Single Shot Rifles - Blaser & Merkel

I've been toying with getting a single shot rifle for a few years but often the ones I've handled have put me off due to weight. I know this is a dangerous rabit hole to go down as it will involve some serious $$$

Baikals... too heavy although i have thought whether you could lighten them up?

Bergara.... ok but again a bit on the weight side and not in a calibre i fancy

Thompson contender... my thumb is busted so pulling back a hammer isn't ideal.

I've been fortunate to handle a Hagn... :thumbsup::thumbsup: which is stunning but pricey.

Blaser K95 & Merkels K3 I've handled in Austria so I'm toying with them although the Merkel tends to take my fancy and they offer it in a calibre such as 7x57R which I like.

So... just wondering whether anyone has any experience with the Blaser and/or Merkels to share as I know one or two members have the Blasers they actively hunt with.

@Seventenths I have had a Blaser K95 6.5x65R for over 10 years
No complaints at all
Blaser and Merkel will both offer all the rimmed calibers and some popular un rimmed ones
Rimmed is a good idea because of a lack of primary extraction
But I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the rimless
But a lot of rimmed cases have more body taper and that helps in a single shot like this
I doubt there's really much difference between the two flavours
Just personal taste and what's available
Both are as strong as a modern bolt action rifle so you can load to high pressure safely
Both will be more accurate than most of us can shoot

I haven't used mine as my primary big game rifle
But it goes on most alpine hunts and especially when im guiding someone because you do a lot of climbing and not a lot of shooting

Just ask if there's anything more specific you want to know

I’ve had my K95 for a few years now. Love it. Packs down well, really accurate, lovely to shoot. I e got mine in 7x65R which is like a .280. Great open tops mountain cartridge. Rob liked mine so much he got one in .270. The K95 handles rimless cartridges just as well as rimmed. The disadvantage of rimmed cartridges is the cost of brass and dies and getting factory ammo is difficult to impossible. Have a think about 6.5x55 as an option as well. The .308 is a pretty popular chambering in Europe apparently.

Yes the brass is expensive
But
I went through all my 6.5x65R brass recently and found that in over 10 years and having used half of my 500 cases about twice each that I have only lost 3 cases in the field
And you might also have limited choice and if that means only RWS is available it's very good brass

Mohawk, yup the Rugers are fantastic. I've lusted after a Farquharson style action for most of my adult life...

In the context of this thread though, they are very heavy rifles, and known to be finicky to work on, couple of gunsmiths I know are not keen to work on their internals.

Here’s my report on my K95 from a few years back

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....-report-39623/

Yeah, always good to swing past Wilson's in Whanganui and foldle a couple there. A mate of mine up the road here collects them, I think he has 5 or 6 ! Even some in true "safari" chambering :o

Attachment 173357

I’ve got a K95 and really am enjoying it. Always liked the idea of the single shot and classic-ness of them but was always put off personally by the hogs back style butt stocks so when Blaser brought out the classic straight stock last year I jumped on it!
Got mine in 6.5x55, again wanted to keep things classic. Has taken a bit of trail and error for me on how best to shoot it for consistency but have got it sorted now.
You’re more then welcome to have a look at mine if you’re up my way sometime as well.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...29f5ad5c08.jpg


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bakails arent that heavy really...and you go much lighter and the recoil factor comes to bite you in bum...taking a 7.62x39mm and reaming to 303brit would be an interesting stalking rifle....suppressing would tame it no end. decent recoil pad on other end and be good to go.
that hagn you had fondle of wouldnt happen to be in a funky custom 6.5 chambering perchance???? LOL

I have just done a count up and realised I have 17 single shot rifles and 4 bolt action rifles
So I guess I'm a single shot guy through and through

4 Muzzleloaders
5 Falling blocks
2 Martinis
2 Rolling blocks
4 Kipplaufs

So does a Blaser R with multiple receivers and barrels count as one haha!? Does for me wink..

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Originally Posted by HandH

So does a Blaser R with multiple receivers and barrels count as one haha!? Does for me wink..

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No. Three complete R93s 300 308 9.3x62 and an Anschutz 22

True Class those Blaser's !!!

