The Firearm Blog

Merkel's answer to the new Blaser R8 is the Merkel RX.Helix. This takedown rifle makes use of a straight pull bolt action.

Its name is derived from the bolt's rotation system. The bolt is rotated in a helical motion at a 2:1 ratio (of forward motion to rotational motion). Apparently this allows for a smooth and fast bolt operation. This video shows the rifle being shot at 1 round per second. Pretty impressive!

The gun will be available chambered in 222 Rem., .223 Rem., .243 Win., 6.5x55mm SE, .270 Win., 7x64mm, .308 Win., .30-06, .308 Win., .30-06, 8x57 IS and 9.3x62. The magazine capacity is 3+1 rounds. The rifle weighs 6.4 lbs.

I have not heard anything regarding pricing or availability.

Our European friends never seem to stop trying to find new approaches to classic weapon systems that the rest of the world has given up experimenting with and I love them for it! Case in point is the Innogun which merges a single shot rifle and a pump action rifle with a double rifle.

The Hybrid

The Innogun Hybrid lower receiver is a magazine fed pump action. The lower can be chambered in 7×64mm, .308 Win, .30-06, 8x57mm IS or 9.3×62mm. Magazines will have the capacity of 1,3 or 5 rounds¹. Its barrel is 23.6" in length.

The single shot upper receiver can be chambered in .22 Hornet, .222 Rem, .243 Win, .30-06, 8x57mm IS, 9.3×62mm or 12 Gauge. To load the upper the action opens just like a under/over shotgun or rifle. The barrel is 19.6" in length.

It weights in at between 7.7 lbs and 8.3 lbs, depending on the upper/lower combination.

By now you are asking yourself "Why?". I don't have a good answer for that question! I suppose it is useful when you want a combination gun but also want a repeater. Still, I love it.

The company is also making a lightweight version of the Hybrid called the Pulse. It is pump action only and weights in at 6 lbs.

The Pulse

[ Many thanks to the anonymous reader who emailed me the link. ]

The civilian version of the Benelli MR1 Carbine was launched last year in the United States. It will go on sale in Europe at the end of April. The European model will probably make US owners jealous! In Europe the MR1 will come in two barrel lengths, 12.5" or 16", and with either an adjustable stock or hunting stock (only the 16" barrel and a fixed stock is available in the United States).

The MRSP is 1300 EUR (about $1800). (There is a bit of confusion regarding the correct price.)

[ Many thanks to Python for emailing me the info and photo. ]

The Remington's XCR II is a new long action Model 700 rifle. It does not supersede the original XCR, which was introduced in 2005, but will be offered alongside it.

It features a OD Green stock with rubber Hogue grip inserts. The stock looks very similar to the distinctive stock used for the very successful Remington VTR rifle. The gun's stainless steel metal work is finished with Remington's corrosion resistive TriNyte finish.

The rifle will be offered chambered in 25-06 Rem., 270 Win., 280 Rem., 7mm Rem. Mag, 300 WSM, 300 Win Mag , 300 Rem. Ultra Mag , 300 Rem. Ultra Mag , 300 Rem. Ultra Mag , 300 Rem. Ultra Mag , 375 Rem. Ultra Mag and 30-06 Springfield.

The following specs are for the .270 Win. version ...

Two special editions with a a Realtree AP HD Camo stock will be sold. The BoneCollector Edition and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Edition are chambered in .30-06 and .300 Rem. Ultra Mag respectively.

Standard Edition, BoneCollector Edition and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Edition

Acusport is distributing a special version of the Remington Model 700 VTR. The VTR Tactical's main drawcard is the use of 5R rifling with a 1:11.25" twist. It also features a tactical style bolt handle.

According to AccurateShooter, the benefits of 5R rifling is a better gas seal (resulting in greater velocity), less fouling and less jacket deformation. 5R rifling is used on the Army's M24 rifle.

The VTR Tactical will only be available in .308 Win.

This pump action shotgun is a BEAST. I was scared just looking at it! Its large magnum receiver is made even larger with the so called Armorlokt plastic coating which covers the entire gun.

Model 887 Nitro Mag Tactical (Top) makes the Model 870 (bottom) look tiny.

