Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Has anyone gone Euro on a break action single shot?

I have always admired the Merkles and other European single shots, but they are usually fairly spendy. I was thinking about a poor boy version using an American made action. Has anyone done this, if so photos please. Which actions would be a likely candidate?

Oops just saw the thread on the Brno, but the photos won't open.

I want to, but the price keeps me from it.

Someday, I may get tired of futzing around with multiple rifles and sell a bunch to finance one of the nice ones, but not just yet. I think they are amazing rifles.

Honestly, my $400 Henry has exceeded my expectations and is pretty nice to boot, at least as nice as most standard blued and walnut bolt-action rifles costing a lot more.

I have thought the same thing pappy. I have several rifles that I am happy enough with but not content and satisfied with. After I give away to kids and grandkids what they want, I plan on selling the rest and adding some cash to it and get the ones I really want. After seeing John B's Merkel, I want a ms stocked Merkel and a ms stocked CZ Effect. I also want a custom flintlock muzzleloader. With those three and the 22 rifle and the 20 gauge shotgun I have, I think I could be satisfied.

Ha! Good luck with that!

Here's one of the Brno single shots that just sold on Gunrunner auctions for $610 with the buyers premium. https://auctions.thegunrunner.com/l...gle-shot-rifle-236-barrel-czechoslovakia

It's pretty hard to beat the discontinued TCR83/97 rifles if you like a "Kipplauf". They're not perfect, but they're also a small fraction of the cost of a German single shot and they're elegant and well designed. I've had one or another if them in my accumulation pretty much continuously since they came out. Here's the current one.

Although I've not shot a BRNO Effect, I did investigate them when they were first introduced and have not found much good results from those who have owned them.

My Blaser K95 Stutzen. Break open, switch barrel, stupid accurate.

I regret not getting a TCR when they were available. Nice Blaser, I always wanted one in 6.5 or 7 x 65R.

I used to feel that way, but the adventures recounted here, plus their orphan status have changed my mind. Now that Henry sells entire rifles for little more than the retail of barrels for Encores, I'm pretty content, at least until my ship comes in so I can afford a K3.

The TCs are still a good deal for those who want unusual chamberings, but a little clever handloading, plus maybe a re-chamber or rebore will do me just fine (though the new "G1" Contenders look very nice!)

Bought a poor man's Merkel....a full stocked Brno Effect. The thing was always accurate, but has been plagued with intermittent misfires. Finally figured out that the firing pin is slightly short and a loaded round in the chamber that was a little undersized moved just far enough forward to leave a small dent on the primer but not fire. Rather than have a gunsmith fabricate a longer firing pin, I began neck sizing brass that had been fired in the rifle before. Now it is surefire!

The rifle is very accurate with sub MOA groups not unusual. I was thinking about getting rid of it but now, because the misfiring issue is taken care of, am very glad I didn't. It is light and handy, but to my eye a little too long. Being so slim and long almost gives it a 'toothpick' look.

I will be owning a K 95 Blaser before too long.

I have a TCR, and a safe full of other "orphans", rifles that they haven't made in 30 to 130 years. They don't seem to mind.

Agreed, but getting started down that road now might be problematic.

Don't do it, unless you are looking for this.

Back in the early 90's, I could not afford the cash to buy this Blaser K95, so I traded 3 rifles ( that I did not hunt anyway) and a little cash for this "Presteige" model in 270 Win. I've never regretted the deal. RJ

they look like an H&R Topper with nicer wood and bluing....

I like this gun a lot! Very nice. I remember handling a regular stock effect in 30-06. What a nice gun that was. I had to sleep on it. Never saw one prior to that. I went back a few days alter and it was sold. My hesitation was the caliber was a bit larger than I wanted for how this would have been used. Now these are no longer imported and I do have regrets. I know the Blazer cost more, but; I like this gun better. It is not about the price it is the gun. These were really nice.

Someone mention H&R with regards to Blazer and I get the comment. I have several H&R. A person has to handle the guns and eye ball the workmanship in person. The Henry is also an ok gun - but; again the real gun not quite what I expected from photos. I wont turn negative, these all four are guns I like in one context or another. I also get the Brno, poor man comment, but; dont be fooled. Brno (or now CZ) is a quality product and they are not giving those away. And CZ is accurate.

Some people are butt hurt because they cannot afford a Blaser K95, so all they can do is insult the fine rifles. RJ

If that is what you think or if that makes you feel better, have at it. I would guess you've not spent much time with a K95.

