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The scenario:

• Tikka 512 SD Combination gun with two combination barrels;
  
• One barrel in 12 gauge over a .223;
  
• Second barrel in 12 gauge over a 7x65R;
  
• I have sets of Tikka/Valmet bridge mounts which can be used;
  
• For the .223 I need a scope of decent magnification to head shoot bunnies and foxes at a distance;
  
• The .223 also needs to be able to switch from shotgun to rifle quickly;
  
• I do not like shooting a shotgun using a scope;
  
• The 7x65R does not need to have such an accurate sighting system so a more compromise might be acceptable.
  

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THE 12 gauge / 7x65R SET OF BARRELS

This would be used on casual hunts going for walk where I expect to encounter small game or medium game. Shotgun on bunnies, ducks and the like, and 7x65R on pigs, goats, deer, roos etc. I don't really do such hunts often. Hunt usually small game at home, where not much likelihood of medium game or specific small game hunts away. Or specific medium game hunts. Tunnel vision approach. Why shoot a rabbit or fox and miss out on a pig or deer? If this was more of a chande at home it would get used a lot.


FIRST OPTION

Swing aside hinged mounts.

Would work if the mounts were available and weren't too bad. The 7 mm does not need to be as precise as the .223.

SECOND OPTION

Same as above.

Swing aside mounts do exist for AR15 type systems, but are designed for a signal ring, and for a magnification scope designed to work with red dot sights. And 30mm.

Would one or two of these work? Or is this an impossible solution?

Also the solution needs to be a bridge mount. Pushing two levers or buttons on a two piece mount would be two slow.

THIRD OPTION

Same as above.

Tikka bridge non-QD mounts. These have a knob to turn several times to loosen the base off the barrels.

IMO they are slow to put on and take off.

EWA also makes a very similar one. Not QD at all per reports as they need a tool to turn the knob to take off.

This is a possible solution, though not ideal. I have two sets of these on hand to use.

FOURTH OPTION

Same as above.

QD set of mounts. If a set could be found which can be used on the Tikka/Valmet.

Possibly a biut slow taking on and off. But if faster than the Valmet style mounts might be a solution.

FIFTH OPTION

Dot point sight.

Would probably work OK as the 7mm at closer ranges might be fine with a red dot sight.

I do prefer a decent scope though. Or one of each. If I had enough mounts spare?


SIXTH OPTION

AGAIN a real possibility.

Variable scope. Use the shotgun with a variable scope on low pwer for the shotgun, and the higher power for the rifle.

With modern scopes, say a 1-4x or 1-6x or something close to 1x at the lower end for the scope.

A 4x or 6x at the high end is fine for a 7x65R.

Don't really like a scope for a shotgun. But could give it a try.

A real compromise solution. A 1-4x or a 1-6x or similar scope with suitable reticle, in the Tikka non-QD mounts. Can use the scope at 1x for the shotgun, 5x or 6x for the rifle, OR put in on and off using the non-QD mounts when possible.

Guys, what do you think? Experiences, ideas, comments.

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John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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