RX.HELIX
IT‘S TIME FOR A NEW BOLT ACTION
THE CHALLENGE WAS ENORMOUS
The idea for a new rifle was born one October afternoon in 2007 in a hunting lodge in the Thuringian Forest. With fresh concepts perfectly supplementing the cultural genes of the old gunmaking town of Suhl, the ambitious goal was laid out – to develop a hunting gun for the 21st century. A straight-pull bolt action rifle that sets new standards in terms of safety, ergonomics and handling. A gun for modern-day hunting. This concept now has a name.
“Deluxe“ DESIGN
THE SUHL GENES
THE SUHL GENES CREATIVE ENGINEERING
The safety of the rotary bolt head has proven itself since 1898, when Paul Mauser (a contemporary of the Merkel brothers) introduced his legendary System 98. Some 112 years on, MERKEL has taken the strengths of this system and engineered brand new concepts in the manufacture of hunting rifles for modern-day hunting. MODERN HUNTING – DRIVEN HUNTS A hunter must be able to handle his rifle safely and efficiently when under stress and with limited time at their disposal. The HELIX offers everything the hunter needs – a true linear bolt action with transmission gear. This allows rapid reloading while remaining in shooting position, and also means that the shooter‘s eye can remain focused on the target with a little practice. This is because the HELIX does not use a breech which retracts towards the eye of the shooter. The manual cocking and the bolt with MERKEL Safebolt technology ensure safe handling of the rifle and prevent unintended shot firing. MODERN HUNTING – HUNTING TRIPS AND VISITS TO far away HUNTING GROUNDS Thanks to the standard Take-Down function on the HELIX rifle, discreet travelling with small pack sizes and rapid dismantling are possible without the need for tools. Changing the calibre with an interchangeable barrel can be made just as quickly.
mem rx.helix
5
TWO HUNTERS, TWO GunS, ONE IDEOLOGY These two men have been passionate hunters since their youth, which shows their years of experience. On the left is Georg “Schorsch” Knobel with his Stutzen, a bolt action rifle from 1930. Next to him is Karl Schmider with his new MERKEL from 2011. Replacing old with the new: Unboxing the new HELIX.
SAFETY
SAFETY HUNTING WITH A GOOD FEELING
The HELIX is a straight-pull bolt action rifle that can be carried with a good feeling of safety. MERKEL does not compromise on safety in the gun design. Tried-and-tested technology is applied and developed further. A walnut-sized steel bolt head is found inside the HELIX, which has proven itself time and time again.
SAFETY OF THE HUNTER The rotary bolt head used on the HELIX is considered as one of the safest locking methods on bolt action rifles. Six steel locking lugs ensure maximum safety for the shooter, even when the system is considerably overstressed. Shooting at 8,000 bar under basic CIP conditions has been documented.
MANUAL COCKING AND SAFEBOLT
The manual cocking lever of the HELIX is located on the stock wrist. With a flick of the thumb, it places the system under tension just before the shot is fired – and can be released again just as easily. The MERKEL Safebolt ensures that a shot can only be fired when the system is locked.
IGNITION RELIABILITY Manual cocking systems sometimes suffer from a lack of ignition energy. A patented hammer system with a linkage-driven hammer has been developed for the HELIX that provides maximum ignition energy. The HELIX fires when the trigger is pulled. This offers additional safety against dangerous game.
mem rx.helix
7
Smart Bolt Head Both Knobel and Schmider swear by the tried-and-tested bolt principle using steel locking lugs. These are used in the modern HELIX from MERKEL and are similar in principle to Knobel‘s Stutzen from 1930 – safe and unbreakable.
ERGONOMICS
ERGONOMICS THE INTUITIVE Rifle
Responsiveness comes when a gun sits well in the hand. However, MERKEL has gone even further and developed an intuitive bolt action rifle. With three control elements (manual cocking lever, bolt handle and trigger) and ergonomic bolt action shooting, the HELIX concentrates on the essentials – not on complex movements.
THE INTUITION PRINCIPLE The principle of intuition runs consistently through the HELIX. This is illustrated by optimally positioned control elements, the perfectly cut stock, the ergonomic magazine removal and the Picatinny rail, which makes the attachment of a scope simplicity itself.
DRY-ACTION TRIGGER The highly-praised direct trigger on the HELIX is finely adjusted at the factory for a precise shot. It is ideally positioned directly underneath the bolt handle, and is thus right next to the bolt action. The dry trigger action transforms this hunting gun into a precision instrument.
