Merkel r15
- Thread starter brybenn
- Start date
This is the same rifle as Haenel Jaeger 10, there is something about them that doesn't sell, so they try to re-brand.
There is also an "upscale version" (or "copied and improved") of the same action - Anschutz 1781.
But you get what you paid for. I would expect savage axis level of quality with import fees on top to match the retail price tag over here.
There is also an "upscale version" (or "copied and improved") of the same action - Anschutz 1781.
But you get what you paid for. I would expect savage axis level of quality with import fees on top to match the retail price tag over here.
The idea that these are sub par is silly. I've played with both the wood and synthetic and they are not a 783 or an American. They're a better fit and finish than the Hawkeye and on par with a BDL classic for sure. For 800-1000 you are getting your value.
1) Look at close ups for Haenel Jaeger 10, compare with Merkel R15. See how they are the practically the same.
2) Look at reviews and general failure of Jaeger 10 to gain traction
3) Check the price on Jaeger 10 in Canada - $1.2K at Wolverine. Compare with price on R15 - $770 at Nordic Marksman.
4) Ask yourself what is more likely - either the same rifle coming from the same EU (with all the wages, costs, taxes, duties) was re-branded and made to meet lower price range, or magically you have found a single instance of price dropping in half and quality skyrocketing as some people would like to dream.
2) Look at reviews and general failure of Jaeger 10 to gain traction
3) Check the price on Jaeger 10 in Canada - $1.2K at Wolverine. Compare with price on R15 - $770 at Nordic Marksman.
4) Ask yourself what is more likely - either the same rifle coming from the same EU (with all the wages, costs, taxes, duties) was re-branded and made to meet lower price range, or magically you have found a single instance of price dropping in half and quality skyrocketing as some people would like to dream.
Says the guy who has never held one. Nordic's price is a sale price and the Merkel still sells in the 1000 range at Prophet and others.
Like I said I've held one. The walnut was good, the checlering was better than what I have seen on most funds in the 1000-1500 range. Fit and finish was good to great, the magazine system is solid and the action is smooth with a proven ejector system.
Yes, not threaded.
I have the Merkel in syn stock in 7 RM and the Sauer 100 Xlt in 6.5 CM.
They both come from the same factory as I understand it.
I like the Sauer version better as the mag is a better design and lock up in my view compared to the Merkel variation.
I also like the Sauer syn stock as it is slightly more stiff, but both are fine.
Both stocks are long LOP which I appreciate in the euro guns.
They both have very nice triggers but the Sauer has an easily accessed adjustment capability down to about 2 lbs and clean break. The Merkel is about 2.5 lbs with a clean break.
Both are very nice rifles.
Both are on the light side of 6.8 lbs.
The 6.5 is very sub moa with my reloads.
I just started to work with the 7 RM and with 150 gr BT and I7828 and I get easy MOA.
They both throw the empties far and with authority.
I like them both.
I have the Merkel in syn stock in 7 RM and the Sauer 100 Xlt in 6.5 CM.
They both come from the same factory as I understand it.
I like the Sauer version better as the mag is a better design and lock up in my view compared to the Merkel variation.
I also like the Sauer syn stock as it is slightly more stiff, but both are fine.
Both stocks are long LOP which I appreciate in the euro guns.
They both have very nice triggers but the Sauer has an easily accessed adjustment capability down to about 2 lbs and clean break. The Merkel is about 2.5 lbs with a clean break.
Both are very nice rifles.
Both are on the light side of 6.8 lbs.
The 6.5 is very sub moa with my reloads.
I just started to work with the 7 RM and with 150 gr BT and I7828 and I get easy MOA.
They both throw the empties far and with authority.
I like them both.
Test drove a Merkel MHR16 in 6.5x55 last year and had to buy one. They are sweet rifles, German quality at a bargain price. The MHR16 is the replacement of the R15 and supposedly updated and better. I'll echo rem338win and confirm that they are a notch above the BDL.
Had to hunt for a while to finally get one with the walnut stock in 9.3x62. Still with the warning tag on the trigger guard & topped with a pre-'91 West German Schmidt & Bender 2.5-10x56, didn't get a chance to shoot it yet. Expect to pay over $1200 for a walnut stock MHR16 if you can actually find one, they are rather scarce but they worth every penny. The R15 version sold for about $150 less than the newer MHR16. Nordic Marksman prices are very good @ $839 for the walnut stock R15 they have left, these were over $1100 when introduced over two years ago.
Here's a quick link on newer tri-lug full-diameter actions rifles.
https://gundigest.com/rifles/5-noteworthy-new-fat-bolt-sporting-rifles-for-2017
Here's my MHR16:
Had to hunt for a while to finally get one with the walnut stock in 9.3x62. Still with the warning tag on the trigger guard & topped with a pre-'91 West German Schmidt & Bender 2.5-10x56, didn't get a chance to shoot it yet. Expect to pay over $1200 for a walnut stock MHR16 if you can actually find one, they are rather scarce but they worth every penny. The R15 version sold for about $150 less than the newer MHR16. Nordic Marksman prices are very good @ $839 for the walnut stock R15 they have left, these were over $1100 when introduced over two years ago.
