Ben,

I happened to live in Russia for some years when I worked for my family's business and I have seen some of the guns they make there at close. They have some small shops making really nice stuff - shotguns with hinged triggers and beautiful wood etc. The rifles used to be chambered for ammunition that was available there, like the 7.62 Mosin and the 9mm Medved. These days the RUssians make sniper rifles and semi auto sporting rifles in 9.3x64 which is probably why they decided to offer a double in this chambering.

I keep hearing from friends that there are many Russians hunting in Africa these days and that many of them have ordered guns from Ferlach, London etc. Even if the Tulsky Zavod does not offer larger bore rifles now, I think it is only a question of time before they do. There is a problem with dealing with them though - few people speak ENglish and unless you go with a dealer in the US who is experienced in dealing with the Russians you might as well give up trying to talk business with them. If you want to check with them, try contacting them through Russian American Armory in Indiana instead of e-mailing direct.

Another Russian company that makes really nice hunting guns (though not double rifles as far as I know) is KBP - try checking with them as well.

Good luck and let us all know how this goes. I might visit old friends in Russia sometime next year and if you buy a gun and are there at that time, I could probably organise some good hunting as well.