EDELWEISS
AH enthusiast
Ive wanted REAL Double for more years then I like to think about. For most of those years I had to console myself with SxS shotguns that I had sights mounted onto the ribs. Some worked much better than they get credit for; but it takes some tweeking with loads and expectations----OK some were complete failures but they still "looked" cool, especially to a guy who couldnt afford better.
Then the Baikal's came along, first it was the O/U's that looked like the Valmet's (which I still couldnt afford); but they were cheap enough that even I could afford. The best description Ive ever heard of them, is that they are like Russian T34 tanks, as in they are cheap and they go bang. I always hated the gap between the barrels of the O/U's; but the Valmets had that same gap and they were cool.... There had been rumors for years that a SxS was coming out in 45-70, then Remington snapped up the import rights and only teased us (me) for years. So much that I forgot about them until recently.
Over the years we get older but sometimes smarter, Im finally at a point where I can afford some of my dreams. Im planning my first safari for 2012, and I finally got my first REAL Double Rifle. Its a Sabatti 9.3x74R. Ok, its on the low end of the REAL Doubles; but its still a REAL Double Rifle in my book.
While researching DR's, for the Sabatti that I eventually bought, I came across one of the Baikal SxS's in 45-70. I couldnt resist it. Yep Its another T34; but its one I wont mind taking out in the rain on a Boar hunt.
When I bought the 9.3x74R, there was a Blazer in 500 NE in the shop. It was on the high end of my disposable" cash range; but its been naggng at me. I keep telling myself "I dont NEED a 500 NE"; but its getting harder to listen to that and I keep thinking of going back. I tell myself I can go to Afrika for what it costs; but I keep thinking yeah and I could take my 500NE with me.............
Help me convince me one way or the other, "Do I need a 500NE?"
Then the Baikal's came along, first it was the O/U's that looked like the Valmet's (which I still couldnt afford); but they were cheap enough that even I could afford. The best description Ive ever heard of them, is that they are like Russian T34 tanks, as in they are cheap and they go bang. I always hated the gap between the barrels of the O/U's; but the Valmets had that same gap and they were cool.... There had been rumors for years that a SxS was coming out in 45-70, then Remington snapped up the import rights and only teased us (me) for years. So much that I forgot about them until recently.
Over the years we get older but sometimes smarter, Im finally at a point where I can afford some of my dreams. Im planning my first safari for 2012, and I finally got my first REAL Double Rifle. Its a Sabatti 9.3x74R. Ok, its on the low end of the REAL Doubles; but its still a REAL Double Rifle in my book.
While researching DR's, for the Sabatti that I eventually bought, I came across one of the Baikal SxS's in 45-70. I couldnt resist it. Yep Its another T34; but its one I wont mind taking out in the rain on a Boar hunt.
When I bought the 9.3x74R, there was a Blazer in 500 NE in the shop. It was on the high end of my disposable" cash range; but its been naggng at me. I keep telling myself "I dont NEED a 500 NE"; but its getting harder to listen to that and I keep thinking of going back. I tell myself I can go to Afrika for what it costs; but I keep thinking yeah and I could take my 500NE with me.............
Help me convince me one way or the other, "Do I need a 500NE?"