It features an 18.5" barrel with a Rem Tactical Choke (and integrated muzzle brake). A magazine extension increases capacity to 6+1 rounds.¹ The gun has two side picatinny rails hear the muzzle to attach lights, lasers or bayonets ² .

The business end.

I asked my friendly booth guide if the gun could rust under the plastic Armorlokt coating. He assured me it would not.

My friendly Freedom Group guide.

The MSRP on this shotgun is $498. I think it is a bargain!

The new Model 870 Tactical Express with the A-TACS camo finish is a nice looking shotgun. It features a 18 1/2" barrel, tactical choke, extended magazine (bringing capacity up to 7+1) and picatinny rail.

Remington Model 870 Tactical Express A-TACS (bottom)

It chambers 2 3/4" or 3" 12-gauge rounds. MSRP is $665.

Remington has introduced three new Model 597 VTR rifles.

The Quad rail makes it look much more AR like.

Model 597 VTR Quad Rail

The Model 597 VTR Quad Rail features a free floating quad rail. MSRP is $590.

597 VTR A-TACS

The Model 597 VTR A-TACS is a standard VTR but with a A-TACS camo finish. MSRP is also $590.

Not pictured is the Model 597 VTR A2 model which, as the name suggests, features a standard AR-15 A2-style fixed stock. This has an MSRP os $445.

The outdoor sporting counterpart to the Savage / Stevens 350 Pump Security is the 350 Pump Field.

It is also available in a combo package that includes a 18.25" Pump Security barrel.

New from Savage, under the Stevens brand name, is the Stevens 350 budget home defense pump action shotgun.

Stevens 350 Pump Security (top, bottom)

Stevens 350 Pump Security with sights

Like the new BRJ, the BSEV was originally a .17 HMR rifle and is now also chambered in .22 Long Rifle, as the Mark II BSEV, and .22 Magnum as the Model 93 BSEV.

Savage Mark II BSEV

The BRJ was originally a .17 HMR rifle. Savage have now chambered in .22 Long Rifle, as the Mark II BRJ, and .22 Magnum as the Model 93 BRJ.

Model 93 BRJ (.22 Magnum)

A lot of people have been drooling over the new .338 Lapua Savage rifle because it packs a lot of features into a rifle with an MSRP of just $2,267.

American Rifleman has published a review of the 110 BA which can be read on their website ...

Although the Model 110 BA is found in the Savage Arms law enforcement lineup, and was designed with military requirements in mind, not to mention it has the ability to withstand operational use by military and law enforcement communities, long-range shooting enthusiasts will surely find this rifle appealing. What’s more, the 110 BA’s $2,267 price puts it within the reach of many shooters. All this, along with Savage’s renowned accuracy and commitment to quality, gives you a remarkable rifle at an equally impressive price.

Savage Model 110 BA (Excuse my poor photography)

The American Rifleman review is very comprehensive so I will not bother covering the same ground, but I will make a few comments about the rifle which I have had the pleasure of shooting on two separate occasions.

Recoil is not too bad. The muzzle brake is efficient. The blast, on the other hand, is significant. Firing it at the enclosed private single lane at the NRA HQ Range was quite an experience ! Again, thanks to Ed Friedman, Tyler Kreis and Daniel McCullough for taking me shooting at NRA HQ.

The rifle is more accurate than I am at half a mile. To be quite honest, being more accurate than me is not hard!

When I blogged about the original Savage Model 10 BAS, which this rifle is based on, many people criticized Savage's decision to use an AR-15 stock and pistol grip. Personally I found the ergonomics of a free standing pistol grip to work just as well on a bolt action as it does on a tactical style automatic rifle.

I have only two criticism. Firstly, to be frank, it is ugly. Savage have gone with function over form. Secondly, few, if any, civilians are going to get any use from the side rails. They just add to the weight and cost of the rifle.

The Savage Model 10 Predator Hunter is now available in the Max 1 Camo finish. It is also the first Predator Hunter to be fitted with the AccuStock.

It is available in .22-250 Rem, 204 Ruger, .223 Rem, .243 Win. MSRP is $864.