Thanks for all the replies and the photos are awesome... stunning rifles :thumbsup:

I figured Stug and Akaroa1 would be along to offer advice and much appreciated as I've often read and then reread Stugs report. Also glad to know Rob bought one.

Have you thought about making a carbon fibre stock for your rifle Stug?

Micky Duck... yes... the rifle belonged to our mutual friend.

Akaroa1... you can never own enough guns although wives have a differing view point!

Dreamer... stunning rifle and I'll remember the offer to look at it.

You guys have made me think about the suitable calibre. I've shot 7x64 in a combination gun a few times hunting Roe, Foxes, Boar but I've always held a sweet spot for the swede and I'm a bit of a sook when it comes to recoil.

thought it mustve been...tis a lovely wee rifle that one.
there is something special about single shot weapons,look forward to seeing what you end up with.

the other one I really have hankering for...take Bakail 223 and ream it to .22hp Savage now that would be very different and with the tighter .224 barrel the options projectile wise are endless,the origonal was a 80grn loading so right up there with new stuff...pretty sure simply swapping out die button would give correct enough neck tension to work properly.seeing thread of sixty tens where he has changed bakail to 45/70 shows the possibilities are endless with that platform.

If you still have a connection to Austria then buying a tidy kipplauf via Europe would be good option.

There is often a pretty big selection of some stunning stuff on Egun.de . I would do a bit of research on Rifles other than the two you mentioned, there was a plethora of provincial gunmakers in westeren Europe pre WW2, you can buy some magnificent arms for a fraction of the cost of a Blaser or Merkel.

Here are some

Austrian Gunmakers – German Hunting Guns

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Originally Posted by akaroa1

I have just done a count up and realised I have 17 single shot rifles and 4 bolt action rifles
So I guess I'm a single shot guy through and through

4 Muzzleloaders
5 Falling blocks
2 Martinis
2 Rolling blocks
4 Kipplaufs

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This post is worthless without multiple photos :P

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Originally Posted by ebf

This post is worthless without multiple photos :P

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That sounds like hard work

If you trawl through some of my posts you will see a few of the vintage ones

but I can give you some calibers

.45 FL
.50 ML
.52 ML
.72 ML
.22 LR x 2
.22 WMR project
.22 Hornet
.22 K Hornet
.223
6.8 SPC Work in progress and should be functional tomorrow
375 Win
45-70 in process of rebore and cut rifling
50-70
500 BPE
Rolling block in 8x58R process of re barrel to 38-55

and the 6.5x65R K95

Had a play with a Merkel K5 a few weeks ago. Went to my dealer with the intention of buying it, but it didn't win me over.

The aluminum receiver felt a bit cheap and gave the impression it would scratch/gauge easily. Aluminum doesn't wear as nicely as blued steel, nor can it be retouched as easily as blued steel (the K5 is either nitrided or anodized). I don't mind scratches and nicks, but there's a difference between something ageing gracefully, and looking trashed.

Despite the steep price ($7800) it still felt like a factory made gun (which it is - both the action and stock are CNC'd). It didn't have the heft or character of something that's been hand-built. It was beautiful to look at, but it had the soul of a Tikka T3, and felt far too fragile (I suspect the aluminum components contributed to this).

The trigger was nice and crisp, but it had a fair bit of over-travel, and from what I understand, this is not user-adjustable.

I have quite small hands (being a Hobbit) and the trigger-to-grip length was also a little too long for me.

The other potential issue is sourcing replacement barrels. These Euro manufacturers have a habit of phasing out rifles, and when that happens, good luck sourcing spare components. What would you do if you buggered the barrel (for whatever reason)? Probably not as straight forward as taking your bolt action to your smith to have a new barrel screwed on. Blaser seem to be more customer-service oriented than Merkel and have a larger presence in NZ, so between the Merkel K5 and Blaser K95, the Blaser would be the safer option.

If I was going to buy a single-shot rifle, I'd save some more and buy a top quality, all-steel firearm from one of the smaller European builders (i.e the Ferlach gunmakers). There are plenty of 2nd hand rifles on the market that were built by some of the top gunmakers when they were younger/not as established. Guys who are now charging upwards of $50k for a rifle. These early rifles are not particularly ornate, but they're solid, well made, no-nonsense tools.