STRAIGHT STOCK When designing the stock for the HELIX, MERKEL was inspired by the legendary Suhl Africa rifles. The straight stock with cheek piece and pistol grip also gives the linear bolt action a precise counter-hold. This transforms the HELIX into a fast-action, responsive rifle which sits well in the hand.
mem rx.helix
9
RAPID BOLT ACTION Knobel admires how quick and easy Schmider makes it look – one thumb on the manual cocking lever, a shot, then “slish-slash”. One straight pull on the bolt handle before being pushed back into place – the Helix is reloaded. This all takes place inside the system housing – nothing moves towards the shooter‘s eye. “All he has to do now is hit the target!” says Knobel with a grin.
ERGONOMICS
ERGONOMICS STAYING ON TARGET
Whilst precision is essential for a hunting gun, bolt action rifles have to go one step further. The accuracy of rapid following shots is principally determined by the bolt action.
STRAIGHT-PULL BOLT ACTION The HELIX combines a safe rotary bolt head with a true linear bolt action. A linear bolt action means without the rotational or tipping movement found on other straight-pull bolt action rifles.
GEARED STRAIGHT-PULL ACTION The linear motion of the bolt handle is transmitted to the bolt head at a ratio of 1:2. The bolt action is made twice as fast, which allows more time for aiming and accurate following shots.
CLOSED SYSTEM On the HELIX, the bolt action takes place inside the system housing – the bolt does not move towards the shooter‘s eye. The shooter then keeps their concentration, which is a clear advantage when rapid following shots can be made.
mem rx.helix
11
IMPROVED SHOOTING As the pair confront a group of wild boars, Schmider uses this unique ergonomic design of the HELIX to his advantage. Rapid following shots during bolt action shooting – only those who are used to something more complicated have to think twice. Schmider now has more time and concentration for the most important things. In other words, his shooting improves because everything else is easier. Even Knobel is impressed (though he would never admit it, of course).
HANDLING
HANDLING EASY TO DISMANTLE
Unique in this gun class: The HELIX has a fully-fledged Take-Down system.
TAKE DOWN The magic words for dismantling a hunting gun without tools are “TakeDown”. With the HELIX, MERKEL can now offer a Take-Down solution as standard for the first time in this class. The HELIX can be rapidly dismantled down to its packing dimensions and reassembled in three steps.
BOLT BARREL SYSTEM The patented MERKEL Bolt-BarrelSystem is the ingenious principle behind the HELIX concept. The barrel and bolt head assembly can be removed quickly and replaced with an assembly of a different calibre without the need for tools. Impressive precision: The point of impact is maintained on the HELIX.
mem As the HELIX is easy to dismantle, cleaning the barrel and bolt head is simplicity itself. All components are easily accessible. The removable bolt head is the ultimate safety device for preventing unauthorised use when travelling.
Remove the barrel together with the bolt head.
3
1 Press the button and remove the forearm.
2
Switch the barrel lever, which then releases the barrel clamp.
13 rx.helix
CLEANING AND SAFETY
HANDLING
HANDLING HELIX ON THE ROAD
Hunting has changed a great deal in the past few years. Travelling has increased, meaning hunting is also possible on holiday or during business trips. A rifle which is easy to dismantle can also be a plus point when travelling to your own hunting grounds, as can a rifle with interchangeable barrels which is ideally suited to a range of surroundings. With its unique, simple Take-Down system, the HELIX was not only developed for hunting, but also for travelling.
mem 15 rx.helix
WELL PACKED The packing dimensions of the HELIX are highlighted here by the “virtual” case. Without the need for tools, Schmider has dismantled and “packed” the rifle in seconds – the barrel and calibre are changed just as easily and quickly. This is a clear advantage when visiting other hunting grounds, as Schmider does. When on the road, the bolt head is carried in his pocket, making unauthorised use impossible. After all this theory, Knobel is now keen to start hunting: “Pack up your HELIX, Schmider, it‘s time to go to the forest!”
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Integrated Picatinny rail for all standard mounts
Closed system housing with manual cocking lever Straight stock with cheek piece and a rubber buttpad
Removable magazine. Capacity: Standard and Magnum 3+1.
With removable sling swivels as standard
Direct trigger with dry action - factory set to 1,000 grams
Total length approx. 107 cm (for barrel length of 56 cm) – Weight: approx. 2.9 kg
Linkage-driven hammer
Bolt-Barrel-System for tool-free changing of barrel and calibre
Driven hunt sight as standard
“BLACK” DESIGN Full Take-Down functionality
MERKEL Safebolt
The HELIX “Black” is completely fitted out, and comes with a hard-anodised aluminium action assembly. Available from woodclass 2. Calibre Groups Mini: .222 Rem.; .223 Rem. Standard: .243 Win.; 6,5x55 SE; .270 Win.; 7x64; .308 Win.; .30-06; 8x57 IS; 9,3x62 Magnum: 7 mm Rem. Mag.; .300 Win. Mag.
