Newb to double rifles - need one in .308/.30-06 and 12ga

JohnCrighton · September 28, 2008, 09:35 PM

OK, looking for a good "do-it-all" rifle for going out hunting everything from squirrles/rabbits up to deer and feral hogs - here in Florida.

I'm thinking that a double rifle in .308 or /30-06, plus a 12gauge or 20 gauge would do the trick - this way I can load it up with good medium game rifle round, and a game round (#6-#8 shot) for smaller game.

Any suggestions for an inexpensive double rifle that meets these criteria?

And can you mount a low-power optic on it as well?

Chuck Dye · September 28, 2008, 09:43 PM

Remington flirted with importing the Baikal/Spartan doubles, but I do not know if they ever reached a dealer. Run the search engines and be sure to use the Baikal reference, there may be some grey market imports around.

edit to add: Baikal Canada has them, listed as Artemida models coming soon.

Jim Watson · September 28, 2008, 10:17 PM

Since you are already signed in on Accurate Reloading board, you can read there to see what your chances are with the Remington-Baikal. Not good.

The Siace LOOKS nice and Chapuis gets pretty good reviews... for $6000 or so.

"Inexpensive" and "double rifle" are not words in the same language.

Bogie · September 28, 2008, 11:12 PM

And what you are describing is not a "double-rifle." More of a combo gun...

The reason why the African hunters like the double rifles is that there are two separate trigger mechanisms to have go haywire - it's relatively rare that both break at once.

Swampghost · September 28, 2008, 11:37 PM

Huh? I lived here most of my life and never seen anyone hunt a double rifle.

I had a boss that bought one for a trip to Africa. I'm not sure that he ever shot the $14K piece, he didn't shoot anything that required it.

You really don't need one down here. If you're really looking for a versatile rifle for FL look at a .410 shotgun.

Jimro · September 28, 2008, 11:52 PM

12 guage shotgun and a 30-30 will handle anything Florida has to offer.

http://www.savagearms.com/24f12.htm

Jimro

Socrates · September 29, 2008, 12:02 AM

Used Pedroseli doubles are around for under 2k, in 45-70, and other, smaller calibers.

Swampghost · September 29, 2008, 12:10 AM

A 30-30 will knock half the meat off of the back side where I hunt, a .5.65 is even worse.

We're in agreement on the 12 Ga. In 2-3/4" it'll do everything and be cheap doing it.

Greywolf · September 29, 2008, 09:00 AM

Yup, I really meant combo gun - sorry about that.

So, not many good things to say about the Baikal, eh? Or the Spartan? Hmm - maybe I'll just carry the 12ga and the wife will carry the .308 rifle and we'll call it even - LOL.

taylorce1 · September 29, 2008, 09:22 AM

I know where there is a new Remington .30-06 double rifle sitting on a shelf locally. If you want the phone number of the store let me know by PM. I don't know how hard it would be to find a 12ga barrel set for it, but you would have half of what you want. You could always contact Remington and see if that feature was ever offered.

You might check the hunting forum here. IIRC there was a guy from Florida as well and he had a custom rifle built on a Ruger Red Label shotgun in .45-70. He even posted some pics of a pig he killed with that rifle.

Magnum Wheel Man · September 29, 2008, 09:51 AM

yep my local toy store also has / had one of the new Remington doubles, in 30-06...

but I suspect the link JIMRO posted of the 12 ga / 30/30 como rifle was more what the OP was looking for, & the savage seems reasonably priced considering...

tokarev762 · September 29, 2008, 10:15 AM

Go with Jimro's advice. They were the first guns that I thought about also.

The Savage combos have been around since '39 or so and it's rare that I see a used one for sale.