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Originally Posted by norsk

If you still have a connection to Austria then buying a tidy kipplauf via Europe would be good option.

There is often a pretty big selection of some stunning stuff on Egun.de . I would do a bit of research on Rifles other than the two you mentioned, there was a plethora of provincial gunmakers in westeren Europe pre WW2, you can buy some magnificent arms for a fraction of the cost of a Blaser or Merkel.

Here are some

Austrian Gunmakers – German Hunting Guns

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Bring me one next time you come back?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by norsk

If you still have a connection to Austria then buying a tidy kipplauf via Europe would be good option.

There is often a pretty big selection of some stunning stuff on Egun.de . I would do a bit of research on Rifles other than the two you mentioned, there was a plethora of provincial gunmakers in westeren Europe pre WW2, you can buy some magnificent arms for a fraction of the cost of a Blaser or Merkel.

Here are some

Austrian Gunmakers – German Hunting Guns

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Still have family there who are licensed hunters so that is another option and time will tell when we can get back over with the way Covid is going. One place i'd love to visit is Ferlach in southern Austria whihc is ritch in gunmakers.

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Originally Posted by Frodo

Had a play with a Merkel K5 a few weeks ago. Went to my dealer with the intention of buying it, but it didn't win me over.

The aluminum receiver felt a bit cheap and gave the impression it would scratch/gauge easily. Aluminum doesn't wear as nicely as blued steel, nor can it be retouched as easily as blued steel (the K5 is either nitrided or anodized). I don't mind scratches and nicks, but there's a difference between something ageing gracefully, and looking trashed.

Despite the steep price ($7800) it still felt like a factory made gun (which it is - both the action and stock are CNC'd). It didn't have the heft or character of something that's been hand-built. It was beautiful to look at, but it had the soul of a Tikka T3, and felt far too fragile (I suspect the aluminum components contributed to this).

The trigger was nice and crisp, but it had a fair bit of over-travel, and from what I understand, this is not user-adjustable.

I have quite small hands (being a Hobbit) and the trigger-to-grip length was also a little too long for me.

The other potential issue is sourcing replacement barrels. These Euro manufacturers have a habit of phasing out rifles, and when that happens, good luck sourcing spare components. What would you do if you buggered the barrel (for whatever reason)? Probably not as straight forward as taking your bolt action to your smith to have a new barrel screwed on. Blaser seem to be more customer-service oriented than Merkel and have a larger presence in NZ, so between the Merkel K5 and Blaser K95, the Blaser would be the safer option.

If I was going to buy a single-shot rifle, I'd save some more and buy a top quality, all-steel firearm from one of the smaller European builders (i.e the Ferlach gunmakers). There are plenty of 2nd hand rifles on the market that were built by some of the top gunmakers when they were younger/not as established. Guys who are now charging upwards of $50k for a rifle. These early rifles are not particularly ornate, but they're solid, well made, no-nonsense tools.

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Absolutely totally disagree with most of this post
Based on handling a Merkel
Well I have owned and used a K95 for over a decade
The aluminum used is aluminium only in name
Far superior to many metals
Has not marked in any way different to the best high carbon steel
The receivers on Blasers and Merkels are not stressed like on conventional rifles and their taste can not be compared
The breech block locks into the barrel extension and is as strong as a bolt action

Yes second hand pre and post war European kipplaufs are good value but they do not use this locking system and suffer from having to use the traditionally lightly loaded rimmed ammunition

APPLE'S AND PEARS

And European hunters use their rifles in a fundamentally different way
They are cabinet queens and a status symbol
A long walk is to a tree stand or shooting position

If you want a quality single shot kipplauf NZ hunting rifle buy a modern well made Blaser or Merkel

If you want a status symbol still buy a Blaser or Merkel but don't take it hunting

Ask anyone who owns one

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Frodo

Had a play with a Merkel K5 a few weeks ago. Went to my dealer with the intention of buying it, but it didn't win me over.

The aluminum receiver felt a bit cheap and gave the impression it would scratch/gauge easily. Aluminum doesn't wear as nicely as blued steel, nor can it be retouched as easily as blued steel (the K5 is either nitrided or anodized). I don't mind scratches and nicks, but there's a difference between something ageing gracefully, and looking trashed.

