Marocchi FinnClassic question for Drillingman and anyone else in the know.

[Bonasus]

Hi Guys,
This is my first post on Graybeard Outdoors.  I am a recent convert from upland bird hunting to squirrel and other small game hunting.  I hunt with my West Siberian Laika, a kind of all-purpose dog developed over the centuries by several indigenous Siberian tribes.  In the U.S. they are mostly used for squirrel hunting.  I like general purpose things (don't ask why, I'm not sure I can answer).  With him, I have opportunities for squirrel, grouse, woodcock.  When out with him, as he is very quiet, I see deer.  I am very attracted to the whole notion of the BBF or over/under rifle-shotgun combination gun.  Although I would love a Blaser B95 or Krieghoff Ultra, I don't think it is in the financial cards any time soon.  I do think the Marocchi 512 Finnclassic (or Valmet 412) is within my budget if I sell off some other firearms.  Here is my main question.  Does anyone make a 22LR insert that would work in the shotgun barrel of the FinnClassic?  Or, alternatively, can the .222 Remington or 6.5x55 Swede be sufficiently down-loaded to be useful and not destructive on small game?  I have secondary questions if you don't mind.  Does anyone have experience using the 512/412 with shotgun barrels on upland birds.  Is it lively and well-balanced in the hands, or more heavy and clunky?  Lastly, what does a plain-jain Krieghoff Ultra cost?  I have checked Gunbroker, Gunsamerica and Auctionarms and do not find one listed as a gauge.  Thanks in advance guys for any insight you can provide. 
Bonasus

[Drilling Man]

Hi Guys,
This is my first post on Graybeard Outdoors.  I am a recent convert from upland bird hunting to squirrel and other small game hunting.  I hunt with my West Siberian Laika, a kind of all-purpose dog developed over the centuries by several indigenous Siberian tribes.  In the U.S. they are mostly used for squirrel hunting.  I like general purpose things (don't ask why, I'm not sure I can answer).  With him, I have opportunities for squirrel, grouse, woodcock.  When out with him, as he is very quiet, I see deer.  I am very attracted to the whole notion of the BBF or over/under rifle-shotgun combination gun.  Although I would love a Blaser B95 or Krieghoff Ultra, I don't think it is in the financial cards any time soon.  I do think the Marocchi 512 Finnclassic (or Valmet 412) is within my budget if I sell off some other firearms.  Here is my main question.  Does anyone make a 22LR insert that would work in the shotgun barrel of the FinnClassic?  Or, alternatively, can the .222 Remington or 6.5x55 Swede be sufficiently down-loaded to be useful and not destructive on small game?  I have secondary questions if you don't mind.  Does anyone have experience using the 512/412 with shotgun barrels on upland birds.  Is it lively and well-balanced in the hands, or more heavy and clunky?  Lastly, what does a plain-jain Krieghoff Ultra cost?  I have checked Gunbroker, Gunsamerica and Auctionarms and do not find one listed as a gauge.  Thanks in advance guys for any insight you can provide. 
Bonasus

  Welcome to the forum...

  I'd love to see a pict of your dog!

  Krieghoff sells an "excellent" quality 22 insert bbl that will fit in a 12ga. Valmet bbl...  It must be "fit" the first time around though...

  Both the .222 and the swede could be loaded down for small game, but it the Swede wouldn't be my first choice...  I'd pick the rimfire over those every time..

  IMHO the 412's are of better quality than the 512's...

  Valmet made many choices in length ect in shotgun bbls, and although it's not a light gun, it does fit me well, and i do hit fairly well with it.  Balanced, yes...  Lightweight for a shotgun, no...

  Plain jane Ultra?  I'll "guess" and say 4 to 5 thousand and that may be low??

  Hope this helps some,

  DM

[Bonasus]

Thanks DM!  I think the Valmet/Marocchi will be the place for me to start.  Do you know where one would get a Krieghoff insert and whether or not specialized gunsmithing skills are needed for the initial fitting?  Also, any idea of the cost of the inserts?  Thanks in advance.  I enjoy this forum, including the photos.  Here is a photo of the dog, Misha.

[AkMike1]

Looks like a regular old everyday husky to My wife is from Russia and was into dogs. ( might be why she accepted me) She said it's a husky too.
 The insert should make a drilling very suitable for hunting everything.

[dougk]

If you keep any eye out you can find Valmet 412s in excellent shape for the same price or less than the Marocchi.  I have not looked back or second guessed purchasing the used Valmets.  THe Valmets are built very well...

Doug

[Drilling Man]

Thanks DM!  I think the Valmet/Marocchi will be the place for me to start.  Do you know where one would get a Krieghoff insert and whether or not specialized gunsmithing skills are needed for the initial fitting?  Also, any idea of the cost of the inserts?  Thanks in advance.  I enjoy this forum, including the photos.  Here is a photo of the dog, Misha.

  Thanks for the pict...  Looks like a nice dog...

  I don't have a lead on the Krieghoff inserts except giving  Krieghoff USA a try.

  Yes, it does take some skill to fit and sight one in, but once done, you can take it out and put it back in, and it will stay sighted in perfectly!

  I have no idea what they cost today, other than to say "expensive". (but worth it)  And to think, at one time i sold them for $99.00 each!

  Here's a pict of one in place...



  DM

[Bonasus]

Hey Guys,
If you hunt a large variety of game, but were a small game hunter (ruffed grouse, squirrel, rabbit) and turkey hunter more so than a deer hunter, which FinnClassic/Valmet would be more useful, a 12g over .222 Remington or a 12 g over 6.5x55 Swede.  I would include in the thinking the notion of barrel inserts or chamber inserts for 22LR and larger rounds, and the use of slugs for deer and possibly hand loading reduced power loads.  In turkey hunting, the .222 and 12g make sense, but what if you encounter an opportunity for a buck?  If you head west where the shots are longer, a slug out of the shotgun will not be efficient like a .308W or 6.5x55 in the lower barrel would be.  I know that, eventually, I can add a second barrel set which would solve some of this, but I am intrigued by maximizing the utility of one gun.  Any thoughts or opinions?  Thanks.
Bonasus

[Drilling Man]

Hey Guys,
If you hunt a large variety of game, but were a small game hunter (ruffed grouse, squirrel, rabbit) and turkey hunter more so than a deer hunter, which FinnClassic/Valmet would be more useful, a 12g over .222 Remington or a 12 g over 6.5x55 Swede.  I would include in the thinking the notion of barrel inserts or chamber inserts for 22LR and larger rounds, and the use of slugs for deer and possibly hand loading reduced power loads.  In turkey hunting, the .222 and 12g make sense, but what if you encounter an opportunity for a buck?  If you head west where the shots are longer, a slug out of the shotgun will not be efficient like a .308W or 6.5x55 in the lower barrel would be.  I know that, eventually, I can add a second barrel set which would solve some of this, but I am intrigued by maximizing the utility of one gun.  Any thoughts or opinions?  Thanks.
Bonasus

  For small game it would be hard to beat an 12 ga.-12 ga. bbl, and then have an 22 lr or 22 Win. mag. insert bbl fitted to one of the shot bbls...  For a second bbl set, a combo bbl would be great, i like the 12 ga. - 30-06...

  DM