Here's a quick link on newer tri-lug full-diameter actions rifles.
https://gundigest.com/rifles/5-noteworthy-new-fat-bolt-sporting-rifles-for-2017
Here's my MHR16:
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The 6.5x55 I shot last year was .75-1 MOA @ 100 yards with PPU ammo... Guess they got a lemon or the claim of 4” @100y is BS.
Always the same few people bad-mouthing anything that isn't a personal favourite of theirs...so predictable and so tiresome...
I picked an R15 up at Nordic Marksman this past summer during a sale they were having...just under $620 to my door. The price was terrific, and I just happened to have a "perceived need" for a synthetic-stocked detach-mag .243 lightweight. The gun is not fancy or particularly attractive...it's in a black plastic cheapo stock, so how could it be? I'm not of those people who can look at a synthetic stocked rifle...any synthetic-stocked rifle...and describe it as "beautiful".
It is, however, 100% reliable, no feeding or any other type of issues, and it is an easy sub-MOA shooter with almost every decent load I've tried in it, which includes a few different factory loads and a handful of different handloads left over from previous rifles I've owned. Excellent trigger, good handling and balance, easily scoped using Savage 110 bases, a magazine that is not easily detached and lost, good ergos (for me at least), smooth operation and good fit and finish. I'm doing a bit more coyote hunting that entails driving from spot to spot, rather than walking as in the past, so I wanted a detach mag gun to potentially replace my previous bolt-action standard (a Rem7 SS in .243). After a few weeks of experimentation and playing, I went ahead and sold the Model 7; I don't really have any other interest in or use for a .243 and the R15 equalled the Rem7 in most respects and slightly bettered it in the important category of accuracy.
Would I pay $1000 for this gun? Almost certainly not, but I'm cheap and rarely buy anything unless I get it for a good price. I would, however, be willing to spend significantly more for this gun than I would for the typical Axis/783/American offerings; I've handled those and shot a couple, and IMHO they are the true winners in the race for the bottom.
Pressed-in barrels? Yeah, that will never work; look at all those crappy Anschutz .22lr Match Rifles with the pressed-in barrels. No way to make a rifle like that shoot well. Of course, everyone on CGN who buys a rifle needs to change every part except the receiver...which of course needs to be blue-printed and trued...before they even fire a shot. But, wow, if a guy actually wants to buy a good-quality basic bolt rifle for hunting, rather than tinkering or modifying or just plain #####ing-about...well, I suspect he could be well-served by the R15 for many thousands of rounds...or, in other words, far more than he is likely to ever shoot in it.
I picked an R15 up at Nordic Marksman this past summer during a sale they were having...just under $620 to my door. The price was terrific, and I just happened to have a "perceived need" for a synthetic-stocked detach-mag .243 lightweight. The gun is not fancy or particularly attractive...it's in a black plastic cheapo stock, so how could it be? I'm not of those people who can look at a synthetic stocked rifle...any synthetic-stocked rifle...and describe it as "beautiful".
It is, however, 100% reliable, no feeding or any other type of issues, and it is an easy sub-MOA shooter with almost every decent load I've tried in it, which includes a few different factory loads and a handful of different handloads left over from previous rifles I've owned. Excellent trigger, good handling and balance, easily scoped using Savage 110 bases, a magazine that is not easily detached and lost, good ergos (for me at least), smooth operation and good fit and finish. I'm doing a bit more coyote hunting that entails driving from spot to spot, rather than walking as in the past, so I wanted a detach mag gun to potentially replace my previous bolt-action standard (a Rem7 SS in .243). After a few weeks of experimentation and playing, I went ahead and sold the Model 7; I don't really have any other interest in or use for a .243 and the R15 equalled the Rem7 in most respects and slightly bettered it in the important category of accuracy.
Would I pay $1000 for this gun? Almost certainly not, but I'm cheap and rarely buy anything unless I get it for a good price. I would, however, be willing to spend significantly more for this gun than I would for the typical Axis/783/American offerings; I've handled those and shot a couple, and IMHO they are the true winners in the race for the bottom.
Pressed-in barrels? Yeah, that will never work; look at all those crappy Anschutz .22lr Match Rifles with the pressed-in barrels. No way to make a rifle like that shoot well. Of course, everyone on CGN who buys a rifle needs to change every part except the receiver...which of course needs to be blue-printed and trued...before they even fire a shot. But, wow, if a guy actually wants to buy a good-quality basic bolt rifle for hunting, rather than tinkering or modifying or just plain #####ing-about...well, I suspect he could be well-served by the R15 for many thousands of rounds...or, in other words, far more than he is likely to ever shoot in it.
Well said. My 300wm i was looking to replace is a savage and its exactly as you describe. Synthetic stock and accurate. Its just the bottom bolt release im not fond of. Personal thing that really has no merit. However its so accurate with the 110gr load i may keep it. However if a nice wood stocked version comes up i may swap
