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Merkel Reinvents the Bolt Action Rifle with the Introduction of the RX Helix The World’s Fastest Bolt-Action Rifle.

Merkel RX Helix Bolt Action Rifle

Merkel Arms

TRUSSVILLE, Ala. –(Ammoland.com)- Merkel has cast aside traditional workings of the bolt-action design that has reigned supreme for more than a century, and it has created a truly revolutionary design of bolt action that cycles in half the length of the conventional system.

This new Merkel rifle is the linear-bolt-action Merkel RX Helix, and it stands as the fastest operating centerfire bolt action in the world.

The modern repeating bolt-action rifle hasn’t changed much since the introduction of the Model 98 back in 1898 by famed gunmaker Paul Mauser. One afternoon in hunting camp, 112 years after Mauser created his bolt-action design, a pair of Merkel engineers decided it was time to create the next generation of bolt-action rifle. After a lengthy collaboration, the pair came up with a design for the rifle that would ultimately become the revolutionary RX Helix—a design that is nothing short of genius.

Amazingly, while the RX Helix is a straight-pull rifle, it retains the strength and safety of a rotary bolt head with seven locking lugs, as well as a fully enclosed, hard-anodized-aluminum action housing. The RX Helix’s linear motion of the bolt handle is transmitted to the bolt head at a ratio of one-to-two by way of a revolutionary transmission gearing system, providing for smooth and fast cycling without the rotational or tipping movement found on other straight-pull bolt-action rifles.

The Merkel linear-bolt-action system cycles exceptionally fast, which allows more time for aiming and accurate follow-up shots. Since the RX Helix employs a closed action, the bolt body doesn’t travel outside that action, therefore the shooter can maintain cheekweld with an eye on the target as he cycles the bolt. The RX Helix’s bolt handle is also exceptionally easy to manipulate for left-handed shooters, as they can maintain cheekweld while using the support hand to cycle the action.

The RX Helix features a manual cocking lever on the tang and a direct trigger system. The rifles patented linkage-driven-hammer system provides maximum ignition energy for flawless operation and added confidence when hunting dangerous game.

A true takedown rifle for exceptionally easy packing, the RX Helix can be dismantled almost effortlessly in a matter of seconds without tools for cleaning or transportation. The RX Helix has a universal action length that covers calibers from .222 Rem. to .300 Win. Mag., and changing calibers takes less than a minute with the appropriate barrel, bolt and magazine. Weaver rails are integrated into the action, and fast-acquisition iron sights with three-dot rear and one-dot front fiber-optic inserts are standard.

The RX Helix is available in a standard black configuration as well as four levels of design—Arabesque, Wild Boar, Spirit and Deluxe. An all-carbon-fiber version is also available either with or without a carbon-wrapped barrel. The RX Helix is available in a wide range of popular calibers including .222 Rem., .223 Rem., .243 Win., 6.5×55 SE, .270 Win., 7×64, .308 Win., .30-’06 Sprg., 8×57 IS, 9.3×62, 7mm Rem. Mag. and .300 Win. Mag. Barrel lengths vary according to caliber, and additional barrels, bolts and magazines are available for caliber changes. The MSRP for the standard black rifle with Grade 2 wood is $3,795.

For more information, contact Steyr Arms at 7661 Commerce Lane, Trussville, AL 35173; call (205) 655-8299; or visit www.steyrarms.com.

Merkel Rifle Specifications

• Model: RX Helix
• Purpose: Hunting & target shooting
• Manufacturer: Merkel Jagd und Sportwaffen, GmbH
• Operation: Linear-bolt-action repeating rifle
• Caliber: Mini: .222 Rem., .223 Rem.; Standard: 6.5X55 Swe., .270 Win.,
  7X64, .308 Win, .30-’06 Sprg., 8X57 IS, 9.3X62mm; Magnum: 7mm
  Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag.
• Magazine type/capacity: Steel detachable box/3 rounds; 5-round magazine optional
• Action material: Hard-anodized aluminum
• Barrel: Cold-hammer-forged steel Mini: 20-inch; Standard: 22-inch; Magnum: 24-inch
• Rifling : CIP standard for caliber
• Sights: Iron sights; integral Weaver rail
• Safety: Tang-mounted manual cocking lever
• Trigger type: Two-stage direct
• Pull weight: 2 lbs., 1 oz. – Adjustable
• Stock material/type: Walnut/Classic profile
• Finish: Oil
• Length of pull: 14.4 inches
• Drop at comb: 1.3 inches
• Drop at heel: 2.7 inches
• Recoil pad: Elastomer; .6-inch thick
• Sling swivels: Detachable
• Checkering: Laser-cut checkering on grip and foreend
• Weight, empty: 6 lbs., 6.4 ozs.
• Overall length: 42.1 inches (Standard)
• Variations: Helix Arabesque: With arabesques laser engraving
• Helix Wild Boar: With wild boar laser engraving
• Helix Spirit: Hand engraved two animals surrounded by leaves or oaks
• Helix Deluxe: Hand engraved three animals surrounded by leaves or oaks
• Helix Carbon: carbon-fiber stock with or without carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel
• Included accessories: Owner’s manual, one detachable box magazine, plastic case, two Sling swivels
• MSRP: $3,795 (Standard)

