Merkel RX Helix Forest Lady bolt-action rifle

The Helix Forest Lady, designed specifically for women, is delivered in wood class 4. The stock is not only shorter but also straight, with little drop and a high comb that extends the sight line nearly horizontally. The butt plate has been adapted to female anatomy. A steep pistol grip allows for relaxed trigger operation even with small hands. The weapon features a standard barrel with a muzzle thread for attaching a silencer or muzzle brake.

SAFETY OF THE HUNTER
Safety is the good feeling of being able to pursue hunting carefree because the rifle itself offers the best conditions for safety. The Helix lock is an evolution of the classic rotary bolt lock; no other principle secures repeaters more safely. In the Merkel RX Helix, the rotary bolt lock is combined with the Helix principle to create a linear repeater. The lock is encapsulated at the rear for additional safety and against contamination.

UNINTENDED DISCHARGE
The manual cocking mechanism of the RX Helix is located on the stock neck. It puts the system under tension only just before the shot with thumb pressure, and it can be just as easily relaxed again.

SAFE FUNCTION
Manual cocking systems sometimes suffer from a lack of ignition energy. For the RX Helix, a patented hammer system with a joint-driven firing pin has been developed that delivers maximum ignition energy: for a safe shot release.

LINEAR REPEATING
Repeating in the shooting position is the king discipline of the quick follow-up shot. The RX Helix masters this discipline masterfully. The Merkel RX Helix combines the rotary bolt lock with true linear repeating in the shooting position without the slightest disturbing rotational or tilting movement as seen in other straight-pull repeaters. The eye remains on the target, and the chamber handle is positioned exactly above the trigger. The straight stock, in the tradition of Merkel African rifles, provides the necessary support for this movement.

TRANSLATED STRAIGHT PULL
The linear movement of the chamber handle is transmitted in a 1:2 ratio to the bolt head. It moves smoothly and quietly into the locking mechanism and back out again in a special Helix track system. The repeating path is thus translated: the fastest repeating is guaranteed. This benefits quicker target acquisition and thus the precise follow-up shot.

STAYING ON TARGET
The bolt does not move beyond the stock neck towards the shooter's eye when repeating, which can disturb aiming in conventional systems. The movement in the Helix system occurs only within the system housing. The eye remains undisturbed on the target. Now for the second shot: triggered by a finely adjustable direct trigger with a dry characteristic—that is true ergonomics.

TAKE DOWN
The RX Helix is the first rifle developed not only for hunting but also for the journey there. Merkel defines a new quality of take down. The magic word for the tool-free disassembly of a hunting weapon is take down. With the Bolt Barrel System, Merkel has perfected the classic take down and implemented it in series for the first time in this class. This rifle can be disassembled into a size suitable for a briefcase in three simple steps. Even those with little experience can do this in a few seconds, bringing the RX Helix to transport size.

BOLT BARREL SYSTEM
The revolution in the barrel. The Bolt Barrel System is behind the perfected Merkel take down: barrel, bolt head, and system are connected by a coupling mechanism that can be released with a single lever—tool-free.

DEFINITIVE SAFETY
The Bolt Barrel System is ideal for the definitive securing of the rifle. The bolt head is no larger than a walnut and can be stored in a pocket—the rifle is thus securely protected against unauthorized use.

EASY TO CLEAN
Cleaning the barrel and bolt is also made easy thanks to the Bolt Barrel System: remove the barrel, unscrew the bolt head—all parts are easily accessible and easy to clean.

i-Sight System
A pressure hunting sight that always fits the hunting situation: even with an over-barrel silencer. The muzzle thread is increasingly becoming standard equipment for repeaters: silencers and muzzle brakes are fixed to it. However, for the universal rifle of many hunters, this often means restrictions with the classic open sight— the front sight gets in the way when, for example, an over-barrel silencer is to be screwed on. By default, the i-Sight front sight is mounted in the front of the two barrel holes and can be easily moved back when the muzzle thread is used. Additionally, both rear sight and front sight can also be completely removed.

MOUNTING
A target optic can be easily and cost-effectively attached. The top of the bolt housing is designed as a Weaver rail. The target optic can be removed and reattached with two hand movements without any changes to the point of impact. The eye relief can be varied (e.g., winter or summer clothing) by switching to one of the two rear cross slots of the Weaver prism.