Tell me why this is a good idea or a bad idea. Please don't tell me about the alternatives just why this is good or bad...What I am trying to say is,don't want the specualtion on...oh svae another 2500 and get the Chapuis or something like that

Mike, I actually like mine a lot. The 9.3x74R shoots really well and the 12 gauge barrels are perfect. It's ugly as hell and not nearly as good looking as my sxs. I also paid a lot less when I bought it then what they are asking for it now.
I'd probably still buy it again, after giving consideration to todays price.

The Valmets (I think were sold under the Tikka brand as well, at least for a while) I have come across have actually been good shooters. They look kind of odd, and I guess they won't fetch you quite the same amount of "peer envy" as a H&H or similar guns. That said, they were the first doubles I am aware of that did away with the soldered barrels. That allows the individual barrels to be regulated a lot easier, and it stops the miserable problem of having to fire the two barrels inside a pre-determined interval for the heating from the fired barrel to be just right for the other barrel.



An over and under double is supposed not to be as fast to reload as a side by side. I guess that is the main reason for the preeminence of the side by side for dangerous game. Otherwise, it is actually a lot easier to make an over and under stand up to the stress generated by firing the cartridges. So in general an o/u should offer less chance of shooting loose.



I would like to have a Valmet/Tikka for driven game. No prices for looks, but I think it would be a lot of double for the money.

- mike

I have one in 30-06 it shoots ok 4in groups at a 100 with open sites. I haven't used the rifle barrels in years. I mainly use it as a 12ga even though I have a set of 20ga barrels for it also.

I find for a 06 it is heavy only 2 shots. My Number one makes a better hunting rifle or for a repeater any of my bolt actions work better. I came to the concluesion that doubles are more hype then worth most any good bolt well makes a better hunting gun.

Not to say if someone gave me a really find double I would take it just to screw around with and could say I had one.

To andswer your question No I do not think it is worth while unless you just want something to play with.

Mike,
I've always thought I'd like to have a Valmet in 9.3X74R.
I shot a 412ST several years ago and almost boght it with the intention of putting 9.3 barrels on it.

I think they are a sturdy system.

9.3X74R is a versitle round. It is very close to the 400/360 NE.

Well each to his own. I sure I could shot tighter groups with it if I scoped it. But then it would be heavier yet.

Yes if you want to limit yourself to what a double is good at no trouble. I just find a good bolt able to do just as much or more then a double. Yes I have shot and handled SXS also.

The poster was asking about the 412's. I have no trouble with any one who wants to use a double. But a good bolt ect will do verything a double can and more except the bit faster 2nd shot. When I bought my 412 with the extra barrels the caliber choice was very limited I most likely got one of the frist ones into the country.

I agree rimmed is the only way to go in a double and if they would have had a rimmed offering when I brought my 412 I would have brought one of those.

Mike, I have a friend who has a Valmet with different bbls.
The Valmet is a work horse. The nice thing about it is that you can get double shotgun bbls, double rifle bbls and combination bbls. They are accurate and work well.
However...... It "ain,t" no double rifle. The handling cannot compare to a SxS Chapuis. Based on using my Chapuis 9,3x74R [with iron sights and scope in QD mounts] for 6.5 years I would have to rate the Chapuis as one of the finest hunting rifles on the Planet,under 40 cal.
Mike, get a Chapuis SxS in 9,3x74R [ I wish I had a set of 20 gauge bbls for mine ]. Have it fitted with the QD scope mounts, mount a Swarovski 1.5-6x42 with the circle dot illuminated reticle.

Valmets are ugly but they work well. That said people that use Valmet doubles in Finland are looked on as simpletons .