Hi
who makes the cheapest, but still relaiable O/U rifle in caliber 9,3x74R?
regards
yes

Valmet (412 or 512 dont remember) make a cheap one-- the accuracy out of the one that I've had contact with was not at all very good--but it might have been a lemon.

Ed

The Merkel B3 is a nice O/U double, with accuracy typical of a Merkel. However, they're about $4,500 or so....but you get what you pay for.

If you'd like to see pix of one, PM your email. i have a B3 deluxe in 30-06 with killer wood. You can see what they look like.

Look at the thread on the best scope for the 9.3x74R. I have posted a picture of my Tikka 512SD (with scope), if you want to know what they look like.
Peter.

hi peter
i had a tikka combo which i gave to my son . tikka are usually very accurate guns. many complain about the new italian made tikkas. what is your opinion? are you satify of your tikka double?

I've fired 6 or 8 Valmet 412 double rifles, (or more ?) and all were VERY accurate. You can easily regulate the bbls to any load you want.

Here's some targets from groups i've shot with 412 doubles, BEFORE i regulated the bbls to the load.



DM

Yes, I am very happy with mine. The 9.3x74R is very accurate out to 100 yards. I also have a 12ga/7x57R barrel set which is also accurate. I have had a problem with the repeatability of the QD mounts, so I just leave them on. I may be doing something wrong, however.
Peter.

thanks peter
actually i had this gun in my mind .but heard some people saying this italian made are not as good, but i beleive it is none sens italians usually make vey nice guns, perazzi ,, piotti, bretta are some of few exemples to go.
cheers
yes

Does anyone know of a wholesale source for the Tikka O/U's?

aren't tikka and valmet OU rifles the same thing?

Yes, I believe they are. I think that Valmet was the original, and then they became Tikka.
Peter.

A good used Valmet 412S in 9.3X74R is a very good double. I've had several, but they are all heavy. You could probably get one for under $2K on the used market. The new Finnclassics are made on the same machinery as the Valmets, but they are made now by Marocchi in Italy. Importers change quite often.

Vernew-Carron makes a dandy O/U for around $2500 brand new. Contact kebcollc.com

I'll try to clear some of this up, keeping it as short as i can.

Valmet was the origional designer/producer, (all made in Finland) of this design, and brought the 412's into the U.S. At the time, i was a Valmet distributor for the state of Alaska, and got in on the ground floor.

I've fired "thousands" of rounds through 412's of different cal's and guages and even designed some wildcats for the 412's. I also mfg'ed ammo for them, selling it through my shop, and by mail order. (i no longer do this)

Anyway, i've tested the Valmet scope mounting system many times, and here's one of the test targets,



I've never seen a -----> 412 scope mount fail, so i'm guessing there's more to the story to the other poster who has problems with his. I have seen 512 scope mounts with problems, as Tikka has seen to make small changes in them.

At some point Valmet sold the design and tooling, and it all was moved to Italy, renamed 512. I believe that the Finland made guns are better than the Italian guns. My opinion is the steel in the 412's makes the difference, and my rebore man agreed with me.

Anyway, i still have much 412 guns/bbls/ect. around for my own use, and i've found the 412's to be reliable and very accurate.

DM

DM,
Do you know who wholesales the Tikka's? I have a great FFL dealer who only charges me $10 per transfer but I need to do the leg work and find the best prices.

DM
i believe valmet and even old sako and tikka were made from nicest swedish BOFORS steel. which is reknown for the high quality. i had an old tikka m70 combo and the rifle barrel was absolutely a tack driver the first time i tried it i could put 10 shots in seize of one swedish krown!! i don't know which kind of steel is used in new tikkas made in italy, but many italian companies are using austrian high quality steel too like beuhler steel.
cheers
yes