Despite the steep price ($7800) it still felt like a factory made gun (which it is - both the action and stock are CNC'd). It didn't have the heft or character of something that's been hand-built. It was beautiful to look at, but it had the soul of a Tikka T3, and felt far too fragile (I suspect the aluminum components contributed to this).

The trigger was nice and crisp, but it had a fair bit of over-travel, and from what I understand, this is not user-adjustable.

I have quite small hands (being a Hobbit) and the trigger-to-grip length was also a little too long for me.

The other potential issue is sourcing replacement barrels. These Euro manufacturers have a habit of phasing out rifles, and when that happens, good luck sourcing spare components. What would you do if you buggered the barrel (for whatever reason)? Probably not as straight forward as taking your bolt action to your smith to have a new barrel screwed on. Blaser seem to be more customer-service oriented than Merkel and have a larger presence in NZ, so between the Merkel K5 and Blaser K95, the Blaser would be the safer option.

If I was going to buy a single-shot rifle, I'd save some more and buy a top quality, all-steel firearm from one of the smaller European builders (i.e the Ferlach gunmakers). There are plenty of 2nd hand rifles on the market that were built by some of the top gunmakers when they were younger/not as established. Guys who are now charging upwards of $50k for a rifle. These early rifles are not particularly ornate, but they're solid, well made, no-nonsense tools.

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Wow , you must have owned and used a lot kipplaufs (new and old) to be so knowledgeable on the subject.

I’ve used a mates Merkel K3 in 7x57 and it’s one of the lightest rifles I’ve ever handled.

There are some quite nice falling block rifles you can take a look at too.

Its really only indigenous people who are rougher on their sporting guns than Kiwis in my experience.

Western European hunting is largely as Akaroa has described with some exceptions, you can find kipplaufs in higher preasure cartridges made pre and post war,I guess it depends on what your goals with the Rifle is?

I am looking at a single shot takedown myself, currently Wolverine sports in Canada, has just got in 6-7 Merkel K5,(6.5x57, .270, 7x65 etc) few Blaser k95 about,
A K95 deluxe used, in 7x65 has popped up, debating hard about this.
Ive got a few nice single shots, Ruger #1 in 30-30 and 219 zipper, and copper single shots in 20 vartarg and 6x47 rem,
K95 I think is more appealing, as there is the odd spare barrel about, Epps currently has 3 spare barrels, not cheap thought.
Hannel also makes a takedown single shot, Fair makes rifles, on shot gun frame, including a kipplauf on there 28gr frame. both these are a bit cheaper than K5, K95.
Winchester is making the low wall again aviable in 22 hornet to 6.5 creed, Ive got a .22 hornet on order,

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Originally Posted by akaroa1

Absolutely totally disagree with most of this post
Based on handling a Merkel
Well I have owned and used a K95 for over a decade
The aluminum used is aluminium only in name
Far superior to many metals
Has not marked in any way different to the best high carbon steel
The receivers on Blasers and Merkels are not stressed like on conventional rifles and their taste can not be compared
The breech block locks into the barrel extension and is as strong as a bolt action

Yes second hand pre and post war European kipplaufs are good value but they do not use this locking system and suffer from having to use the traditionally lightly loaded rimmed ammunition

APPLE'S AND PEARS

And European hunters use their rifles in a fundamentally different way
They are cabinet queens and a status symbol
A long walk is to a tree stand or shooting position

If you want a quality single shot kipplauf NZ hunting rifle buy a modern well made Blaser or Merkel

If you want a status symbol still buy a Blaser or Merkel but don't take it hunting

Ask anyone who owns one

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We'll have to agree to disagree, then.

The Jaeger block is used in some fully-steel Kipplaufs as well. And the Blaser K95, from what I understand, can also be had in a steel receiver (albeit it's very expensive).

As I said, I wanted to like the K5 and was prepared to buy it (and I love the concept of a take-down singleshot) but it didn't satisfy MY tastes (prefer steel in traditional firearms) - so for anyone who is looking at buying one, try one before you front up the $$. There's nothing 'wrong' with the alloy used in the K5 and K95's, but it does create a different feeling firearm which may or may not be to your liking.

