Baikal Model MP-221 Artemida Side–by–Side Rifle .45-70

[44WCF]

still no pictures?

[pricedo]

still no pictures?

Well, here it is in all its unimpressive glory.........the gun redefines the phrase "Plain Jane" a couple of notches lower.........strong & utilitarian like most Russian built stuff but not very purty.
The gun shoots OK but I haven't regulated the barrels to a pet load yet.
Tried some pretty hefty 45-70 loads and it kicks like a mule because of its light weight.
The action was stiff from the getgo but I loosened it up quite a bit by opening & closing it a few hundred times in front of the TV.
The triggers are creepy and one is about 5 pounds pull & the other around 5.5 pounds.
The local gunsmith seems reluctant to touch the triggers so I'll eventually have to deal with those myself if I want to "hunt" the gun.

[Rooster59]

Well it isn't an English double but the buttstock wood grain does have some character to it.

I take enough heat from my friends by using an iron sighted 45-70 lever gun for deer hunting. I can just hear them if I whipped out that double gun.

Nice rifle. It would go well with my Stoeger 12ga SxS.

Jeff

[pricedo]

Well it isn't an English double but the buttstock wood grain does have some character to it.

I take enough heat from my friends by using an iron sighted 45-70 lever gun for deer hunting. I can just hear them if I whipped out that double gun.

Nice rifle. It would go well with my Stoeger 12ga SxS.

Jeff

Wherein lies the rub is finding a sweetheart load and regulating the 2 barrels to hit the same POI @ 50 yd or whatever with that load.
Very ammo specific..........the rifle may shoot loads other than the one it is regulated for into 2 different counties from the same bench spotting.
The necessity of barrel regulation is a PITA.
Right now it is doing a great job of collecting dust in my big steel safe.
One friend suggested converting one of the barrels to 410 gauge shotgun & creating a "Jack-of-all-trades" SxS 410/45-70...........an interesting idea.
It is surprisingly light and well constructed for a cheapskate double...........Baikal guns have a very high rep for reliable functionality, quality & durability in South America where the low price makes them popular as a "get-the-job-done" utility saddle gun.
I am not new to Baikal & am very pleased with my Baikal IZH-94 12 gauge/308 Win O/U which I've had for many years that has taken both deer & grouse in the same afternoon.

[Rooster59]

on the Baikal's utility and rock like reliability. My wife had a 12ga side by side (Rem SPR) that worked like a charm. She sold it for a ported Mossberg pump because the action was so tight and would not loosen up. It was too hard for her to open. Even I had to work it like I meant it. It sure busted pheasants and clay birds though!

Jeff