Double Rifle?
- Thread starter Filip
- Start date
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
Baikal
I have one of the Baikal SXS .30-06 rifles. Got it at Gobles in London. I was astounded to find that an old one-piece air rifle scope mount fit perfectly on the rail mounted on the gun. I slapped a Bushnell Elite 3200 1.5-6X scope on it and I was off to the races.
I tried several different loads in it that I happened to have lying around in my ammo locker, and found that I had two fairly decent barrels, each of which printed a fairly decent one to two inch group @ 100 yards with most loads. The barrels didn't print close together with most loads as the gun came out of the box, but by adjusting the screw-type tensioner mounted in the rib between the underside of the barrels, ahead of the fore-end, I found that most loads could be moved fairly close together. The adjustment only moves the groups horizontally, so they must be more or less on the same horizontal plane in order for this to work.
The gun has quite good fit and finish, reasonably crisp triggers, plain but well executed wood and checkering, an attractive satin finish on the metal parts, and no plastic anywhere that I can see. For the money (on sale at 900 bucks) I think that it was a steal. Think about that again...a double rifle for less than a grand.
For comparison, I have one of the Kodiak SXS .45-70's, the gun that Marstar is listing. I paid $2500 for it, used but in mint condition, about 4 years back. It is gorgeous in every way, has beautiful wood, browned barrels, colour case-hardened receiver, and shoots two great groups. In four years of shooting it I have yet to find a load that prints both barrels as close together as the Baikal does after fiddling with the adjuster for less than a half hour.
I also have an older Zoli over/under double rifle in 7x65R, a low-to-medium grade European style gun that doesn't shoot worth a d**n with anything other than one weight of Fiocchi ammo. It's just too cool to sell.
Bottom line...get the Baikal. For the money, you can't go wrong, and the double rifle experience (even the budget double rifle experience!) is definitely worth trying.
John
I tried several different loads in it that I happened to have lying around in my ammo locker, and found that I had two fairly decent barrels, each of which printed a fairly decent one to two inch group @ 100 yards with most loads. The barrels didn't print close together with most loads as the gun came out of the box, but by adjusting the screw-type tensioner mounted in the rib between the underside of the barrels, ahead of the fore-end, I found that most loads could be moved fairly close together. The adjustment only moves the groups horizontally, so they must be more or less on the same horizontal plane in order for this to work.
The gun has quite good fit and finish, reasonably crisp triggers, plain but well executed wood and checkering, an attractive satin finish on the metal parts, and no plastic anywhere that I can see. For the money (on sale at 900 bucks) I think that it was a steal. Think about that again...a double rifle for less than a grand.
For comparison, I have one of the Kodiak SXS .45-70's, the gun that Marstar is listing. I paid $2500 for it, used but in mint condition, about 4 years back. It is gorgeous in every way, has beautiful wood, browned barrels, colour case-hardened receiver, and shoots two great groups. In four years of shooting it I have yet to find a load that prints both barrels as close together as the Baikal does after fiddling with the adjuster for less than a half hour.
I also have an older Zoli over/under double rifle in 7x65R, a low-to-medium grade European style gun that doesn't shoot worth a d**n with anything other than one weight of Fiocchi ammo. It's just too cool to sell.
Bottom line...get the Baikal. For the money, you can't go wrong, and the double rifle experience (even the budget double rifle experience!) is definitely worth trying.
John
Someday I'm going to save up and create that .729/12.7x108mm Destroyer wildcat double rifle I've always wanted.
THAT thing would be an experience. A fight in every pull of the trigger.
- Dave.
THAT thing would be an experience. A fight in every pull of the trigger.
- Dave.
I wonder what's wrong with these?
Double Express -O/U Rifles
Asper Express Calibre 30-06 Spfd. $2,849.00
Asper Express Calibre 8 x 57JRS $2,799.00
Asper Express Calibre 9.3 x 74R $2,799.00
The price seems right and they don't look too shabby. Cannot believe nobody tried them yet. Lack of funds is what keeps me from getting one. For now.
Double Express -O/U Rifles
Asper Express Calibre 30-06 Spfd. $2,849.00
Asper Express Calibre 8 x 57JRS $2,799.00
Asper Express Calibre 9.3 x 74R $2,799.00
The price seems right and they don't look too shabby. Cannot believe nobody tried them yet. Lack of funds is what keeps me from getting one. For now.
Filip,
You might be able to do something decent for 2 grand if:
1) Used is Ok
2) An over and under would do.
Take a look at a Valmet/Tikka 412 or something along those lines. Calibers may be something like 9.3x 74R, 375 Flanged or 30-06 but it is still a double rifle and not a total POS. Chances are you may find a gun with a set of 12 guage barrels as well.
You might be able to do something decent for 2 grand if:
1) Used is Ok
2) An over and under would do.
Take a look at a Valmet/Tikka 412 or something along those lines. Calibers may be something like 9.3x 74R, 375 Flanged or 30-06 but it is still a double rifle and not a total POS. Chances are you may find a gun with a set of 12 guage barrels as well.
I bought a Valmet 412 with 9.3X74 barrels and 12 gauge barrels used and it shoots good with factory loads both barrels in 2 1/2 to 3 inches at 100 yards. I like SXS and have a couple of old ones but haven't taken the time to play with them to get the loads requied to make them shoot. Orginal doubles are getting very expensive now.
