Enter the Minefield of Double Rifles from Baikal

[Roland Tembo]

So... someone bumped an old thread.
Well, I ain't gonna bash on other people guns. I too have been dreaming about my first DR for so long before having the chance to get my hands on one... let me just put it this way: I wanted my first DR to be "proper", and you pay what you get.

have them in OU 30-06 and 9.3x74r - the 9.3 groups well out to about 75m certainly adequate for large game ! Will work on it when the weather improves - and see how accurate the top barrel is with a scope etc.But at the price point here in Europe - say 300 USD unfired for the 9.3 would have been a sin to leave it behind - there is or so I am told a 7.62x54r SBS made - that is my holy grail !

Never heard about O&Us but .30-06 and .45-70 Baikal SXS do happen to pop around classifieds in nearly mint condition. Not many guns, but always 2-3 available around Italy. I guess most people got into these looking for a cheap driven boar gun... but now the market has moved to other standards.
I think 9,3x74R makes an interesting combo for the price.

 

[kukusya]

When it comes to double rifles and combination guns, the quality generally correlates with the price. I had personal experience with the Baikal MP-94 o/u .30-06 and 12/308, and it was less than satisfactory though, given its $500 price point, expectations should be tempered accordingly.
However, Baikal double rifle be an exception to this trend. Despite their affordability, they were well-made and offered excellent value for the price.

 

[Odinsraven]

So... someone bumped an old thread.
Well, I ain't gonna bash on other people guns. I too have been dreaming about my first DR for so long before having the chance to get my hands on one... let me just put it this way: I wanted my first DR to be "proper", and you pay what you get.



Never heard about O&Us but .30-06 and .45-70 Baikal SXS do happen to pop around classifieds in nearly mint condition. Not many guns, but always 2-3 available around Italy. I guess most people got into these looking for a cheap driven boar gun... but now the market has moved to other standards.
I think 9,3x74R makes an interesting combo for the price.

Tell me more ...PM sent

 

[Roland Tembo]

@Odinsraven replied, hope that helps.

When it comes to double rifles and combination guns, the quality generally correlates with the price. I had personal experience with the Baikal MP-94 o/u .30-06 and 12/308, and it was less than satisfactory though, given its $500 price point, expectations should be tempered accordingly.
However, Baikal double rifle be an exception to this trend. Despite their affordability, they were well-made and offered excellent value for the price.

Yeah, to sum it up: affordable and reliable guns.
Not very accurate, nor pleasant to look at... but they work.
Also, not available in dangerous game chamberings.

People has to remember that most of the cost on bespoke double rifles is about time, ammo and effort to regulate barrels. It's a process undergoing multiple weld, test, unweld, repeat.

With this gun you skip all this manufacturing process, you save money, but regulation is an incognita left to the customer, if any is really possible to achieve in the end with these guns.

Oh, dude... this sounds so russian!

 

[elkocountygun]

Sometimes, archeologists dig even in gun shops, and so I did.

I fund a box, covered with dust since 2008.

I suscected a treasure and payed 599 €.



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Indeed, the gun was untouched...... and I went into the Loading Room.

Will it become an "African Rifle" or just another toy, good for nothing?

Anyone with experience in this minefield?



HWL

nice rifle. what is your opinion overall plz?

 

[elkocountygun]

They are ok. Handled a few and fired one in the very same caliber. They are not a gun that I would shoot beyond 50-60 yards. They do NOT have the accuracy as a well made double rifle does. You can regulate the barrels on them by utilizing the action bull screw that is under and between the barrels. Wont really see much adjustment though. You would be better off by trying to find a handload that will shoot consistently with both barrels having the shots hit within 1 -1 1/2 inches of each other. If you can get 2 -3 inches at 50 yards be happy . They are obviously on the low end for quality , but they will do in a pinch. How much did you pay for it ? If I may ask ? James

nice technical (action bull screw) info thx for that

 

[elkocountygun]

...some 660 $.

I have not seen one, not even a used, the last 10 years, so I took the chance.

HWL

sweet

 

[elkocountygun]

Well you did good then. I have seen them on Gunbroker for 1,000 and up. Did you manage to find a load that works well for both barrels to consistently shoot tighter groups ? I personally am looking at the Sabatti double rifle. I have read good things about the rifle and am happy about the idea that I can send the rifle back to the factory and they will make up extra barrels in different calibers for me for the very same rifle.

extra barrels, yes good idea and practical... i have read and heard about other rifles that can be swapped out for larger caliber