Blaser vs Merkel?

[S O K A R]

In an attempt to downsize my collection & avoid having to deal with licensing/pta's as often as possible I've decided to go the multi-caliber route
Currently tossing up between the blaser r8 ultimate x & the merkel helix speedster
Interested to hear other peoples opinions on them

Blaser is give or take 9-10k I've been told with the merkel coming in at around 6-7k
Able to get a conversion kit to run rimfire with the blaser, can also run 338 lapua mag with it & everything in between, merkel is basically 223 all the way up to 338 win mag
10 round dbm with the blaser where as you can only get a 5 round with the merkel
But not sure all that justifies an extra 3k+

Thoughts?

Cheers

[mchughcb]

Blaser. Easier access to mounts and accessories. 22 to 458 lot. I don't worry about detachable mag as 4+1 has been fine for me for hunting deer and pigs to competition.

Plenty of second hand R8 way cheaper yjan what are quoting. I've held the helix several times and it's OK but it's not a blaser.

[9.3x64]

I have 22 Rimfire up to 500 Jeffery with my R8. I have absolutely no regrets. I don’t see a need for a ten shot mag for most hunting situations. The beauty of owning the one gun is you get bloody familiar with it. Same trigger, same decocker/safety, same feel ... Personally I would go the R8 again, but not the Ultimate X. I like the standard professional.

[9.3x64]

Another good thing about the Blaser platform is the huge availability of aftermarket parts. Mounts, stocks, you name it.

[solarpak]

Blaser - backed by OSA here in Oz and is the biz

C.

[S O K A R]

Got quoted yesterday 3.5k for an additional barrel, sure that's a mistake right?
3.5k for a barrel is abit rich....
I know the barrels for the merkel are around 2k, but the blaser does look like a better bit of kit

[mchughcb]

You can get much cheaper barrels second hand.