a nice classic stocked double square bridge Mauser any day, especially for the price of a Helix Arabesque (approx. $5,000 US). On the other hand, it may just be the ticket to compete with the Chapuis ROLS and the Blaser--in the European market, where driven game is quite the thing. Thanks for the review and best of luck.

[@bigleemac]

Just doesn't look very nice to me that, sorry, just not for me.