Merkel RX Helix

About the Merkel

Affected by the industrial revolution, the beginnings of the Merkel Jagd- und Sportwaffen GmbH began in 1898 when three brothers Albert Oskar, Gebhard and Karl Paul Merkel created a company under the name Gebrüder Merkel. They started manufacturing firearms in 1905 as a relatively small firm and remained like that during the war as the total number of employees hardly ever exceeded 350. Mainly focusing on export, the company even lost some of its foreign markets, hence pushing the innovativeness in the forefront of their marketing strategy which is to this day notable in their workshop diaries from the time. As the hunting rifles production suffered during the war, they struggled for many years after it ended. However, in the following years, their aesthetically built hunting rifles were again gradually beginning to be sought after in 28 foreign countries. In 1924, one of the most unique and recognizable models – Merkel 303 was presented.

Two years after registering a trademark and gaining rights to the use of the term 'Bock' (over-and-under), Gebhard Merkel passed away in 1933, missing a chance of witnessing the ‘Grand Prix’ prize being awarded to the company in 1937 which increased the export business significantly. In the following year, the management was handed over to Adolf Schade and Ernst Merkel. Their rifles were mostly sold to the upper class - diplomats, famous hunters and industrialists became fond of the company's meticulousness and consistent quality which further broadened Merkel's reputation.

During the Second World War, the market network, consisting of many foreign countries, shrivelled little by little. The war industry was once again preventing the company to focus on what they had been known to do best, subordinating the production of hunting rifles to military weapons manufacturing. At this point, they started adjusting their production accordingly to the market demand, supplying other companies with what the industry needed the most - from carburettor to carbine and rangefinder parts.

Despite the war physically destroying or dismantling a large portion of German factories, Merkel was able to escape such fate, most likely due to its good reputation. At the end of 1945, they restarted the production of hunting rifles, however, due to the Soviet occupation, Merkel successors lost all rights to the company which now operated under the new state of the German Democratic Republic. The Soviets familiarized the company with the two most powerful and influential men at that time - Dwight D. Eisenhower and Nikita S. Chruschtschow which resulted in the first man in space – Juri Gagarin – to be given a Merkel Drilling. Consequently, the socialist regime exploited the company’s notoriety, focusing again on supplying the richest and most prominent people such as Josip Broz Tito, Gamal Abdel Nasser and even Mao Tse Tung. Up until 1987, the production of over-and-under rifles reached 150.000 pieces and the company additionally had a breakthrough in the sport shooting market.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, they struggled with outdated technology, however, foreign investors helped significantly with the expansion of the company which resulted in the development of some of the new products such as HELIX, SR1, K5 and SxS series. Up to this day, the company preserved the tradition of the high-quality, handcrafted character of their rifles combined with a vibrant history that laid the foundation for one of the greatest firearm companies of the 21st century.

Merkel RX Helix Rifle Review

Introduced in 2013, Merkel RX Helix is a German-made straight-pull, push feed bolt-action rifle with an enclosed-design aluminium receiver that houses a bolt with six-locking lugs that lock up with the barrel. Rifle’s take-down system makes it possible to dismantle the weapon and change barrels fast and effectively. The adjustable trigger is smooth and responsive. A manual cocking system that is positioned on the back of the receiver provides the user with easy access and adds to the overall safety of the rifle.

One interesting aspect of helix action is the ratio of movement between the actual bolt and the bolt handle as the handle does not have to travel full length for the bolt to move the full distance. This is achieved by a unique gear ratio placed on the sides of the receiver which makes for a significantly faster shooting experience altogether.

There are pinch knobs on both sides of the receiver that release the detachable single-stack magazine when pressed. All RX Helix rifles come with an integrated Picatinny rail suitable for most styles of optic mounts. This universal mounting base offers a reliable connection and makes it possible for repeatable mounting of the scope. 

Figure 1: Merkel RX Helix, chambered for .30-06 Spr. (Source: https://svenskjakt.se/jakt-prylar/vapen-skytte/merkel-rh-helix-vapenpresentation/)

Merkel RX Helix can be chambered for the following calibres:

• .222 Rem.
• .223 Rem.
• .243 Win.
• .270 Win.
• 7mm Rem. Mag.
• 7x64
• .308 Win.
• .30-06 Spr.
• .300 Win. Mag.
• 8x57 JS
• .338 Win. Mag.
• 9.3x62

Calibre choice depends on the variant.

The rifle is available in the following variants:

• Helix Black
• Helix Custom
• Helix Arabesque / Wild Boar
• Helix Deluxe
• Helix Alpinist
• Helix Explorer
• Helix Speedster
• Helix Suppressor
• Helix Tracker

Merkel RX Helix receivers come with an integrated Picatinny rail for mounting purposes. 

Figure 2: The receiver of Merkel RX Helix, chambered for .308 Win.

Which Rifles Have Interchangeable Mounts

Two-piece /one-piece mounts

For two-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces must match in all dimensions except the B distance. B distance can vary because two-piece mounts can be installed and adjusted closer or further apart.

For one-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces on these rifles must match in every dimension.

The rail of Merkel RX Helix is milled from the full material on the action assembly and assures repeatability of the mounted scope. To fit on the rifle, one-piece mounts should not exceed 120 mm in length and should not be shorter than 110 mm. If such conditions are met, most one-piece mounts suitable for Picatinny will fit on the mounting surface of Merkel RX Helix, along with two-piece mounts that do not have to meet the length requirement.

Our Recommendations for Mounts

Fixed Mounts

This fixed INNOMOUNT one-piece mounting solution manufactured in Germany is a reliable choice for your Merkel RX Helix as it combines lightness with durability. The mount that comes with a ten-year warranty is made of aluminium, matching the rail material, and offering a high recoil resistance.

Detachable Repeatable Mounts

If you are looking for a scope mount that provides the user with the flexibility of easily attaching and detaching an optic without any tools and retaining zero at the same time, you might consider purchasing this INNOMOUNT mounting solution for Picatinny mounting surface, produced in Germany. The mount is made of aluminium and comes with a ten-year warranty.

Help us build our riflescope mounts database

If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards. 

Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: info@optics-trade.eu