Came across this rifle and can't seem to find anything about it. It was not even listed on Merkel's website. Is it brand new? Anyone know anything about it?

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/7-G77R15W6555?td_source=search

^^

TAG

Ask mule deer

Looks like a new baseline economy rifle by Merkel. Finish looks to be a zinc phosphate or light mag. phosphate. Barrels look to be press fit.

Here is a link to one, they are flooding Gunbroker with prices in the $700-$850 range.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=506058165


SD

I'll stick with a Tikka.

I too discovered the R15 yesterday and want to learn more. After all it's a Merkel! Looks very Utilitarian and simple-which I like. The bolt looks like it would be very fast to cycle?

Having them for sale with no real info, not even a magazine article or mention on their website seems odd?

Coming from Merkel could it be made cheaply? Would that make sense for them to do? I get the impression perhaps the R15 is similar in quality to the Tikka T3 and if so, that would be a good thing.

I did online chat with this place and they could not tell me a thing about the new Merkel R15. I decided that since it's a Merkel I would place an order while they still were available. Besides the price was better than on GB!

So I just placed my order for one in 9.3X62 synthetic.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/7-G77R159362?td_source=search

I know a 9.3 looks better in wood but expect this rifle to be nice and utilitarian.

I've always wanted a 9.3 for Black Timber elk, pigs and Moose! Expect that this rifle will be on par quality wise as a blue Tikka T3? (By the way there are 3- 9.3X62 T3s on auction now at GB!)

If interested I'll pass on my first impression of the rifle as soon as it's received. I'm also very interested in the new Mossberg Patriot in 375 Ruger. They were for sale but no longer are and I was told perhaps in 3 or 4 months. I suspect they discovered a problem that needs resolving?

Wow, I just clicked the link I posted above and it looks like I got the last one in 9.3X62 Synthetic? There is one on GB though.

The pics are better on GB.

Here is the synthetic stocked version of the Merkel R15 and a bit more information in the description.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=506257451

SD

If you look at sellers other auctions, the Mauser-Werke M96, Bergara B14, and the Merkel R15 all are similar in appearance and construction. I wouldn't be surprised if all three were made in the same place.

Price points are in competition with the Tikka, but
to me, the Tikka T3 looks to be of better quality and is proven to be a fine performer.

Let us know when rifle in hand and how it performs. The Merkel could prove to be of fine quality and a solid performer too.

SD

I saw these mentioned very recently, as well.

From what I can tell, I believe these are re-branded Haenel Jaeger 10 rifles. (Haenel is a division of Merkel.) Have not seen one in person, as the Merkel version has just been released and I have not seen any of the Haenel products here in the U.S. Sounds like they are very well made, accurate, and attractively priced.

The R15 is not a straight pull but has a 60-degree bolt lift.

One difference I noticed is that the Haenel-branded models all come with iron sights but the Merkel rifles do not.

From the pictures on Gunbrokers, it appears to have the same recoil lug system as a Tikka and a bolt lock down release like the Winchester XPR. CP.

Looks like CTD living up to their name. Good luck on that "Merkel".

The US importer for Merkel is located near me so I contacted them to inquire about this rifle and they were nice enough to invite me over to take a look at one. Pinotguy is correct that these rifles are based on the Haenel Jager. They look almost identical, but from my readings, the Haenel takes Rem 700 bases, but according to the rep, the Merkel uses Savage bases, so there must be some difference in the receiver.

The fit and finish of the wood stocked rifle I handled was nice and the trigger was excellent. I think the rifle looked nicer in person that the few pics I've found online. Overall, I liked it so much that I placed an order for a wood stocked 6.5x55.

Looks like a Merkel "American". Other than limited options for dinking around with it, it should be fine, given who's making it. Since the importer is close by, I'd get a spare mag or two while the gettin's good.

You can identify the pioneers by the arrows in their backs. We expect a full report.

Kinda hard to put a bipod on it with that front stud positioned where it is.

So has anyone had a chance to shoot one of these yet? I'm interested in a .243, but I would like to hear at least one range report.

This^^^

See highlighted text. Great advice if you folks end up liking your rifles and find, like I did with a European model only sold here for 4-5 years, that you want "accessories" later. You may find them expensive to get later, or perhaps not even available.

Good luck with them

Geno