What attracts many to the Spartan in .45/70 is it is a pseudo "big bore" side by side double rifle. And more affordable than the rest, but not necessarily better value.

If they shoot well enough I think they are a good thing, offering guys a chance at owning a side by side DR and in a .45/70 (or 9.3mm) hopefully a reasonable brush rifle.

Watto,

"If I do end up with a Baikal DR in 45/70, I fully realise that this is not a rifle that you can push the envelope with the loads, but staying within the pressure constraints using 350Gr proectiles makes a pretty potent relatively short range Sambar rifle for heavy bush country."

I know you prefer the .45/70 and I understand why, but a 9.3x74R will still make a better sambar rifle! Why? Because the 9.3x74R seems to be pretty much the standard for DR "driven game" hunting of boar, moose and stag in Europe. Perfect for sambar too IMO. A 286 gr 9.3 will out penetrate a 350 gr .45 anyday.

I think where the .45/70 will excel is as a close quarters pig rifle. Fun.

Good luck with the rifle. Hope it works well for you.