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My next affordable double rifle is my Tikka 512SD "Valmet" double rifle.

It's an under and over double rifle.

I purchased the original with a 9,3x74R DR barrels set, And an under and over shotgun set of barrels. From memory $1,600. Possibly from Texas. Later I purchased two extra combination barrels sets, in 12g/7x65R and 12g/.223. And a second DR set in .30-06.

The Valmets started as Valmet 412s, then Tikka, then Finnclassic. Now discontinued.

It's a separated barrels style DF with a rear adjustable wedges for elevation and a muzzle wedge to adjust for horizontal POI movement.

I've adjusted the rear wedge to get my 286 gr Woodleighs for the 9.3x74R to shoot two very good two shot groups, four shots in total, about 30 mm apart at 100 metres. Parallel grounds about the same gap as at the muzzles. I haven't used the .30-06 double barrels set yet.

I've used the U/O shotgun barrels a lot. It's a fair field shotgun. It has removable choke tubes and mine was magnaported. It's my only U/O shotgun. I usually use it for clay shoots.

I've also used the 12g/.223 combination barrels occasionally,

I'm still to use the 12g/7x65R combination barrels,

I bought up the barrels I wanted, as my experience if the rifle in no longer produced, barrels, accessories etc become scarce, expensive and hard to get. Stock up early!

My 9.3x74R wears a Lightforce illuminated reticle scope with an unusual reticle. The open flip up sights on "Valmets" are not good, Small square notch, flimsy flip up. The front sight is thick, I'm not sure if I can use them functionally, Never have used them to date.

The detachable mounts are not quick. They have a large screw to tighten them on. Reasonable return to point of aim. I do feel the need to range test shoot when changing barrels and if removing the scope. The scopes pretty much live on the barrels permanently. For the .223 I demand very accurate point of aim placement, head shooting foxes, hares, rabbits. For the 7x65R such accuracy is less important.

Additional barrels for the Valmet must be gunsmith fitted, There are detailed manuals on the NE forums,

The barrels on the Valmet style are sepated. Rubber "ribs" can be inserted. These improve the looks a little. I have put them on my combination barrels and double rifle barrels. I think I'm missing one rubber rib for the lot.

Two issues I've had with myn0 9,3x74R barrel set.
1, Fitting the rubber rib it appeared it might be affecting the regulation point of impacts. So I removed it. I'll fit it again one day and do some detailed testing to see it it affects accuracy and DR POIs.

2. I used my 9.3x74R in Namibia. Shooting a number of warthogs, At one point I felt the need to test shoot it on paper. The barrels were now shooting 30 cms apart !!! So I used a 8x68S bolt action rifle the rest of the safari.

Returning home I retest shot it, expecting to have to reregulate it. The POIs were 30mm apart like they should be..., WTF !!! I don't know what happened.

I've also shot some fourteen water buffalo with the 9,3x74R, some boars, scrub bulls, brumby horses,donkeys with it. Some deer,

The .223 on smaller game,

As a multiple barrel system, a Valmet might allow a lot of choices in restrictive gun legislation countries. If additional barrels are not counted, where a quota number in firearms is legislated, In the WA proposed draconian anti gun anti personal freedoms laws, the five and ten firearms limits include every barrel set. Not good and ridiculous. A multiple barrel firearm is sill only one firearm.

The Valmet barrels from the factory finished at the 9.3x74R at the upper end. However custom .375 barrels have been made. And a ,450/400 custom set of barrels is featured here on the NE forums. Maybe one-day if I can't afford a nice side by side dr .375 flanged or a .500/416 NE, I might get one of them in a custom set of barrels.

At one time, a Valmet or Tikka 12-bore shotgun could be purchased for around $A800 to $A1000. Add a set of combination or DR barrels set(s) if/when they appear, was around $400 to $1000 or more for combination or dr barrel sets, It was possible to acquire a Valmet for less than $2000 to $2500.

A lot of crappy bolt actions now are listed for $2000 to $5000 in auction sites. A Valmet represents fantastic value in comparison.

I'm reasonably happy with mine, much as I'd prefer nice side by side traditional fixed barrels rifles,

--------------------
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"

Edited by NitroX (09/04/24 06:41 PM)

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