So, I'm seriously thinking of selling off three rifles and buying a Merkel K1 in 7x57r. There's a couple deals floating around in the $3300 range with a Swaro AV3 scope that's been temping me for too long. I just can't seem to get it out of my head.

I finally found a K1 to look at here in SoCal - it was in 300winmag with the euro style stock. That thing shouldered perfectly for me and I just loved the feel of the rifle. Small, slim, light. Very much like my little Remington M7ms in .257 Roberts, only better.

300WM just seems pretty dang painful to me in a 6.5# rifle with scope. But 7x57r, in a euro rifle seems, well, perfect. The action seemed to lock up so perfectly...like a bank vault. In a lot of ways it felt like my Citori...but better.

I did find the trigger a little odd. No creep and very clean, but a lot of overtravel. I'm sure there's a reason the German's built it that way.

I'm torn though: I can also get the mannlicher version in .308. I doubt there's any real world difference between the two calibers and it seems sinful to put a .308 into a stalking euro-rifle.

Anyway, caliber discussions aside, am I nuts for wanting this thing? Am I totally nuts for thinking that the only other rifle that I NEED would be my .375 H&H for the really big stuff?

I can't shake this rifle from my head...

I can live with the scope mounts, which while not as aesthetically appealing, certainly work well.

Final note: I can't find anyone in socal with a Blaser K95, so it's kinda out of the running. That, and it's over twice the cost of the Merkel...and I'm not too sure I need THAT much of a good thing!

Hi I bought a K1 in 7x57r last summer and I have been very happy with it. Mine was purchased with out a scope but with low 1" rings ($2400). I added a Leo 3x9 compact and it weighs just 6lbs. Shoots very well 7/8" three shot groups with my hunting load. I carried it all last deer season and it was a joy to use.

Even $2400 seems like a lot for a rifle with rather plain wood and stamped engraving but there is nothing like it on the market for less money and now is a good time to buy as the K1 is being replaced by the K3.

The only complaint I have is that an ejector would make reloading a lot faster.

You might want to consider another scope as those provided by the factory seem to big for this compact rifle.
Dale

Here, the Merkel is in the same price range as the Blaser K95 which I own. Buy either of them, you won't regret it. Rather, you'll discover that for anything but driven hunts you just don't need another rifle. If you want to go to Africa one day, another barrel in .30R Blaser, 8x75 RS or .300 Win/Weatherby should be sufficient for anything but the real big critters.

As an additional benefit, single shot rifles make you focus much more on the first (and decisive) shot.

[QUOTE]Even $2400 seems like a lot for a rifle with rather plain wood and stamped engraving but there is nothing like it on the market for less money and now is a good time to buy as the K1 is being replaced by the K3. [QUOTE]


...with the usd : euro exchange rate fluctuating around 1.5 : 1.00, it would be doubtful merkel made much profit on the sale...other than cleared previous inventory booked at original invoice cost when the usd was much stronger...

You aren't nuts, the rifle is very cool and with a Swarovski you can't go wrong. I would love to have one in 7x57 or .30-06, or wouldn't one in .300 H&H be awesome?

I have a Blaser K 95 Stutzen in 308.

Similar rifle to the Merkel K1.

In America, I would much prefer the 308 as you can get ammo anyhwere.

I have had no extraction problems with my 308.

quote:

Here, the Merkel is in the same price range as the Blaser K95 which I own. Buy either of them, you won't regret it.

I agree 100% with Dirk.

I've got the Blaser K95 Stutzen in 7x57R and it truly a fantastic stalking rifle. I doubt there's a Hill-of-Beans difference between the Blaser & the Merkel, so WTH?

Apparently .308 Winchester is a very popular cartridge in both of these rifles. I purchased the 7x57R and have never looked back. Similar to the .308 Winchester recoil is more than managable in these light rifles, accuracy is suberb and with just about any reasonable bullet more than enough to get the job done.

Great choice and have fun with it if you decide to purchase it!