The Merkel Helix: Straight Pull / Turning Bolt.

[@paulsimmons5726]

Merkel has done a really great job of combining some really advanced engineering with a very attractive outward design. And yes, Merkel is quite proud of their products but they don't make any entry level combos for $399 either. I saw a SxS safari gun in 470NE from Merkel years ago and I think it is the most beautiful gun I've been privileged to see and examine. It was $17K, and that was close to 20 years ago, can't imagine what another like it would cost today, probably double. Yeah, Merkel is certainly among the best of the European firearm manufacturers and their work speaks for itself. The Germans and Austrians are magnificent at combining form and function; whether it's firearms or cars, they really get it right. Their optics are on the same level also. Great video, beautiful rifle!

[@rickbattle5706]

Great video. Very interesting action. That is one elegant rifle. Love the innovation. :-)

[@kennyshepherd8311]

Thank you for showing the rifle, explain the differences in scopes!

[@jamesdickson3616]

You are very good at explaining the rifles no nonsense very informative you know your guns thank you .old jimmy West Aust

[@sergeigrim4140]

Thanks for your videos. I owned a Helix, but I love my Merkel KR-1 more, I have a 6 different calibers . As you said in the video you have to own it to compare. I have a two Blasers rifles, 4 Mausers, 3 Sauers ( 101,202,404). But my favorite still a Merkel KR-1. Same thing with a shotguns. I own 5 Beretta, 3 Browning, 2 Blassers, 2 Merkel, but my favorite is Browning Cynergy Classic trap combo. You do such a good videos about firearms and I am glad to see it all the time if I need it any information. Thanks again

[@mchughcb]

The one big advantage over the blaser R8 is an extended detachable magazine.

[@yuriys.6352]

There is another: bolt does not hit to your face!!😉

[@mchughcb]

@@yuriys.6352 strangely thats never happened to me. Even firing the 416 Remington on rapid fire. However doing it slowly in dry firing i agree it gets darn close.

[@yuriys.6352]

mchughcb I can't reload shooting my cz550 9.3x62 if I don't take of my head from the stock but I think it is possible with merkel helix.

[@yeahbee8237]

Toolless barrelswap to

[@jerrysartin1856]

Great as always

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks Jerry.

[@stacybrown3714]

Damn...now I gotta save up and get one of those! Lol. Thanks for another informative video.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

They really are something; worth the price I think. The closed breech is a clear advantage - and the speed is unmatched.

[@bretnmannn]

LOVE YOUR VIDEOS PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING!!!!!!!!!!!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you bretmann - I appreciate your kind words.

[@bretnmannn]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns your very appreciated Sir ! i would love to see a browning BLR vs REMINGTON 7600 shoot off video or any pump verses lever for that matter ? i think i read that John moses himself said that he liked the pump over the lever when he was asked he said his 1897 pump was faster and he liked it better then his 1887 lever ?

[@rhodesianwojak2095]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns what's tipping bolt action? any examples?

[@frufru0071]

Well, perhaps I should’ve avoided buying the K-31 & just kept saving up for one of these Merkels. Thanks for returning to this rifle, it’s a beautiful example of what I THINK would be the easiest to operate of the straight pull action centre fires. It looks as slick as an Anschutz Fortner...but, looks can be deceiving🤔🤷🏻‍♂️. Be well!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

It really is slick. I was thinking of you - would be ideal; but the SR30 is great too - a little more resistance than the Helix.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Just a quick note from me. Everything is okay and I hope for you too. God Bless you my friend.

[@randyschaff8939]

Primary extraction is my concern plus l can run a conventional bolt fast enough. Thank you 😊 most interesting🤠

[@jamesdickson3616]

Really nice rifle lots of options brilliant bolt action fast for pig eradication multiple targets needs a bigger clip some times you need 3bullets for one pig but brilliant engineering

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Good thought James - extended mags now. Hope you get one. Cheers.

[@flugschulerfluglehrer]

I don’t like plastic shafts. The Merkel Helix Speedster is an exception. The best balanced riffle I ever had in my hand. In my opinion it is far superior to the R8.

[@paullee621]

Crikey. Interesting name for that rifle. Reminds me of a certain German president...

[@MrPh30]

Its been many jams on Helix , lot of troubles with them here in Norway .

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Not good - was it mainly failure to extract?

[@MrPh30]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns and feed, also mechanism was , some rifles wprled good,but that was few. And in the movies they use them, several was tuned to perfection. It appearas magnum calibers eorked better. But a very good friend said they should have updated the KR1 instead, but you can look at Haenel Merkel makes them,ordinary bolt rifle.

[@zeroone3835]

Good video as usual. Did you know if you push the bolt all the way forward and then take the forend and the barrel off the bolt head will come out with the barrel. and then you can have a look at it and clean it if wish to Cheers

[@billiebleach7889]

The Helix may be the fastest... but the Browning Maral is right up there. And available with left side bolt. And honestly, I have more confidence in Browning quality than Merkel’s. I know of several Merkel double rifles having devastating corrosion problems after very limited use....for a rather stiff pricetag that’s unacceptable.