September 28, 2008, 09:35 PM	#1
JohnCrighton Member Join Date: November 1, 2007 Posts: 54	Newb to double rifles - need one in .308/.30-06 and 12ga OK, looking for a good "do-it-all" rifle for going out hunting everything from squirrles/rabbits up to deer and feral hogs - here in Florida. I'm thinking that a double rifle in .308 or /30-06, plus a 12gauge or 20 gauge would do the trick - this way I can load it up with good medium game rifle round, and a game round (#6-#8 shot) for smaller game. Any suggestions for an inexpensive double rifle that meets these criteria? And can you mount a low-power optic on it as well?

September 28, 2008, 09:43 PM	#2
Chuck Dye Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2002 Location: Oregon-The wet side. Posts: 949	Remington flirted with importing the Baikal/Spartan doubles, but I do not know if they ever reached a dealer. Run the search engines and be sure to use the Baikal reference, there may be some grey market imports around. edit to add: Baikal Canada has them, listed as Artemida models coming soon. __________________ Gee, I'd love to see your data!

September 28, 2008, 11:12 PM	#4
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	And what you are describing is not a "double-rifle." More of a combo gun... The reason why the African hunters like the double rifles is that there are two separate trigger mechanisms to have go haywire - it's relatively rare that both break at once. __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

September 28, 2008, 11:37 PM	#5
Swampghost Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: Florida, east coast Posts: 2,106	Huh? I lived here most of my life and never seen anyone hunt a double rifle. I had a boss that bought one for a trip to Africa. I'm not sure that he ever shot the $14K piece, he didn't shoot anything that required it. You really don't need one down here. If you're really looking for a versatile rifle for FL look at a .410 shotgun. __________________ NRA Patron Member

September 29, 2008, 09:51 AM	#11
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	yep my local toy store also has / had one of the new Remington doubles, in 30-06... but I suspect the link JIMRO posted of the 12 ga / 30/30 como rifle was more what the OP was looking for, & the savage seems reasonably priced considering... __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

September 28, 2008, 10:17 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Since you are already signed in on Accurate Reloading board, you can read there to see what your chances are with the Remington-Baikal. Not good. The Siace LOOKS nice and Chapuis gets pretty good reviews... for $6000 or so. "Inexpensive" and "double rifle" are not words in the same language.

September 28, 2008, 11:52 PM	#6
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	12 guage shotgun and a 30-30 will handle anything Florida has to offer. http://www.savagearms.com/24f12.htm Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

September 29, 2008, 12:02 AM	#7
Socrates Junior member Join Date: January 5, 2005 Location: East Bay NorCal, People's Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 5,866	Used Pedroseli doubles are around for under 2k, in 45-70, and other, smaller calibers.

September 29, 2008, 12:10 AM	#8
Swampghost Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: Florida, east coast Posts: 2,106	A 30-30 will knock half the meat off of the back side where I hunt, a .5.65 is even worse. We're in agreement on the 12 Ga. In 2-3/4" it'll do everything and be cheap doing it. __________________ NRA Patron Member

September 29, 2008, 09:00 AM	#9
Greywolf Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2002 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 251	Yup, I really meant combo gun - sorry about that. So, not many good things to say about the Baikal, eh? Or the Spartan? Hmm - maybe I'll just carry the 12ga and the wife will carry the .308 rifle and we'll call it even - LOL.

September 29, 2008, 09:22 AM	#10
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	I know where there is a new Remington .30-06 double rifle sitting on a shelf locally. If you want the phone number of the store let me know by PM. I don't know how hard it would be to find a 12ga barrel set for it, but you would have half of what you want. You could always contact Remington and see if that feature was ever offered. You might check the hunting forum here. IIRC there was a guy from Florida as well and he had a custom rifle built on a Ruger Red Label shotgun in .45-70. He even posted some pics of a pig he killed with that rifle.

September 29, 2008, 10:15 AM	#12
tokarev762 Member Join Date: September 15, 2008 Location: Middle TN Posts: 60	Go with Jimro's advice. They were the first guns that I thought about also. The Savage combos have been around since '39 or so and it's rare that I see a used one for sale.