I can't afford one, but it only makes me envious.

I do have a couple of 6-7lb bolt guns, and I'm really becoming a fan of that weight range. I guess a little reshuffling of resources is in order.

Pappy, I could not afford to buy the one I have either. I got it in the early 90's when I traded in 3 rifles that I never hunted and a small amount of cash. That's exactly what I did, reshuffled my resources. RJ

yup!























its hard to tell the difference.......










ya!

GWB

And its Geedubya for the win!

Was there ever any doubt?

Winner

Not in my mind...

I would hunt that lower rifle...even if it was chambered in .270!!!!

Have a few break-action single=shot rifles, ranging in from an H&R Handi-Rifle to a Merkel. They all work well, but the big quality differences I have found are:

(1) Trigger-pull quality.
(2) Balance and weight.
(3) Visual pleasure.

All kill stuff.

This one just happens to be chambered for the 270 Win.



Merkel K3 Extrem



ya!

GWB

That one is party Geedub, but it doesn't have the panache of the one above!

Both the Blasers and the Merkels have excellent triggers.

However the "K" model Merkels have an adjustment on the left side rear that allows the user to choose one of three different trigger pull weights



Here in Texas, for the most part, we stand hunt rather than spot and stalk. I am a safety nut. I always wear a side arm, and almost always when walking in or out in the dark have my pistol in my hand, but I almost never carry a rifle with a shell in the chamber. Having said that I do like the safety on both the Blaser and Merkel




They balance well in the hand and are relatively light.





Although I mainly shoot with the aid of optics, I do like the fiber-optic irons on the Merkels and they natural way the front and rear sights align on the target.



Both the Blasers and Merkels break down and can be re-assembled at a moments notice and stored either in a soft or hard case





With both the saddle mounts on the Blaser and Merkel K3 or the Recknagel twist mounts(my favorite) on the K1, the scope returns to zero every time.



Recknagel twist mounts on a K1

Due to the nature of the terrain and the game that I hunt, I usually only get one shot. Consequently my emphasis is 1st shot out of a cold barrel. So far the Merkels and Blasers I've owned do not disappoint



and I do luv' the warmth of wood.








ya!

GWB

Beautiful rifles you have GWB. Never knew I needed one till now. Is the recoil bothersome from such a light rifle? The breakdown to a small package is a definite advantage for the traveling hunter. The quality of wood on your rifles is amazing.

I had a Merkel K1 in 300 Win. Mag.
Notice, I said had.
I am not particularly recoil sensitive, and I shoot for load development, and to check zero off a weighted Lead Sled II, in order not to develop a flinch while shooting. However it was a bit much.
I have only gotten "scope eye" once, and that was my fault, due to lack of concentration and poor positioning at the bench. I was with the 9.3 x 74R, whose recoil is more of a shove than a sharp pop IMHO.
I've taken a number of critters with the Blaser K95 in 30-06, the Merkels in 7-08, 308 Win, 223 Rem as well as the 9.3 x 74R, and in each case, I do not remember the recoil as much as I do the elation that comes with a quick clean kill.


As to needing one, a couple thoughts.

The only one of the Blasers and Merkels that I bought new was the K3 Extrem. All the rest were pre-enjoyed, and were basically safe queens. There are deals out there, be patient. I try not to pay over 60% of MSRP, unless I'm really, really infatuated.
ya!

GWB

Good information, thank you.

If I sold most of my hi-end American made long guns, I could afford a couple of them Euro single shots.

.

Impressive shootin Irons you have there Glenn!

Am trying to post some photos of my Blaser's but the photos are too big. I'll cut them down and see if that helps.

Got it done...

6.5 Creedmoor.



Stutzen 243 with extra 308 barrel



All ready for travel

I love my k95 in traditional 6.5x57r (special order 26" barrel and spare 5.6x50R but I find such a light rifle much harder to shoot.

Why did I have to see this thread? On little click and I’m now obsessed with Merkel and Blaser. What about the new K5 Merkel? I really like the black unfluted version with 22” barrel. 30-06 of course. When will they be available and what’s the street price?

I have been looking foe a Merkel K3 30-06 but they seem to be very scarce or I’m not looking in the right place. Does anybody know of a big dealer ? I’m not opposed to buying a used one. I would appreciate some guidance.

Those Stutzen rifles are way cool!