Looking for another quality European rifle

neev

neev

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I’m looking at getting another quality hunting rifle around $5500 +/- a few hundred.

I’m leaning towards the Merkel k5 jagd or arabesque. However I have a Haenel Jaeger 9 which is similar but has terrible wood and a rough matte coating on the action I’m not fond of. I currently have a Blaser r8, a chapuis x4 double I picked up from ralf martini along with some other older single shots and various domestic brands.

Is there anyone here who can provide personal experience on the K5? (Fit / finish wise and which mounts you recommend. Innomount, MAK, Merkel mount, EAW etc)

I’d also be interested in another used double depending on the caliber of anyone is looking to sell one. However I’m not interested Blaser S2’s.

Thanks,
 
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Rizzini o/u doubles have cerakote receivers like jager 9. No comment on their quality, I have never seen one outside of pictures. I’m interested in these and the Verney Caron over unders but they are working guns, seems op is looking for something higher grade.

I feel you on the wood finish on the Jager 9. I am fine with the plain wood and cerakote personally, you are paying for the action and getting a great deal in that case. For me it is perfect; a reasonably priced working gun delivering the same features as the merkel. I could understand why someone would want a blaser or merkel for finish reasons if they had the budget but that is not really why I purchased it.


Coming a bit out of left field; but have you checked out the Sauer 303 semi autos? I’ve been lusting after one. Not sure what the metal finish is on the lux models
 
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That’s correct on the Rizzini’s. The Kombo’s are nice but I also have a drilling that fills that niche. The wood isn’t great but it’s older and has a case coloured action.

The Sauer 303’s are nice. I’ve never handled one personally but have been close to buying one from a member from Quebec who’s a regular on the forums. I just can’t “pull the trigger” on one as I personally don’t think there’s a big enough difference to a domestic semi or even high grade Benneli R1.

I do appreciate the feedback and suggestions.
 
If I were to toss 5-6K down on a rifle, I would require a personal inspection anyway. Too much money to get burned on. Rizzini's Kombo guns indicate "coin finish" on the receiver, but who really knows unless you inspect first. I much prefer blued steel and properly fitted stocks.
 
^ classy

I almost bought a 308 but for me a kipplauf has to be in a rimmed calibre. I was lucky to find a good deal on an 8x57jrs. Just seems right. I would have been happy with a 7x65r or 7x57r though.

The one feature from the higher end makes I wish it had is the interchangeable barrels.


Looking at md charltons site it seems all the 303s have a matte finish. I’ve looked one over but never shot it, synthetic stock model. Seemed to be well made but a few seconds at the gun counter doesn’t tell you much.

I like the slight negative comb and the lines of the stock in contrast with other hunting semis, no exposed metal in the grip area. Some may not like the mag capacity but I guess it was designed as competition to double rifles. The balance with the 2 round mag seemed great.

I agree it is a little hard to justify the cost, especially with potential changes in laws relating to semis and some o/u doubles in a similar price range
 
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There’s something special about a rimmed cartridge in single or double rifle. My current double is chambered in 8x57jrs which is more than enough for whitetail or black bears. The rimmed cartridges also work perfect with the ejectors.
 
The Calgary Shooting Center has some single, double and over/under rifles. I have a single shot rifle from Ferlach, Austria, made by Josef Just, chambered in the 300 H&H "Magnum".
 
Did you happen to purchase that about 3-4 years ago from the CSC? If so you beat me to it. Thanks for the info I’ll give them a call.
 
CSC has nice euro rifles coming through. Unfortunately despite having spent thousands of dollars there “ I can’t get no respect”

Some very good eggs there, one of the owners really knows his stuff when it comes to the euro guns. I’m sure the others do too I’ve just never spoken to them. But I’ve had too many bad experiences and been ignored too many times to want to spend anymore money there


They have had a couple Haenel Jager 9 (30-06, 308) on the shelf for a few years now if anyone is interested. The 06 has a ding but comes with a recknagel mount and vx3 1.5-6 for a fairly good deal. Guessing it is cobbled together from returns because they will not separate the package. Everything seems in good order, they must have fixed the mount after the counter guy broke it trying to show me how it worked right before I swiped my debit card…
 
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neev said:
Did you happen to purchase that about 3-4 years ago from the CSC? If so you beat me to it. Thanks for the info I’ll give them a call.
Click to expand...

I did purchase the rifle from CSC, however it was about 1 year ago. They had two other single shot rifles from Europe, I believed they sold. CSC advertise most of their firearms, however there are a few that they don't. They have a nice Krieghoff Hubertus single shot, but can't remember it's chambering, the price is about $12,000. I was going to purchase it, however the Josef Just offered MUCH MORE options.
https://imgur.com/a/6saiZfb
 
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The Merkel single shot rifles that I have personally seen are the older K3 and K1. They are very well made, and well proportioned. The K5 follows the current trend to very steep pistol grips and plainer receiver finish. You have to decide if you like that. Manufacturing quality remains excellent. Like you, I was shopping for a Euro single shot rifle. I looked at and liked the Blaser K95's too. I ended up with a Krieghoff Hubertus. It is very stylish, handles well, fit and finish are perfect. Accurate too. But they cost about double your budget.
 
Just stopping by to thank you for making a thread about single shot rifles.

I vote for some pre-war German rifle in an obscure caliber. Many are unique.
 
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