Re-Barrel a Merkel Helix

[UkMuntjacStalker]

So I have a Merkel Helux in .308 and I absolutely love it. Great fun but not the most accurate rifle I own, one sugggestion a gun smith had was to re barrel it with a competition barrel,

So I wondered if anyone has had any experience of rebarrelling a Merkel barrel. My gunsmith seems to think the locating lugs and connection piece to the action can be separated from the actual barrel, possibly threaded, and then he could machine a thread into the barrel blank and twist on. However he hasn’t done this before so can’t be sure.

Very open to all thoughts and advice, I am aware they sell spare barrels but that’s not what I’m looking to do.

Thank you for reading

 

[takbok]

I expect it could be rebarreled in a similar way to a Blaser - as your gunsmith says.

 

[Cranborne]

It might be worth contacting Michael Rainback based near Dorchester.

 

[kenbro]

So I have a Merkel Helux in .308 and I absolutely love it. Great fun but not the most accurate rifle I own, one sugggestion a gun smith had was to re barrel it with a competition barrel,

So I wondered if anyone has had any experience of rebarrelling a Merkel barrel. My gunsmith seems to think the locating lugs and connection piece to the action can be separated from the actual barrel, possibly threaded, and then he could machine a thread into the barrel blank and twist on. However he hasn’t done this before so can’t be sure.

Very open to all thoughts and advice, I am aware they sell spare barrels but that’s not what I’m looking to do.

Thank you for reading

That operation sounds like stubbing.
Kb.

 

[boar & deer]

It's mad how poor the accuracy is with these merkel rifles especially considering the premium price I was disappointed can see their second hand on guntrader for £750

 

[finnbear270]

It's mad how poor the accuracy is with these merkel rifles especially considering the premium price I was disappointed can see their second hand on guntrader for £750

My Alpinist 9.3 X 62 Is absolutely fine, I did put two rounds into a brain shot on a Boar target using a red dot @ 100 yds.
Even the odd Sako have been lemons, same with Lapua stuff.

 

[Jackal8]

Sure it’s not the ammo? I have one in 30-06 and can’t complain about the accuracy. I was lucky the Geco I started with were liked by the barrel. With another rifle from another brand it took me three different types to get there.

 

[justjo]

I suspect that the issue with the Merkel is with the composite forend. I also found that it wouldn't group but the barrel was too new to be shot out. I found that with a supressor and heavier scope, the weight of the rifle compresses the barrel onto the front end handguard. This changes barrel harmonics and causes a shift in impact.
Perhaps check if you also have this handguard flex.

 

[finnbear270]

I suspect that the issue with the Merkel is with the composite forend. I also found that it wouldn't group but the barrel was too new to be shot out. I found that with a supressor and heavier scope, the weight of the rifle compresses the barrel onto the front end handguard. This changes barrel harmonics and causes a shift in impact.
Perhaps check if you also have this handguard flex.

I had mine for the express purpose of running game, NO mod, Just a red dot weighing like fairy dust ... maybe that's why it's accurate.?

 

[Bustergreen106]

I used a very light weight dpt sound mod and its very accurate. I am careful to clean it with the barrel on as taking it on and off affects accuracy. I have had serious problems with Privi partizen factory ammo - don't use it under any circumnutates.

 

[UkMuntjacStalker]

Which make and model is that Sound Mod? I currently have a Wildcat

 

[GBR66]

Hi #UkMuntjacStalker, Where did you get to with the rebarrelling idea? I have the Alpinist in .30-06 and 6.5x55 and was wondering the same. I wasn't particularly impressed with the accuracy from the .30-06 22 but I think it is fussy with ammunition. I have just got a Spartan bipod and took it to the range to try at 100m - 300m having not used a bipod before. Pleased with the results with Sako Gamehead Pro 165gr. First go with the bipod 26mm, then 23mm, then 14mm 3 round groups with no rear rest, When I tried 300m it was quite blustery and I got a 78mm 5 round group, using a bag at the back. What surprised me was that zeroed for 200m, at 300m it gave me 32cm drop when I was expecting more like 20cm so I am glad I tried it! I also clean "barrel on" and use a Stalon X108 mod. Anyway keen to hear on rebarrelling and secondly does anyone have suggestions for the 6.5x55 which I haven't shot yet? Was looking at Sako Powerblade 120gr but dealers here have Sellier & B much cheaper.