Greetings all,
I just returned from the 2005 NRA National Convention and I wanted to report firsthand that I have held in my hands the long elusive urban legend of the $600 retial 45/70 double rifle- not by E.A.A. but by Remington!
It is in their Spartan line which is Russian-made.
The sales rep told me that their target date of availablity is September and that it was easily the most sought after rifle people wanted to see and they had no idea it would be so popular.
The double rifle is marked on the barrel as for standard pressure 45/70 ammunition (READ: No hotloading to 458 Mag velocities). This is @ 36K psi. This is interesting in that this same rifle is also available in 30-06 caliber, which has a much higher max. pressure, somewhere in the 50's.
Both barrels are regulated to supposedly 100 yds.
One barrel is fixed, and adjustments to regulate the other barrel is made by a jackscrew on the underside of the forearm which pushes the non-fixed barrel to the side. This is what the salesman told me, I can't vouch for anything else. It does seem odd that I can push a barrel out to regulate it, though....
Double triggers, recoil pad, etc.
I have pictures that I hope will appear.
All in all, it appeared well worth the retail price and would be a lot of fun. Maybe some hog hunts? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Enjoy,
Joe
in Houston






[image]

And the pages from their 2005 catalogue:

]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/miatajoe/SpartanDoubleRiflep.jpg[/image]
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/miatajoe/cc0cc7f4.jpg[/img]

WooBoy!

A 12 ga 308!

YeeeeeeHaw, that's gonna be fun!

BMT

That is a cool looking rifle. Now that Remington is bringing in Russian imports (are they Baikil?) do you guys think their quality control will be restored? Seriously, it is a neat looking rifle but their guns that I have seen lately have really been lacking. My local dealer had a limited edition (Grice's) 7600 carbine in 35 Remington. Sounds really nice but it looke like the receiver had been finished with a coarse grit beltsander, also one had a crooked forearm. My favorite rifles is their old model 14, wish they could go back to something nearly like that!

I hope for Remington's sake that the QC is better than EAA's was. I have an EAA 12 over 6.5x55 that is the 2nd worst POS firearm that I've ever owned. I paid CDNN $300 for it and I would be happy/glad/joyful to sell it for $150.

The only worse POS was a Noble pump action 22 that I dumped on a pawn broker in Manhattan, KS, on the day that I left town. Heck, if you're ever in Manhattan check it out, he might still have it. You know that QC is an issue when the buttplate is attached with nails.

Jeff

They are Baikal, I believe. I've handled a few of the pre-Remington Baikal sxs shotguns. Handled like a pig for a shotgun, but seemed to be more geared toward rifle-like handling, so these might not be that bad.

Also, the actions were STIFF!!! Open and close with two hands thank you very much. Nothing a little shooting couldn't fix, and I got say that I'd rather 'em tight to start than the other way around (hey, ain't that always the case...)

Gonna have to start saving box tops now for this one...

I had an opportunity a while back to shoot a Baikal SxS in 12 ga. and was impressed with it. The action was stiff, but, like was said before, better that by far than being loose. Nice handling gun...

HEY JOE--YOU SERIOUS ABOUT THAT 12GA/6.5X55 FOR $150, IF YOU ARE, HECK I'LL SEND YOU A CHECK TODAY!!!
LEMME KNOW...
--CARLOS

Looks like they'll hit that one out of the park. Not my park <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> - but 'tis a kewl idea.

Patience is a virtue - and may save you a bit of green. Some rumors of the Russiaington being evaluated by several gun writers have surfaced. Put the cash in the bank and wait. As much as I like the idea - and the price - the version I handled at SHOT Show was not much better than a canoe anchor as far as quality goes - but at the price how much can you expect?
For now I'll stick with my Ruger #3 and Siamese Mauser .45-70 rifles and wait to see how the Biakmingtons, or is that Remingtails shoot and hold up to even the low pressure loads.

1. My name isn't "Joe".

2. THE USE OF ALL CAPITAL LETTERS IS THE SAME AS SHOUTING, SO STOP SHOUTING!

3. I was serious and the POS, er I mean outstanding example of Russia craftsmanship, has been paid for, shipped, and the 3 day inspection period has passed without the buyer calling me to tell me that he was sending it back. Although I would rather make $$$ than lose $$$, I was happy to get away with about 50% of $$$.

Jeff

There are good double rifles, and there are cheap double rifles, but unfortunately, there are no good cheap double rifles.

Not for everyone, surely. BUT, I went to my local dope dealer yesterday an ordered one.
A story: Back in the mid-60's, I happened to go to a gunshop in Shreveport, LA, owned by a 'smith who would become pretty famous for his customized 1911's. Can't think of his name, Jim???? I sure some of you know who I'm talking about. Anyway, as I say, it was before he became real well known. He had built a .375H&H double rifle for a customer to take to Africa. Said customer used the rifle, then brought it back for Jim to sell. The price was $1200.... Now at time, that was at least 4 months wages for me. As out of reach then, as a Searcy is now. But I was hooked. You remember the auto commercial where the guy touches the car and is suddenly racing down the road? That's the way it was: I held that rifle and I was IN Africa.
Will it hold 3" at a hundred? Hey, that's good enough to pop a few whitetails or hogs.
Looks? I'm good with wood, and a good rust blue is not all that expensive.
Yeah. I want one. BAD....