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GUN TEST | FIREARMS

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and claw extractor nestled into the upper lug
of the face.
A selling point is the receiver features
integral Picatinny/Weaver bases so and
unlike some of the other makes of switch
barrel rifl e you are not shelling out big bucks
for detachable mounts!
The action is quick, primary extraction is
facilitated by the bolt head rotating out of
battery, however, full extraction and ejection
depends on how hard/fast you operate the
bolt. Ammunition running at correct
pressures was fi ne and as familiarity grows
you learn to moderate the input effort BUT, it
only takes one surprise round to remind you
not to get too relaxed, especially in a fast
fi re situation. The ejection port is very slim
and occasionally the case can bounce back
in causing a stoppage. But that said the
Helix offers superb ergonomics for fast
handling and normally the bolt handle only
requires fi ngertip and thumb dexterity to
cycle it quickly.

SUBLIME HANDLING
Of all the guns I have shot, this is absolutely
one of my favourites. The two-piece synthetic
stock offers an adjustable cheek piece/comb
allowing perfect cheek weld whether using a
low slung red dot for driven boar or a
moderate 50mm objective scope. The design
incorporates three QD sling studs – one at
the rear and two in tandem at the front so a
bipod can be fi tted without touching the sling.

The forend although slender fi tted my hand

well and even though it fl exes slightly still

fl oats the barrel enough off a bipod not to

affect accuracy/consistency. Like the Sauer

202 the furniture locates at either end of the

receiver. Length of pull is 14 ¼” and great

compromise when shooting in the winter with

thick layers of clothing on, yet still allowing

the plastic heeled rubber butt pad to mount

effortlessly. No safety catch, instead a

tang-mounted de-cocker which is very

reassuring and something I now miss on guns

without one. Although it does ride fairly close

under the eye piece bell it’s easy to operate

silently and offers bolt locking when de-

cocked although a slight nudge forward whilst

drawing on the handle gives safe opening.

GO-TO GUN

My tester was in 243 Winchester which 90%

of the time fi ts my requirements perfectly for

British use. The mag holds 3-rounds; more

than enough! If you do want more Merkel

offers a 5+1 in certain calibres a good

choice for driven no doubt. Some scepticism

revolved around fox shooting at night where

loading the rifl e silently is mandatory. I

wondered how the gun would be and to be

fair, that last little ½” push the bolt needs to

lock it (where the carriers internal helix

rotate the bolt head) can be done quietly,

although silence on reload depends on

speed on your bolt. A tight case will need a

VERY fi rm yank to dislodge it, letting the

carrier rattle back for a healthy clunk onto its

stops. There is no halfway house so-to-

speak. Insertion and extraction of the

magazine was easy, left and right catches

allowing the small spring to drop it clear for a

fast changeover.

The Helix came threaded 15x1 along with

a Brugger & Thomet end of barrel moderator.

The straight-pull action offers a 2 - 1 mechanical

advantage giving a short, 1.5” handle movement

that can easily eject a 3” case

Detail of the plunger ejector and

claw extractor, the ejection port is

a little slim and very occasionally

a case would bounce back in!

A de-cocker; a Marmite

feature for many British

shooters, I found it a

practical alternative to a

conventional safety!

“Of all the guns I have shot, this

is absolutely one of my favourites”