Merkel Officially Launches MHR 16 Bolt-Action Rifle in the U.S.
Last year, legendary German firearms manufacturer Merkel tested the waters of the American market with the company’s first exceptionally affordable bolt-action rifle. The market responded very positively to this rifle that combines the classic hunting rifle style with old-world craftsmanship and the latest manufacturing technology. Freshly renamed the MHR 16 for its official full production run, this bolt-action rifle was designed and manufactured specifically to exceed the expectations of American hunters and shooters.
Available in both wood- and synthetic-stocked versions, the MHR 16 rifle is a platform that is a functional, practical and beautifully refined, yet it is surprisingly affordable bolt-action rifle for the American market. The MHR 16 features a cold-forged and precision-machined receiver. The rifle’s full-bodied bolt has three lugs for maximum strength and safety, and a 60-degree throw allows it to glide effortlessly for fast follow-up shots. The receiver is mated to a Merkel’s world-renowned cold-hammer-forged barrel in a standard contour.
The MHR 16 features a direct trigger that breaks at just less than three pounds. The rifle’s safety is located behind the bolt handle and acts directly upon the sear. It also features a separate chamber lock, which allows safe unloading while keeping the safety “on.”
The detachable box magazine is removable by way of an innovative release built to surround the front of the trigger guard. Optics can be mounted with standard Savage mounts.
Merkel offers the MHR 16 in two versions: a grade-one walnut stocked version and a fiberglass-reinforced, black synthetic-stocked version. Both versions are available in standard and magnum calibers: .243 Win., 6.5×55, .270 Win., .308 Win., .30-’06 Sprg., 9.3×62, .300 Win. Mag. and 7mm Rem. Mag. The walnut MHR 16 weighs 7 pounds, 4.4 ounces, and the synthetic version weighs 6 pounds, 9.8 ounces.
The suggested retail price for the walnut MHR 16 is $899, and the synthetic MHR 16 is $799. Rifles are now on dealer’s shelves wherever Merkel firearms are sold. The Merkel MHR 16 rifles will be in the Steyr Arms and Merkel USA booth at SHOT Show, #10246.
For more information, contact Merkel’s exclusive U.S. importer, Steyr Arms, 2530 Morgan Rd., Bessemer, AL 35022; call (205) 417-8644; or visit www.merkel-usa.com.
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Merkel Rifle Specifications
| Model: | MHR 16 |
| Purpose: | Hunting & target shooting |
| Manufacturer: | Merkel Jagd und Sportwaffen, GmbH |
| Schutzenstrasse 26 | |
| D-98527 Suhl, Germany | |
| Importer: | Steyr Arms, Inc. |
| 2530 Morgan Rd. | |
| Bessemer, AL 35022 | |
| (205) 417-8644 | |
| www.merkel-usa.com | |
| Operation: | Bolt-action repeating |
| Caliber: | 6.5×55, .243 Win., .270 Win., .308 Win., .30-’06 Sprg., 9.3×62, .300 Win. Mag., 7mm Rem. Mag. |
| Magazine type/capacity: | Detachable steel/polymer box/standard: 3 rounds, magnum: 2 rounds |
| Action material: | Steel |
| Barrel: | 22 inch, Mag: 24 inch |
| Rifling: | 4 grooves, 1:12″ RH twist (.308 Win.) |
| Sights: | No sights, drilled and tapped for Savage-style mounts |
| Finish: | Blued |
| Safety: | 2-position-trigger-safety with separate chamber lock |
| Trigger type: | Direct trigger |
| Pull weight: | 2 lbs., 10.4 ozs. |
| Stock material/type: | Walnut or polymer/straight |
| Length of pull: | 14.5 inches |
| Drop at comb: | 1.5 inches |
| Drop at heel: | 1.5 inches |
| Recoil pad: | Elastomer; 0.7 inch thick |
| Sling swivels: | 1″ |
| Checkering: | Machined checkering on grip and foreend (walnut) |
| Weight, empty: | 7 pounds, 4.4 ounces (6 pounds, 9.8 ounces: synthetic) |
| Overall length: | 43.3 inches |
| Included accessories: | Owner’s manual |
| MSRP: | $899 walnut; $799 synthetic |
