doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion German & Austrian Sporting Guns @ doublegunshop.com 16 Ga. Slug load for drilling 2.5" question

Forum,

How are some of you loading slugs for your vintage drillings? I want to try this but not sure if I will have to make my own slugs out of pure lead or if they can be bought. Also, any suggestions on powder type and charge, roll crimping..etc. would certainly be appreciated.

Thanks!

Hang on a little while longer,there has been recent discussion about up comming production of Brenneke 16 ga 2 1/2" slugs.
Mike

Sadly,It's not coming any time soon per Brenneke ....hence my question. I want to use my drilling this year if possible.

That's too bad, I know a lot of people were looking forward to them.I don't have enough experience to be able to offer a good solution.Both my drillings have 70mm chambers, but I still hardly ever use slugs in them(usually 1 shot shell and 1 22 in EL.)I have some 1970s era 67 1/2mm Brennekes, that were marketed as being useable in 65mm or 70 mm chambers.I suggest you fire modern 16 ga slugs in a 70mm chamber and measure the actual length of the fired shell.You could do this with different makes of ammo and you may find one that actual measurements show a case length of 67 1/2mm or shorter.If so, that should resolve the controversy around shooting nominal 2 3/4" slugs in 65mm chambers. What you find out would be very interesting to the rest of us.
Mike

I just got an update. It appears that the 65mm Brenneke slugs will be available early November. I am very happy with this news. I was also informed that they are concerned that drilling/cape owners with full chokes may consider using them in their guns. From what I am told, they are recommending Mod or larger for use. This warning will not be posted on this box. Also, its noted they are 1oz loads.

I am very excited at this news.

Thanks,

kc

If you roll your own, there are many options before you. Having installed a short kit on my mec loader, all my 16 ga. loads will now be 2 9/16. (should have made my own spacer and saved the cost of the short kit) Unskived hulls seem to want to turn in like roll crimps on mine, otherwise you'll need a roll crimp tool. Note which direction of rotation your roll crimper is designed for...I assumed all were clockwise--wrong! The BPI crimper operated counter-clockwise. Loading data for slugs can be found though Ballistic Products Inc. They sell slugs. I have 2 boxes of unloaded Brennekes, but don't know if they still sell components. Any load for 1 0z. should be within reason, choosing lower pressure formulas perhaps would be favorable. Agree that you should measure a fired slug hull, since 16 ga. activ 1 0z slug hulls I have measured were clearly short enough. Agree that mod. choke and larger is best, though many choose Brenneke due to concerns of firing a slug through a full choke barrel. Mod. or larger, and any slug is ok. Steve

PS When loading your own slugs, you are able to dial in the velocity which regulates best in your drilling. Barrel time affects recoil rise, etc. Shoot it in like a double rifle! Steve

I think I am going to try to roll my own. Steve, thanks for the thoughts and I called Ballistic.

Question, any thoughts on pressure (PSI) to keep in mind when reloading for a quality 1930s vintage drilling?

Steve, I'm set up to cast my own 16 bore round balls and can load the 2 1/2-9/16 hulls. Any thoughts or insight on round balls?

Sharps4590: Hit a deer with a round ball and it's like shoving a broomhandle in their side, devastating. But round balls are a shorter range proposition due to ballistic shape, and the old knuckleball flight. Would be great if a plastic or felt wad vane could be attached to the rear side to give it a shuttlecock effect. You may have to use an overshot card to get a suitable crimp. BPI has more experience with round balls and lots of formulas. Steve