My first encounter with a Merkel K3 Stutzen was a "love at first sight" affair. I am a sucker for full length or Mannlicher stocked rifles, and the petite K3 Stutzen has to be one of the neatest ones out there today - especially the combo package which includes the Swarovski Z3 scope and fitted Americase. So, I just had to have one. After several E-Mail exhanges with Lincoln at "Guns of the South", I decided on a combo package .270. Here is the rifle / combo package I purchased:





Ok - we all "know" that full stock rifles do not shoot as well as bolt rifles with free floated barrels and bedded actions, so I was a bit apprehensive about accuracy when I took my new K3 to the range this morning. I should not have been concerned. As my 2 targets below attest, this compact little beauty shoots half MOA with 2 of the 4 handloads I tried. I should stop here and be done with it, but I know in my heart I will try a few more loads just to see how it does.

Admiral, they are sweet little rifles, and you've got a shooter there, for sure.

I have the Blaser K95 Stutzen prototype and like your K3, it is an amazingly accurate and compact rifle. Mine is in 6.5x55. You have a beautiful rifle there, Sir.

Beautiful rifle! What's the difference between the K1 and K3?

Is recoil an issue with a .270 in such a light rifle.

A really beautiful rifle!

subsailor74,
That is a mighty fine looking shootin’ iron and I bet you’re thrilled. You may catch yourself breaking out the rifle and fondling it for no reason except the pleasure derived therefrom. Being the owner of numerous rifles, I sometimes am beginning to feel a little bit guilty for inventing reasons to take the Merkels rather than my bolt action repeaters.
From my experience the groups you have shown are representative of Merkels. I’ve yet to talk to anyone that owns one that complained of the accuracy.
I don’t know whether you had the opportunity to fondle a k1 or k3 Stutzen before you purchased yours. I had not, and the petite nature of the rifle had me concerned. I should not have been. Though light, they lock up like a vault and have a very substantial feel to them.
In the past I’ve pretty much been a heavy barreled beanfield type guy. I do love single shots having owned TC’s, High Walls, Ruger No.1’s and Cooper models 21,22, and 38.
I have a love of fine wood and blue steel and an affinity for Mannlicher stocks. After trudging through the snow on two different elk hunts at 8k to 10K foot elevation, carrying a Remington Sendero, and attaining the age of over sixty years I decided there had to be a better way. Those experiences plus my affinity for blue steel and wood are what started my quest for a light, accurate single shot that would break down and or pack easy. Since I’m a low rent junkyard type of guy, for me, buying new was pretty much out of the question. I don’t remember exactly now but I think it took me two years to find my K1 Stutzen. I wanted either a 7-08 or a 7 x57. Blazer K95’s are plentiful, but finding a Jagd Stutzen used in 7mm-08 at the price I wanted to pay was a challenge. I finally found it and of all things I was talking to a fellow that had been a Steyr-Merkel rep and he happened to have an Americase in his garage that fit the Stutzen, and he gave it to me. I was jazzed. Here is mine.

Last year about May or June IIRC I was able to get my Stutzen. I had a bear hunt with hounds planned for New Mexico in the Lincoln National forest. I purchased an Eberlestock GunRunnerH2O daypack that has a fold up scabbard. Perfect for sheathing your Stutzen and chasing up and down mountains. Quite a bit different packing a rifle with scope that comes in under 7 lbs.



I tried for almost a year to get a barrel chambered in 9.3 x 74R for my Stutzen. Ended up snagging a K1 Stalker in that chambering. Also, about a month ago I snagged a K1 Stalker in 300 Win Mag. It should be in soon. I guess you could say I’ve contracted Merkel Madness. LOL



As to the difference in the K1 and K3, I could be wrong, but it would appear that the main difference would be the switch from the Recknagel pivot mount system to the Blazer type saddle mount.
Here is a K1 with the Recknagel pivot mount. You place the dovetail in the front mount, then pivot or twist. The rear mount has a catch that locks into place once the rear mount is in place. I’ve now broken down the Stutzen as well as the stalker numerous times. I’ve also checked the return to zero at the range. No problem, return to zero every time so far upon re-assembly.




Folks ask about recoil in such a light rifle. I’m 5’ 8” and 190 lbs. I don’t consider myself to be particularly rough and tough in my old age. At the range I shoot off a lead sled for zero and load development. In the field I’m usually concentrating on the quarry, keeping a steady bead, and proper trigger squeeze rather than thinking about recoil. I’ve now taken a dozen or so animals with the Stutzen in 7mm-08 and bloodied the Stalker in 9.3 x 74R about a month ago on a hoglet. I don’t recall recoil being a factor. I certainly would not let it be a deciding factor as to whether to own this type rifle or not.
I hope you are as thrilled with yours as I have been mine. Time will tell. I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t start looking for your next K3 soon. After all, aren’t most of us just one rifle away from being satisfied.

Best

GWB

Camdog - I did not find the recoil the least bit offensive, and this was a surprise to me, especially with the 150gr loads. Shooting my rifle off the bench is really quite pleasant.

GWB - you and I see exactly eye to eye on our love of fine rifles and our migration from heavier bolt guns to more classic single shots. I have a Ruger #1 Boddington in .300 H&H, Cooper 21 Custom Classics in .257AI and .308, and a magnificent Searcy stalking rifle in 9.3x74R. My next purchase will most likely be a K3 half stock rifle in .300 Win. The K3 Stutzen is a beauty for sure as are your full and half stock Merkels. It is nice to meet a kindred spirit out there!
Dave

On the other hand, how's the muzzle blast of a .270 in a 19" barrel?



I have a k1 in 7mm RMag and it's a definite shooter. I loved the weight and feel of the rifle so much that when my wife started eyeing it went out and bought her a k3 stutzen in 7x57r. The k3 stutzen is such a handy size and they are just about the best stalker I've ever seen.

Really good stuff Mate and congrats on the purchase!

I would say the muzzle blast was predictably greater than a bolt gun with a longer barrel, but it was very tolerable - certainly nothing like having a brake on a bolt gun!

Beautiful gun, Admiral.

They are a great looking, surprisingly compact rifle. I too like the full stock but I have trouble liking the European stocks lines. If I were to buy one I wouldn't need to worry about the recoil. It would be a 22 hornet.