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Regarding the "new" Remington Spartan DRs, don't believe we'll ever see them! In our U.S. litigation driven society I honestly doubt Remington will distribute any firearm with pressure issues, and the Baikal double rifle with design limits around 28,000psi chambered for the large base 45-70 will be loaded by owners with both factory and handloads from 18, to 45,000+psi. Witness tang safeties and rebounding hammers added to gun designs over nearly century old gun designs in an effort to protect us from ourselves, and manufacturers from drawn out and expensive legal battles. After 3 years of promises and a couple prototype guns they're dead in the water. A shame, as Baikal never did an outside hammer double rifle, only O&U and SxS hammerless, and nothing larger than 30-06 (7.62x54R I think too!), and had the new Spartan 45-70 been a success for under a $1,000- it's remotely possible we could've seen another 45-70 on their outside hammer SxS shotgun frame.

"If wishes were horses ..." this beggar would ride! For outside hammer DRs I guess we're back to Pedersoli @$2,500- to $4,000-, SIACE @ $6,000- to $10,000, or build our own. Regarding my Rossi fixation, I checked a 12ga Rossi hammerless as a potential extra set of barrels donor for my future 45-90/50-110 on 12ga Rossi hammergun project, and the underlugs and hinge pin differ enough that it's not an easy fitup (besides which one of the bores had serious pitting. I believe I've purchased another 20" 20ga though, w/typical Rossi double underlugs and Greener sliding crossbolt. Two years ago I purchased another Rossi 20" 20ga, same Garcia import, same barrel lugs and rib extension, but with no sliding crossbolt, and am hoping that these barrels might be too tight on the new purchase frame so I can refit them for tight lockup, and then drill and fit for the Greener crossbolt. If that's the case, I'll end up with an action with 2 sets of fitted 20" barrels, and next step will be to cut off the poorer bore set for my rifle monoblock. Sticker shock too, as average price on these Rossi hammer shotguns has climbed to around $400-, and up! We're now up to $750 - $850 for 2 donor shotguns before starting to cut, I do have reservations regarding soft steel in these Rossi guns (but would prefer soft and stretchy to hard and brittle!). The wild cards are: 1.) that I'm still looking for one of the scarcer 26-28" barreled versions of their 20ga. also, as I'd rather end up with matching 25-26" rifle and shotgun barrels on this double when completed, 2.) don't know for sure that I'll be able to refit a spare set of barrels on another gun without major work, 3.) realistically, don't know that after I purchase and fit 2 barrels to the monoblock ... I'll only find after proofing that the Rossi action will end up being on the "not a good conversion candidate" list! If I do this right, I'll probably buy 1 or 2 more Rossi 20ga if necessary, for more comparison and potential barrel donor possibility, and if I can match up 2 that'll work and not damage anything in the process, I'll end up with a spare set of sidelocks, triggers, action and buttstock and can still resell the shotguns not required for the project - awful complicated way to end up a pair of compatible donors, but thank God cowboy shooters will buy my leftovers!

To continue in this vein, I've concluded that a 45-70 (or 45-90) project (even w/spare shotgun tubes fitted!) is probably not a sensible choice on a Rossi 12ga. I no longer own the 12ga which I'd purchased new in '72, having swapped it to good friend ... whose loaned it back to me till I settle my double rifle project needs (and who'd let me replace it with another hammer 12ga coachgun for him!)- approx. $1,000- for 2 shotguns, 2 Green Mtn 45 or 50cal 4140 cut rifle brls are $425-, $150 - $250 for specific reamer & headspace gauge - close to $1,750 + labor to assemble and ready for proof a 45-90 or 50-110 DR w/fitted 12ga shotgun brls, if it proofs, and then we still have to regulate and rust blue. For twice the money I can buy a new (w/out 20ga tubes) Pedersoli 45-70, or used (w/20ga tubes), maybe a little more, but it's a known quantity, proofed and regulated. If 45-90 is that critical - $50 for reamer rental! If it's gotta be 50-110 add aprox. $1250- for rebore & rechamber and I'll still have to reproof, regulate & reblue - 50cal makes more sense on a ... CZ Hammer Coach 20" 12ga, can buy NIB for $750- and I just spoke to their custom shop, $1250 - $1500 and 120day wait on prepaid order will get 24-26" barrels factory fitted along with the same gun, add my 50cal brl pkge and around $2,500- gets a 50-110 double w/fitted shotgun brl set + labor. The additional $750- over my possible bigbore Rossi conversion makes more sense I'd think, based on positive comments on CZ shotguns plus just starting with a new proofed shotgun! CZ couldn't give real specifics on the action design and comparison to their hammerless shotguns, all are made in Turkey, I was told by special order shop that the outside hammer action is 90degree and not 89degree as their hammerless - should that eliminate it? The CZUSA gunsmith also was less than enthusiastic when I explained to him why I was contemplating ordering one!

I guess at this stage I’ll plan to keep going on the Rossi 20ga. DR conversion to 25-35, 30-30(-40), or 38-55, as it’ll be a good learning process without too much of a cash outlay. Anyhow, my newly purchased Rossi 20ga. should arrive late next week or shortly thereafter, and then I should have a better idea regarding whether I can start refitting shotgun barrels or cutting off the other set, or looking for yet another 20ga Rossi to buy, and compare … we’ll see.

Thanks, Joe

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