Savage 333/Valmet 412

[e rex]

Yesterday my Grandson-in-law took us 26 miles up a sand road and back in a pasture to see his Grandfathers place. Talk about the middle of no where! His Granddad pulled out a Savage 333 and handed it to Kyle saying "you take this damn thing, it kicks too hard and I can't hit anything with it". His Granddad is 83. The shotgun had hardly been shot and is so tight it is almost hard to break open. I believe this gun was made in Finland by Valmet. A "Cadillac with a Ford name on it".
I've got some extra trap loads I'll give him to get used to the gun. What a great gun and wonderful day we had!

 

[Boattale]

See, old guys really can be good for something. Talk about a great post. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I just picked one of these up a couple of months ago in the same kind of condition. Been working 7 days a week and haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. Hope he enjoys it!

 

[DM~]

A Savage 333 is NOT the same as a Valmet 412...

The the 412 is a much stronger design, although the 333 was made by Valmet...

DM

 

[Oldschool shooter]

A Savage 333 is NOT the same as a Valmet 412...

The the 412 is a much stronger design, although the 333 was made by Valmet...

DM

The only difference between the 333 and the 412 is that the barrels on the 412 have an extra lug, so they do not interchange with the Savage. Most all other parts, including wood, will interchange. I believe barrels from the Valmet 212 and 312 will work on the DlSavage, with some proper fitting.

 

[DM~]

The only difference between the 333 and the 412 is that the barrels on the 412 have an extra lug, so they do not interchange with the Savage. Most all other parts, including wood, will interchange. I believe barrels from the Valmet 212 and 312 will work on the DlSavage, with some proper fitting.

Have you tried to do that? I have both, and worked with both, there's a LOT of differences between the two...

DM

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I have not tried, it is what I read on a Valmet discussion board from someone that owns both and is a retired gunsmith.

 

[DM~]

I have not tried, it is what I read on a Valmet discussion board from someone that owns both and is a retired gunsmith.

Well, he was quite loose with accuracy, on that info...

I was a Valmet distributor and worked quite a bit with 412's, including designing some new cartridges for them, selling 412 DR and combo bbl. sets, chambered for them. There's NO WAY you could do that with a Savage 2400 or 333 (same action as the 2400) as there's major differences in the actions and there's much less strength in the 333 action.

Some time ago I wrote a complete article on this very subject on the GBO site to clear this all up, but the picts. are no longer with it, so it probably doesn't make much sense now.

Anyway, having both side by side would instantly clear this all up...

BTW, I probably still have at least (20) 412 bbl. sets around here...

DM

 

[Oldschool shooter]

So none of the parts would be interchangeable? What about parts for the older 212 and 312 Valmet?

 

[DM~]

I won't say "none" as I've never tried many, as for the older Valmets, the Savage 333's and 2400's were Valmet designs of "that time", and like you, I only know what I've heard, on those models.

DM

 

[DM~]

Check these picts. out and tell me what you think,







Valmet beefed up the frame/bbls. when going to the 412, so it would last a lot longer taking higher pressure loads...

DM

 

[e rex]

At any rate it was a wonderful gift from an 83 year old Grandfather to his Grandson.

 

[DM~]

At any rate it was a wonderful gift from an 83 year old Grandfather to his Grandson.

Absolutely FANTASTIC!! Someone should be VERY happy with that gift!

DM

 

[TBL004]

Great story! The Valmet 412 was my first “real” trap gun years ago. It was a well made, quality shotgun.