Honestly I think the K95 are great wee rifles , there are more of these in the country than you would think and you seldom see one for sale second hand which tells you something ,and it does not look out of place next to some much older firearms @Frodo
Attachment 173841

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Originally Posted by ebf

Mohawk, yup the Rugers are fantastic. I've lusted after a Farquharson style action for most of my adult life...

In the context of this thread though, they are very heavy rifles, and known to be finicky to work on, couple of gunsmiths I know are not keen to work on their internals.

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Originally Posted by Mohawk .308

Yeah, probably not a very practical hunting rifle, but would still love to have one in the safe. I had a fully wooded ruger bolt action carbine .308 once.
Sold it and still kicking myself, was a lovely little rifle.

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I would politely disagree with you there. The 303brit one I used was very good as a hunting rifle. It was far more accurate than I will ever be, and was given the name "the hammer" by my hunting companions. Everything I pointed it at went down. Right there, right then. Good old BOOM Flop. ( This probably had more to do with my/its preferred hunting load of a 215gr Woodleigh RN doing 2100fps......)

I had a mate look at some of my rifles at the time and he said it 'felt heavy' so I weighed a few of them. The BLR 30/06 was 4.1kg, the Ruger was 4.0 and his 308 M77 that he had lightened ' was 3.9.....I told him he had very sensitive hands to tell the difference of 5% (Bear in mind the full magazines weighed more than the difference....)

I also enjoyed shooting the 375 H&H Magnum in another Ruger #1 that I owned, but at $180 for 20 rounds it was not really what I wanted to spend on Ammo.

If you are really chasing lightweight Try finding an SSR (Scott Trail made) single shot. Rarer than hens teeth but worth it. I know of just one and it is 2.3kg / 4 pounds and take down...Or perhaps get one made....The real advantage is takedowns can be put in the pack for the carry out. And while it is nice if they are lighter, 4kg in the pack is easier than 4kg in the hands...Remember though, you cant hit anything with it in the pack.

Attachment 173862Attachment 173864

$200 Baikal Anshutz barrel just need a wee scope, Happy as Larry.Attachment 173867

There's a Thompson Contender G1 in 30-30 on trademe currently. Link provided in the trademe good deals thread.
Joel

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Originally Posted by Dusty Fog

hagn falling block

Attachment 174117

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That is a very nice rifle @Dusty Fog , there wouldn’t be many of those in NZ , very classy

Lucky,the photos dont do it justice.....that is one beautiful rifle and oh so light.

I've got a Merkel K3 in 7x57R, with a 3-9x42 Kahles in Rectnagel qr mounts. The k3 has the "alloy" reciever, the k4 the steel reciever and hexagonal barrel. The k3 reciever is not cheap, light flimsy etc. Its a good solid alloy. ON my first reloading session it put 4 out of 5 in the same hole. I pulled the 5 shot as i filled my pants. 7x57r brass is pretty easy to find. I use geco , rws and privi. Weight is 2.8 kg scoped so even a 7x57 is pretty lively in the hands off a bench.
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Originally Posted by Lucky

That is a very nice rifle @Dusty Fog , there wouldn’t be many of those in NZ , very classy

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I think there's a chap on the other forum that has one but went to a 300 WSM from memory.

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Originally Posted by nor-west

I think there's a chap on the other forum that has one but went to a 300 WSM from memory.

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@nor-west , that would be a handful and some , I have been looking at Martini Gunmakers in Canada website for years , he builds some beautiful rifles on the Hagn action , bucket list rifle for me , medium action in 6.5 x 55 would be sweet .
Soroka rifles are another nice one but I don’t know if they are still going , based on a Farquason styled action .

A different angle on the single shot: Ranking of Single Shot Actions.
Forums.NitroExpress.com

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Originally Posted by rupert

A different angle on the single shot: Ranking of Single Shot Actions.
Forums.NitroExpress.com

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Certainly a different angle and depends what you want to use it for

Most of those mentioned are magnificent actions but I wouldn't be keen to carry them in the South island alps

So any list of preferred action really comes down to the context
And even if it's to be shot at all