Barrel lengths: 56 cm Standard (Magnum: 61 cm; Short: 51 cm)
mem rx.helix
RX.HELIX
Solid bolt head with six locking lugs
17
RANGE
HELIX MODELS
mem mem rx.helix
19
“EXPLORER“ Design
HELIX Explorer with synthetic stock The new HELIX synthetic stock combination is particularly suitable for tough hunting. The stock’s innovative material is fibreglass reinforced composite in a dark shade of anthracite with a soft-grip surface. The soft material has a low noise level and a greater breaking strength than wood, ensures a firm grip even at very low temperatures and is dirt-resistant. The uniform surface is without adhesive attachments – nothing can come loose.
RANGE
HELIX MODELS “ARABESQUE” DESIGN
“ARABESQUE” The HELIX with classic arabesque engraving and highly-durable aluminium action assembly. The plain elegance of the engraving is matched by the high-grade wood stock – available in wood classes four an better.
mem “WILD BOAR” DESIGN
“WILD BOAR” The HELIX with driven hunt styling: The engraving on this high-class version depicts a “Keiler“ surrounded by arabesques on an aluminium action assembly. Available in wood classes four and better.
rx.helix
21
RANGE
HELIX MODELS WITH ELABORATE HANDMADE ENGRAVING “SPIRIT” DESIGN
“SPIRIT” Ingenious and beautiful – owners of the HELIX “Spirit” can choose between two hand-engraved animals surrounded by leaves or arabesques. The processed dural aluminium action assembly perfectly matches the walnut wood (classes five to ten).
mem “DELUXE” DESIGN
“DELUXE” Refined and individual – owners can choose three animals, which are then hand-engraved in the dural aluminium action assembly together with leaves or arabesques. The stock on this top-of-the-range rifle is made from refined Turkish walnut of wood classes six and higher.
rx.helix
23
Range | Accessories
HELIX – custom made in our manufactory “Dubai“ Design
Challenge us! Let us inspire you! The Merkel manufactory offers you any number of ways to personalise your HELIX: delicately manufactured engravings, finest Turkish walnut, engraved stocks, gold-plated components. Combine one of today’s most modern bolt-action rifles with a classical aesthetics created especially for you by our gunsmiths, engravers and stock makers. The HELIX “Dubai” is an excellent example of an elaborately engraved weapon lovingly worked with numerous details in the MERKEL manufactory in Suhl. Almost nothing is impossible – try us!
“Parforce“ Design
“Ukraine“ Design
mem
CUSTOM-MADE HELIX
rx.helix
25
Choice of pistol grip caps Silver pistol grip caps give the HELIX a personal touch: there is a choice of caps with engraved initials or selected animal motifs. The silver is trimmed to protect its fine features from damage. Further motifs on request.
3- or 5-round magazine For those who want more than the 3+1 magazine, Merkel now offers a 5+1-round magazine for the HELIX. The magazine is made of steel sheet and the handle is covered with moulded plastic to protect against scratching. The 5-round magazine is not available for magnum calibres.
Accessories
ON TOUR WITH THE HELIX
HELIX TAKE-DOWN CASE Two high-grade take-down cases: the larger one (see picture) measures 38 x 78 x 9 cm and takes the dismantled HELIX, one interchangeable barrel, two scopes and an extra magazine. The smaller one measures 32 x 76 x 9 cm and takes one dismantled rifle
and a scope. This case has a velvet-lined register, to which the weapon sections are fixed with Velcro strips. It is locked by two robust combination locks and secured with a leather strap. Further cases on request.
mem 27
Interchangeable SEMI WEIGHT barrels
Semi weight 19 mm barrels (standard: Ø 17 mm) are available in three different lengths and weigh between 170 and 320 grams more than the standard version, depending on the length of the barrel. Excellent swinging and shooting!
rx.helix
Standard barrel 560 mm / 610 mm
Semi weight barrel 560 mm / 610 mm
Semi weight barrel 510 mm
Barrel length Barrel type .222 Rem. .223 Rem. .243 Win. 6,5x55 .270 Win. 7x64 .308 Win. .30-06 8x57IS 9,3x62 7 mm Rem.Mag. .300 Win.Mag.
Sight None Driven hunt sight
560 mm Standard barrel Ø 17 mm
Semi weight barrel Ø 19 mm
610 mm Standard barrel Ø 17 mm
Semi weight barrel Ø 19 mm
510 mm Semi weight barrel Ø 19 mm
MERKEL Jagd- und Sportwaffen GmbH Schützenstraße 26 . D-98527 Suhl Phone +49-(0)-3681-854-0 . Fax -201 www.merkel-die-jagd.de
Because we continously develop and enhance our products, specifications and features described in this catalogue are subject to change. The rifles can only be purchased by those in possession of a valid permit. All rights reserved.
7001 068E / 2/3/2012
www.rx-helix.com
