From my previous thread, thought I'd pull out the question of the day for me:

What are the opinions of the Valmet 412 in 30-06? Quality, accuracy, etc?

I have sold dozens if not hundreds of new and used Valmet 412s, and a few Tikka 412s and Finnclassic 512s. They are a descendent of the Remington 32, just as the Kreighoff 32. The double rifle barrels will usually shoot to two inch groups at 100 yards. I have had guns that would do better, much better. The Valmets are very durable and the bottom barrels are adjustable so that the barrels can be made to shoot together. All rimless calibers, e.g. .243, 308, 30/06 are extractor barrels. The rimmed calibers,e.g. .375 Win, 9.3X74R, 7X65R are ejector barrels in the double rifle version. Most barrels, after being fitted to one receiver, will usually fit all other receivers. The only complaint I have is that they are heavy, but then you need heavy for the double 9.3. The Marocchi-made Finnclassic 512s are the same gun, made on the same Finnish machinery now located in Italy. Marocchi is also making lightweight shotgun barrels that are 1/2 pound lighter than the original Valmet barrels. They also make shotgun barrels with 3-1/2 inch chambers. I have a 12/223 and a 12/7X65R that use the same scope for both barrels. The scope was first adjusted for slugs from the shotgun barrel on the 7X65R set, then the rifle barrel was adjusted to shoot to the scope. I just happened to try the scope on the 12/223 barrel and it zeroed to the shotgun barrel. I just adjusted the .223 barrel to the scope. I know of an importer who is planning an order of barrels and actions if anyone is interested.

These guns have been around for a long time. They have a proven track record. Very often you will find barrels, stocks, sight mounts, etc. I have never heard of any one complain about accuracy or durability. They are a true double rifle. They just don't fit the image of a sxs double. But for the price you can not go wrong. A sxs rifle has an entry fee around $4,000. The Valment / Tikka / Finnclassic entry fee is around $1,000.

If you pick up a 9.3 x 74R, you can take the largest game in the world, if the local laws permit it's use. A 30-06 barrel set and there is nothing in North America you can not take.

The 12ga barrels are available in 3" and 3 1/2".

Look around, you will find them available.

Pete

I have a 412 in 20/20 and 12/.30-06 with scope. I keep thinking I should add a set of rifle barrels in either '06/'06 or 9.3 x 74/9.3x74. The paired rifle barrels seem to sell for $1000 - 1500. Unfortunately, even with the added capabilities, I know it will still just sit in the safe.

I bought my outfit at one of the big auctions for under $1000 with the buyer's premium. I consider that a great value when you look at all the possible uses - besides sitting in the safe!

I was looking at 30-06 version. Ammo availability is my main reasoning.

So has anyone owned Merkels, Berettas and other $4K range doubles? How do these compare?

Had one which have since given to a good friend as he was very much "all things Finnish" minded. Anyway after a restock to make it more user friendly, and a little tweking of handloads, it would group four shots (2x2) groups into under an inch regularly. Nice rifle, well made, vertical as well as horizontal adjustment of barrels, but on the heavy side.

I only have one double rifle, a Merkel 141E in 9.3X74R. The Valmets in the same caliber are more accurate than I've been able to shoot the Merkel thus far, and both have barrel adjustment capability. At 100 yards I can cover 4 shots in the Merkel with one hand. With the Valmet the groups were half that or less. The difference is probably the weight of the gun.

Your question pertained to the double .30/06. I owned, shot and sold a bunch in that caliber. I think the '06 is as or more accurate than the 9.3X74R and a whole lot cheaper to shoot. However, I don't like rimless cases in doubles, especially when the rimmed cartridge barrels are ejector barrels. What would be really great would be DR barrels in 30R Blaser. It's a .30/06 on steroids with a rim.