Baikal IZH-18MH Single Shot

[4535jacks]

I seriously considering buying a Baikal single shot rifle in .308. I love the German Kiplaufs but cannot afford a K3 or K95 any time soon. This will be a second rifle for use when my main rifle is in for repairs or as a lighter rifle when out mentoring other stalkers.

After doing some reading, the main complaint seems to be trigger pull. Has anyone managed to get the trigger bearable?

Also, I end up buying a second hand, are they certain things to check for?

Any general experiences with this simple rifle?

 

[Hornet 6]

The trigger is awful, not easy to play with either.
If second hand make sure nobody has played with the trigger, certainly don't buy without trying first.
(prone to discharging when safety is set to fire)

Neil.

What about the CZ Brno single shot, more expensive than the Russian, but far cheaper than any other single shot.

 

[4535jacks]

The trigger is awful, not easy to play with either.
If second hand make sure nobody has played with the trigger, certainly don't buy without trying first.
(prone to discharging when safety is set to fire)

Neil.

What about the CZ Brno single shot, more expensive than the Russian, but far cheaper than any other single shot.

I would have the CZ but thought there werr rarer than hens teeth in the UK so the chances of picking up a cheap one were near zero.

 

[User00025]

The Brno single shots were quite dear when I looked a few years back. Must be 10yrs ago, talking to one of their reps were about £1600 then.
I have a kiplhauf which someone off here is supposed to buying soon. They are terrific to use, very light but quite a recoil in larger calibres.

 

[Heym SR20]

Have a look at the Bergara single shots.

Re the Baikal trigger pull, they have a shotgun type action and a decent gunsmith should be able to improve things with careful use of a polishing stone.

 

[4535jacks]

Sadly for a few years I won't have much money to spend on toys and so won't be getting my hands on a proper kiplauf hence looking at the Baikal 'Cheaplauf'.

It seems I can get one new for £285 and second hand for £200 from a dealer. Some cheap rings and a spare 6x45 scope I have lying around and I will be good to go. I would even keep on the cheap theme and put PPUs through it.

 

[Mossypaw]

+1 on the Bergara BA-13

 

[4535jacks]

Have a look at the Bergara single shots.

Re the Baikal trigger pull, they have a shotgun type action and a decent gunsmith should be able to improve things with careful use of a polishing stone.

Months ago i was looking at a new BA13 for about £500 but if I can get a reasonably similar rifle for £200 I would.

Again, not many Ba-13s (wooden effect) come up for sale SH in the classifieds (which is improbably a good sign!!)

 

[karamoja]

Ref the trigger - I had one which I liked a lot. It shot well and seemed fairly bomb proof. But the trigger was rough, very rough. I had a good (well known) gunsmith look at it and he could not get it to be a reasonable trigger with out it being unsafe. He said it was either heavy/reasonable/safe or good/unsafe/slamfire. It would take a complete redesign of the trigger geometry. If some one has done this or thinks they know how, I would be very interested to hear about it! It's a road I may travel down again in the future?
There are plenty of old four tens around to experiment on cheaply and rebarrel, they are the same action.
K

 

[4535jacks]

Ref the trigger - I had one which I liked a lot. It shot well and seemed fairly bomb proof. But the trigger was rough, very rough. I had a good (well known) gunsmith look at it and he could not get it to be a reasonable trigger with out it being unsafe. He said it was either heavy/reasonable/safe or good/unsafe/slamfire. It would take a complete redesign of the trigger geometry. If some one has done this or thinks they know how, I would be very interested to hear about it! It's a road I may travel down again in the future?
There are plenty of old four tens around to experiment on cheaply and rebarrel, they are the same action.
K

Thanks. Is it true you can swap the wood with the 410 version which is chequered and may even be walnut rather than beech?

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

i have two and narrowly missed out on one passing through Holts in .222
awesome if a little weighty

its a surform and a lathe away from being much lighter

The block that the chamber sits in is built to accomodate everything from .22 hornet to 45-70 and could be lightened
the trigger is fine on mine
its a single shot russian rifle not a bench rest cabinet queen!
most shotguns have much worse triggers but no-one mentions them usually

 

[4535jacks]

What types of mounts and rings are people using? I assume for .308 an arrestor pin for recoil is a must.

 

[tusker]

What types of mounts and rings are people using? I assume for .308 an arrestor pin for recoil is a must.

I have a detachable mount that fits the Baikal . 1 inch scope body. If you buy the baikal I will sell to you if you want . I had the same rifle and wish I still had it .
Tusker

 

[4535jacks]

I have a detachable mount that fits the Baikal . 1 inch scope body. If you buy the baikal I will sell to you if you want . I had the same rifle and wish I still had it .
Tusker

Thanks, just need to find a suitable rifle first!

 

[redcoat]

I bought a .308 Baikal off a gentleman from this very forum. It was exactly as described, immaculate and well cared for, It is now my truck gun, carried every day when I do my trap round.
I home load, so 170 grn flat nose at 30-30 velocities makes it a perfect woodland gun. I couldn't afford a Bergara, so the Baikal suits my needs perfectly, yes, the trigger has appalling creep and feels gritty but with practice it is perfectly doable with no chance of committing an ND!
I have an old Swarovski 4x32 on medium rings with a 4a reticule, it is bomb proof, accurate, light to carry and easy to shoot off hand. I actually bought it to shoot my home cast lead 170 grn projectiles and I do like the chrome lined barrel.
One rather endearing trait is that I can remove the fore end and barrel and fit a single barrel twelve gauge spare barrel and fore grip I have in my cabinet, it takes mere seconds to do, how versatile is that!
I like it, it suits my life style and I will not sell it.

 

[tusker]

Thanks, just need to find a suitable rifle first!

Minsterley ranges have one for sale on Guntrader. £200.
Tusker

 

[tusker]

Redcoat, was it me you bought it from?
Tusker

 

[4535jacks]

Minsterley ranges have one for sale on Guntrader. £200.
Tusker

I have seen that but i think I would prefer one with the foresight and the muzzle thread looks long, maybe too long for my dpt mod.

Plus it is only £85 for a new one although I prefer the darker stock on the Minsterley one.......

 

[ColinJ]

I have one for sale (scope not included). The trigger has been improved as far as possible by Armalon Ltd, but it still isn’t perfect. A recoil stop has been fitted to prevent the scope mounts slipping.
There‘s not a lot you can say about these rifles, they do what it says on the tin!

 

[Smellydog]

There is no trigger that can not be improved.
Many make the mistake of lessoning sear engagement and or lightening springs when all that is required is some fine stones to minutely alter the engagement angles. Many a sear arrangement resembles a hook where upon the trigger is actually pushing against the main hammer or striker spring.
I hope you get the Baikal. Often been tempted myself