Picked up an interesting new SxS rifle

[Bigeasy]

Browsing around a local gun shop, when I spotted what appeared to be a neat little .410 side by side.  A little closer look, and I spotted rifle sights.  Hmmm...  Turns out it is a Remington MR221 45/70 SxS double rifle.  Used, appeared to be unfired, as new - $675.00.  So out came the credit card.

A little Internet study finds they were made under contract for Remington by Baikal, in Russia.  They were imported for only a couple years, most of them in 30-06, with a relative few in 45/70.  From what I read on the net, the 45/70 version is hard to find, and they seem to go for over $1000.00 in excellent shape

Barrels are 23 1/2 inch, weight I would guess is about 7lbs.  The barrels are adjustable for regulation via a threaded wheel located between the barrels.  Front and rear sights are adjustable as well.  The fit and finish are actually very good - smooth, if slightly stiff action with extractors, very well done blueing, checkering, and an oil finished walnut stock with a little tiger stripe figure.  The triggers are not bad.  No rough spots, just a smooth pull of about 5lbs with a little "Glock like" creep before let off.  The balance point is right at the hinge pin, and it feels like a shotgun in the hands.

I only had 9 rounds of 45/70 loaded - 300grn hollowpoint at about 1800 fps.  Placed a paper plate out at 50 yards, and let it rip.  It shot about 3 inches high, and 3 to the left.  After adjusting the sights, I put the last 4 rounds dead center with a group I could cover with my fist.  Yea, it kicks a little.

I'm actually very impressed with this rifle.  Now, it ain't no Purdy or Holland & Holland, but I didn't have to sell my house to buy it either.  Seems it would be the perfect close range whitetail or hog gun.  We'll see..

Larry

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  What a nice find..I guess I didn't realize Rem. even had this deal going on..It is great to know they shoot where they look also..sometimes this is not the case with shotguns..congradulations.....

[dougk]

Larry
Nice find....

So are you keeping it?

Do you know what the trigger pull is?

[Bigeasy]

Doug-

My trigger pull gauge is broken, but I am guessing its about 5lbs on each trigger, with a little smooth creep before let off.  I can live with the creep as long as it is not rough or notchy.

I played with it a little more today using 400 grain cast flat noses at about 1400 fps.  The barrel regulating tension wheel, located between the barrels allowed me to bring the left "floated" barrel to within about an inch of the fixed right barrel at 50 yards.  Recoil was not that bad, though the sharp checkering on the wood is noticeable when shooting without gloves.

When I first bought it, I figured it was cool, and If I didn't like it, would sell it for more then I paid.  After firing it some, I am going to keep it.  I like the way it handles; the sights are right on when you snap it to your shoulder.  Should be a great brush gun for up in Maine where I hunt a lot.

Larry

[dougk]

Larry
that sounds like a great find.  Are you going to post pictures?  And Most importantly, when are you going to use it on those hogs?

[Drilling Man]

  I think there's more of them around that you realize, i've had chances to buy them in 45/70 and 30-06.  Perhaps there's not too many around where you live?

  There's looong threads about them on some sites, with guys spending quite a bit of time dealing with poor triggers, regulation ect...  They do seem to have good accurate bbls. though, and can be dialed in.

  I bet you will have fun with it!


  DM

[Snowwolfe]

Bet Remington imported thousands of these rifles. Owned both the 30 06 and the 45-70 versions. After working with both sold off the 45-70. Was not comfortable with the fact the barrels were so thin as you got closer to the muzzle they were to hot to hold after firing two shots out of each barrel. I think on the one I owned the wall thickness of the steel was only .045 at the muzzle.

Also, pay attention to the warnings on the barrel. Believe you can only shot loads with pressures up to about 28,000 pressure.

[keith44]

I read the announcement of these rifles several years ago, but so far none have been sighted here in north western Ky.

Keith

[ham7777]

I have been looking for one of these in 45-70 for sometime now,saw 2 on Gun Broker NIB starting at 1200.00  .
But just received a catalog from EEA Corp. they are going to import them this year  ,I called them yesterday and it will be at least 3 more months before they hit the  stores.
Their SRP is 930.00 for the 45-70 and 30-06. Would like to have both guess I better start saving up now.

They have a nice web site with the 2011 catalog this rifle is the MP-221 by Baikal
 Tom Hammond