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Definately interested, make mine a 45/70 please.

I believe that we should get the DGR thing into perspective just a bit. I do not think that the people who opt for the Baikal will be taking it with them to Africa. Also the 45/70 cartridge is adequate for all the game that roams Australia therefore I do not think that too many people should get into any trouble.

Marrakai is spot on. A lot of our hunting is in the thick stuff after boars, sambar and scrub bulls etc. the 45/70 even in factory loads is more than adequate for this game and this type of hunting. Having the ability to get a fast follow up shot in the thick stuff would be a huge advantage and so would the natural pointability of a double for the snap shooting required.

I own a cheap U/O shotgun manufactured by Baikal, sure the finish is plain but I wouldn't call it ugly and really who would want to cart a fine English game gun into a swamp after ducks and geese, deep in the thick stuff, if you are really serious about getting birds. It is as strong as the proverbial outhouse and points as good as my considerably more expensive SxS double. If this is reflected in their line of double rifles then we should get some useful hunting rifles that we wouldn't worry about bush bashing in the thick stuff.

My only concern is the pressure rating. If the 45/70 can be handloaded with premium bullets then it should have no problems handling the game mentioned previously and it would be great if it could. That said they also chamber the 30/06 and .308 in this action which both operate at higher pressure levels therefore I assume that it should be safe with strong handloads, but I may be wrong.

At the end of the day we must see it for what it is. A cheap double, chambered in a calibre that will handle all the game that Australia can throw at it and something that won't cause us any sleepless nights if we scratch it or knock it about in the field. If this makes you happy then buy it, if it doesn't then don't, simple really.

I believe that the pleasures of double rifle shooting should be available to all who want it, not to be kept exclusive purely on economic grounds. Who knows if there is strong demand for this product then it may get the major manufacturers off their behinds to start producing double rifles in better grades, with better actions at still affordable prices, it can only be a positive for the sport as a whole.

When are they getting here?