[@apoint5film743]

Could you give us your thoughts on the straight pull Mauser M96 American or the seemly newer incarnation the Titan 16. Many thanks for your videos.

[@madamadalina8600]

Hi.Do not forget about the roessler titan 6 .Thank's

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks for the reminder - I hope my Rosler is a 6. Tomorrow or Tuesday I'll film.

[@madamadalina8600]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Many thanks.

[@hungryyeti2548]

Love the show, question-I’m experiencing poor accuracy with my KR1 7mm-08. Tried 4-5 loads in the 140-150grain bullets. Emailed Merkel and found 1-9.5 twist rate would be happier with lighter 120 grain bullets. Thoughts? Or any other ideas? Or anyone else out there with suggestions….

[@yuriys.6352]

👍👍👍

[@johnkendall6962]

Great video do you think the action is faster than the Browning Maral where the bolt is pulled back and released.

[@north4961]

Super engineering! Best of the best. Would you have a Merkel Speedster in 300 Win Mag for sale? Thank you in advance 👍🇨🇦

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi North49 - Thanks for the note. Sorry I don't have a Merkel; I have one on order but I'm told it will be a long wait. Cheers.

[@freddywarren69]

Next a Merkel K5. Now that's a rifle.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

You're right Freddy - superb.

[@bradd7423]

I know this isn't on topic here but I wasnt sure where to post this comment but I would love to see a video on The ruger deer field I believe it was called. The eailer version, a similar ruger 44 crabine. Both very cool guns and would like to know ur thoughts on why they aren't in production anymore

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Great suggestion - sadly, I can't find one. When I do - I'll make a video. Thanks for thinking of it. Far to short of a time in the market; I did make a video on the Ruger .44 tubular magazine carbine though. Hope you like it. Take care.

[@TroopperFoFo]

I am guessing becuse of their laws but the fact that there is a strange market of really fast manually operating rifles really interest me. On a side note I find it weird that they are interested in fast manually operated rifles but do not try and design a lever action and instead stick to basically bolt actions.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Something about levers. You are totally correct - the Sako Finnwolf was very fast - no one makes it. I guess they like bolts - turn bolt or straight : they seem to want bolts.

[@bobscruggs8886]

Interesting I watched a video on the Canadian Ross rifle that was a straight pull back and could be one of the fastest actions I even seen in a military bolt action of course the Ross had many failures that they say was caused by assembly of the bolt incorrectly by the troops I'm not sure if that was the problem since the bolt would come back and hit the shooter in the face and was withdrawn from service do you have one that you could do a video on ? Thank You

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Bob - I had a 1905 sporter and a 1910 - I sold them. They were fine rifles and well made. I think there was Montreal stamped on them somewhere. I'm not sure whether it was the stories about the bolt flying out; or something else but I often had an odd feeling firing those rifles. I have a similar feeling with my R93 and R8 Blaser - I suppose it is because a fail safe lock is not there. With the Helix if a failure occurs the bolt is trapped in the closed receiver. The Heym SR 30 has ball bearings which lock the action so severely a failure is hard to imagine and even if one were to occur - the bearings would bind the bolt. Still, the Ross is an achievement and a high velocity pioneer. Canada ought to be proud of that rifle - a few modifications and it could have gone far. I'll find them again and make a video. Thanks for the reminder.

[@bobscruggs8886]

There is something to say about non locking bolts for sure kind of like driving on bald tires at 100 miles an hour nothing might happen and again something could LOL thank you so much for your videos at 77 I don't do hunting anymore but enjoyed all my days if the field with Bow muzzle loader and my great rifles seeing your collection stirs my soul .@@UnitedStatesOfGuns

[@kodiakcombos]

I am interested in the helix for speedy follow up shots with a suppressor, and having magazines with more capacity. I hunt sitka blacktail deer in bear country with a suppressed bolt action and when I walk bout in bear country I carry SW M&P10 with a 16 inch barrel unsuppressed, I feel adding an adjustable gas tube "might" fix the problem of over gassing and reliability issues. I would need to see holes in paper convincing me it was accurate out to 600yds then I would add the helix to a must have, thanks.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hello Kodiak! 600 yards - that is a long way. Sounds like you have the life that everyone wants. As for accuracy - the Helix is as accurate as any at 100 so I assume it unfolds according to the numbers out to wherever one can hold.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi again Kodiak - I forgot one thing about the Helix - the receiver is closed so rain and snow and dirt have a hard time getting into the action - it is a magnificent rifle. I imagine you hunt in the toughest of conditions. BTW - a friend of mine lived in Alaska for a few years. He told me that when he headed out and reached the alpine somewhere and not a soul was around - in the peaks with the snow and vast green and open valleys - he said that is where heaven is.

