The best rifles for stalking and hunting in the UK and abroad

As with many things in the fieldsports world, when it comes to choosing a new rifle the myriad choices can be a bit baffling, and finding the right rifle for your needs can be a challenge. I spoke to Andy Norris, a keen stalker and Sporting Division Manager at Viking Arms, to try to wade through the thicket of variables and find the best rifles for a variety of requirements.

The best rifle for occasional stalkers

If you only go stalking a couple of times a year, those occasions will no doubt be eagerly awaited. Your annual trip to the highlands chasing noble red stags is a treat, what with the camaraderie in the lodge, the rituals repeated year upon year all adding to the experience. To really make these infrequent but much loved trips extra-special, a rifle that’s also a little bit special is just the ticket. “If your trips are few and far between, having a stalking rifle that you feel real pride in, with deluxe wood and beautiful engraving, is one of life’s little pleasures and makes your hunts that little bit more enjoyable,” says Andy.

Merkel K3

For those seeking a lighter-weight rifle, Andy suggests either the Merkel K3, or the newer model, the K5. Both are break-action single-shot rifles and are well suited to use on steep terrain, where every additional ounce is felt by the end of the day.

Merkel Helix Noblesse

For those who don’t mind trading off a bit of additional weight in exchange for having more than one shot, Andy’s recommendation is the Merkel Helix bolt-action centrefire rifle in the Arabesque or Noblesse variant. These are both stunning guns, the Arabesque featuring beautiful - you guessed it - arabesque-style engraving, while the Noblesse’s high grade walnut stock is a sight to behold. The Helix’s take-down function means the rifle can be easily disassembled for discrete and easy travel.

Merkel Helix Arabesque

The best rifle for avid stalkers

If, however, stalking is your main hobby, getting out there a few times a month or more, you’re going to want something a little more rugged that will stand up to the extra workload and being out in all seasons and all weathers. Andy recommends the Merkel Helix Alpinist, or its updated equivalent the Speedster. Like all the rifles in the Helix range, the modular nature of these guns means that you can have interchangeable barrels in different calibres and lengths, making them versatile tools that can be adapted to the task at hand. 

Merkel Helix Alpinist

“The Speedster and the Alpinist employ state-of-the-art engineering and synthetic materials,” says Andy, “which not only makes gives improved performance, ergonomics and durability, but also the luxury of a tool-less field strip for on-the-job maintenance and ease of transport.”

The best rifle for stalking or hunting travellers 

The UK is blessed with six deer species and the odd wild boar, but for some people the lure of exotic African plains game is a Siren song too hard to resist. Here the choice is a little trickier, says Andy, owing to the enormous variety of hunting that might be on the cards. “All Merkels can be taken down without the need for tools,” he adds, “which makes travel so much easier.” But when it comes to nailing down a choice, that depends on what you’re after, he says. “For ease of travel you might opt for a single shot lightweight rifle like the K5. If you’re planning on shooting running game, like driven boar in Europe, the fast bolt action of the Helix will stand you in good stead.”

Merkel K5

For the traditionalist there’s also the option of a double rifle, which Merkel makes in medium calibres all the way up to 470 Nitro Express suitable for the biggest of game.

Merkel Double Rifle

The best rifle for professional wildlife managers

If, however, you need a rifle not just to indulge in your hobby, but for use in your day day-to-day job, and managing wildlife is what puts the bread on your table you need something bombproof. Again, Andy points to the versatile and hard wearing Helix. “The entry level “Explorer” is a great choice for those with a tight budget but still needing the reliability and durability to get the job done day after day and year after year.

Merkel Helix Explorer

The Helix Speedster, with its “bridgeless” thumbhole stock, is great for people who need to be able to take those quick opportunities when they arise without too much fumbling around, and the Alpinist’s adjustable comb makes it a good choice for teams where any number of people might need to use it, or as an estate rifle,” explains Andy, adding, “All Helix rifles are threaded for a moderator and have an integral picatinny rail allowing quick change over from scope to night vision or thermal with ease.”

Merkel Helix Speedster

As a parting thought, Andy adds that no matter which of the Helix models you opt for, thanks to the modular design, you can always add a different barrel or stock to increase the range of uses, so your decision, so to speak, is never final.

View the Merkel Range