Merkel K1 Jagd Stutzen in 7mm-08, Finally!

03 August 2012, 05:41

I've gone through my magnum rifle, high magnification scope, heavy barrel, beanfield type rifle stage.

As of late I've been trending toward lighter rifles, low magnification scopes, with cartridges that have muzzle velocities between 2500 and 2800 fps. For some reason Mannlicher stocked rifles have really caught my attention.

Over the last several years I've lusted for a Merkel K1 stalking rifle. The problem is I have stringent parameters. Has to be no more than 70% of MSRP,either 7mm or 30, cal and it had to be the Jagd Stutzen (Mannlicher stock), had to have the money at the time to buy.

Finally,

and the first couple 100 yd. groups, shot after getting the rifle on paper.

I've a bear hunt with hounds coming up in two weeks. I plan to blood it then.

GWB

03 August 2012, 08:13

Jeff Sullivan

Very nice!!!

03 August 2012, 17:45

Dalgo

That's beautiful!! Congratulations! I wish you many good hunting seasons with it. The perfect formula for most any hunting.

Pierre

03 August 2012, 18:03

Brandon.Gleason

That is simply a great looking rifle. Looks like a dream to carry. Best of luck!

04 August 2012, 18:51

Dale

You should really enjoy that rifle. I bought a standard K1 with the 23.6 inch barrel and standard forend in 7mm Rem. Mag. I wanted a 7x65R, but I found this one at a price I couldn't pass up. I put a Leupold European Series 2-7X scope on it (it came with 30 mm rings) and now have a 6-1/4 pound elk rifle.

In February I took it to the Texas Hill Country and shot a scimitar oryx with it. After we got the oryx into town to be processed, they asked me to help cull some whitetails, so I shot 4 of them in the afternoon. They also asked me to shoot a wounded fallow if I got a chance. He had been wounded with an arrow that stopped against the shoulder blade about 2 months before. He had been shot at with a rifle a couple of times after that so he was really spooky. I got a quick shot at him just before dark at about 200 yards and dropped him in his tracks. I ended up getting 6 animals with 6 shots that day, so it was a great day. Hope you get to do that kind of shooting with your Merkel.

05 August 2012, 04:01

mdstewart

Congratulations on your really beautiful new rifle. I've shot many of the the K-1's, and have never seen one that wouldn't shoot MOA with a little tweaking.

I've never shot a Stutzen however, and there is always the possiblity of looser groups with a Mannlicher stock. However, with a little work, your groups should be near the same hole.

Good hunting.

JP Sauer Drilling 12x12x9.3x72
David Murray Scottish Hammer 12 Bore
Alex Henry 500/450 Double Rifle
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock 6.5x55
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock .30-06
Walther PPQ H2 9mm
Walther PPS M2
Cogswell & Harrison Hammer 12 Bore Damascus
And Too Many More

10 August 2012, 09:57

MOA TACTICAL

Nice rifle, I love everything about it excepting the mounts.

I campaigned heavily to Merkel to change the mounts to the new K3 type. I wasn't alone, I know a lot of people didn't understand why they put such a high swing mount on the gun.

Anyway they are wonderful rifles, and I hope you enjoy yours.

I could have bought a 9.3x74R with ibex engraved on it with those mounts in 2009 for $4000. Green Acres gunshop in Jacksonville, Fl. They were known to be kind of a rip off.

The caliber is wonderful, but I think a 9.3 ought to have stags and boars on it.

I reckon if your spending $4000 and you have 2 negatives about a rifle you need to stop yourself from buying it.

10 August 2012, 16:52

SFRanger7GP

Geedubya:

I told you you would love it! These little rifles will move your bolt guns to the back of the safe. Clara's rifle is a K1 and has the swing off mounts like yours, which I think looks nicer. I have the K3 mounts on mine. They both return to zero every time and we have taken them on and off numerous times for travel around the US and Argentina in the last couple of years. Good luck on your bear hunt!

Larry

10 August 2012, 20:39

Biebs

Here's the bolt version. Sweet little rifles. This KR-1 model is called the Antique Stutzen, with upgraded wood, case-colored receiver, gold trigger and bolthead, and Mannlicher forend..