[@mattheisserer61]

Completely off topic, but what have your experiences been with the tang safety Ruger m77s regarding accuracy. I’m considering investing in one, but am skeptical as I have read about some barrel issues due to Ruger outsourcing them for a time. Thanks,

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Matt, I've heard these opinions on the early Rugers as well and can only report that I owned perhaps a dozen of the tang safety models; every one was as accurate as any other factory rifle. The Remington Model 700 has, on average, always been slightly more accurate than others but the Ruger tang safety was on par with the rest. No doubt, there are always bad barrels that come along in every brand and maybe a few of these started the chatter.

[@marcb9399]

Sadly my Helix alpinist isn't the most precise . The second problem is cleaning.. it's a lot of work because you have to take everything apart and clean the gears. Greetings from germany

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

That's interesting marc. I wonder why. The barrels seem excellent but who knows what's happening with harmonics and all. As for taking apart - I can only imagine the challenge; I don't even try. I turn upside down and use spray cleaners - same as my BLR and others. All the best to you.

[@yuriys.6352]

It would be perfect if you could show 100 m accuracy 😇

[@flugschulerfluglehrer]

Sub moa. Within .3 inches.

[@Chriskelly19067]

Quick question on pricing... what do you think of a steyr model M double set trigger in 30 06 for 1300?

[@Chriskelly19067]

As follow up I have seen them from 800 to 2000 on gun broker so I feel lost but my local guy has one and it is very interesting.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

That's not bad - maybe a little high. I just bought the Model M, double set triggers, left hand - for $1100. Still, 13 is not bad if super nice shape and better wood; mine has the grain of an air rifle. I like it though. Hope this helps. Also - maybe you are getting scope rings

[@Chriskelly19067]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns thanks!

[@tritowns]

Hotter, probably not. May be slightly smaller tolerances, think small base dies for reloading. Just my guess

[@hantusmostert]

I guess the bolt action will always be traditional. That Helix has a lot of space for engraving too. But if one looks to the future the Semprio is years ahead in terms of functionality.

[@yeahbee8237]

Strange that s&b is considered good ammo in your neck of the woods Over here it is called celery and bacon and has a bad rep Bad rep is true from my experience, fired 1 round out of an rem7600 and it seized the gun up so I had to mortar it open

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hello - I wonder if there might have been bad lots that went here and there; I've heard similar things about various brands in various places.

[@yeahbee8237]

Only thing wrong with it is that isn't offered in a lefthanded version

[@paulmarston9615]

I’ll second that

[@mariocabella5476]

But you need to disassembly the rifle to clean the barrel after shooting.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you - I open the bolt and clean from the muzzle.

[@mariocabella5476]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns thank you

[@FortuneZer0]

"swiss .308 mg ammunition"....... Erhm. Do you mean Ruag Ammotec made .308? I could go look that up tomorrow.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks for the offer - I'll check the box.

[@FortuneZer0]

Sorry to write back just now. Do you have a more precise name of the ammunition? I did some digging and found the ".308 Swiss P Ball" to be the most likely one sold abroad and to civilians. It was loaded with 2.85g of N540 powder in 2010.

[@Zaon90]

I baught one. Sent it straight back efter ceveral incidents regarding the mechanism jamming on me and the precisionen was absolutely garbage. Couldnt shot a single good group, and we were 5 different shooters. Extremely dissapointed. Went back to my Custom buildt Carl Gustaf 1900 in caliber 270W

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Very interesting and thanks for sharing. And you CG 1900 is untouchable - proven near perfection - as you know.

[@Zaon90]

Absolutely true. I think you know what i mean by saying that certain rifles has a special feeling to them.

[@aslanbosnakoglu8240]

beretta brx1

[@willbranson3216]

Lol, you must be filthy rich, not being able to recall how much you paid for a gun that costs $3K to $4K. In a fine gun like that, I'd be fussy about what ammo I fed it. Firing NATO 7.62x51 ammo in 308 Winchester chambers is generally okay, though the slightly longer headspace of the 7.62x51mm will sometimes cause feeding/extraction issues like you've described. Since the bolt travel ratio of 1:2 has a reduced mechanical advantage, and therefore camming power, 308 ammo would likely be a more reliable choice. www.ammoland.com/2017/06/7-62-nato-vs-308-winchester-ammo-whats-the-difference/#axzz5TELLEEtZ

[@Chriskelly19067]

I'm pretty sure he is lol and good for him!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you for the link. I agree - and that Swiss ammo is usually how I test rifles for primary extraction - just as you write. In fairness, the Helix did quite well - despite the ratio; sometimes it is surprising which rifles can't pull the brass from the chamber. Best to you. As for filthy rich... well... definitions...I would say moderately clean rich. I know far more about the stock market than I do about guns - maybe I'll say a few words one of these days.

[@peterpta]

This rifle is so ugly it gives me a depression.

[@pseudopetrus]

It has modern elements that match it's more modern bolt action design. It is a matter of taste, I watched a video of Remington's new line up and the first three rifles were plastic stocks, not for me at all, I like wood, but that is my taste... others prefer plastic.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Some people don't like the look - it is true.