What's your opinions of the over/under express rifles built on shotguns frames (like Beretta or Rizzini)? Do these make good hunting rifles? Pros and cons?

I don't want to spend a lot, so these seem best bets OR should I try and save up and get a SxS instead? If so, any recommendations?

You can pick up a Valmet 412 in 30-06 o/u for about $1,000.

Pete

How is Valmet quality? I don't know anything about them.

For SXS rifles, what are your opinions or suggestions for entry level guns:
Chapuis vs Merkel vs Heym vs Others?

Hoser-


What's your top end budget for a rifle, ammunition, and loading equipment (dies, bullets&brass, etc)

What caliber(s) are you interested in?

Have you shot or hunted with a double rifle before?

Will you be wanting to put a scope on your double rifle?




Cheers
Tinker

I'm thinking 30-06 due to ammo availability. I'd love 9.3x74R, but ammo is harder to come by.

Would like option to add scope in future.

I'm guessing gun budget may be in the $4000 range, but I've seen o/u for less like the Valmet.

BTW, there's no LOGICAL reason I want to get a double rifle for hunting (probably wild boar), but just like the cool factor! O/U's can be had for less, but when I take out my sxs shotties, I love that feeling...so I'm sure I'll feel the same about rifles!

Hoser-


No need to justify or to get anything like logic into this discussion.
Not with me.

You can get into a Remington/Baikal SxS 30-06 double rifle for about $1000 and that might even include a scope mount or even a scope too. Check Gunbroker etc and go from there.
I've seen/heard of many many guys who have done quite well shooting and hunting with their Remington SxS double rifles.

I haven't followed the pricing/value on Valmet double rifles, but I'd assume you could get into a similar deal on one of them too.

Up in the $4kUSD range there are more choices, and the choices are going to be nicer looking, maybe better handling, maybe better shooting -- but with both the remington and the valmet you can adjust the barrels for different loads (some see this as a desirable feature, some don't)


Where do you live?
There's always the chance that there will be a show/shoot/gathering where you'd be able to see, handle, and maybe even shoot a few different examples of things that are inside or near your budget -- before you buy.





Cheers
Tinker

I think I remember seeing a Baikal sxs in 45-70 locally, now that you mention that manufacturer. Are these decent?

Hoser-

You get what you pay for.
With double rifles, it takes a lot more money to get relatively similar quality levels seen on double shotguns -- there are reasons for this, and the reasons all cost man-hours in the end.

From many reports, from all over the country, the Remington double rifles have shown up to be useful and durable hunting rifles.
Think of them as the decent 'truck guns' of the low-price double rifle spectrum.

Double rifles take relatively simple but specific steps of maintenance and handling *including loading for them*, to keep them in good, safe working order.
I can't say what the life expectancy of the Remington rifles will end up being - as they were only on the market for this last year or so - and Remington seems to have abandoned the line.





Cheers
Tinker

Hoser,

I agree with Tinker. I would also add that Pedersoli makes a nice hammer double. You can often pick them used for a couple of thousand. The prices for their new guns are now in the 5K range. Cherry's carry them on special order. http://www.cherrys.com/ped_cart.htm

Understand, that caliber often impacts the price of a double rifle. A 45-70 or 30-06, in general will cost less than a 470 NE. You can give Ken at Kebco a call. He carries Chapuis. http://www.kebcollc.com/

If all you want to do is try a double rifle out, then go with a o/u like the Valmet. The Baikal and Remington Spartan are basically the same gun, perhaps more QC with the Remington version.

If the idea of a sxs appeals to you, and you still want to save some cash, a cape gun may be the ticket. A cape gun has 1 shotgun tube and 1 rifle tube.

The other alternative is a rifled sxs shotgun. RBL made a 20ga. I have handled it and a few others. For the prices, I preferred a sxs rifle.

You may want to ask over at AR's double rifle forum:
http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/760101804

Or at the Nitro Express double rifle forum:
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/ubbthreads.php?Cat=

Pete

Did you mean the Kodiak line? Is that Pedersoli's hammer doubles? Nice looking. I'll look into those.

Any info or feedback on the O/U double Merkel B3 "Jagd"?

Merkel makes a nice rifle.
I have not owned/handled/shot the B3
If it feels right in your hands, if the balance works for you, if it looks right, and if it hasn't been screwed up by the previous owner -- it might just be the thing for you.




Cheers
Tinker