10 August 2012, 21:00

Geedubya

Biebs,

you're absolutely evil!!!

Here I'm trying to behave myself and you go and publish pix like that.

Lord help a poor sinner who may soon go astray!

GWB

PS: IIRC, that particular rifle has a single set trigger also.

10 August 2012, 21:30

Biebs

They are cool little rifles. This one has never been fired? Maybe it'll get its turn as I slim down the collection. It's in 308, so it would be pretty versatile.

11 August 2012, 06:25

Brandon.Gleason

Biebs, does the bolt handle cam up a bit before the pull back? Neat looking little rifle!

11 August 2012, 18:25

Biebs

Yes, it's a traditional working bolt, not like a Blaser.

16 August 2012, 23:25

Arthur D

what is felt recoil like?

sharp? slap the face? what can you compare it to? wondering how pleasant it is to shoot - especially off hand.

17 August 2012, 07:24

Hondo64d

GW,

Beautiful rig! How does it compare to the Blaser? Any similarities?

John

17 August 2012, 13:34

londonhunter

quote:
Originally posted by Geedubya:
I've gone through my magnum rifle, high magnification scope, heavy barrel, beanfield type rifle stage.

As of late I've been trending toward lighter rifles, low magnification scopes, with cartridges that have muzzle velocities between 2500 and 2800 fps. For some reason Mannlicher stocked rifles have really caught my attention.

Over the last several years I've lusted for a Merkel K1 stalking rifle. The problem is I have stringent parameters. Has to be no more than 70% of MSRP,either 7mm or 30, cal and it had to be the Jagd Stutzen (Mannlicher stock), had to have the money at the time to buy.

Finally,

and the first couple 100 yd. groups, shot after getting the rifle on paper.

I've a bear hunt with hounds coming up in two weeks. I plan to blood it then.

GWB

Hi

We share the same passion and choice of tools

I hunt 90% of th time with a k95 and leave everything else n the safe

Great rifle thanks for sharing

One thing - how come there are no scratches or dents on your rifle ?!?

Only kidding

21 August 2012, 01:39

Geedubya

quote:
Originally posted by Arthur D:
what is felt recoil like?

sharp? slap the face? what can you compare it to? wondering how pleasant it is to shoot - especially off hand.

Arthur,

I recently purchased the gun. I've shot it on three different occasions doing load development and testing. When doing so I shoot off a bench and employ a lead sled with 40 lbs of lead shot to dampen recoil. Consequently felt recoil is not a factor. I do not consider myself to be particularly recoil sensitive. I load 140 gr. Accubonds over 43 gr. of W-748 in the 7-08. The recoil is heavier than a 22-250 but I find that I do not notice it when shooting game. I shoot a number of non magnum chamberings in .25, .264 .284, and .308 chamberings, and the recoil is similar. No face slap. It flies to the shoulder, and with irons when, I sight down the barrel the front and rear sight are in perfect alignment. I just got back from a 5 days chasing dogs and bears up and down mountains. It was a pleasure to carry and shoot.

GWB

21 August 2012, 01:52

Geedubya

quote:
Originally posted by Hondo64d:
GW,

Beautiful rig! How does it compare to the Blaser? Any similarities?

John

John,

The Blaser is at a price point above what I'm willing to pay. I looked at a R84 two barrel set, but it was not the Mannlicher Stutzen.
Not having fondled much less owned Blasers, I could not honestly compare. I had it in my mind that the Merkel Jagd Stutzen in either 7mm-08 or 7mm Mauser was what I was going to own. It took about three years of looking before I found this one at the price I was willing to pay. It is a beautiful rifle. I don't care for acrylic or "glass" finishes. I liked the engraving, the character of the wood and the selectable trigger. I also like single shot rifles.
I actually would prefer the mannlicher fore-end to be one piece rather than two pieces and I am thinking of either making or having a 1 piece fore-end made for a replacement. I just got back from a 5 day hunt chasing dogs and bears up and down mountains in Capitan NM. I carried it in a Eberlestock Gunrunner pack. I think I'm spoiled. My days of toting heavy barreled "beanfield" shooters are probably numbered.

GWB

21 August 2012, 02:16

Geedubya

quote:
Originally posted by londonhunter:

Hi

One thing - how come there are no scratches or dents on your rifle ?!?

