Daryl, a slight correction; Johnson's first .450 was made with a 71 action. His "Fifty" was built on a '86 action.

Actually, 450366, I can't say I'm a slow/fat aficionado, per se. Rather, I'm saying that the .375 and heavy .45-70 are equivalents at close range, with the .45-70 possibly better under certain conditions at close range, the .375 certainly better under conditions of longer range shooting.

The issue at hand; the Baikal, is an interesting one. I wish these discussions could stay on the technical and theoretical without people like Duggaboy slipping into a raging, frothing fit.

The topic itself REALLY is interesting.

Let's remember, that every bullet advance that has improved the .375 has also improved the .30-06. It is not the .30-06 of Johnson's day. But...bullet advances have not left the .45-70 behind, either.

Question 1; What max working pressure will the Baikal stand??

Question 2; What is the maximum working speed a 400 grain bullet can be driven from a .45-70 in the Baikal?

Those questions seem to be tough enough to answer, but if a 400 grain bullet can be driven at 1800-1950 from that gun, it is a very good gun for heavy game at close range.