John
John
Thanks for the input everyone...I really didn't think there was so much interest in these rifles. For the past couple of months I have been trying to get my brother into shooting, and after many, many, many suggestions, he seems set on getting himself a double rifle.
I know what most of you are thinking...this probably isn't the best firearm to get started with considering he is a new shooter. But he is a big boy and I'm sure he can handle it. The first rifle I ever got to shoot was a C7A1, and I was a marksman in no time. Consequently I am a firm believer that one should shoot whatever the heck one wants' to shoot.
Thanks again everyone, I will certainly pass on your suggestions to him and with any luck he'll get himself one of those rifles in no time!
I know what most of you are thinking...this probably isn't the best firearm to get started with considering he is a new shooter. But he is a big boy and I'm sure he can handle it. The first rifle I ever got to shoot was a C7A1, and I was a marksman in no time. Consequently I am a firm believer that one should shoot whatever the heck one wants' to shoot.
Thanks again everyone, I will certainly pass on your suggestions to him and with any luck he'll get himself one of those rifles in no time!
I rread this thread a couple days ago and could not remember the name or place I'd seen an inexpensive double. Here it is.
$599.99 US bucks
I saw this at (www.luvtohunt.com/spartangunworks)
I think it would be interesting packing a 45/70 double in the early morning mist, calling moose.
Robin
$599.99 US bucks
I saw this at (www.luvtohunt.com/spartangunworks)
I think it would be interesting packing a 45/70 double in the early morning mist, calling moose.
Robin
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God that's ugly.Duffy said:I rread this thread a couple days ago and could not remember the name or place I'd seen an inexpensive double. Here it is.
$599.99 US bucks
I saw this at (www.luvtohunt.com/spartangunworks)
I think it would be interesting packing a 45/70 double in the early morning mist, calling moose.
Robin
That Spartan double SPR22 is the Baikal as sold by Remington. You can find them in .30-06 fairly easily but there were apparently problems with the .45-70 version, and I don't think any were imported. At least, I haven't been able to find any mention of anyone having one, and there are a few folks looking for one.
And, yes, it's not the prettiest rifle in the world. But if you really, really want a double that won't break the bank, nothing else comes close.
John
And, yes, it's not the prettiest rifle in the world. But if you really, really want a double that won't break the bank, nothing else comes close.
John
Like to see and hear whatever he get's!Filip said:Thanks for the input everyone...I really didn't think there was so much interest in these rifles. For the past couple of months I have been trying to get my brother into shooting, and after many, many, many suggestions, he seems set on getting himself a double rifle.
I know what most of you are thinking...this probably isn't the best firearm to get started with considering he is a new shooter. But he is a big boy and I'm sure he can handle it. The first rifle I ever got to shoot was a C7A1, and I was a marksman in no time. Consequently I am a firm believer that one should shoot whatever the heck one wants' to shoot.
Thanks again everyone, I will certainly pass on your suggestions to him and with any luck he'll get himself one of those rifles in no time!
picked this one up form fellow GN
9.3x74r and 12cgauge barrel also wit hriley 28 inch tube inserts
read in anohte rforum people were getting under inch grouping with this gun
should be fun
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p277/BC_bowhunter/412s6.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p277/BC_bowhunter/412s20.jpg
9.3x74r and 12cgauge barrel also wit hriley 28 inch tube inserts
read in anohte rforum people were getting under inch grouping with this gun
should be fun
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p277/BC_bowhunter/412s6.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p277/BC_bowhunter/412s20.jpg
I bought a Kodiak Mk IV Pedersoli in .45/70 from the factory in 2000. $3800 to get it landed from Italy. Took three months then. It regulated very fast with 405 grain bullets at 2050 fps. not American level loads, just as the factory told me. It worked well there, but never had the feel I wanted from a SXS double rifle. It seems you have to spend a few more bucks for something a bit better.
I ordered the .45/70 SXS double Baikal same as the US spartan when it was released a few years ago. Some troubles happened in getting them proofed and they seem to be gone. One apparantly blew up bad with proof loads.
I just bought a new .30/06 SXS double Baikal. The finish seems mediocre, the barrels are very thin and they have the central jack screw to adjust regulation wiht various loads. I will know more in time to come and will get back on them. It is amazing how light these .30 barels are made. I don't expect much, but we will see.
Seems the $5000 Merkels are the best deal in a SXS double yet. Locally they claim to be able to bring in a 9.3x74R SXS for around $5000.
I might hold out for a .470 NE at some money more. It will never loose value and is obviously a cut above the rifles of this lower level. You could pick up a good pile of good bolt guns in many calibers for this price.
I ordered the .45/70 SXS double Baikal same as the US spartan when it was released a few years ago. Some troubles happened in getting them proofed and they seem to be gone. One apparantly blew up bad with proof loads.
I just bought a new .30/06 SXS double Baikal. The finish seems mediocre, the barrels are very thin and they have the central jack screw to adjust regulation wiht various loads. I will know more in time to come and will get back on them. It is amazing how light these .30 barels are made. I don't expect much, but we will see.
Seems the $5000 Merkels are the best deal in a SXS double yet. Locally they claim to be able to bring in a 9.3x74R SXS for around $5000.
I might hold out for a .470 NE at some money more. It will never loose value and is obviously a cut above the rifles of this lower level. You could pick up a good pile of good bolt guns in many calibers for this price.
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