Only kidding

There are now. I just got back from a 5 day hunt in the Capitan Mountains chasing hounds and bears up, down and sideways, over burns, rocks and cricks. It has several well earned character marks.

I'm spoiled for sure. This little rifle is a joy to "tote" and shoot.

GWB

21 August 2012, 05:01

Biebs

Geedub, my KR-1 would have given you a couple backup shots :-)

21 August 2012, 12:01

londonhunter

Yeah my friend
That's where nice rifles belong
Congradulations
I like that very very much
Thank you for sharing

Hey did you shoot that mamma bear standing behind you in the bush as well?

21 August 2012, 12:20

Brandon.Gleason

Congratulations on a great trophy! Will there be a hunt report to follow?

21 August 2012, 18:01

Joe Richardson

Merkel does a really nice job. Nice rifle. I like that a lot!

21 August 2012, 20:27

Geedubya

quote:
Originally posted by FFemt5287:
Congratulations on a great trophy! Will there be a hunt report to follow?

Bob in Tx started a thread in American Big Game Hunting, I've posted a complete report on Bob's Texas Predator Posse Forum. Here is the link if you would care to go there.

http://texaspredatorposse.ipbh...howtopic=24796&st=30

Best

GWB

21 August 2012, 23:29

Hondo64d

quote:
Originally posted by Geedubya:

John,

The Blaser is at a price point above what I'm willing to pay. I looked at a R84 two barrel set, but it was not the Mannlicher Stutzen.
Not having fondled much less owned Blasers, I could not honestly compare. I had it in my mind that the Merkel Jagd Stutzen in either 7mm-08 or 7mm Mauser was what I was going to own. It took about three years of looking before I found this one at the price I was willing to pay. It is a beautiful rifle. I don't care for acrylic or "glass" finishes. I liked the engraving, the character of the wood and the selectable trigger. I also like single shot rifles.
I actually would prefer the mannlicher fore-end to be one piece rather than two pieces and I am thinking of either making or having a 1 piece fore-end made for a replacement. I just got back from a 5 day hunt chasing dogs and bears up and down mountains in Capitan NM. I carried it in a Eberlestock Gunrunner pack. I think I'm spoiled. My days of toting heavy barreled "beanfield" shooters are probably numbered.

GWB

Beautiful rifle GW. Ya' done good! I'll definitely have to check out the Merkels before committing to a Blaser now.

John

22 August 2012, 01:39

Brandon.Gleason

quote:
Originally posted by Geedubya:
quote:
Originally posted by FFemt5287:
Congratulations on a great trophy! Will there be a hunt report to follow?

Bob in Tx started a thread in American Big Game Hunting, I've posted a complete report on Bob's Texas Predator Posse Forum. Here is the link if you would care to go there.

http://texaspredatorposse.ipbh...howtopic=24796&st=30

Best

GWB

Great looking hunt! Scenery looks fantastic. Glad to see you bloodied that K1 so quickly. What's the story behind the bloodied finger??

22 August 2012, 02:23

Geedubya

My sig line.

I'm a kill artist, when I draw, I draw blood.....
Hence the bloody trigger finger

GWB

22 August 2012, 06:24

rnovi

So I just DROS'ed a Merkel K1 JAGD, the 24" Stalker in 7mm RMag.

All I can say is "Hey Geedub, I get it." What a fantastic bit of quality there. The rifle just oozes class and appeal. It comes up the shoulder so easily and the cheek weld for me is spot on. It's 10 days for me to pick it up and I can't wait to let it recoil!

Pix in 10 days or so!

22 August 2012, 06:39

Biebs

Great! And a good pick for an all-around caliber for a K-1.

23 August 2012, 16:39

Cliff Lyle

GW, a beautiful rifle, for sure. Congratulations on your bear. First trophy with a new rifle. Special time. well done!

26 August 2012, 03:35

Biebs

Hey, if anyone wants a new K-1 Jagd Stutzen in 308 with a Swarovski mounted scope in case for $3,400, I know where there's one. I have negotiated it down to that as I know the shop has had it for a while. MSRP is probably a bit more then $5,000 for the Jagd Stutzen package with the scope. Let me know and I'll direct you to the shop.