A Poor Man's Double

Boomer

Boomer

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Uber Super GunNutz
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Location
Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
So the other day I was visiting Pounder when something in his gun room caught my eye. A trim little double rifle, with a dark nicely grained and cut checkered wood stock. Because I didn’t know about beforehand, there are no pictures, nor is there a proper range report. This is just me saying, “Huh, that’s cool”.

Now I’m in no way a DR fan, but after a cursory inspection, I was reasonably impressed with the workmanship, particularly once I realized I was holding a Baikal. The chambers were .30/06 and as it turned out I had a couple of 180 gr handloads in my pocket. I knew I full length resize for a reason.

So out we went and without much hope of success I put the front sight on a small boulder some 170 yards distant and pressed the rear trigger. Dust flew from the center of the rock, followed immediately by the unmistakable smack of the of the bullet impact. Without pause, I move to the front trigger and pressed again, the little rifle bucked and again dust flew from the center of the rock, the second bullet landing almost on top of the first. Now that shouldn’t even happen with a good double, not at 170 yards! So apparently the barrel regulation wheel was adjusted correctly at the factory. Opening the action showed that the rifle has extractors, and I don’t know (or care) if an ejector model is available.

So okay, it shoots, its light and trim enough to carry all day without complaint, and it looks good, but I’m not really sure what its for. Am I going to run out and buy one? When pigs fly! But if any of you guys out there are dreaming of owning a double but can’t manage the tens of thousands of dollars required for a British double, this rifle provides a $800 solution. When I would have bought one, probably the .45/70 version, was when I was preparing to go to Africa, knowing I would be shooting the PH’s .500 NE double. This would have been a n excellent rifle to help prepare for that adventure.
 
I looked at them when they first came out and really didn't like them at all; wood-metal fit was poor, the sights were terrible, etc etc. I posted a review and pictures back then. I decided I'd rather not have a SxS if it was this or nothing.
 
My experience was the same as 1899! Tried one that a buddy had. Trigger for one barrel was 12 pounds, the other was 15. Fit and finish was very poor and that's being kind. Fired cases stuck in the chambers. Wouldn't take one if you gave it to me!
 
they should not be hitting same point of aim but on a target they should hit right and left of point of aim. idk if id buy a russain made double id rather spend the $5000-$8000 for a old BPE double
 
antiqueguy said:
they should not be hitting same point of aim but on a target they should hit right and left of point of aim. idk if id buy a russain made double id rather spend the $5000-$8000 for a old BPE double
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You can get a new Chapuis for $4900 and a new Sabatti for $3000, so there are some options out there that aren't the same price as a new car.
 
I have one in 45/70 and absolutely love it. The regulation works very well. Mine is set from the factory with 405 gr loads. Remington factory 1400 fps stuff. I've loaded 350 gr interlocks at 1950 fps recoil was still mild but raised the barrels more then I wanted. The sights do suck but I put a 2.5x20 scope on. They only have extractors. Great bush hunting guns. Mine is very accurate and will group 2 shots from each barrel into a 2" group at 75 yards. Anything over 1600 fps vertical spreading occurs.
 
Ardent said:
Things must be changing as I handled one a couple to three years ago when they were newer to the market, and it was extremely crude (a .45-70 example). Sounds like your friend got lucky!
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Indeed! My previous experience with Baikal was less than favorable, but this one as I said was an attractive rifle, even up close. But beyond cosmetic considerations, I was surprised how well this thing seemed to shoot, although admittedly, 2 shots aren't much of a test.
 
antiqueguy said:
they should not be hitting same point of aim but on a target they should hit right and left of point of aim. idk if id buy a russain made double id rather spend the $5000-$8000 for a old BPE double
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If the range had been 175 feet I would agree that is how a double rifle should print, except for the distance from the muzzle that the barrels are regulated for. After all, the sights are located to the left of one barrel and to the right of the other. But 2 MOA accuracy at 175 yards (with irons off hand) isn't something I can find fault with.
 
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antiqueguy said:
they should not be hitting same point of aim but on a target they should hit right and left of point of aim. idk if id buy a russain made double id rather spend the $5000-$8000 for a old BPE double
Click to expand...



The left barrel prints to the right as the right barrel prints to the left. If precisely regulated they can hit the same poi at a given distance
 
bought 1 in 45/70 & couldn't get rid of it quick enough,barrel regulation on mine was ####e & the barrels are so thin it felt like I was shooting a 45/70 out of an old .410 .Not a comfortable feeling.fit and finish was surprisingly good and it locked up tight,rear trigger was 8lbs heavier pull than front
 
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