I'm looking for opinions and for those who have seen both, comparisons and contrasts. I'm thinking about taking the plunge either into a 6.5x57R or a 9.3x74R. I know the standard American cartridges make more sense in the U.S., but I like being a click or two off the main stream.

look at page 2 of this forum

Bra,

dont forget the KRIEGHOFF Hubertus

www.krieghoff.de

Since some months I can't decide but I think the Krieghoff will make it. Thinking about the 6x62 Frères.

Burkhard

Sorry mate, the Krieghoff is way out of my budget.

Brad

Merkel with steel action and octagonal barrel is very nice 7X65r should be a good caliber for an "allround" kiplauf.

Cheers
/JOHAN

The K95 is also available in the fascinating caliber 8,5x63 mm R Reb which shoots flatter than the 9,3x74 mm R.

I have a K95 and a couple Ruger #1s. I have never owned a Kreighoff or a Merkel. They aren't the only ones. Sabatti and another Italian firm make really nice Italian singleshots.

I like the Krieghoff the most, but it's quite a bit more money. Not sure how much, but I know it's more.

There are used K95s out there for $3000 in Luxus form with a scope. Mine is a K95 prestige with lux wood.

Brad,

I have a K95 Luxus in 7X57R and I think it is a fantastic rifle, one of the best rifle purchases I ever made. The accuracy I've received from this rifle is nothing less than phenominal! While I own many rifles, the Blaser is currently my favorite!

I don't own a Merkel K-1 but I have handled them (after the Blaser was already purchased), I'm sure it'll boil down to a simple choice for those who have to make this decision. While the Merkel is a nice rifle I'm glad I made my decision to go with the Blaser.

I also considered the 6.5X57R for my Blaser (which has similarities to the 257 Roberts) but wanted the classisc 7mm chambering.

Those single shot rifles are generally pretty light so I decided against the bigger cartridges, the 8x57R & 9.3x74R. Funny, because of all the used K95's I've seen up for sale the vast majority were chambered in 9.3x74R!

Either the 9.3 or the 5.6x50 mm R, not legal for anything but roe deer.

The easiest cure for a hard-kicking 9.3 mm would be to use a lighter bullet like 193 or 232 grains and download it to reasonable speeds.

I just got a barrel in 8x75 R for my K95 and do NOT plan to load it full speed. I'd guess that the same barrel in 8x57 IRS would have been more expensive.

Brad
I prefer the Blaser K 95 to the Merkels I have seen.
Also the Blaser scope mounting sustem is the best.
I have a Blaser K 95 in 308. Mine is the Stutzen, full stock model.
I have shot it a fair amount with several different loads and extraction has not been a problem.

What has amazed me is its accuracy. I shoot my hunting rifles the way they will be shnot in the field, so for the K 95 I shot it prone off of my hunting pack. I shot 7 different factory loads and one handload, bullets ranged from 150 gr to 180 gr in weight. This rifle has NEVER shot a 3 shot group over one inch.
It shoots like a sniper rifle. You can take the scope off between shots, take the rifle apart between shots and the groups do not change or get bigger.
So far I have taken a turkey, black bear, and a wild pig with this rifle.

I would not hesitate to get one of these in an "American" rimless caliber, mine works perfectly.