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Merkel Arms Helps L.L.Bean Celebrate 100 Year Anniversary with Commemorative Limited-Edition Shotguns.

Merkel Arms & L.L.Bean Limited-Edition Shotgun

Merkel Arms

TRUSSVILLE, Ala. --(Ammoland.com)- Merkel Jagd und Sportwaffen GmbH is pleased to announce that it has been commissioned to create a special line of shotguns to celebrate the centennial anniversary of L.L.Bean in 2012.

Recognizing Merkel’s unparalleled workmanship and dedication to the craft of fine gunmaking, the premium outdoor outfitter chose Merkel to provide its marquee product—a limited number of L.L.Bean 100th Anniversary Commemorative Shotguns—to headline a short list of fine heritage products.

To develop these very special guns, L.L.Bean worked closely with Merkel on their overall design and development. The 100th Anniversary Shotguns include a total of 20 Merkel Model 147SL 20-gauge shotguns, as well as five, four-shotgun sets that include a Model 1620SL 16 gauge, a Model 147SL 20 gauge, a Model 280SL 28 gauge and a Model 360SL .410 bore. The shotguns will feature a never-before-seen and never-to-be-repeated custom hand-engraved game scenes that truly embodies and celebrates the passions of the American hunter and his importance to the L.L.Bean Company.

At the heart of each of these Merkel shotguns is a Holland & Holland-style action with hand-detachable sidelocks with Greener cross-bolt, double-under-barrel locking lugs. The shotguns feature double triggers with automatic tang-mounted safeties. Spent shells are expelled by way of H&H-style automatic ejectors. The barrels are 28 inches in length and are of cold-hammer-forged steel with solid sighting ribs.

Each shotgun boasts hand-selected, oil-finished Luxury-grade Turkish walnut furniture with a gold medallion notating its prominence. The stock contour is an English style with custom Scottish skip-line checkering. The length-of-pull is 14 3/8 inches, the drop-at-the-comb is 1 1/2 inches, the drop-at-the-heel is 2 9/16 inches, and the cast-off is 1/4 inch.

The actions exhibit hand-engraved game scenes specially created for L.L.Bean on the silver-grayed sidelocks. The bottom metal of each shotgun receiver features a custom gold-inlayed hand engraving of the original Maine Hunting Shoe with surrounding gold inscriptions indicating the company’s year of inception, 1912, and its 100th year anniversary, 2012. The Maine Hunting Shoe is exceptionally important to the company, as it was Mr. L.L. Bean’s first product offering a century ago, and it is a testament and symbol of his company’s product innovation, his deep dedication to the traditional outdoor sports, and his commitment to total customer satisfaction.

The left side of the receiver features deep-relief hand engravings of a German Shorthaired Pointer flushing a pair of Ruffed Grouse. The right side features two American Woodcock taking flight in a lush forest.

The silver-nitrate forearm latch, trigger guard, action lever and receiver tang are garnished with fine Arabesque scrolling. The chamber end of the cold-blued barrels feature rich and intricate hand-engraved Arabesque scrolls. The base of the shotgun’s action lever is inscribed with the letters “LL” in gold inlays.

Each individual L.L.Bean 100th Anniversary Commemorative Shotgun is engraved with a specially designated gold-inlayed number identifying its exclusive place in the production of this rare and limited edition.

These fine collectable shotguns will be available for reservation on a first-come, first-served basis at the stroke of midnight, EST, Jan. 1, 2012, at www.llbean.com. Additionally, the commemorative shotguns will be available for immediate purchase exclusively at the L.L.Bean Hunting & Fishing Store in Freeport, Maine, after Jan. 1. Call 877-755-2326, or visit www.llbean.com for more information.

Merkel Arms & L.L.Bean Limited-Edition Shotgun

Merkel’s long list of exquisite firearms is imported to the United States solely by Steyr Arms. For more information, contact Steyr Arms at 7661 Commerce Lane, Trussville, AL 35173; call (205) 655-8299; or visit www.merkel-usa.com.

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