Why shoot the BTM BBL of the Valmet 30-06 O/U First?

[hamourkiller]

I was reading the manual for the Valmet 412 system so graciously supplied by dougk and was wondering "Why shoot the BTM BBL of the Valmet 30-06 O/U First?" As recomended by the booklet.
 
Also I am currently shooting M1 Garand safe loads in my 412, just how robust is this action? I have no desire to hotrod the rifle but might want to go up some more if it is advisable.
 
Hank
 

[lanark]

My wildest guess is that that the top barrel is more accurate since the sights are mounted to it whereas the bottom barrel is adjusted by bending the barrel relative to the top barrel.
Shoot with the not so accurate bottom barrel first and if you miss, use the accurate top barrel.

[Graybeard]

Folks who shoot O/U shotguns on clay targets do so because the recoil from the bottom barrel than the top making recovery quicker for second shot on doubles. I know many who only load one shell in bottom barrel for singles.

[Drilling Man]

My wildest guess is that that the top barrel is more accurate since the sights are mounted to it whereas the bottom barrel is adjusted by bending the barrel relative to the top barrel.
Shoot with the not so accurate bottom barrel first and if you miss, use the accurate top barrel.

  That would be a very wild guess, as any and all the double 412's i've owned or shot, both bbls have been equally accurate and that's as accurate or more accurate as the average bolt action rifle.
 
  Anyway, GB is partly right, but the biggest reason to fire the bottom bbl first is, it's the proper regulation order.  Meaning that all S&S double rifles are regulated by fireing the right bbl first, and all O/U double rifles are regulated by fireing the bottom bbl first.  That's the way they should be regulated and that's the way they should be fired.
 
  DM

[dougk]

 
  Anyway, GB is partly right, but the biggest reason to fire the bottom bbl first is, it's the proper regulation order.  Meaning that all S&S double rifles are regulated by fireing the right bbl first, and all O/U double rifles are regulated by fireing the bottom bbl first.  That's the way they should be regulated and that's the way they should be fired.
 
  DM

Hey Drilling Man
I see your point but dont understand how shooting the bottom barrel is better.  Can you expand further on that?
Also how is the OU double rifle regulated?
Thanks
[size=78%]Doug[/size]

[FPH]

I was told that on a shotgun that the bottom barrel will have less recoil and a less restrictive choke.  Therefore the top barrel will reach farther.  Sorry, no help on a rifle.

[Bill R.]

When I was learning to shoot skeet with an over/under I was always told the recoil was less from the bottom barrel too. Something to do with the way the gun recoils, it is supposed to make follow up shots quicker. All the guys I shoot with always have their guns set to fire the bottom barrel first.